A stray cat rescued from the wildfire site (Image provided by Busan Animal Protection Network for Street Cats)
UISEONG, South Korea, April 13 (Korea Bizwire) — In the aftermath of the massive wildfire that swept through Gyeongbuk Province earlier this year, 81-year-old Ms. Kim, a lifelong resident of Uiseong, lost more than just her home. Her cherished family of animals—dogs, cats, goats, and chickens—perished in the blaze that engulfed her property.
Known in her community for rescuing and caring for abandoned animals with maternal devotion, Ms. Kim made a desperate attempt to free her livestock during the fast-moving inferno. She suffered burns in the process and was forced to flee before reaching the animals’ shelter.
Now staying with relatives, she returns daily to the charred remains of her home to feed 20 surviving cats. But as resources dwindle, she recently turned to an animal welfare group for help.
A stray cat eating pet food (Image provided by Busan Animal Protection Network for Street Cats)
“She was hospitalized after suffering burns while trying to save the animals,” said Park Hye-kyung, head of the Busan Animal Protection Network for Street Cats. The organization has since provided 200 kilograms of cat food. “Many elderly residents wander through the ashes of their destroyed villages carrying small bags of feed, searching for the animals they once cared for like family.”
More than ten days after the wildfire was extinguished, volunteers and residents continue efforts to locate and care for surviving animals across southern South Korea. In Uiseong, seniors staying in evacuation shelters return daily to feed the animals they once tended in their neighborhoods—traveling miles each way.
Official shelters, however, do not permit animals. In response, local animal organizations have set up feeding stations and launched mobile “survival food trucks” to support roaming pets and strays. Injured animals are being transferred to clinics for treatment, with some pet food companies stepping in to donate supplies.
“The villages left in ruins are now home only to the animals,” said Park. “We need a disaster response system that protects not just people, but animals too. It’s time we establish legal provisions for evacuating with companion animals.”
As South Korea faces increasingly frequent climate disasters, grassroots efforts like these are highlighting the urgent need for inclusive disaster planning—one that recognizes both human and animal lives.
Lina Jang (linajang@koreabizwire.com)
