According to a report released by the Busan Metropolitan Government on Tuesday, there were 4,377 dogs and 3,072 cats abandoned last year. (image: Korea Bizwire)
BUSAN, Jan. 30 (Korea Bizwire) — It has been found that there are more than 4,000 dogs abandoned every year in the city of Busan alone, but only 700 dogs are typically adopted by new owners.
On the other hand, 3,000 cats are abandoned every year, and 80 percent of them die naturally in shelters.
According to a report released by the Busan Metropolitan Government on Tuesday, there were 4,377 dogs and 3,072 cats abandoned last year.
The figures were compiled monthly by the city government from five animal shelters located in the city. It is the first time that official statistics on animal abandonment have been released in Busan.
According to the data, among the 4,377 abandoned dogs, only 716 dogs were adopted by new owners, which accounts for only 16.3 percent of the total.
Meanwhile, 35.8 percent of the abandoned animals died of natural causes at the shelter. However, dogs with diseases were euthanized, accounting for 547 deaths.
In the case of cats, only two cats were put to death, while 10.4 percent were adopted by new owners, and 76.2 percent died of natural causes.
While the number of abandoned cats and dogs amounts to over 7,000 cases every year, the city budget for protecting animals is limited.
It is important to establish proper care facilities for abandoned animals, as most of them die because shelters do not have the financial resources to properly care for them.
Furthermore, a system should be set up to decide whether animals should be put to death.
Currently the veterinarian decides the matter alone, but an advisory committee should be created to change the current system.
Lina Jang (linajang@koreabizwire.com)
