Local Governments' Acquisition and Protection in Unavoidable Circumstances
In cases where long-term hospitalization, military service, accidents, or other unavoidable circumstances prevent pet owners from continuing to care for their animals, local governments are actively operating the "Pet Relinquishment Acceptance System" in Seocho-gu, Seoul, which takes in and protects pets to prevent abandonment.
Seocho-gu introduced the story of an elderly couple who visited the district's Animal Welfare Team last month and announced on the 5th the "Pet Relinquishment Acceptance System," implemented since last year following amendments to the Animal Protection Act.
The couple's son suffered a severe traffic accident and has been hospitalized unconscious for an extended period, leaving the two pet dogs he cared for without a home. Through the "Pet Relinquishment Acceptance System," the district office decided to find new families for the dogs.
The "Pet Relinquishment Acceptance System" restricts applications for animal acceptance by local governments only to cases where the owner faces long-term hospitalization or care exceeding six months, military service, destruction of residence due to natural disasters, admission to protection facilities due to domestic violence, and similar unavoidable circumstances, minimizing the risk of encouraging abandonment.
Submitting supporting documents explaining the reasons is mandatory for the application. The district explained that after receiving an application, a thorough on-site investigation is conducted to verify facts and check for alternative caregivers, and a reflection period is also provided.
Animals confirmed for relinquishment through this process are protected at Seocho Animal Love Center, the district's pet adoption facility, and then proceed through adoption procedures. The two dogs relinquished by the elderly couple due to their unfortunate situation are currently housed at Seocho Animal Love Center, awaiting new families.
Meanwhile, Seocho-gu is making efforts in various fields to create a mature animal-friendly city. Through the "Pet Dog Academy" at Seocho Animal Love Center, they enhance dogs' social skills, and promote dog health with activities such as "dog fitness" and "pet logging" (walking dogs while picking up trash). They also operate the "Seoripul Rainbow Group" to help pet owners overcome the grief of losing their pets.
Jeon Seong-su, Mayor of Seocho-gu, stated, "We will do our best to ensure that pets who lose their families due to unavoidable circumstances are not abandoned and can continue their lives anew," adding, "We will build a mature animal-friendly city in Seocho where humans and animals can coexist."
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