Gwanak District Offers Lunar New Year Pet Boarding Service for Vulnerable Groups and Single-Person Households

Pet Registration Required, Up to 10 Days Free

Gwanak District in Seoul (Mayor Park Junhee) will offer the "Our Neighborhood Pet Boarding Service" for vulnerable groups and single-person households ahead of the upcoming Lunar New Year holiday.

The district aims to create a professional pet care environment where vulnerable groups and single-person households with plans for extended absences can safely leave their pets, thereby addressing gaps in pet care caused by financial burdens.

Park Junhee, Mayor of Gwanak District (right), greeting residents and their pets at the Gwanak District Animal Festival held last year. Provided by Gwanak District.

Eligible recipients include basic livelihood security recipients, low-income families, single-parent families, and single-person households registered as residents in Gwanak District. Residents who entrust their dogs or cats to participating boarding facilities can receive professional pet care services for up to 10 days. In special cases, such as long-term hospitalization, the service can be extended up to 50 days. All pets must be registered to use the service.

To select qualified pet boarding service providers, the district has recruited interested companies. The district will review each applicant’s capacity, weekend operation status, and conduct on-site inspections, aiming to select and sign agreements with participating companies by early February.

A district official explained, "We will ensure that residents can use the pet boarding service before the holiday begins, so they can visit their hometowns without worrying about pet care during the holiday period."

Residents wishing to use the pet boarding service can apply directly to the selected provider after the agreements are finalized in early February, bringing supporting documents such as a certificate of vulnerability status and a copy of the pet registration certificate.

Park Junhee, Mayor of Gwanak District, stated, "Once the pet boarding service begins, it will help reduce the financial burden of pet care for socially disadvantaged groups and significantly contribute to preventing pet abandonment due to unavoidable circumstances. In line with the increasing number of households raising pets, the district office will continue to develop and implement diverse policies to enhance pet welfare and establish a healthy pet culture."