Around 58,000 dogs were abandoned last year, while 21,000 cats were left in the street. (image: Korea Bizwire)
SEJONG, May 8 (Korea Bizwire) — A total of 81,000 animals including cats and dogs were abandoned in Korea last year, according to a report from the Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency (QIA) published on May 7.
The figure is a 16.5 percent decrease from 97,000 abandoned animals in 2013. Around 58,000 dogs were abandoned last year, while 21,000 cats were left in the street.
Gyeonggi-do was home to 24.3 percent of the total, as 19,700 animals were retrieved from the area, while 9,500 animals and 7,200 animals were found in Seoul and Busan respectively.
Following their capture, 25,500 animals (31.4%) were adopted by individuals, while 18,700 animals (23%) died naturally and 18,400 animals (22.7%) were put down. The remaining 1,600 animals were returned to their owners.
The QIA revealed that the total cost of managing abandoned animals in 2014 was 10.4 billion won (US$ 9.5 million).
There are currently 368 animal protection centers in Korea. Local governing bodies operate 25 while contractors operate 343.
By Lina Jang (linajang@koreabizwire.com)
