Nowon-gu Operates 'Pet Dog Care Shelter' During Lunar New Year Holiday

Continued Operation of Pet Dog Care Shelter During Lunar New Year Holiday Amid Positive User Reviews
For Small Dogs Under 8kg with Completed Animal Registration and Rabies Vaccination, Care Fee 5,000 KRW
Applications Accepted for One Dog per Household, First-Come-First-Served for 30 Dogs, Jan 22?31 Until 6 PM

Nowon-gu, Seoul (Mayor Oh Seung-rok) announced that it will operate the 'Holiday Pet Dog Care Shelter' from February 9 to February 11 during the Lunar New Year holiday period.

The Holiday Pet Dog Care Shelter is a representative animal welfare service provided by the district to reduce the burden on pet owners planning to return to their hometowns. It has been in operation for seven years since it was first implemented during Chuseok in 2018 to prevent the increase of abandoned dogs during vacation seasons.

This Lunar New Year’s pet dog care shelter is being held in response to a satisfaction survey conducted among dog owners who used the facility during the last Chuseok holiday, where all respondents expressed their intention to use the service again. It will be set up in the same location as before, the large auditorium on the second floor of the district office.

The shelter is available for small dogs under 8kg raised by district residents that meet the following criteria: ▲at least 6 months old ▲registered and vaccinated against rabies ▲socially well-adjusted. Dogs with contagious diseases, pregnant dogs, or those in heat are not eligible. For dogs sensitive to their environment, it is recommended to bring familiar food, toys, or bedding from home.

During their stay, the dogs will rest comfortably in the hotel room furnished with cushions, mats, and cozy bedding, and enjoy playtime in the playground equipped with various exercise equipment and toys, separated by size.

To ensure the safety of the dogs at the shelter, professional pet sitters organized in teams of three will be assigned in two shifts from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., with night duty staff monitoring the dogs carefully. In case of illness or injury, the dogs will be promptly taken to a 24-hour animal hospital in the area to prevent serious accidents.

The district plans to strengthen customized care considering the characteristics of each breed for smooth pet dog care. Basic information about each dog, including owner’s requests, will be distributed to pet sitters in advance to improve the quality of care. Additionally, owners will receive photos of their dogs twice a day (after morning feeding and before bedtime) during the care period.

Applications can be made on the Nowon-gu Office website from 9 a.m. on January 22 to 6 p.m. on January 31, with a care fee of 5,000 KRW. Vulnerable groups such as elderly living alone, people with disabilities, and recipients of basic livelihood security can apply by phone.

Meanwhile, since opening the Nowon Pet Culture Center ‘Daengdaeng House’ in October 2020, the district has been conducting various projects for coexistence between people and animals. These include protection and management of abandoned and abused animals, adoption of abandoned dogs, pet culture education, as well as providing convenience facilities for pet families such as community spaces and self-dry rooms.

Oh Seung-rok, Mayor of Nowon-gu, said, “We are preparing various projects to prevent the unfortunate increase of abandoned animals after the holidays,” and added, “We will continue to lead a mature pet culture and create a cultural city Nowon where both pet families and their pets can be happy.”