Seocho-gu Operates 'Pet Loss Group' for Those Experiencing Grief After Losing Companion Dogs

From September 5, first-come, first-served registration... 8 sessions every Tuesday from September 28 to November 16... Seocho Animal Love Center ▲Pre-adoption education ▲'Seocho Companion Dog Academy' ▲Various programs including Chuseok holiday dog care shelter

[Asia Economy Reporter Jongil Park] Seocho-gu (Mayor Eunhee Jo) will operate the pet loss support group "Seoripul Rainbow Group" starting in September to comfort residents who are experiencing ongoing grief and pain after losing their companion dogs.

Recently, as the number of pet owners has increased to the extent that it is called the era of 15 million pet owners, more and more pet owners are complaining of "Pet Loss Syndrome," the grief syndrome caused by the loss of companion animals. The sense of loss and sadness felt by pet owners who have lost their beloved pets, whom they loved like family, is indescribable.

The district plans to operate the pet loss group to provide professional psychological counseling programs to help residents overcome pet loss and cope with depression and grief following the death of their pets.

Applications will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis starting from the 6th through the Seocho Animal Love Center website. The program will be held over a total of 8 sessions from September 28 to November 16. Each session will be conducted in two groups of four people each, with various themes such as "What My Dog Left Me" and "Time for Mourning." A professional psychological counselor will participate to provide counseling.

The district is conducting various pet-related programs through the Seocho Animal Love Center. First, the district provides "1:1 Pre- and Post-Adoption Education," including walking training, to help adopted dogs adapt well to their new homes for families adopting pets in the area.

In addition, various programs such as the "Chuseok Holiday Dog Care Shelter" and the "Seocho Companion Dog Academy," where pets and residents learn behavior correction and pet etiquette together, are being operated.

In particular, the "Seocho Companion Dog Academy" is so popular that registration closes within just 3 minutes.

Meanwhile, since July, the district has been supporting adoption fees up to 500,000 won, the highest amount among local governments nationwide, to promote the adoption of abandoned animals and alleviate the economic burden of adopters such as medical expenses. The district announced that the adoption rate has increased fourfold compared to the same period last year after expanding the adoption fee support.

Seocho-gu Mayor Eunhee Jo said, "I hope the 'Pet Loss Group' will help residents who have experienced loss due to parting with their pets return to their daily lives," and added, "We will take the lead in realizing lifecycle welfare that takes responsibility for companion animals from cradle to grave."

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