Gyeonggi-do to Inspect Posting of Animal Hospital Treatment Fees in the First Half of the Year

Illustration of the Expansion of Animal Hospitals Subject to Prior Posting of Medical Fees

Gyeonggi Province will focus on inspecting compliance with the 'Veterinary Service Act,' including posting veterinary hospital treatment fees, through joint city and county inspections in the first half of this year.

According to the revised Veterinary Service Act enacted last year, from the 5th of this month, all veterinary hospitals with one or more veterinarians must post the costs of major treatment items such as consultation, hospitalization, and examination fees.

The posting method involves placing booklets or printed materials, or attaching posters, in easily visible locations for animal owners such as inside the veterinary hospital reception desk or treatment rooms. Posting on the veterinary hospital's internet homepage is also allowed.

If the fees are not posted, a correction order will be issued, and if the correction order is not complied with, fines will be imposed: 300,000 KRW for the first violation, 600,000 KRW for the second, and 900,000 KRW for the third.

Gyeonggi Province previously conducted preliminary guidance inspections targeting veterinary hospitals in the province through city and county offices from September to November last year. Additionally, in December, all 1,296 veterinary hospitals in the province were informed of this requirement in advance through each city and county office and the Gyeonggi Veterinary Association.

Choi Kyung-mook, Director of the Animal Quarantine and Hygiene Division of Gyeonggi Province, stated, "We will do our best to ensure that the revised Veterinary Service Act is established early by promoting and conducting guidance inspections so that the rights of veterinary hospital users to know and choose treatments are guaranteed."