Is S. Korea friendly to its 15 million pet owners and their pets?

반려인구 1500만 시대 대한민국... 반려동물 친화적인가?

'Pet-fam' is a new expression becoming popular in South Korea.
It refers to those who consider their pets as family members.
With around 30 percent of South Koreans now raising pets, one question arises.
Is South Korea pet-friendly?
Our Song Yoo-jin went out to find the answer to this question.
15 million.
That's the number of pet owners currently in South Korea.
With this number growing year by year, is South Korea pet-friendly enough to embrace pet owners and their furry friends?
Owners say things have gotten much better than in the past... both perception and service-wise.

"I think the perception towards pets has improved a lot.
For example, people now ask for permission before they pet my dog.
I feel that people are much more welcoming to pets."

"I think it has become much better to raise a pet."
Nowadays, there are a lot of cafes where pets are allowed and even venues like dog swimming pools."

As a pet owner myself, it was hard to find places for both my dog and me to enjoy when I first got him 8 years ago.
But now, I have a wide range of options to choose from.

"Now there are also cafes where both pets and their owners can enjoy delicious food and drinks."

Yet, there is still room for improvement, especially in terms of housing.

"One of the biggest difficulties with raising pets in South Korea arises from most people living in public housing, like apartments.
There are some animals that make sounds or are very energetic.
Owners of these animals often face complaints and conflict with their neighbors."

To solve this problem, so-called 'pet-friendly' houses are being specially built across the country.
They aim to create a comfortable living environment for both humans and animals.

"There is a separate door that allows pets to freely enter the bathroom.
Before, I couldn't open up the window because I worried that my dog's barking would bother other people.
But in this house, ventilation is possible without opening the doors.
I think it's very convenient to live with a pet here."

Currently, just over 10 pet-friendly residences have been constructed... including studio apartments, apartments, and houses, but more will come in the future.

"Pet-friendly houses also take into consideration the animal's physical health and mental wellbeing.
So I expect more of these houses will be built and serve a useful purpose."

Through these efforts, South Korea will become more pet-friendly in the future.
Song Yoo-jin, Arirang News.


#pet #SouthKorea #pet_friendly

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2022-06-15, 08:00 (KST)