Increase in Pet-owning Households... Growing Interest in Animal Welfare
Over Fourfold Increase in Stray Cat Neutering Surgeries
Creating a Pet-friendly Travel Environment to Revitalize the Local Economy
Yangpyeong-gun, Gyeonggi Province (Governor Jeon Jin-seon) is establishing a harmonious coexistence environment between people and animals by strengthening animal protection and welfare policies, as well as rescue and rehabilitation policies for abandoned and lost animals, in response to the increasing number of pet-owning households.
Jeon Jin-seon, Yangpyeong County Governor, is talking with participants about animal policies at the "Smart Daeng" pet education and culture event on October 19 last year. Photo by Yangpyeong County
According to the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs on the 24th, the number of pet-owning households in Gyeonggi Province is 1.43 million, accounting for 24.2% of the national total, and this number is gradually increasing every year.
As interest in pets grows higher than ever, Yangpyeong-gun is promoting various pet-related projects under the vision of “Yangpyeong-gun where people and animals are happy together,” and is dedicated to expanding related policies.
To enhance professional capabilities for increasing the survival rate of lost and abandoned animals, Yangpyeong-gun operates a dedicated rescue and protection team, rescuing over 500 dogs and cats last year alone. Among them, 35.7% were adopted or donated to new families, and 19.3% returned to their original homes, receiving appropriate safety measures.
Additionally, to coexist with stray cats, the number of neutering surgeries increased more than fourfold from 420 cases in 2019 to 2,155 cases last year, and protection activities for stray cats have been strengthened according to management standard manuals.
Yangpyeong-gun operates the directly managed abandoned animal center “Pum,” where adoption and aftercare for abandoned and rescued animals are conducted. The county also promotes volunteer programs to spread pet culture and fosters a culture of understanding and respect for pets through partnerships such as the agreement with “Poinhand” to activate adoptions, as well as pet culture classes and campaigns.
Furthermore, this year, pet-related support policies will be further expanded. Approximately 650 million KRW of county funds will be invested in 14 animal-related support projects to practice respect for life, including ▲support for adoption fees for abandoned and lost animals ▲support for animal registration fees to prevent abandonment ▲support for neutering surgeries for outdoor dogs ▲medical and grooming fee support for pets in vulnerable care households ▲strengthened guidance and inspection of pet business establishments to monitor animal abuse.
In addition, Yangpyeong-gun is recruiting “pet-friendly businesses” starting this year to become a specialized travel city for pet owners. The county plans to provide visitors with businesses, accommodations, and tourist attractions where pets are welcome, lowering travel barriers for those traveling with animals. Through this, they aim to create a pet-friendly travel environment and revitalize the local economy.
Also, at the representative festival of Yangpyeong-gun, “The 15th Yangpyeong Yongmunsan Wild Vegetable Festival,” held from April 25 to April 27, a “Pet Zone” will be operated for tourists accompanied by pets. Under the theme “Wild Vegetable Picnic with Family,” various programs such as pet trekking and pet sports events will offer fun and memorable experiences for families and their pets.
Governor Jeon Jin-seon said, “We will create a Yangpyeong-gun where people and animals are happy together by establishing a coexistence environment for pets and settling an animal welfare culture,” adding, “We will do our best to activate adoption of abandoned animals to practice respect for life, expand pet culture facilities, and foster related industries.”
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