Questions/Answers

Eating dogs is a common practice in Korea. In Korean laws, animals are not living organisms but tradeable commodities. If your dog is abused by someone, you will only be entitled to claim penalties and compensation only as much as your dog’s trade value. Such limitations in the legal and institutional systems in Korea have led to an environment where animals are neglected and mistreated. The number of animal abuse cases in Korea is on the rise year after year, marking a 81.6% increase from 131 in 2012 to 238 to 2015. In Korea, animals are something you can buy easily: people can instantly buy new-born, under one-month-old puppies at any pet shops open 24/7 and throw them away as soon as they become tired of breeding them or find themselves sick of their pet. Last year, 101,059 animals were abandoned, about 276 every day. Once found and rescued, abandoned dogs are brought to shelters and euthanized if not adopted within ten days. The government is aware of these problems and has presented a series of policies on animals, but most of which are focused on applying stricter punishment for animal abuse or taking ex-post administrative measures, rather than trying to solve the fundamental causes. These government policies have given rise to the view that people who raise pet dogs are potential criminals. In recognition of the limitations of the government’s ex-post animal policies, Gangdong District set the prevention-oriented animal welfare policy as its basic orientation. The district is in compliance with the European Commission’s five animal welfare principles in 1997 and is carrying out various policies to improve people’s awareness of animal welfare, for example education programs on respect for life and animal love campaigns.

Gangdong District’s animal welfare projects aim to make a city of respect for life, where humans and animals coexist. Key elements include educational programs that highlight that animals are not things but lives; animal welfare projects for the vulnerable classes; the establishment of ordinances as measures to strengthen the legal and institutional foundations; and measures to vitalize the adoption of animals left astray. All these animal welfare policies at Gangdong District start from citizens’ involvement in the policy making process. The policy orientations are decided by citizens gathering and discussing the current issues related to animals. By doing so, they become a directly engaged player in the projects. The number of single households is on the rise in modern society. Lonely death cases are increasing, marking 11,000 cases in 2013, and the elderly suicidal rate is twice as high as the nation’s average. With the worsening individualization and isolation, companion animals became friends, lover, and family to people in modern society. The orientation of Gangdong District’s animal welfare policy is to propagate across the country the awareness that “humans and animals are inter-associated and are not different” and the concept of respect for all lives.

Citizens’ participation in policy-making and systems to ensure that are the driver power to Gangdong District’s animal welfare projects. In February 2013, citizens and animal right activists in the community had a series of meetings to guarantee the right of stray cats to life. To provide water and food essentially required for the survival of stray cats, which would live for only three years on average, the district installed 22 feeding stations in May 2013 for the first time in Korea. They also have suggested shelters for stray cats, which are intended for young or injured cats. In February 2017, a shelter was installed on the rooftop of the Gangdong District Office, which is managed and operated by activists. Following the beginning of the reconstruction project of the Gangdong Dunchon LH Apartment Complex in July 2017, which is the biggest reconstruction project in Korea, the district started making preparations for the ecological immigration of 200 cats anticipated to be left astray in that course. Activists have had many talk sessions with the district office and are carrying out anti-animal-abandonment campaigns, stray cat mapping, feeding station installation, trap-neuter-release (TNR) week, and injured cat rescue and protection activities.

In Korea, shelters for abandoned animals are mostly located in the suburbs and are considered unwanted facilities as people find them dirty and smelly. In a survey of 396 residents conducted in March 2016, 47% of the respondents thought the district should give priority to the “operation of an abandoned animal adoption center.” The residents also showed their concerted view to the installation of an animal shelter in a public debate session held in May. In July 2017, Gangdong District incorporated these opinions and amended an ordinance to provide the ground for installing an animal shelter, which was designed like a cafe that is attractive to residents in the urban areas. The abandoned animal adoption center “Reborn” was officially open on November 24 2017. The name Reborn means stray dogs are born again by being adopted and educated. Following the opening ceremony, 18 of 23 dogs sheltered therein were adopted, a 78% adoption rate. By installing the nation’s first cafe-like abandoned animal adoption center in the downtown areas, Gangdong District strengthened the physical and emotional accessibility of the public service of abandoned animal adoption, thereby making a sustainable city for both humans and animals.

