Nowon-gu to Host 2023 Pet Culture Festival 'Nowon Banham'

On the 28th from 11 AM to 4 PM at Madeul Stadium Soccer Field... This year's theme: "From Stray Dogs to Companion Dogs! Together in Nowon-gu"... Various programs and events including a cheerful sports day, a dog-only playground, a talk concert by veterinarian Han Jae-woong, one-on-one basic grooming, health and behavior consultations, OX quizzes and games... Opening ceremony at 1 PM... Three families who adopted pets last year through DaengDaeng House attending with a joint birthday party

Sports Day

Nowon-gu, Seoul (Mayor Oh Seung-rok) announced on the 28th that it will hold the '2023 Companion Animal Culture Festival' to raise awareness of animal welfare.

The Nowon-gu Companion Animal Culture Festival, 'Enjoy with Companion Animals in Nowon' (abbreviated as Nowonbanham), is celebrating its 6th year this year. Each year, a theme is set, and this year’s theme is 'From Stray Dogs to Companion Dogs! Together in Nowon-gu.' The aim is to raise awareness of the importance of adoption in finding warm families for lost and abandoned animals.

Reflecting the increasing trend of companion animal ownership, about 1,800 people participated in the festival in 2021 despite COVID-19 restrictions, and about 3,200 people joined last year. The district has sought a venue suitable for the festival size where all companion families can play together, and this year it will be held at Madle Stadium soccer field, which is 150% larger in area compared to last year. The event will take place from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on the 28th.

At the center of the festival site, the 'Cheerful Sports Day' will be held twice, in the morning and afternoon. Competitions such as 'Obstacle Course' and 'Healthy Running' will be held by dividing dogs into small, medium, and large size categories. Participation in the competitions is available on a first-come, first-served basis on the day of the event. Next to the sports day area, a 'Dog-only Playground' will also be set up. Companion animals can use it autonomously while following rules together with their guardians.

At 3 p.m., event activities including a pet etiquette-related OX quiz and a 'Wait' game will be prepared. About 100 people can participate on-site immediately. Various experience programs will also be operated. Visitors can enjoy making handmade snacks, tug toys (a game where the dog pulls a toy held in its mouth left and right), name tags, waste bag holders, caricature drawing, and more together with their companion animals.

Veterinarian Han Jae-woong, who appears on the TV program 'TV Animal Farm,' will be invited to hold a talk concert. Dr. Han will explain pet etiquette (Pettiquette) that everyone should know for one hour starting at 1:30 p.m. At one corner of the festival site, 'Walking, Socialization, and Health Classes' will be held every hour from 11:30 a.m. Participants can learn and practice manners to observe during walks and how to respond to various situations.

Additionally, at the participation area, visitors can receive one-on-one consultations on basic grooming, health, and behavior. The Nowon Companion Animal Culture Center 'Healing Doggy! Daengdaeng House' promotional booth will introduce abandoned animals admitted and promote adoption procedures. A 'Don’t Buy, Adopt' photo zone will also be operated. Students from the Department of Animal Resources Science at Samyook University, located in the area, will participate in the event and sell companion animal food and snacks they have made themselves.

Caricature Drawing

The opening ceremony will be held at 1 p.m. A joint birthday party for three families who became companion families through Daengdaeng House last year will be held along with the abandoned animal adoption campaign.

Mayor Oh Seung-rok said, “I hope that this year’s ‘Nowonbanham,’ held in a larger venue, will remain a happy autumn memory for companion animal families,” and added, “We will continue to take the lead in fostering a mature companion animal culture to create a Nowon where people and animals coexist.”

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