Yongsan-gu Resumes Weekly Stray Animal Adoption Campaign Every Saturday in Itaewon

Mayor Seonghyeon Seong of Yongsan-gu's 7th Term Campaign Project... Operating Every Saturday Starting from the 24th

Itaewon Abandoned Animal Adoption Campaign Site (2019 Photo)

[Asia Economy Reporter Jongil Park] The yellow tent in Itaewon is back.

Yongsan-gu (District Mayor Seong Jang-hyun) will resume the abandoned animal adoption campaign, which was halted due to the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19), starting from the 24th.

The campaign location is at the entrance of Itaewon (towards Noksapyeong Station). Volunteers belonging to "People Seeking Happiness for Abandoned Animals (Yuhaengsa)" conduct the campaign every Saturday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Yuhaengsa is a non-profit abandoned animal adoption organization that has been running related campaigns since 2011.

The animals appearing on site are those whose protection period (10 days) under the Animal Protection Act has ended and are facing euthanasia. Usually, they stay at local animal hospitals, adoption cafes, or foster homes and meet citizens every Saturday in Itaewon. Most are dogs, but there are many cats as well.

Those who wish to adopt an abandoned animal can fill out an adoption application form on site. An ID card and a copy of the ID card are required. The subsequent procedures are carried out at affiliated animal hospitals for blood tests, vaccinations, and neutering surgeries. The adopter must bear the costs of tests and surgeries.

Afterward, adopters must report the animal’s status to Yuhaengsa twice a month for one year. If contact with the adopter is lost or abandonment or abuse is suspected, Yuhaengsa may cancel the adoption process. Dog registration can be done under the adopter’s name one year after adoption.

A Yuhaengsa official said, “The procedures are somewhat complicated, but since it is about welcoming a life as family, we ask for cooperation with a joyful heart,” and added, “Please understand that adoption is limited to the metropolitan area for post-adoption management.”

The district actively supports Yuhaengsa’s activities as part of the 7th local government mayor’s pledge project (Living Together with Companion Animals in Yongsan). The district’s role includes protecting and donating abandoned animals, road occupancy permits, responding to civil complaints, and supporting event supplies.

In particular, to resume the campaign, the district additionally supports Yuhaengsa with COVID-19 quarantine supplies and a “Safe Call Entry System” that records visits to the event site instead of a guest list.

Seong Jang-hyun, Mayor of Yongsan-gu, said, “Nearly 300 cases of abandoned animals occur annually within Yongsan-gu,” and added, “We will continue to promote related campaigns with Yuhaengsa to eliminate animal euthanasia.”

Besides the abandoned animal adoption campaign, the district also runs projects such as animal registration, companion animal culture classes, and street cat treatment support. On the 20th, they held an animal protection education session called “Wise Companion Life” featuring veterinarian Seol Chae-hyun from “There Are No Bad Dogs in the World.”

On November 5, they will continue with the “Wise Companion Life” cat edition with veterinarian Kim Myung-chul from “Please Take Care of the Cats.” It can be viewed on the district office’s YouTube channel.

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