In May 2016, the district held a public debate session for animal right activists, animal protection groups, vets and local residents. The necessity for financial aids for companion animals’ medical expenses for the vulnerable classes was mentioned there. On average, keeping a companion dog costs 93 dollars a month, and this may be doubled or tripled if the dog gets sick and treated by a vet. Financial burden is one of the reasons why people choose to abandon their companion animals, which can be even more burdensome for the vulnerable classes. Recognizing such issues, Gangdong District launched the nation’s first companion animals medical service project for low-income classes in cooperation with local vets in the second half of 2016. The project aimed to ease the burden of medical expenses on the vulnerable classes to prevent their companion dogs from being abandoned. The key element is to give them free vaccination (five-combination vaccines) for their companion dogs. This project had significance in that it eased the financial burden on the vulnerable classes concerning their companion animals’ medical expenses, expanding the project’s domain from animal to human welfare as seen in no other municipalities in Korea.

The structural problems of capitalism, i.e., the bipolarization of wealth and economic inequality, are handed down to companion animals. Companion dogs in rich families would wear luxury clothes that cost thousands of dollars and have their toe nails manicured, but ones in vulnerable classes would be abandoned if they get sick as their owners could not afford the medication. This project was the first attempt that took into consideration not only the living costs and medical expenses of the vulnerable classes but also the medical expenses of their companion dogs. The beneficiaries included the vulnerable classes such as low-income families, solitary elders, single-parent families, and families of people with severe disability. The companion dogs in 260 vulnerable families in the community were offered free vaccination (five combination vaccines). This project pursued reducing the burden of medical expenses on the vulnerable classes to prevent their companion dogs from being abandoned, thereby ultimately making a society where both humans and animals live in health.

In Korea, stray cats are a headache for people. One of the most common complaints received from citizens is stray cats’ cry, feces, and digging up garbage bags. In recognition of the inconveniences caused by stray cats, the residents and animal right activists decided to install feeding stations for them. By providing them with feed and water, they abided by the principle of animal welfare and built a self-monitoring system by which they patrol the areas in the community to check the cleanliness of the feeding stations and the stock level of feed therein. Installing the feeding stations resulted in the elimination of cat cries and garbage bags dug up by stray cats, reducing complaints related to stray cats by more than 40% from 78 in 2013 to 21 in 2016. Cats setting their domains around the feeding stations also made it easier to do TNR on them, which increased by 229% from 269 in 2014 to 617 in 2016. The stray cat feeding station project was the first case where stray cats where embraced in the public domain, rather than simply trying to drive them out of the urban areas.

The stray cat feeding station and other animal welfare policies are Gangdong District’s original policies. The stray cat feeding station project mentioned above was later distributed nationwide. To date, nine local governments have installed more than 100 feeding stations. The district’s first steps after installing the feeding stations were establishing an ordinance and organizing the Animal Welfare Committee, which were intended to secure legal and institutional stability. Animal welfare projects that have been carried out since then include: a shelter installed on the rooftop of the district office building to project injured or baby cats; ecological immigration of stray cats in the Dunchon LH Apartment Complex reconstruction site; financial aids for companion animals’ medical expenses for vulnerable classes ; animal-mediated activities for people with disability; the “mobile animal school” to teach students on respect for life; education programs to correct companion dogs’ problem behaviors; and the Gangdong Reborn Center to vitalize the adoption of abandoned animals. These projects were initiated by Gangdong District ahead of any other municipalities in Korea and were conceived through a series of talk sessions and public debates designed to guarantee the participation of the residents and animal right activists in the community.

