Animal suffering in Gyeongbuk wildfires is severe...systemic improvements urgently needed The devastating wildfires in Gyeongbuk Province in March 2025 have left a deep scar not only on humans but also on countless animals. Chained dogs, severely burned cats, and neglected farm animals have been rescued from the fire, but many animals are still waiting for help. The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs is operating an on-site situation room to assist animals in need of urgent medical care, and the Korea Veterinary Pharmaceutical Association and the Pet Food Association are providing relief supplies to help the affected areas recover. However, the ban on pets in evacuation centers has been a recurring problem, causing pet owners to abandon evacuations and disruptions. The problem of illegal puppy mills has been particularly pronounced in the wildfires. Only a fraction of the more than 100 dogs left behind were able to be rescued due to ownership issues, highlighting ins...
“Together in the midst of disaster”... A call to institutionalize evacuation with pets The recent wildfires in Andong, Gyeongbuk, have left a deep scar on not only humans but also pets. Animals trapped in the flames without being rescued, and those who survived but were left untreated, revealed how vulnerable our society is in the face of disasters. Especially in rural areas where there are many elderly people, it was difficult for them to evacuate with their pets due to lack of vehicles or transportation, a problem that stems from a lack of social preparedness rather than individual responsibility. Currently, evacuation with pets is not institutionally guaranteed in South Korea during disasters. Many evacuation centers still do not allow animals, and many citizens prioritize their pets' safety over their own, causing them to abandon evacuation or become disorganized. This, in turn, negatively impacts the disaster response system. This is why there is an urgent need to enact the ...