Jongno-gu Provides Veterinary Medical Expenses and Foster Care Benefits for Vulnerable Groups with Pets

Up to 400,000 KRW in Annual Medical Support
Pet Boarding Service Available for Up to 10 Days

Jongno-gu, Seoul (Mayor Jeong Munheon) has introduced ‘pet support measures’ such as support for veterinary hospital fees and free pet boarding to stabilize the emotions of socially vulnerable groups. The purpose is to reduce the economic burden of pet care, prevent neglect or abandonment, and improve the quality of life for vulnerable groups.

Jung Moon-heon, Mayor of Jongno-gu, who attended the 2023 'Marronnier Pet Care Festival' with his pet dog (right in the photo), and comedian Lee Hong-ryeol, who hosted the event. Provided by Jongno-gu. Photo by Jongno-gu.

From this month until December, Jongno-gu will operate ‘Our Neighborhood Animal Hospital,’ which provides medical expenses for dogs and cats, and ‘Our Neighborhood Pet Boarding,’ which supports boarding care during long absences. The target beneficiaries are vulnerable residents such as basic livelihood security recipients and lower-income groups living in Jongno-gu.

‘Our Neighborhood Animal Hospital’ is a project that provides up to 400,000 KRW annually for pet medical expenses. It is divided into essential treatment, which includes basic health checkups, mandatory vaccinations, and heartworm prevention medication, and optional treatment, which supports treatment costs for diseases discovered during basic health checkups and neutering surgery, each supported up to 200,000 KRW.

The designated hospitals are Gwanghwamun Animal Hospital (Tongin-dong) and Nuribom Animal Hospital (Naeja-dong), two locations. The co-payment is 10,000 KRW for essential treatment and any amount exceeding 200,000 KRW for optional treatment. Support is provided once a year for up to two pets per household.

‘Our Neighborhood Pet Boarding’ also operates to take care of dogs and cats when the owner is hospitalized, visiting their hometown, traveling, or otherwise absent for a long time. This service provides free boarding for up to 10 days for vulnerable residents who have no place to leave their pets during extended absences.

The advantage is that the district directly investigates and evaluates suitability based on the Animal Protection Act and selects boarding institutions that residents can trust. The designated facilities are Gangaji Daehangno (Dongsung-dong) and Bomdong Salon (Jongam-dong, Seongbuk-gu, for cat boarding). If the boarding period exceeds the maximum of 10 days, the owner must bear the cost. However, in unavoidable cases such as long-term hospitalization, free boarding is possible for up to 50 days.

To use the service, applicants must visit the designated hospital or institution and submit the required documents along with a copy of the animal registration certificate. For more details, inquiries can be made by phone to the Tourism and Sports Department’s Animal Protection Team.

Mayor Jeong Munheon stated, “This support measure was prepared to prevent neglect of precious pets due to economic difficulties,” and added, “We will continue to make multifaceted efforts to support not only animal protection but also the promotion of animal happiness and welfare, as well as to improve the quality of life for residents.”