The success of Gangdong District’s policies owe the human networks. The activists in the community are involved in the stray cat feeding station project, the operation of the shelter, and the immigration of stray cats, and local vets provide medical support. The Gangdong District Animal Welfare Committee serves as the advisor to the district for the development of well-organized policies. The stray cat feeding station project was suggested by cartoonist Kang Full and activists. Mr. Kang donated six tons feed to the project. And the baton was passed to ANF. Speaking highly of the creative idea of the stray cat feeding station project, the company donated 16 tons of feed. The success of Gangdong District’s animal welfare projects was backed up financial support from many businesses. Nestle Purina has been a robust partner, donating feed for the operation of the stray cat feeding stations and the shelter, and the immigration of stray cats. Hyundai Engineering and Construction designed, fabricated and installed containers on the rooftop of the district office building for cats. And Lotte Construction installed J-fences around the rooftop. These companies’ commitment to animal projection serves as momentum to proliferate the sense of respect for life all across society.

Yes

The stray cat feeding station project was covered by various media and served as momentum for Korean society to discuss animal welfare. And the project attracted other municipalities’ attention and was benchmarked by nine local governments nationwide. Currently there are 32 feeding stations run by Seoul Metropolitan City; 12 by Eunpyeong District in Seoul; 21 by Gwanak District in Seoul; one by Gwangjin District in Seoul; three by Seocho District in Seoul; 10 by Busan Metropolitan City; five by Pohang City; five by Yeonsu District in Incheon; and six by Seo District in Gwangju. To run stray cat feeding stations, engaging animal right activists in the community is essential. The project cannot survive without their involvement. Gangdong District has received questions and visits from many other municipalities wishing to benchmark this project. The stray cat feeding station project can be transferred to any communities, as long as they ensure active involvement of residents and activists therein.

There are increasing demands from people for a society where humans and animals coexist. In Korean society, there is a growing awareness that humans and animals are not mutually exclusive but inter-associated for coexistence. To respond to such an awareness with its policy, Gangdong District has held talk sessions and public debates for residents’ involvement and has incorporated opinions and suggestions therefrom in its animal welfare policies. Business sponsorship for Gangdong District’s animal welfare projects improves the economic sustainability of the projects. ANF donates feed to the stray cat feeding stations, and Nestle Purina has been a donor of feed for the operation of the shelter and the immigration of stray cats left in the Dunchon LH Apartment Complex site. Hyundai Engineering and Construction and Lotte Construction used their technology and skills to build the stray cat shelter, and Seoul Milk Cooperative supplies fresh pet milk for abandoned dogs sheltered in the Reborn Center. The success of Gangdong District’s animal welfare projects owes continued support from businesses. In Korea, animals still face poor environments. Suffering from bitter coldness and hunger, stray cats live only for three years on average, and there are only 14 playgrounds available for companion dogs across the country due to legal limitations (dog parks may be established in parks that are at least 100,000 wide) (whereas New York City has 140 dog parks). In this environment context, the district has emphasized the European Commission’s five animal welfare principles in 1997 and is driving its animal welfare policies towards overcoming the environmental limitations.

The greatest asset that makes Gangdong District’s animal welfare projects sustainable is the human resources in the community. The animal right activists have been playing leading roles in the stray cat feeding station project. They stock feed and water daily, ensure that the feed does not be spoiled in hot weather, and frequently change water to make sure the water in the station does not get frozen. The stray cat shelter on the rooftop of the district office building is cared after not only by the voluntary activists but also by students and workers in the region, who clean the shelter in and out and change cat litter for the stray cats staying in the shelter. The animal right activists in the community had many talk sessions and carried out many projects for the ecological immigration of stray cats left in the reconstruction site. These include stray cat mapping, feeding stations, and TNR week activities, which serve as exemplary models for other areas considering reconstruction. Established in April 2014, the Gangdong District Animal Welfare Committee consists of ten members including animal right activists, animal protection groups, public officials, and animal welfare experts. The committee’s roles include providing advice and setting policy orientations in relation to animal welfare such as the prevention of animal abuse, animal rescue and protection, and education and campaigns on respect for life. The human network in the community is the driver power for Gangdong District’s animal welfare projects which makes them sustainable over time.

