Jongno-gu To Operate Free Pet Care Center For Vulnerable Residents

Free 10-Day Care for Companion Dogs and Cats Starting This Month

On February 9, Jongno-gu in Seoul (District Mayor Jung Moonheon) announced that it will operate the "Our Neighborhood Pet Care Center" from this month through December 2026 to support vulnerable residents who have difficulty caring for their companion animals due to holiday seasons, unexpected hospitalizations, business trips, and similar situations.

A scene from last November's Jongno Health Walking Event with pet dogs. Provided by Jongno-gu.

This program was prepared to ease the financial burden on socially disadvantaged people who struggle to care for their companion dogs and cats, and to prevent situations in which companion animals are left unattended. Eligible beneficiaries are basic livelihood security recipients, lower-income households, single-parent families, single-person households, and crime victims residing in protection facilities, all of whom must be registered residents of Jongno-gu.

The total entrusted care period is 10 days, and it can be divided and used without any limit on the number of times. For single-person households, the service is provided for up to 5 days per half-year. The service is completely free of charge. However, if the free entrusted care period is exceeded, the user must cover the additional cost.

The entrusted care of companion animals is handled by professional companies that the district has investigated, evaluated, and selected based on the Animal Protection Act. Companion dogs are cared for at Gangaji Daehak-ro (B1, 92 Daehak-ro 12-gil, Jongno-gu), and companion cats are cared for at Bomdong Salon (3F, 31 Samseongyo-ro 23-gil, Seongbuk-gu). Residents who wish to apply can visit each company and submit their ID card, documents proving eligibility, and the animal registration certificate for their companion animal.

Jung Moonheon, Mayor of Jongno-gu, stated, "I hope that companion animals can be safely protected even when their families are absent, and that their owners can go about their daily lives without worrying about care," adding, "We expect this program to help residents who have struggled because they could not find a trustworthy place to leave their precious companion animals due to financial burdens."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.