"Pets Are Family"... Eunpyeong-gu, a Pet-Friendly City

Mayor Kim Mikyung: "Pets Are Essential Beings"
Companion Dog Walk Event Held at Bongsan Cypress Forest
Support for Employment and Startups Through Professional Training Courses

"Pets are family. Nearly one-third of Eunpyeong-gu residents have pets, which shows how many pet owners there are in Eunpyeong-gu. You all know very well how much love and strength pets give to people."

On July 1, Kim Mikyung, Mayor of Eunpyeong-gu, Seoul, appeared at the 'Barrier-Free Forest Path Walk with Companion Dogs!' event held at the Bongsan Cypress Forest Barrier-Free Trail. On the deck path of the barrier-free forest trail, shaded by the lush summer greenery, 15 unique companion dogs and their guardians gathered to spend a special afternoon in nature.

On the 1st, 15 companion dogs and their guardians attended the 'Barrier-Free Forest Path Walk with Companion Dogs!' event held at Bongsan Cypress Forest Barrier-Free Trail. Provided by Eunpyeong-gu.

Mayor Kim took a walk with her own pet, a seven-month-old Pomeranian named 'Kongi.' She explained that she started raising a pet again after 20 years for her 88-year-old mother. Mayor Kim said, "For single-person households or modern people experiencing mental or psychological difficulties, communication and animal-assisted therapy with pets are important and absolutely necessary. In that sense, pets are essential beings by our side."

This event, held for the first time, was organized to promote a pet-friendly environment and to introduce the cypress forest barrier-free trail, which can be easily accessed by people with strollers or disabilities. Pet owners walked the cypress forest trail with their pets and spent time participating in a pet obstacle course on the stage set up at the Cypress Nuri Rest Area.

Joo Miyeong, who attended the event with her French Bulldog 'Mandeuki,' said, "I learned about today's event through acquaintances who participate in the pet patrol team in Eunpyeong-gu. I'm happy that there are more spaces and programs where I can enjoy time with my pet." Joo recently won a medal in a pet agility competition, teaming up with Mandeuki.

Eunpyeong-gu is expanding its programs to promote coexistence with pets. Starting July 10, the district will offer a 'Comprehensive Pet Care Course' for residents. This introductory care course will cover hygiene, health management, pet etiquette, and accident prevention for those who are not familiar with pet ownership or are preparing for it for the first time. There will also be practical care courses useful in daily life, including walk training, dog sports experiences, emergency care, and hygiene grooming practice.

For local self-reliant youth, women with career breaks, and unemployed young people, the district has created a 100-hour 'Professional Pet Care Training Course' to support job placement and entrepreneurship. For third and fourth-grade elementary school students, a mobile children's animal protection class is offered to foster values of respect for life. For the first time this year, a pet culture festival will be held in October.

Eunpyeong-gu Mayor Kim Mikyung, who participated in the pet walking event, is smiling while holding her pet dog 'Kongi'. Provided by Eunpyeong-gu.

There are about 50 'Pet Patrol Teams' in Eunpyeong-gu, which walk with their dogs at night to help protect residents from crime. In June last year, a 1,300-square-meter dog playground was also built in Mulpure Neighborhood Park in Jingwan-dong.

Mayor Kim said, "Since 2019, Eunpyeong-gu has had a Pet Team within the Family Policy Division, which is responsible for policies related to families, women, child protection, and single-person households." This is based on the recognition that pets, like family members, are essential and necessary beings for people.