Yangcheon-gu Operates 'Uri Dongnae Pet Foster Home' During Lunar New Year Holiday

Yangcheon-gu, Seoul (District Mayor Lee Gi-jae) announced on the 26th that it will operate the ‘Our Neighborhood Pet Boarding Service’ to allow vulnerable residents to safely leave their pets in care during holidays such as Lunar New Year and Chuseok or when they need to be away from home for an extended period due to hospital stays.

A pet dog playing at the pet dog shelter in Sinwol 1-dong, Yangcheon-gu. Provided by Yangcheon-gu.

The ‘Our Neighborhood Pet Boarding Service’ is a program that supports the boarding costs for companion dogs and cats, targeting economically vulnerable groups such as basic livelihood security recipients, lower-income families, single-parent families, and socially vulnerable groups such as crime victims.

The support cost is 50,000 KRW per day for cats, and 30,000 to 50,000 KRW per day for dogs (30,000 KRW for under 4kg, 40,000 KRW for 4 to under 20kg, and 50,000 KRW for over 20kg). The protection period is up to 10 days per animal, but in unavoidable cases such as long-term hospitalization, it can be extended up to 50 days with the approval of the district mayor.

Pet owners who wish to use the Our Neighborhood Pet Boarding Service must prepare an application form and proof of vulnerable status, then contact in advance and visit one of the three designated boarding management companies appointed by the district office: ‘Jejune Pet Kindergarten (Sinjeong-dong)’, ‘Yangcheon General Animal Hospital (Sinwol-dong)’, or ‘Cats Island (Sinjeong-dong)’ to apply in person.

However, dog registration is mandatory, so if the dog is not registered, owners must register their dog at a nearby animal hospital before applying.

District Mayor Lee Gi-jae said, “Through this project, we hope that socially disadvantaged people who find it difficult to use pet boarding services due to financial burdens can go out with peace of mind, and that it will help improve animal welfare by providing proper care and protection for companion animals.”