Creating a Happy City for Humans and Animals: Yeongyang-gun’s Pet-Friendly Initiative

Gyeongbuk Yeongyang-gun has embarked on creating a happy city where people and animals can live together, in line with the era of 15 million companion animals. This initiative aims to provide a safe and enjoyable environment for both humans and animals.

Yeongyang-gun has been preparing for a pet-based business since 2021 and has established itself as a pet-friendly city by establishing an abandoned animal shelter in 2022 and holding the ‘1st Pet Experience Program Event’ in 2023. The county has also created the first pet playground in the Gyeongsang region, providing a safe space for pets to play and socialize.

The pet playground is divided into a large dog playground (298㎡) and a small and medium-sized dog playground (300㎡) to prevent animal safety accidents. By 2025, the county plans to complete the nation’s first ‘Animal Welfare Complex Center’ that will house an adoption center for abandoned animals, a military animal hospital, a dog rest area, a training center, and a playground. This complex will provide one-stop service to pet owners, making it easier for them to care for their pets.

To support this initiative, Yeongyang-gun has secured 2 billion won in pet infrastructure project funds through a public offering. The county is also reviewing various additional policies and service provision, such as creating shelters and walking trails, and expanding facilities that allow companion animals to accommodate the increase in tourists accompanying companion animals.

O Do-chang, the governor of Yeongyang County, stated, “As the number of pets is steadily increasing, the county is also preparing administrative services to match this. We will build an animal welfare complex center where anyone can enjoy themselves with their pets.”