Taean in South Chungcheong Province, renowned for transforming an environmental catastrophe into a symbol of community resilience, witnessed a remarkable turnaround following the devastating oil spill on December 7, 2007. With the largest oil spill in history tarnishing its shores, 1.23 million individuals rallied together, rolling up their sleeves to volunteer and initiate what would later be dubbed as the “miracle on the west coast.” (Image courtesy of Yonhap)
TAEAN, Mar. 16 (Korea Bizwire) – In Taean County, celebrated last year as a ‘Pet-Friendly Tourism City’, a new self-service dog wash facility has opened its doors, adding to the region’s pet-friendly amenities.
The inauguration of ‘Happy Paws’ (translated), a specialized self-service dog wash store, took place on March 14 with notable attendees including Taean County officials and members of the local council, alongside Han Seon-gyu, director of the Taean Senior Club, and Kim Jeong-ho, head of the Chungnam Senior Job Support Center, among 30 participants.
Located in Dongmun-ri, Taean-eup, ‘Happy Paws’ offers an optimized self-wash and drying facility for dogs, along with a variety of pet products including snacks and brushes for sale. The operation of the facility is managed by the business unit of the Taean Senior Club.
The facility is equipped with state-of-the-art self-service bathing equipment and a contactless service environment, allowing pet owners to take care of their furry friends’ bathing, grooming, and health care all in one place. The pricing is set at 5,000 won for a 10-minute bath and 1,000 won for a 5-minute dry.
Having miraculously survived the worst oil spill in history, Taean may be a fitting choice for a dog wash center that embodies the spirit of “wash up” in some ways. (Image courtesy of DevianArt/CCL)
The initiative was kick-started last year after Taean County secured 50 million won from a Chungnam Senior Job Support Center public competition, which was utilized for equipment purchases and store leasing, leading to the operational fruition of the project. By designating the Taean Senior Club as the operator, the project has also created employment opportunities for 10 seniors, and is expected to improve the quality of life for the elderly community in the region.
Following Taean County’s selection as a ‘Pet-Friendly Tourism City’ by the Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism and the Korea Tourism Organization last year, the introduction of pet-centric facilities like ‘Happy Paws’ is anticipated to resonate well with local pet owners and tourists traveling with pets.
With the launch of this dog wash facility, Taean County aims to capture the dual goals of boosting tourism and enhancing senior welfare. The county plans to explore various strategies to promote usage, including collaborations with related facilities and leveraging social media for outreach.
Taean County Mayor Ka Se-ro, who attended the opening ceremony, expressed optimism about the facility’s role in responding to the growing demand in the pet economy and in creating jobs for the elderly. He pledged continued attention and collaboration with relevant agencies to ensure the successful operation of the business.
Lina Jang (linajang@koreabizwire.com)
