Gyeonggi-do Surpasses 1,500 Abandoned Dog Adoptions in 6 Years

[Asia Economy (Suwon) = Reporter Lee Young-gyu] Gyeonggi Province announced on the 3rd that the number of abandoned dogs finding new families through the Helper Dog Sharing Center has exceeded 1,500.

This comes 6 years and 6 months after the first adopted dog (Kong) in November 2013, and 14 months after the 1,000th adopted dog (Bambi) in February 2019.

The Helper Dog Sharing Center is a professional institution for training and adoption of helper dogs and companion dogs, directly operated by Gyeonggi Province, and opened in Mado-myeon, Hwaseong City in March 2013.

It is equipped with one management building including an animal hospital and two breeding facilities. The breeding capacity is 110 dogs, with an annual adoption capacity of 400 dogs.

The number of abandoned dogs trained and adopted here has steadily increased, starting from 12 in 2013, 233 in 2017, 292 in 2018, and 335 last year.

This year, 204 dogs have been adopted as of last month, and on the 27th of last month, the 1,500th adopted dog, "Geumgang" (mixed breed), finally met a new family.

Geumgang was protected at the Goyang City Abandoned Animal Shelter before coming to the Helper Dog Sharing Center on the 2nd of last month.

Afterward, Geumgang completed disease testing, vaccination, and basic obedience training here and was adopted by a family in Uiwang City.

Ms. Baek Seol-ah, who adopted Geumgang, said with a bright smile, "I trusted that they manage hygienically and provide basic training before adoption," adding, "I will raise him well."

The Helper Dog Sharing Center selects puppies with good social skills from abandoned dogs protected in city and county shelters, provides treatment and training, and finds adoptive families so they can start a new life as helper or companion dogs.

All adopted dogs that have passed through this center are assigned a dedicated veterinarian and trainer, so adopters can receive consultations on diseases or training not only before adoption but also after adoption.

The Helper Dog Sharing Center introduced a "temporary foster care system" in December last year for prospective adopters who are concerned about allergy issues or lack of confidence.

This system allows a grace period before finalizing adoption; if the dog taken home does not adapt well or there are other issues, it can be returned to the center within two weeks.

Those wishing to adopt a dog or visit the center can contact the Helper Dog Sharing Center directly or inquire by phone at 031-8008-0721 to 0726.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.