Gangwon Animal Hygiene Laboratory Offers Free Zoonotic Disease Screening for Companion Animals

Free Screening for 100 Dogs at the "2025 Wonju City Companion Animal Culture Event" on October 4
Eight Zoonotic Diseases Tested, Including Canine Brucellosis, Heartworm, and Rabies (Antibody)

Gangwon Special Self-Governing Province (Governor Kim Jin-tae) will offer free zoonotic disease screening services for companion animals at the "2025 Wonju City Companion Animal Culture Event," which will be held at Roanoke Square in Bongsan-dong, Wonju City on October 4 to commemorate World Animal Day and Animal Protection Day.

A panoramic view of Gangwon Provincial Government Building. Provided by Gangwon Provincial Government.

The screening covers eight types of zoonotic diseases: anaplasmosis, ehrlichiosis, Lyme disease, heartworm, canine brucellosis, rabies (antibody test), leptospirosis, and severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome (SFTS), all of which can be transmitted by ticks. For rabies, due to the nature of the disease, the test checks for the presence of antibodies rather than the disease itself.

The tests will be conducted at the Animal Hygiene Laboratory booth at the event venue, operating from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. To prevent crowding and ensure safety, testing will be limited to 20 animals per hour, with a total of 100 animals accepted on a first-come, first-served basis.

When a guardian submits an application, a designated veterinarian will collect a blood sample from the animal with the guardian’s consent. The sample will be analyzed at the Animal Hygiene Laboratory, and the results will be individually communicated to the guardian via phone call or text message.

Park Yoojin, Director of the Gangwon Special Self-Governing Province Animal Hygiene Laboratory, stated, "This free screening is an important preventive measure that protects not only the health of companion animals but also human health. We will continue to expand various activities to promote a companion animal culture and prevent zoonotic diseases."

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