A dog-friendly mobile playground created in Daechi Neighborhood Park, Gangnam-gu, Seoul. (Photo by Gangnam District Office)
The fact that one in four households in Seoul keeps a companion animal now feels very real. The evidence lies in the increasing number of basic local governments introducing pet-friendly policies.
Seongbuk District in Seoul has decided to hold a dog walking education program with a professional trainer at the Bukaksan Ecological Experience Center on October 24 and 28. The program provides practical walking tips that can be immediately applied, such as basic walking practice, appropriate leash length, and advice on walking intervals. A total of 30 teams, each consisting of a dog and its owner, will participate, and the application competition rate has reached nearly 2 to 1.
Seongbuk District organized this education program because conflicts among residents regarding pet waste and leash use have been steadily increasing. Since there are limits to what promotion alone can achieve, the district aims to benefit both dog owners and those who do not keep pets through education.
Lee Seungro, head of Seongbuk District, said, "Residents have shown great interest in the dog walking education, which is being implemented for the first time this year. Starting next year, we will increase the number of sessions and add various programs to do our best to foster a mature pet culture."
Dongjak District also recently received high praise from residents by having a professional trainer visit 50 households to identify and address problem behaviors in dogs, tailored to each family's living environment and habits through one-on-one customized education. This initiative was launched to provide systematic education for companion animals to help residents struggling with problematic pet behaviors and non-compliance with pet etiquette.
Dongjak District, which started this education program for the first time this year, plans to reflect the results of a comprehensive survey of all participants in next year's projects and to implement programs outdoors, such as in pet parks.
Seoul Yangcheon-gu promotional dog 'Bukkeu' and Lee Gijae, Yangcheon-gu Mayor. (Photo by Yangcheon-gu Office)
Yangcheon District, home to the official promotional dog "Bookkeu" (a Siberian Husky), is supporting rabies vaccination. To prevent the spread of rabies, a contagious disease, vaccinations will be provided until October 31 for dogs and cats over three months old at 45 designated animal hospitals in the district. During this period, vaccinations are available for just 10,000 won, which is about 60% less than the usual cost of around 25,000 won.
Some districts have even held festivals for Companion Animal Day. Geumcheon District held a related festival on October 14 to promote a desirable pet culture. Gangnam District, following an event on October 14, will operate a mobile dog playground at the SETEC exhibition center on October 22 and November 12. Any resident who has completed animal registration and rabies vaccination for their dog can use the playground after pre-registration. The event is both for dog-owning residents and to encourage animal registration and rabies vaccination.
Cho Sungmyung, head of Gangnam District, said, "Since 2020, Gangnam District has been operating the nation's first mobile dog playground to create a city where people and companion animals can coexist. We will continue to take the lead in improving animal rights through various companion animal policies."
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