Nation's Largest 'Banryeomaru' Opens on the 11th... Gyeonggi-do Establishes Pet Welfare Policy

Perspective view of Banryo Maru, officially opening on the 11th

Gyeonggi Province aims to increase the pet registration rate to 80% and the adoption rate of abandoned animals to 50% by 2026. It also plans to establish 60 pet-friendly spaces. Earlier this month, on the 11th, Gyeonggi Province officially opened 'Banryeomaru,' the largest complex cultural space for pets in South Korea.

On the 10th, Gyeonggi Province announced that it has established a Gyeonggi-style pet welfare policy with the goal of realizing 'AniWel, a happy coexistence of people and animals in Gyeonggi,' following a process of gathering opinions through resident surveys and expert meetings for pioneering pet care policies. AniWel is the brand name symbolizing Gyeonggi Province's pet policy.

To realize this vision, Gyeonggi Province set goals including ▲establishing a global-level pet care system free from abuse and abandonment (animal registration rate from 72% in 2022 to 80% in 2026, abandoned animal adoption rate from 34% in 2022 to 50% in 2026) ▲creating a mature pet-raising culture ecosystem and fostering the pet industry (60 pet-friendly spaces, 20,000 lifelong pet education participants annually, nurturing 100 pet-related businesses annually, and training 1,000 pet experts annually).

Additionally, specific directions for achieving these goals include AniWel for preventing abandonment, loss, and abuse of pets; AniWel for a happy life with pets for pet owners; and AniWel for the pet industry led by Gyeonggi Province.

As part of pet welfare policies, Gyeonggi Province will promote adoption encouragement policies such as expanding key pet adoption centers and conducting pet adoption weeks and campaigns, as well as prevention and protection policies for abandoned animals including support for animal registration fees and operation of crisis animal counseling centers. To prevent pet abuse, it will establish a veterinary forensic center and operate honorary animal protection officers.

For pet owners' welfare policies, the province will expand pet-friendly spaces such as Banryeomaru, pet playgrounds, and public funeral halls, designate Gyeonggi Province Pet Day, promote pet culture festivals, and strengthen customized pet education programs. It also prepared support policies for pet owners, including care cost support for vulnerable groups and reduction of medical expenses.

Regarding pet industry welfare policies, the province will introduce related industry fostering measures such as discovering startups and nurturing promising small and medium enterprises, as well as expert training programs including vocational training courses and field activity support for prospective entrepreneurs and local students. Furthermore, it plans to introduce a certification system for pet-related businesses and establish animal welfare indicators.

Through this pet welfare policy, Gyeonggi Province expects to establish a high-level Gyeonggi-style care system free from pet abuse and abandonment, and to foster a mature pet culture ecosystem and pet industry.

Meanwhile, on the 11th, Gyeonggi Province held an opening ceremony at 'Banryeomaru' located in Yeoju City and officially began its operation.

Banryeomaru is the largest complex cultural space for pets in South Korea, created by Gyeonggi Province to protect pets and promote pet culture. It is equipped with a cultural center, three shelter buildings, an adoption management building, and facilities for residents' convenience.