Protection of 'Animal Rights' in Rescue and Treatment, Awareness Improvement Education
There are people working to create a ‘sweet’ world where animals and humans coexist.
The ‘Social Cooperative Sweet Animal World,’ which started in Busan, has revamped its Ulsan branch (Vice Chairperson Imae Lee) and begun its activities.
‘Sweet Animal World’ is an organization that runs cultural programs for companion dogs and cats, as well as public interest projects to protect stray and abandoned cats.
The Ulsan branch rescued 120 stray cats facing the threat of live burial in the ‘Ulsan Jung-gu Boksan-dong 05 redevelopment area’ in 2019 and established the first stray cat shelter called ‘Cat Boarding House’ in Bukjeong-dong, Jung-gu, to provide them a safe haven.
In 2019 alone, they rescued around 200 stray cats near construction sites and have continuously been rescuing animals in crisis through activities such as neutering and adoption.
Currently, the Ulsan branch is temporarily caring for 34 stray cats that are difficult to adopt. To provide them with a better shelter, they relocated and expanded to Seongnam-dong, Jung-gu, and held a reopening ceremony on the 12th.
At the event, key figures including Sweet Animal World Chairman Jungwoo Choi, Vice Chairperson Imae Lee, Director Seungjin Lee of Seungjin Animal Hospital, and Ulsan Nam-gu Council Member Inseo Park attended.
Seungjin Lee, president of the Ulsan Veterinarians Association, which conducts stray cat rescue and free treatment volunteer activities, said, “Ulsan City has shown special interest in expanding animal rights, being designated as a pet-friendly city last year,” adding, “I hope many people will join in creating a society where animals and humans coexist, and that Sweet Animal World will play a pivotal role.”
Ulsan Nam-gu Council Member Inseo Park said, “Interest in animal rights protection is growing across various sectors,” and pledged, “We will strive to provide legal and institutional support to encourage these activities.”
The Ulsan branch has so far facilitated the adoption of over 300 stray cats and continues to protect cats that are difficult to adopt due to disabilities or other reasons at the shelter.
Vice Chairperson Imae Lee and 12 committee members manage operations, with about 120 volunteers participating annually. Shelter operating costs, including food and activity expenses, are covered by donations from like-minded supporters and funds collected by the committee members.
Chairman Jungwoo Choi stated, “Sweet Animal World began with rescuing abandoned cats and is actively conducting educational activities to improve awareness of animals,” adding, “As there are many social changes such as stronger penalties for animal abuse, all cooperative members will make every effort to build a society where animals coexist with humans.”
The Ulsan branch provides education on companion animal awareness and animal rights protection tailored to different ages and school grades. Any citizen can visit the shelter to meet the cats under protection.
Vice Chairperson Imae Lee, responsible for managing the Ulsan branch, said, “I would like to thank everyone who supports the shelter’s operating costs, including those who wish to remain anonymous, and many others who have helped,” adding, “I believe that our small collective hearts can create a society where many animals in crisis are loved and their basic animal rights are guaranteed.”
She continued, “Support and encouragement from Kim Hyun-joo, representative of the Ulsan Citizens’ Coalition, the Pharmacy Association for a Healthy Society, Seungjin Animal Hospital, and Gang Il-woong Animal Hospital have been a great help in running the shelter.”
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