"Looking for a New Family for Retired Quarantine Detection Dogs"... Private Adoption Begins

The Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency of the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs announced on the 26th that it will begin the '2024 Private Adoption of Quarantine Detection Dogs' to help quarantine detection dogs who have dedicated themselves to the nation find new families and live happy lives.

Quarantine detection dogs are deployed at airports, harbors, and international postal logistics centers nationwide to detect livestock products and plants prohibited from being imported into the country under the Livestock Infectious Disease Prevention Act and the Plant Protection Act. There are 29 dogs assigned, each detecting over 5,000 prohibited items annually (based on 2022 data).

When detection dogs reach retirement age (8 years old), experience a decline in ability, or fail training, they begin a second life through private adoption. From 2020 to 2023, a total of 13 dogs found new homes through three rounds of private adoption.

Starting next year, private adoptions will be held quarterly, four times a year. Families wishing to adopt in the first quarter can apply from January 1 to 31 by referring to the announcement posted on the Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency’s website.

The selection of adoptive families will be conducted fairly and transparently through a strict two-month (February to March) document and on-site review in cooperation with animal protection organizations. Once adopters are selected, the dogs will be adopted into their new homes in the last week of March.

The 11 detection dogs available for adoption in the first quarter of 2024 include 9 retired dogs and 2 dogs that failed training, all of whom have passed health checkups and adoption eligibility reviews. The breeds are 5 Beagles, 4 Spaniels, and 2 Retrievers, ranging in age from 1 to 12 years old.

In the second to fourth quarters of next year, adoption will be conducted in the same manner for detection dogs not adopted in the first quarter and those newly designated as adoption candidates by the review committee, including retired and training-failed dogs.

The Quarantine Agency holds a Homecoming Day every year, inviting adopted quarantine detection dogs and their families. It has signed a business agreement with Haemaru Companion Animal Medical Foundation to provide benefits such as a 30% discount on medical fees. The agency maintains constant communication with adoptive families through social networking services (SNS) to help the adopted dogs settle stably in their new homes.

Joo Won-cheol, head of the Incheon Airport Regional Headquarters of the Quarantine Agency, said, "We will continue to communicate with adoptive families so that quarantine detection dogs who have served the nation can meet new families, settle stably, and live happy lives. We will also make various efforts to improve the welfare of quarantine detection dogs."

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