Even in the Era of 3.5 Million Pets, Over 110,000 Abandoned Last Year

As of 2024, 3.49 Million Dogs and Cats Registered in Korea
Concerns Grow Over Pet Abandonment and Loss During Chuseok Holiday

With the spread of pet culture, the cumulative number of registered pets (dogs and cats) in Korea has reached 3.5 million. However, it has been found that more than 100,000 pets are abandoned each year. In particular, cases of pet abandonment increase during holiday periods, raising concerns about pet abandonment during this year's Chuseok holiday. Abandoning animals is an illegal act punishable by a fine of up to 3 million won under the Animal Protection Act.

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According to the "2024 Survey on the Status of Pet Protection and Welfare" released by the Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency on October 8, 2025, the number of newly registered dogs and cats in 2024 was 260,000, a decrease of 4.2% compared to the previous year. However, the cumulative number of registered pets increased by 6.3% year-on-year to 3.49 million. Of the 260,000 newly registered pets, 245,000 were dogs and 15,000 were cats, with the number of newly registered cats increasing each year.

Although the number of reports and rescues of lost or abandoned animals has been decreasing annually, more than 100,000 pets are still abandoned each year. The number of reported and rescued lost or abandoned animals was 113,400 in 2022, 113,100 in 2023, and 106,800 in 2024. Last year alone, 77,300 dogs and 27,800 cats were rescued.

Only 11.4% (12,188 animals) of rescued animals were returned to their owners. 25,136 animals (23.5%) were adopted, while 29,368 animals (27.5%) died of natural causes.

The main reasons for considering giving up or relinquishing a pet are behavioral problems and financial burdens. Among pet owners who have considered giving up or relinquishing their pets, 47.8% cited "behavioral problems such as property damage or barking" as the primary reason. This was followed by "higher-than-expected expenses" (36.3%) and "changes in circumstances such as moving or employment" (26.5%).

During the Chuseok holiday, the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs will provide services for reporting lost or abandoned animals, as well as information on animal hospitals that offer emergency treatment. If you lose your pet or find a stray dog or cat in your area during the holiday, you can use the National Animal Protection Information System to receive notifications about the capture, rescue, or discovery of lost animals.