Seongbuk-gu Provides 400,000 KRW Medical Expense Support for Vulnerable Companion Animals

Basic health checkups and essential vaccinations covered up to 300,000 KRW; treatment or neutering surgery costs for diseases found during essential care supported up to 200,000 KRW
Expanding detailed medical support by increasing participating animal hospitals from 4 to 5
Increasing medical support target for companion animals from 60 to 100 pets

Seongbuk-gu, Seoul (Mayor Lee Seung-ro) announced that the "Our Neighborhood Animal Hospital for Vulnerable Groups" project, which supports medical expenses for pets of vulnerable groups, will be fully operated at five animal hospitals in the district starting March 1.

This project is a representative pet-friendly policy of the district that supports medical expenses such as essential medical fees including basic health checkups and disease treatment costs for pets raised by socioeconomically vulnerable groups, aiming to eliminate blind spots in animal welfare. A district official stated that medical support has been provided to about 153 pets over the past three years.

In response to increasing demand, the district has expanded the number of participating animal hospitals from four to five so that more pets of vulnerable groups can benefit from medical support.

The support target for dogs and cats has also been expanded to cover up to approximately 100 animals.

Residents registered in Seongbuk-gu who are basic livelihood security recipients, lower-income groups, or single-parent families raising dogs or cats can apply for the Our Neighborhood Animal Hospital project. Support is available for up to two pets per household, and the pets must be registered. Unregistered pets can be supported after being registered with an embedded microchip. Applicants wishing to receive support should inquire about participation availability at designated animal hospitals and then visit the hospital with the application form and other required documents for submission.

The support items include essential medical care worth 300,000 KRW (basic health checkup, essential vaccinations, heartworm prevention medication) and optional medical care worth 200,000 KRW (treatment of diseases found during the basic checkup, neutering surgery). Pet owners are responsible for a consultation fee of 5,000 KRW per visit (up to 10,000 KRW) for essential care, excluding the support amount, and any amount exceeding 200,000 KRW for optional care. The costs excluding the owner's share are covered by the district and the participating animal hospitals as talent donations. Including about 100,000 KRW worth of hospital talent donations, the support amount per pet approaches a maximum of 400,000 KRW.

The five local animal hospitals participating in the Our Neighborhood Animal Hospital project in Seongbuk-gu are Dream Animal Hospital (Dongsomun-dong), Taeyang Animal Hospital (Seokgwan-dong), The Pyeonhan Animal Hospital (Gireum-dong), Miso Animal Hospital (Jongam-dong), and University Animal Hospital (Jangwi-dong).

Lee Seung-ro, Mayor of Seongbuk-gu, said, "This year, we increased the number of participating hospitals and supported pets to provide more balanced benefits to vulnerable groups in the district who face significant burdens from pet disease treatment costs. We will continue to carry out various projects so that residents can enjoy a healthy life with their pets."