The national animal protection information system reports that local government shelters took in over 113,000 abandoned or lost animals in 2023. (Image courtesy of Sion Shelter)
SEOUL, Oct. 11 (Korea Bizwire) – In a cramped 33-square-meter apartment in Seoul, 14 cats huddle among stacked metal kennels and cardboard boxes. This makeshift animal shelter, one of many across South Korea, exemplifies the growing crisis of pet abandonment in a country where pet ownership has soared to over 10 million households.
Despite the rise in pet ownership, more than 110,000 animals are abandoned annually, pushing animal protection centers to their limits. “No matter how much you love animals, volunteering at these shelters is challenging,” says a volunteer who wished to remain anonymous, highlighting the often-difficult conditions in these overcrowded facilities.
The national animal protection information system reports that local government shelters took in over 113,000 abandoned or lost animals in 2023, a number that has remained consistently high for the past three years. Paradoxically, the number of shelters has decreased from 269 in 2021 to 228 in 2023, exacerbating the overcrowding issue.
“We’re always at capacity,” says an employee at one animal protection center, where animals are housed in stacked cages. “Every time a new animal arrives, we struggle to find space.”
The overwhelming influx has led to shorter shelter stays for animals. The average stay has decreased from 42 days in 2017 to 27 days in 2023, according to a recent survey on companion animal protection and welfare. In 2023, 20,000 animals — 18% of those rescued — were euthanized after failing to find new homes.
Complicating matters is the recent enactment of a law to phase out dog meat consumption by February 2027. The government estimates there are 520,000 dogs raised for consumption, many of which may end up in already strained shelters.
“Meat dogs are large, consume more food, and often require extensive training to socialize,” explains a Seoul animal shelter director. “With our current resources, it’s challenging to accommodate them.”
Some suggest implementing a pet ownership tax to bolster shelter resources and support the dog meat phase-out. However, experts argue that changing public perception is crucial.
“People don’t abandon their cars when taxes increase, yet they abandon pets when veterinary bills are high,” says veterinarian Seol Chae-hyun. “It’s important to ensure that only those committed to responsible ownership adopt pets in the first place.”
Lina Jang (linajang@koreabizwire.com)
