As pet-related industries are growing rapidly, people have started to see their pets as companions, like family members, which is leading to a growing desire for various experiences or educational programs where pet owners can play with and train their pets. (image: Kobiz Media / Korea Bizwire)
CHUNCHEON, Korea, Jan. 22 (Korea Bizwire) – As Koreans’ affection for their pets continues to increase, a special museum where people can experience a variety of dog races, play with their pets and even train their dogs is set to open.
On January 21, Gangwon-do, Chuncheon City and Animal & Human signed an MoU for the museum, the first of its kind in Korea. Animal & Human plans to invest 25 billion won in the first phrase of the project, constructing the museum on 101,685 square meters of land by 2016. The Gangwon provincial government and Chuncheon will offer administrative support for the project.
Later, they will expand the museum into a pet healing and training center, pet auto-camping site and even a college specializing in pets.
As pet-related industries are growing rapidly, people have started to see their pets as companions, like family members, which is leading to a growing desire for various experiences or educational programs where pet owners can play with and train their pets.
With a rising number of single-person households and an aging population, the number of people owning pets exceeds 10 million in Korea, and pet related businesses are growing rapidly to a 2 trillion won market. Once the museum opens, the provincial government expects to generate 12.2 billion won in economic benefits annually by creating 650 new jobs, attracting 420,000 visitors, and generating income from selling tickets, pet products and other services.
In addition, the Gangwon-do government plans to provide emotional support for elderly people living alone and single-person householders. Furthermore, it expects that it can offer social welfare programs related to pets, such as dispatching pets to places needing special attention like nursing homes and children day care centers.
Given the current situation, where pet businesses are rising as a potential growth industry, the provincial government expects the museum play a leading role in the business, and to be an important venue for international dog shows or pet racing competitions.
By John Choi (johnchoi@koreabizwire.com)
