Gyeonggi Province Establishes 3rd Comprehensive Animal Welfare Plan... 289.3 Billion Won to Be Invested Over 5 Years

Promoting 41 Detailed Projects Across Four Key Areas
Linked with the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs' Comprehensive Animal Welfare Plan
Advancing Animal Welfare Policies Tailored to Gyeonggi Province

Gyeonggi Province announced on the 24th that it has established the "3rd Gyeonggi Province Comprehensive Animal Welfare Plan," focusing on the operation of a veterinary forensic center, the creation of regional Companion Maru facilities, and the discovery of startups in related industries.

Companion Maru Yeoju. Provided by Gyeonggi Province

This plan will primarily focus on four areas: strengthening the animal welfare safety net, expanding infrastructure, spreading companion animal culture, and managing businesses and fostering related industries.

In the area of strengthening the safety net, the province will invest 158.9 billion won (35.8 billion won from the provincial budget) in 22 projects, including the operation of a veterinary forensic center, disaster and emergency animal rescue, support for the animal registration system, neutering support for outdoor dogs and stray cats, establishment of adoption centers, and adoption fee support. Notably, the policy scope will expand beyond companion animals to include the expansion of Happy Livestock Farms for farm animal welfare and support for the adoption and funeral services of retired service animals.

For infrastructure expansion, 68.6 billion won (34.6 billion won from the provincial budget) will be allocated to eight projects, such as expanding and consulting for animal protection centers, increasing the number of regional Companion Maru facilities and dog playgrounds, creating pet-friendly leisure facilities, establishing a reporting system for private shelters, and improving shelter environments.

To promote companion animal culture, 56 billion won (14 billion won from the provincial budget) will be invested in seven projects, including events and cultural festivals for "Companion Animal Day" (such as PETSTA and dog sports competitions), customized education for kindergartens, youth, and people with disabilities, expanding the number of honorary animal protection officers (to 450 by 2029), operating the Animal Welfare Committee, ending dog meat consumption (by February 2027), and implementing a permit system and temperament evaluation for raising dangerous dogs.

In the area of fostering related industries, 5.8 billion won (5.8 billion won from the provincial budget) will be allocated to four projects, including hosting B2B (business-to-business) expos, discovering startups and training experts, operating exhibition halls, and expanding public animal funeral facilities.

Maru is a Puppy Cat Adoption Center in Hwaseong. Provided by Gyeonggi Province

Through this comprehensive plan, the province aims to double the number of directly operated animal protection centers from six to twelve, increase the return and adoption rate from 43% to 50%, significantly expand pet-friendly spaces such as Companion Maru facilities and playgrounds, and provide lifelong education for 20,000 people annually, thereby broadening the foundation of companion animal culture.

The total budget required is 289.3 billion won (including 90.2 billion won from the provincial budget). In coordination with central government plans, Gyeonggi Province will continue to strengthen its own animal welfare policies.

Lee Kangyoung, Director of the Livestock and Animal Welfare Bureau of Gyeonggi Province, stated, "While aligning with the central government's 3rd Comprehensive Animal Welfare Plan, we have enhanced the effectiveness of our policies by tailoring them to the realities of Gyeonggi Province. Through this plan, we aim to make Gyeonggi Province a leading model for animal welfare nationwide."

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