Pets in South Korea

To South Koreans, the word "pet" typically refers to toys or entertainment, whereas "companion animal" denotes sharing emotional communication and living together.

[3] South Korean legislation on pets was revised in 2013, and the scope of companion animal was defined by the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs.

In 2019, the number of households increased by 470,000, while dogs and cats account for the largest percentage of pets.

It is estimated that 40% of South Korean households will consist of a single person by 2050,[8] which is expected to be a significant contributor to the rapid growth of the companion animal population.

The market size of pet related industries in Korea was estimated to be ₩1,544,000,000 billion KRW in 2018 and forecast to reach ₩3,498,000,000 in 2027.

[12] When a pet dies, their owners may choose to hold a funeral, held at animal burial facilities.

[14] In South Korea, It is illegal to bury animal carcasses in other people's private property or parks.

People employed in the pet industry can experience job-related stress, which sometimes leads to animal abuse.

[17] To mitigate this, the South Korean government mandated that dogs categorized as "ferocious" over the age of three months must wear muzzles in accordance with Article 1-2 of the Enforcement Rules of the Animal Protection Act.

TNR is done by safely capturing stray cats, neutering them, and releasing them back to their captive locations.

[26] Dog owners in South Korea must register animals in cities, counties, and district offices across the country.

The Eup, Myeon, and Do areas, where a person who can act on behalf of an animal registration cannot be designated, are exempt.

[32] On January 9, 2024, the South Korean parliament passed a law prohibiting the breeding and slaughter of dogs for consumption which will take effect in 2027 following a three-year grace period.