According to an announcement on February 1, the Seoul Metropolitan Government’s animal rescue agencies saved 6,644 dogs, 2,618 cats and 291 other animals, totaling 9,533 animals last year.(image: HoCheol Jeon/flickr)
SEOUL, Feb. 2 (Korea Bizwire) – The number of stray animals rescued by Seoul city government agencies in 2014 dropped below 10,000 for the first time in 6 years. According to an announcement on February 1, the Seoul Metropolitan Government’s animal rescue agencies saved 6,644 dogs, 2,618 cats and 291 other animals, totaling 9,533 animals last year.
The metropolitan government announced that it is planning to rescue at least 13,000 stray animals in Seoul, with spending expected to reach 1.2 billion won (US$ 1 million) in 2015. Citizens can also submit reports about abandoned pets or stray animals through the Animal Protection Management System’s online page, www.animal.go.kr.
The number of stray animals rescued in Seoul increased to 18,624 in 2010 from 16,911 in 2009 but has been dropping since 2011. The number decreased to 11,395 in 2013 from 15,229 in 2011.
In 2014, 2,171 of the animals rescued were returned to their owners, while 2,478 were adopted. Unfortunately, 3,062 animals were put to sleep, while 1,320 animals died from natural causes. Agencies affiliated with the Seoul Metropolitan Government currently have 522 animals under their care.
By J.W. Choi (summerchoi@koreabizwire.com)
