In South Korea, more than one in four citizens live with companion animals, marking the era of "15 million pet owners," and interest in related fields such as animal welfare and pet insurance is rapidly increasing.
In line with this trend, Yeongyang-gun has been preparing pet-based projects since 2021, becoming a pet-friendly city by installing an animal shelter in 2022, hosting the "1st Pet Experience Program Event" in 2023, and creating the first pet playground in Gyeongbuk.
In particular, Yeongyang-gun’s pet playground, the first in Gyeongbuk, separates areas for large dogs (298㎡) and small to medium dogs (300㎡) to prevent animal safety accidents. In the future, a veterinary hospital will be established within the animal protection center to provide medical care for rescued or lost animals in emergency situations.
By 2025, Yeongyang-gun plans to open the "Yeongyang-gun Animal Care (Welfare) Center," which will offer a "one-stop" service related to pet infrastructure, including an adoption center for abandoned animals, an education and promotion hall, and a caf?, accessible to both pet owners and non-pet owners, creating a city where animals and residents can be happy together.
Located in Subi-myeon, the "National Geommaksan Natural Recreation Forest" is one of only four national recreation forests in the country that allow companion dogs to enter and stay overnight. Last year alone, it attracted 30,000 visitors and is loved not only by campers but also by pet owners.
Additionally, in Jusil Village, where poet Jo Ji-hoon was born and raised, there are traditional houses where visitors can experience and stay with their pets, allowing for a peaceful and serene time.
Yeongyang-gun, home to the "Pet Playground" where companion animals can run freely and the "National Geommaksan Natural Recreation Forest" where visitors can enjoy the fresh mountain air with their pets, awaits the visits of pet owners.
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