New Rules for Pet Owners in Korea (2013)

Starting in 2013, a new pet dog registration system will be implemented under which pet dogs will be given identification numbers and pet owners will have to register their dogs and buy ID chips or tags for them for 10,000 won ~ 20,000 won. Among other advantages, this system will enable pet owners to find lost dogs more easily.

According to an announcement by the municipal government, pet dogs more than three months old must be registered starting from January 2013, as stipulated under the revised Animal Protection Act (Aug. 4, 2011). The law aims to enhance pet owners’ responsibility while facilitating the recovery of lost pets. A similar system of pet dog registration has been implemented in a number of countries overseas including the U.S., Japan, Australia and Taiwan.

Currently, more than 16,000 dogs get lost each year in Seoul. Owners suffer mental distress while the administration has to spend an increasing amount of money trying to recover them.

Pets can be registered at animal clinics designated by district offices. (See the district office websites for the list of the hospitals.)

Being a pet owner myself, it is very important to get updates on new rules or policies in the country of residence.

One such rule that's been floating around for owners is to visit their pet clinics alongwith pets, fill out an application form and buy one of the three ID chips/tags recognized by the Korea.

Each pet dog must have one of the following: an embedded electronic chip, an electronic tag, or an ordinary dog tag, at a price of 20,000 won, 15,000 won and 10,000 won, respectively.

Guide dogs or adopted stray dogs may be registered free.

A 50% deduction is offered for dogs with embedded electronic chips, dogs owned by people on the minimum wage or income, or neutered dogs.

Failure to register a pet dog will incur a penalty of up to 1 million won under the Animal Protection Act.  However, the first half of 2013 will be an amnesty period during which the penalty will not be charged. For further details, please contact the Animal Protection Division of Seoul City Administration at+82-2-2133-7656.

Pet Sitting in Seoul and Animal Qurantine for Bringing Pets in South Korea

PET SITTING IN KOREA:

A friends' friend was very worried because she was leaving for Europe for a month's long vacation and had to find somebody to take care of her "really shy" cat. I was contacted because I have a keen interest in anything related to cats and dogs such as: rescuing animals, feeding stray animals, taking chained dogs by permission of their owners and taking them for walks, helping people to find homes for their pets while on vacation, arranging pet sitters (usually amongst student community that is willing to pet-sit) and even finding friends or acquiantances to transport cats/dogs to the US or Canada where I myself frequently visit.  All these services are free of cost.

I remember that many of my friends who wanted to bring in or move out of Korea with pets have suffered due to the lack of information in English. I was very lucky that during my rescue efforts and then search for a vet - led me to a very kind hearted vet, who has great passion for stray animals. Dr. Seo is exceptionally good in his job and in speaking English too. I have known him since 2007 and many times he did not even charged me for treating these abondoned/rescued animals.



So anyways, besides contacting me, you can leave your request at forums of Craiglist, Seoul Global Center, Korea4Expats and Work and Play in Korea. I have observed that the interests in cats in Korea has been coniniously increasing at a fast pace. In 2002, it was NOT easy to find cat related products easily but it has changed. I think that people like Lee Hyori (singer/actress)and a few others have played an important role in that and also in awareness towards adopting abondoned animals.

Long story short, now that we have vacations in Korea - some of the forums that I will highly recommend where you can find a pet sitter include Animal Rescue Korea and the Seoul Craiglist. These forums have been an excellent source of exchange of information on issues covering animals in general and pets in particular.

Issues such as where to find a right vet clinic with English speaking staff, Quarantine Policy of Korea on animals, clinics providing travelling documents for pets as well as finding homes for the abondoned animals, people volunteering at the shelters in and around Seoul, Asan and Daejon etc.go to the websites I mentioned.

Some of the important sites for pet owners are:

National Veterinary Research and Quarantine Service (NVRQS).

South Korea's Policy on Bringing Pets and Qurantine Rules

One extremely important thing that is happening in Korea is the "new rules" that will come into effect from December 1st, 2011: which include microchip indentification to be implanted in animals' body & rabies shots (it has always been mandatory), number of animals without prior report is 4 or less and one day at of stay at the quarantine clinic of the Incheon Airport for tests etc. :-(

Note: Microchip should be an internationally standardized product such as ISO 117874/11785.

For more information call NVRQS at:82-31-467-1700

Prevention of Animal Mistreatment report at their hotine 1797

Basics of Having a Pet by Shannon Heit