Yangpyeong County Pursues "City Where People and Animals Live Together Happily"

[Suwon Ilbo=Reporter Eom In-yong] As the number of pet-owning households in Yangpyeong County increases, the county is working to establish a harmonious coexistence environment between people and animals through strengthened policies on animal protection and welfare and rescue and rehabilitation of lost and abandoned animals.

According to the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, the number of pet-owning households in Gyeonggi Province is 1.43 million, which represents 24.2% of the national total and shows a steady annual increase trend.

As interest in pets reaches an all-time high, the county is pursuing various pet-related projects and focusing on policy expansion with the vision of "Yangpyeong County where people and animals live together happily."

The county also operates a dedicated rescue and protection team to strengthen professional capabilities for improving survival rates of lost and abandoned animals, having rescued over 500 dogs and cats last year alone. Among these, 35.7% found new families through adoption and donation, and 19.3% returned to their original homes, receiving appropriate safety measures.

Additionally, for coexistence with stray cats, spaying and neutering surgeries increased from 420 cases in 2019 to 2,155 cases last year, more than quadrupling in five years, while protection activities for stray cats according to management guidelines were also strengthened.

The county operates the directly-managed animal shelter 'Pum,' promoting adoption and follow-up care for abandoned and rescued animals. The county also promotes volunteer programs to spread pet culture, and creates a culture of understanding and respecting pets through partnerships with 'PetHand' for adoption activation, pet culture classes, and campaigns.

Furthermore, the county plans to expand pet-related support policies this year. The county plans to invest approximately 650 million won from the county budget into 14 animal-related support projects aimed at practicing respect for life, including △providing support for adoption fees for lost and abandoned animals △preventing abandoned animals through animal registration fee support △providing spaying and neutering surgery support for outdoor dogs △providing veterinary and grooming expense support for vulnerable households with pets △strengthening guidance and inspection of pet businesses to monitor animal abuse.

In particular, the county is recruiting "pet-friendly businesses" starting this year to become a specialized pet-friendly travel destination. The plan is to provide visitors with businesses, accommodations, and tourist attractions where they can travel with pets, lowering travel barriers for animal companions. Through this, the county aims to create a pet-friendly travel environment and promote local economic vitalization.

Additionally, during the "15th Yangpyeong Yongmun Mountain Wild Vegetable Festival" held from April 25 to 27, the county will operate a "pet zone" for pet-accompanying tourists. Under the theme of "A Family Mountain Vegetable Picnic," various programs such as pet trekking and pet sports festivals that families and their pets can enjoy together will provide enjoyment and memories.

County Governor Jeon Jin-seon said, "Through creating a coexistence environment for pets and establishing an animal welfare culture, we will make Yangpyeong County a place where people and animals live together happily," and added, "We will work our best to activate adoption of abandoned animals to practice respect for life and to expand pet culture facilities and foster related industries."