Naju City, Jeollanam-do (Mayor Yoon Byung-tae) announced on the 27th that it will hold the "Companion Animal Hope Together Campaign" on the 29th at the central stage area of Bitgaram Lake Park.
The city, along with Dongshin University’s Department of Companion Animal Studies, animal hospitals, and Noldaga (a social cooperative), plans to offer various companion animal talent donations based on practical experience in each field.
This campaign will operate various booth programs such as the abandoned dog adoption promotion booth (Gatissalgae), companion animal free clinic (Geonganghage), and event booth (Haengbokhage).
At the adoption promotion booth, a space for interaction with abandoned animals currently sheltered at the Naju City Abandoned Animal Protection Center will be provided, along with promotion of the adoption process and on-site adoptions.
Local animal hospitals will operate a free clinic for companion animals through talent donations.
They will support companion animal temperament, habits, and behavior correction, health checkups, and provide guidance on emergency treatment methods.
The city will produce and distribute promotional materials to foster social consensus among pet owners, non-pet owners, and companion animals regarding the revised "Animal Protection Act," pet etiquette, and abandoned animal adoption procedures.
The major amendments to the Animal Protection Act, scheduled to take effect on the 27th of next month, focus on strengthening social responsibility for companion animals, including "strengthening the management obligations of pet owners," "introduction of a private animal protection facility reporting system," "municipal acquisition of animals abandoned by owners," and changing the registration system to a permit system for animal importers, sellers, and funeral service providers.
The city is promoting various projects to improve animal protection and welfare, including holding companion animal events at least once per quarter, dog registration, and support for neutering outdoor dogs and stray cats.
A city official said, "Through minimizing abandoned and lost animals under the mandatory pet registration system and spreading the adoption culture, we will strive to reduce social costs and create an atmosphere where humans and animals coexist."
He added, "We hope this campaign will serve as an opportunity to raise interest in animal protection and welfare regardless of whether one is a pet owner or not."
Naju = Kim Yuk-bong, Honam Reporting Headquarters, Asia Economy baekok@asiae.co.kr
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