The pet service centers will go beyond protective functions of ordinary animal protection centers to provide a variety of services including training programs and entertainment. (image: Yonhap)
SEOUL, Nov. 30 (Korea Bizwire) – The South Korean government plans to build centers that will provide comprehensive services for pets to address increasing demand, as more than 6 million households now own pets.
The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs said on Thursday that the government is planning to invest 4.8 billion won (US$4.28 million) to build pet service centers in four locations across the country. Currently, the National Assembly is deliberating the budget allocation for the plan.
The pet service centers will go beyond protective functions of ordinary animal protection centers to provide a variety of services including training programs and entertainment.
“The center will provide one-stop services for animal registration and adopting abandoned dogs,” said a source from the ministry.
“The centers are part of our initiative to expand public services and develop the pet industry as we address the increasing number of households with pets.”
The center will also provide corrective training for pets with abnormal behaviors.
The center will help reduce the cost borne by households by providing special services that weren’t previously available in the public sector, requiring individuals to hire expensive ‘private tutors’.
“Instructions and guidelines that are being developed will be distributed to local autonomous entities,” said a source from the ministry.
H. M. Kang (hmkang@koreabizwire.com)
