"Like Yoon-gi, the Cat Who Escaped Ukraine"... Can Animals Be Protected in War and Disasters? [Hello? Animal]

Cat 'Yoon-gi' Escaping from Ukraine Faces Return and Euthanasia Due to Lack of Quarantine Certificate
Need for Simplified Quarantine and Rescue System for Animals Escaping War and Disasters
Calls for Animal Protection During Disasters Also Raised During East Coast Wildfires
"Standards Applicable in Emergencies Must Be Established... Cooperation with Animal Protection Groups Needed"

On the 5th, Yoon-gi the cat escaped from Ukraine and entered the country. Photo by YouTube channel 'Mojiri in Ukraine' video capture.

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Hyun-joo] Recently, the story of a cat named 'Yoon-gi,' who escaped the war in Ukraine and entered South Korea, has sparked calls for the establishment of humanitarian procedures that simplify quarantine processes for animals in special risk situations such as war and disasters. Yoon-gi entered the country with its owner but faced the risk of being returned or euthanized because it could not obtain a quarantine certificate during wartime. Fortunately, with various forms of assistance, Yoon-gi safely overcame the crisis.

A, who runs the YouTube channel 'Mojiri in Ukraine,' arrived at Incheon International Airport on the 5th after traveling from Kyiv, Ukraine, via Hungary. The companion cat 'Yoon-gi' that came with A faced the risk of being returned or euthanized because it could not obtain documents such as a quarantine certificate due to the war situation.

At that time, A appealed through a video on the 16th, saying, "Neighboring countries of Ukraine and Japan exempt pets fleeing from Ukraine from quarantine, but our country does not apply such regulations." According to the Livestock Infectious Disease Prevention Act, imported animals without quarantine certificates are either returned or disposed of, but there are no related laws in South Korea that can be applied to animals escaping wartime, so no help could be received. According to A, Yoon-gi is the first animal case to enter South Korea from Ukraine.

Fortunately, Yoon-gi was able to undergo domestic quarantine procedures with the help of several animal rights organizations, including Nabiya Saranghae. Yoon-gi received a rabies vaccination and stayed at the Incheon Yeongjongdo quarantine facility for 2-3 weeks while antibodies developed, then safely returned to A's care.

Following this case, some argue that quarantine-related laws should be applied flexibly in disaster situations. According to animal rights groups, Japan has simplified quarantine for animals fleeing Ukraine, and the United States allows unconditional entry. European Union (EU) countries neighboring Ukraine, which previously had strict quarantine measures, are also exceptionally allowing animals fleeing the war to enter unconditionally due to the special circumstances of war.

This issue is not limited to wartime situations. In March, during wildfires that swept the East Coast, concerns were raised that pets left behind in the fire zones were abandoned as people hurriedly evacuated. There are calls to allow pets to accompany their owners into shelters and to establish systems to rescue and protect animals during disasters.

A puppy rescued by animal rights activists from "Kara" at the fire site in Uljin, Gyeongbuk last March. Photo by Kara Facebook

In this regard, Cho Hee-kyung, head of Animal Freedom Coalition, urged the establishment of a system to rescue animals in special situations such as war and disasters.

She said, "Many people want to evacuate with their pets, so a system must be established that allows pets to evacuate during emergencies such as fires, wildfires, floods, and typhoons. I hope such a system can be built in cooperation with animal protection organizations, allowing pets and their owners to enter shelters together or, if that is not possible, creating facilities to protect pets separately."

Cho added, "Procedurally, I hope there will be standards that can be applied in emergencies such as war refugees and wildfire victims regarding quarantine issues. It would be good to have procedures that treat animals escaping disasters separately during entry or help them meet quarantine requirements at quarantine stations so they can enter society."

Additionally, she urged pet owners to take basic measures such as vaccinations and quarantine procedures regularly. Cho emphasized, "Vaccination status is important to obtain a quarantine certificate, and this is not just about issuing certificates but a basic responsibility for anyone raising pets."

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