South Korea’s Pet Overpopulation Crisis: High Euthanasia Rates and Rising Registrations
In a sobering report released by the Korea Animal Health and Quarantine Agency, it was revealed that one in five pets rescued through animal protection centers last year in South Korea were euthanized due to the inability to find new homes. This statistic underscores a significant challenge in pet overpopulation and the urgent need for more effective animal welfare strategies.
In 2023, the number of pets registered with local governments reached approximately 3.29 million, marking a 7% increase from the previous year. Despite this rise, the plight of rescued animals remains dire. Out of the 113,000 pets rescued, only 39% found their way back to their original owners or were adopted. Sadly, 18% of these animals were euthanized, with the majority being dogs.
The annual number of euthanized pets has been on an upward trajectory, climbing from 18,604 in 2021 to 23,000 last year. This alarming trend calls for immediate attention and action from both the public and policymakers.
Interestingly, while the number of newly registered pets saw a decrease of 10.4% year-on-year to 271,000, the overall number of registered pets increased to 3.286 million. The registration of cats, although optional, rose significantly by 18.2%, highlighting growing awareness and efforts to prevent the loss of animals.
In terms of enforcement, local governments reported several violations, including a high incidence of pets without leashes or tags (63.9%) and unregistered dogs (7.1%). Additionally, there were 45 cases of animal cruelty, accounting for 4% of the detected violations.
Efforts to control the feral cat population also saw a notable increase, with sterilizations up by 16.4% to 122,000. This indicates a proactive approach towards managing urban and residential cat populations.
The pet industry landscape has also shifted, with the number of pet businesses decreasing by 6.8% to 25,575. Despite this, there has been a rise in animal grooming, foster care, and sales businesses. The number of animal cemeteries and transportation businesses also saw significant growth.
This comprehensive report highlights the multifaceted issues surrounding pet overpopulation and the urgent need for continued efforts in animal welfare, stricter enforcement of pet regulations, and public awareness campaigns.
In 2023, one in five pets rescued by animal protection centers in South Korea was euthanized due to a lack of homes. The Korea Animal Health and Quarantine Agency reported that out of 113,000 rescued pets, only 39% were returned to owners or adopted. The number of registered pets rose to 3.29 million, a 7% increase from the previous year. However, 18% of rescued pets were euthanized, with dogs being the majority. Despite a decrease in newly registered pets, the total number of pets increased. Violations like unregistered dogs and animal cruelty were noted, while feral cat sterilizations saw a significant rise. The number of pet-related businesses and animal care centers also saw changes.
FAQs
What percentage of rescued pets were euthanized in 2023?
- About 18% of the rescued pets were euthanized.
How many pets were registered with local governments last year?
- Approximately 3.29 million pets were registered.
What is the trend in the number of euthanized pets over recent years?
- The number has been increasing, from 18,604 in 2021 to 23,000 in 2023.
What are the main violations detected by local governments?
- The main violations include no leash or tags (63.9%), unregistered dogs (7.1%), and animal cruelty (4.0%).
How has the number of pet-related businesses changed?
- The number of pet-related businesses decreased by 6.8% year-on-year to 25,575.
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