Support for Veterinary Expenses for Vulnerable Groups
and Adoption Fees for Abandoned Animals
On June 8, Yangcheon-gu, Seoul announced that it will implement 15 animal welfare projects, including veterinary care support for pets owned by vulnerable groups and adoption support for abandoned animals, in an effort to create a “pet welfare city” where people and animals can live happily together.
Last year at the Yangcheon-gu Pet Dog Festival, Lee Gijae, Mayor of Yangcheon-gu, with a pet dog. Provided by Yangcheon-gu.
The district has designated ten “Neighborhood Animal Hospitals” to alleviate the financial burden on vulnerable residents who own pets, providing up to 400,000 won per animal for veterinary expenses. Eligible recipients are basic pension beneficiaries aged 65 or older residing in Yangcheon-gu. Essential veterinary costs such as basic checkups, vaccinations, and heartworm prevention medication for dogs and cats are covered up to 200,000 won per animal. Additional treatments, such as disease treatment discovered during essential care or neutering surgery, are supported up to an additional 200,000 won per animal.
To address gaps in pet care for socially disadvantaged individuals and single-person households, the district also operates “Neighborhood Pet Boarding Centers.” For vulnerable groups such as basic livelihood security recipients and those just above the poverty line, pet care is provided at three designated management companies for up to ten days per animal. For single-person households, care is supported for up to five days per animal.
The district is also promoting projects to encourage the adoption of abandoned animals. Residents who adopt lost or abandoned animals receive up to 150,000 won per animal to cover costs such as vaccinations, neutering surgery, and microchip registration. Free animal registration tags are also produced and provided.
To prevent rabies outbreaks in advance and reduce the medical costs for households with pets, the district supports “rabies vaccinations” for dogs and cats aged three months or older. Yangcheon-gu provides rabies vaccinations at 42 designated animal hospitals in the district, and over the past three years, vaccinations have been provided for approximately 20,000 animals.
In addition, to resolve conflicts and difficulties caused by behavioral issues in pets and to foster a mature pet culture, the district will operate a “Pet Culture Class” through next month, offering customized education. The district also plans to appoint “Honorary Animal Protection Officers” who will provide counseling and promote animal protection and welfare, as well as support the rescue and protection of abused animals.
According to the district, as of the end of 2024, there were a total of 25,330 registered pets in Yangcheon-gu. As a result of various policies to protect pets, the number of abandoned animals decreased by more than half, from 325 in 2020 to 150 last year. During the same period, support for Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) surgeries for stray cats increased from 300 to 530 cases.
Lee Gijae, Mayor of Yangcheon-gu, stated, “We will continue to promote sustainable animal protection projects so that a mature animal welfare culture can take root in the community.”
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