Cats will go the way of the dogs as the government announced on January 14 that it will begin a trial period for registering house cats just like pet dogs starting on January 15. (Image: Yonhap)
SEOUL, Jan. 15 (Korea Bizwire) – Cats will go the way of the dogs as the government announced on January 14 that it will begin a trial period for registering house cats just like pet dogs starting on January 15.
The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, which is spearheading the program in 17 local government districts, explained that the odds of a cat either lost or abandoned ever returning to its owner are much lower than for dogs.
As part of the registration process, microchips will be embedded into the pet cats.
The online community has welcomed the government’s decision with open arms.
One commenter expressed impatience for the program to begin, writing, “I wish the registration system could be expanded as soon as possible,” while another individual, professing to be a cat owner, said it was “really happy news”.
One commenter expressed impatience for the program to begin, writing, “I wish the registration system could be expanded as soon as possible,” while another individual, professing to be a cat owner, said it was “really happy news”. (Image: Yonhap)
Some expressed a certain degree of skepticism over how effective the program would be. One person said, “If [registration] is required, then people will do it, but would pet owners who abandon their animals on the streets actually go through with the registration process? Should their animals be unregistered, I wonder whether the authorities could fine them or not. I agree with the need for the program, but please implement it properly.”
One individual seemed to speak for all pet owners by warning that pets “are like children and cannot be kept without an unbounded sense of responsibility and love”. This individual also revealed his or her support for the registration program.
Kevin Lee (kevinlee@koreabizwire.com)
