Suncheon City Supports Medical Expenses for Service Animals of Severely Disabled Persons

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Lee Hyung-kwon] Suncheon City, Jeollanam-do announced on the 4th that it will support medical expenses for pets raised by people with severe disabilities.

This initiative was promoted to prevent zoonotic infectious diseases that people with severe disabilities, who are vulnerable to health issues, may contract from their pets, and to aid in the physical and mental rehabilitation of people with severe disabilities through healthy pets.

The support targets residents registered in Suncheon City who have disabilities classified as grades 1 to 3, as well as those with grade 3 or higher disability ratings under the Enforcement Decree of the Act on the Honorable Treatment and Support of Persons of Distinguished Service to the State.

Pets must be registered under the name of the disabled person or a family member registered in the resident registration. If the pet is not registered, support will be provided after registration. Vaccination costs, disease treatment fees, medical expenses, surgery fees, and neutering costs are covered.

The support amount is up to 500,000 KRW annually for recipients of basic livelihood security and near-poverty groups, and up to 250,000 KRW annually for general severe disabled persons. Support is not available once the budget is exhausted.

Meanwhile, since dogs and cats have short reproductive cycles and give birth to many offspring at once, the abandonment of young animals is rapidly increasing. To minimize this, a neutering cost support project for pets of vulnerable groups is also being promoted.

The neutering cost support project targets pets (dogs and cats) raised by recipients of basic livelihood security and near-poverty groups. Support is divided according to the pet’s weight: 5 kg or less (female 300,000 KRW, male 160,000 KRW), 5?10 kg (female 350,000 KRW, male 210,000 KRW), and over 10 kg (female 450,000 KRW, male 300,000 KRW).

However, medical expenses for pets of severely disabled persons and neutering surgery for pets of vulnerable groups cannot be supported simultaneously. Support is only provided if treatment is received at the designated Yedam Animal Hospital or Hope Animal Hospital.

Applications will be accepted at the town, township, and neighborhood offices until the 22nd, and support will be provided. Applications must be submitted before the budget is exhausted.

A Suncheon City official stated, “Since pets trust and follow their owners regardless of age, gender, presence of illness, financial status, or appearance, the number of households raising pets is expected to continue increasing. After this year’s pilot project, if the results are positive, we plan to expand the program continuously.”

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