2026 ImsilN Pet Star to Be Held with Companion Animals

Imsil County in North Jeolla Province is set to further expand the scope of its companion animal festival, presenting international-level programs to attract visitors from across the country.

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According to Imsil County on April 27, the "2026 ImsilN Pet Star" festival-scheduled to take place at the Osu Loyal Dog Tourist Site from May 1 to May 3-will, for the first time, feature the F?d?ration Cynologique Internationale (FCI) Agility Competition. This new flagship attraction has been organized in collaboration with the Korea Kennel Federation (KKF). The Loyal Dog Cultural Festival commemorates the legend of "Osu Loyal Dog," a festival that honors the tale of a faithful dog who rescued its sleeping owner from a fire, sacrificing its own life.

The competition will be held over two days, on May 2 and 3. On the first day, an amateur contest will be open to the general public, while on May 3, the international trial and main event will take place. This event, where companion dogs and their owners race against time and accuracy through various obstacles, promises to enhance the festival’s professionalism and on-site excitement.

This year, Pet Star has significantly strengthened its programs encompassing sports, contests, and hands-on experiences. By linking with the 41st Loyal Dog Cultural Festival, the event maintains popular existing content while also expanding with new programs, solidifying its status as a premier companion animal festival. The "Korea Companion Animal Wig Pet Grooming Competition" will also be held at Banyeonuri, showcasing grooming skills.

A wide range of experiential programs has been arranged as well. At "Osu Masters Day," there will be demonstration trainings by national agility athletes, educational mini-competitions, and pet etiquette classes, offering a program that satisfies both spectators and participants. The festival’s signature event, the "National Companion Animal Fashion Show," will feature the vocal group V.O.S as judges, presenting unique performances that are expected to be a main highlight drawing strong audience engagement.

The "Companion Animal Talk Show," held over three days, will feature Professor Lee Woongjong, veterinarian Seoel Chaehyun, and trainer Kang Hyungwook, who will provide practical information on behavior correction and health management. The "Companion Animal Olympics" will include running, tug-of-war, and OX quizzes, while "Dangdang Academy" will offer activities such as aromatherapy and homemade pet food making.

Programs to promote the adoption of stray animals will also continue. The "Adoption Promotion Booth," which last year helped 30 stray dogs find new families, will again connect shelters with prospective adopters. On May 2, 200 teams of pet owners will participate in the "Dangdang Train," departing from Seoul Station and traveling to Imsil Station.

At a preparation briefing held on April 20, County Governor Sim Min stated, "This year marks the first time the festival stage has moved to the Osu Loyal Dog Tourist Site, representing a major turning point for Imsil County as a hub for companion animal tourism. We will thoroughly review all festival programs to ensure a high-quality event that meets the satisfaction of all visitors."

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