"Pet Dog Registration, Not Optional But Essential" Gyeonggi Province Operates Voluntary Reporting Period Through End of September

[Suwon Ilbo=Reporter Park No-hun] Gyeonggi Province will operate the '2021 Animal Registration Voluntary Reporting Period' through the end of September, and will focus on encouraging active participation from residents through online and offline publicity, intensive crackdowns, and animal registration cost support initiatives.

According to the province on the 21st, the 'animal registration system' is a system implemented based on the Animal Protection Act to protect animals and prevent loss and abandonment. Dogs aged 2 months or older kept for companion purposes in residences, semi-residences, or other locations must be registered with the relevant local government.

The voluntary reporting period runs from July 19 through September 30, during which animal registration applications can be submitted at designated registration agencies such as animal hospitals throughout the province.

Once an application is received, the relevant municipal or county government will approve it and issue an animal registration certificate to the owner.

For existing pet registrations that have been completed but whose owner's address or contact information has changed, applications can be made online through the Animal Protection Management System (www.animal.go.kr) without needing to visit in person.

Failure to register during the period may result in fines up to 1 million won, including 200,000 won for a first violation, 400,000 won for a second violation, and 600,000 won for a third violation. Failure to report changes may result in fines up to 500,000 won.

During the voluntary reporting period, the province will conduct offline publicity through posters and banners focused on key facilities and areas frequented by pet owners, including residential areas (apartments and neighborhoods), and related facilities (parks, walking paths, and animal hospitals), while also conducting online publicity through website banners.

Particularly, starting in October after the voluntary reporting period ends, the province will conduct intensive crackdowns on major pet entry areas and frequent complaint regions, and will encourage active participation through measures such as restricting unregistered animals from using local government-operated facilities like dog parks.

Additionally, the province will work with municipalities and counties to support registration costs for implantable microchip animal identification devices through an 'animal registration cost support project' to accelerate the activation of the animal registration system.

If Gyeonggi residents participate in this project, they can register animals using the implantable method for only 10,000 won. This year, the project will support up to 35,000 animals on a first-come, first-served basis.

Lee Eun-kyung, head of the Animal Protection Division, said, "Pet dog registration is no longer optional but essential," and urged "residents' active interest and participation for establishing a responsible pet care culture."

For more details on this animal registration voluntary reporting, residents can refer to the Animal Protection Management System website (www.animal.go.kr) or contact the animal protection departments in municipalities and counties throughout the province.