This file photo on Sept. 9, 2021 shows a stray cat resting in a street of Seoul. (Yonhap)
SEOUL, June 30 (Korea Bizwire) — The government is launching an initiative to establish guidelines for caring for and neutering stray cats by the end of this year.
The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs said Friday it has formed a consultative group comprising animal protection groups, veterinary associations, academia members, legal organizations, and field activists.
The group aims to address various issues related to the protection and welfare of stray cats.
The initiative follows the government’s plans to enhance the stray cat neutering project that was introduced in March.
Recently, the consultative group held a meeting to discuss key aspects of stray cat protection guidelines worldwide and determine the scope of the new domestic guidelines.
The ministry intends to examine guidelines for neutering procedures on stray cats, as well as operational standards for facilities responsible for the care of neutered stray cats.
Between 2018 and 2022, the government subsidized neutering projects for approximately 358,000 cats, aiming to control the stray cat population.
In Seoul and seven metropolitan cities (excluding Sejong), the stray cat population decreased from 273 per square kilometer in 2020 to 233 per square kilometer in 2022.
The proportion of kittens declined from 29.7 percent in 2020 to 19.6 percent in 2022.
Lina Jang (linajang@koreabizwire.com)
