Intensive Crackdown on Abnormal Animal Rehoming 'New Type Pet Shops' in Payang... Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs "Will Take Strong Measures"

Intensive crackdowns will be conducted on new types of pet shops engaging in irregular business practices, such as receiving high fees for pet relinquishment and then rehoming the animals.

The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs announced on the 12th that it plans to conduct thorough inspections and crackdowns on pet-related businesses, including production and sales, to address ongoing issues such as illegal and irregular operations and animal abuse occurring at some pet businesses.

Following a series of incidents involving unauthorized breeders participating in animal auctions and illegal breeding and animal abuse by animal producers, the Ministry established strengthened management measures for pet businesses last August. These measures include registering parent dogs for animal producers and implementing a tracking system, as well as focusing on crackdowns against illegal operations. Additionally, through intensive inspections and crackdowns on illegal and irregular business practices, violations have been identified and administrative actions such as prosecutions have been taken.

This year’s inspections of pet businesses will be conducted in three forms: ▲ basic inspections by local governments checking facilities, personnel, and compliance ▲ planned inspections targeting irregular businesses such as new types of pet shops ▲ joint inspections through cooperation among central government, local governments, and private sectors to enhance enforcement effectiveness. Furthermore, if violations of facility and personnel standards or compliance requirements are found, strict penalties such as business closure, prosecution, or suspension of operations will be imposed according to the law. In addition, during these inspections, guidance will be provided on strengthened compliance requirements for business operators, including the planned expansion of mandatory CCTV installation currently under legislative notice and the obligation to keep proof of employment for workers, to ensure the establishment of the system.

Park Jeong-hoon, Director of Animal Welfare and Environment Policy at the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, stated, "We hope that inspections of pet business operators will promote a healthy and responsible business culture." He added, "We plan to accelerate efforts to establish an animal welfare-based business system by reviewing inspection results and identifying necessary improvements to the system."

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