Please Take Care of Cats... Ulsan City to Operate Paid Care Centers if Whole Family Tests Positive

Temporary Foster Care for Pets Left Behind as COVID-19 Patients Focus on Treatment

30,000 KRW per Day for Dogs and Cats, 12,000 KRW for Four Species Including Guinea Pigs and Hamsters

Ulsan City Hall exterior view.

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Kim Yong-woo] What happens to pets when the whole family is confirmed with COVID-19?

Ulsan City is launching a paid 'caretaker' service for citizens who have tested positive for COVID-19 and require isolation treatment but have no one to take care of their pets.

This service addresses the difficulties faced by confirmed patients who must be hospitalized due to the entire family being infected or those living alone with no place to leave their pets.

The name of this 'kind' service, which helps confirmed patients focus on treatment, is 'Caretaker for Pets Left Behind by COVID-19 Confirmed Patients,' and it operates on a paid basis.

Ulsan City, with the cooperation of the Ulsan Veterinary Association, has designated two temporary foster care centers. These centers support temporary foster care for pets left behind until the confirmed patient fully recovers and is discharged, upon application from the patient.

Applications can be made to the animal protection departments of the district or county, and the cost of care is primarily borne by the confirmed patient requesting temporary foster care.

For dogs and cats, the fee is 30,000 KRW per day per animal, and for four other types of pets (rabbits, ferrets, guinea pigs, hamsters), it is 12,000 KRW per day, with a prepayment required for 10 days.

An official from Ulsan City stated, “If there are no relatives or if all cohabiting family members are confirmed with COVID-19, we will ensure that pets being raised can be safely entrusted so that patients can focus on their treatment with peace of mind.”

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