Seoul City to Recruit 6,000 for 'Pet Owner Competency Test'... Remote Written Exam on 23rd Next Month

50 Expert Questions in Dog and Cat Categories
Top 50 Teams in Dog Written Exam...Nation's First Practical Test by Local Governments

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Cheol-young] The Seoul Metropolitan Government announced on the 13th that it will expand the number of participants to 6,000 for this year's 4th "Pet Owner Competency Test." In particular, it newly established a face-to-face practical test for the dog category, the first of its kind hosted by a local government nationwide, providing a meaningful opportunity to evaluate the mature attitudes of pet owners and their dogs.

The Seoul Pet Owner Competency Test is an event held since 2019 by the city and Donggrami, a pet culture and content specialist company, to spread a mature pet culture in response to the increasing number of pet households. This year marks the 4th event. The 1st to 3rd tests were conducted as written exams, giving pet owners or prospective pet owners a chance to verify their knowledge about pets and study to become "qualified pet owners."

Anyone who wishes to take the "Pet Owner Competency Test" can participate for free through the test registration site until October 13. Those who want to participate in the dog category practical test must select their preference at the time of registration. The first written test of the "Pet Owner Competency Test" will be held on October 23, with the dog category test from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. and the cat category test from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. on the same day.

The test questions are prepared with the help of experts in animal behavior and nutrition, as well as the Korean Association of Cat Veterinarians, covering essential knowledge that pet owners must know. The test areas include four major fields: animal registration, walking, pet etiquette, and other pet care basics; understanding pet behavior; health management; animal protection laws and Seoul's animal protection policies. The test consists of a total of 50 questions.

Additionally, the newly established second practical test for the dog category, the first of its kind among local governments nationwide, evaluates actual walking skills needed when living with a dog, beyond theoretical knowledge. Among dog category applicants who have expressed prior intent to participate, the top 50 teams with the best scores will be eligible. The test will be held on November 13 at the Seodaemun Cultural and Sports Center, where pet owners and their dogs will perform various tasks during a walking scenario, with each team allotted about 10 minutes.

Written test scores can be checked on the test site starting November 1, with detailed breakdowns such as individual scores and average scores available. All written test takers will receive a "Certificate of Participation," and the top 100 scorers in both the dog and cat categories will receive various prizes prepared by Donggrami. Additionally, all practical test participants will receive souvenirs, and those who pass will be awarded prizes.

Yu Young-bong, Director of the Seoul Metropolitan Government’s Green City and Leisure Bureau, said, "We hope the Seoul Pet Owner Competency Test will be a meaningful opportunity to broaden understanding of pets and learn pet etiquette, helping to prevent social conflicts." He added, "Seoul will continue to promote various projects that citizens can participate in to spread a mature pet culture."

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