Operating 2 Pet-Friendly Playgrounds and Rest Areas, Hosting Pet Festivals and Special Lectures, Running Animal Protection Field Response Teams... Leading the Way in Creating a Proper Pet Culture and Improving Awareness through Animal Protection and Welfare Policies for the Happiness of Both People and Animals
Seongdong-gu, Seoul (Mayor Jung Won-oh) is accelerating various pet-friendly policies to create a city where people and animals coexist.
According to the National Animal Protection Information System, as of July 2024, the number of pet-owning households in Seongdong-gu is 13,792, accounting for about 10% of all households. In the so-called era of 15 million pet owners, the number of pet owners is expected to increase further.
Based on the recognition that pets are 'family' who should share happiness together, Seongdong-gu reorganized the ‘Pet Policy Team’ from the ‘Local Economy Division’ to the ‘Women and Family Division’ in January last year and is promoting various policies to improve animal welfare.
Excited Dogs Running Around! Operating Two Facilities: Pet Dog-Friendly Playground and Pet Dog Rest Area
Seongdong-gu operates leisure spaces such as playgrounds where pet dogs can run freely without leashes, correct behavioral problems, and reduce social conflicts.
Songjeong Pet Dog Playground (73-24 Songjeong-dong) is Seoul’s first pet dog playground to receive a river occupancy permit after the revision of the River Act in July 2023. It is located in the unused space under Songjeong Bridge and can be used freely regardless of weather conditions. The Pet Dog Rest Area (81-1 Haengdang-dong) features green spaces and shaded rest areas, and visitors can also enjoy the nearby Jungnangcheon walking trail and picnic area.
All playgrounds are divided into spaces for small to medium-sized dogs and large dogs, equipped with pet dog play equipment, urinals, waste bag dispensers, lighting, benches, etc., for safe and convenient use. They are open 24 hours a day, year-round, but temporarily closed during severe weather such as heavy rain or snow to prevent accidents. The district plans to add one more pet dog playground by 2025.
‘#PlayInSeongdong’ Pet Festival and Various Educational Programs
On September 28, the district will hold the 2nd Pet Festival ‘#PlayInSeongdong’ at the Salgoti Sports Park Inline Skate Rink. The festival offers various programs such as ▲ Pet Family Fashion Show ▲ Pet Dog Sports Day ▲ OX Quiz, where owners and pets can bond and create joyful memories, as well as various experience booths including ▲ Health Consultation ▲ Hygiene & Grooming ▲ Pet Tarot ▲ Dog Life Photo Booth. Busking performances and lucky draw events will also be held, making it a cultural festival that non-pet owners can enjoy together.
Special lectures for pet owners are held twice a year. In May, the ‘Pet Health Signals and Emergency Treatment’ lecture included an emergency treatment practice booth providing pet CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) experience, which received great response from residents.
Additionally, various educational programs such as ▲ Visiting Pet Dog Home Classes ▲ Pet Culture Classes ▲ Pet Dog Online School website are operated.
Rapid Rescue of Lost and Abandoned Animals! Operation of Animal Protection On-Site Response Team
The district has expanded the animal protection on-site response team from two members last year to three members this year to prevent lost and abandoned animals.
Rescued animals are checked for animal registration details and safely returned to their families through a direct handover service. Abandoned animals whose owners cannot be found are cared for at the Seongdong-gu Animal Protection Center, and adopters receive support of up to 250,000 KRW?the highest amount among Seoul’s autonomous districts?to encourage the adoption culture of abandoned animals.
Strengthening Animal Protection and Welfare Policies for the Happiness of Both People and Animals
Seongdong-gu operates ‘Our Neighborhood Animal Hospital,’ which provides up to 500,000 KRW in medical expenses support for pets owned by vulnerable groups (basic livelihood security recipients, lower-income households, single-parent families).
The Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) program for stray cats has been expanded to support 700 cats, 200 more than last year. Rabies vaccination support is also conducted twice a year (April and October).
Continuous Publicity Activities to Foster Proper Pet Culture and Improve Awareness of Pets
The district continuously conducts inspections and guidance on compliance with the Animal Protection Act and pet etiquette promotion campaigns to foster a responsible pet-raising culture. In May, a joint campaign was held at Seoul Forest Park with the Seongdong-gu Pet Dog Patrol, honorary animal protection officers, and public officials to actively promote pet owner obligations such as ▲ Animal Registration ▲ Wearing a Leash (within 2 meters) and ID Tags ▲ Collecting Pet Waste ▲ Wearing Muzzles for Dangerous Dogs.
Also, the district produces and distributes the ‘Seongdong-gu Wise Pet Life’ leaflet, which provides an overview of pet etiquette and related pet business information and application methods.
Jung Won-oh, Mayor of Seongdong-gu, said, "We will discover and promote various policies so that Seongdong can be a place where people and pets coexist and both pet owners and non-pet owners can be happy together."
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