Yes

Among Gangdong District’s animal welfare projects, the stray cat feeding station project won the First Prize in the election pledge fulfillment section of the 2015 Korean Municipalities Manifesto Contest. Gangdong District’s entry, entitled “Gangdong: A city of respect for life where humans and animals coexist – improving social awareness of animal welfare through the stray cat feeding station project,” was awarded the prize. Favorably evaluated was the project’s public-private governance whereby the residents, activists, the district office, and feed makers cooperate with each other. Also highly recognized was that the project accompanied TNR activities to ensure keep the population at a certain number and it succeeded in bringing a positive change in the residents’ view to the stray cat feeding stations, which resulted in a sharp decrease in complaints. The project was covered by a number of media reports, shedding light on the agendum of animal welfare in Korean society. The project’s media coverage included 49 articles in 2013, 53 in 2014, 74 in 2015, 48 in 2016, and 38 in 2017, amounting to a total of 262 articles, which served as momentum to trigger social discussions over animal welfare in Korea.

The Joongang Ilbo, one of the nation’s three major newspapers, conducted an online survey on the installation of stray cat feeding stations from August 21 to 25 2015. Among the 2,872 respondents, 72% (2,070 people) gave positive answers. The district office, too, conducted a similar survey of 443 residents from April 25 to 27 2016, and 73% of the respondents supported the installation of feeding stations. These results showed positive changes in the residents’ awareness of animal welfare (including stray cats). Furnishing food and water in the stations for stray cats means fulfilling the principle of animal welfare (freedom from hunger and thirst), and complaints received from residents in relation to stray cats decreased by more than 40%, from 78 in 2013 to 21 in 2016, as they no longer needed to cry out or dig up garbage bags. In addition, cats establishing their domains around the feeding stations also helped with TNR activities, which increased by 229% from 269 in 2014 to 617 in 2016. The most positive change after installing the feeding stations was that the residents started taking the feeding stations for granted. This marked the first step for the coexistence between humans and animals.

Among Gangdong District’s animal welfare projects, the stray cat feeding station project underwent multifaceted assessments in terms of reductions in resident complaints, increases in TNR, media coverage, and survey results. After installing the feeding stations, stray cat-related complaints reduced by more than 40%, and the cats set their domains around the stations, which led to an increase of 229% in TNR activities. In addition, the project attracted media’s attention, which resulted in 262 articles between the installation of the feeding stations in May 2013 and the present. A survey on the installation of feeding stations conducted by a media company yielded 72% positive answers. These have had positive roles in fulfilling the district’s pledge of “making a city of respect for life where humans and animals coexist.“

At Gangdong District, animal welfare policies are organized by governance of the district’s animal welfare division, the Animal Welfare Committee, local animal right activists, the veterinarian association in the district, animal protection groups, private businesses, and media companies. Each project is matched to appropriate players to engage. Animal right activists, high school students, vets, and feed makers (ANF and Nestle Purina) are involved in the stray cat feeding station project, the operation of the shelter, and the ecological immigration of stary cats left in the Dunchon LH Apartment Complex site, and animal protection group KARA takes responsibility for the mobile animal school program. The Gangdong Companion Animals Love Festival in May 2017 took advantage of the animal welfare governance, where each player was assigned to specific roles to ensure the organized operation of the event. The Animal Welfare Committee determined the topic “Another Family,” and the vet association took responsibility for health counselling for companion dogs, while Nestle Purina organized customized feed consulting and festival promotion. Animal protection groups carried out campaigns to prevent animal abuse and encourage the adoption of stray animals. News company news1 showed interests in Gangdong District’s animal welfare policy and proposed the operation of a volunteer group in July 2017. In recognition of the necessity for a participatory program, the district run a one-month project entitled “warmhearted volunteer group” in cooperation with private news company news1 in August 2017, where 120 elementary, middle and high school students visited animal shelters to do volunteer work. The district office recruited participants and contacted the shelters, and news1 promoted the project and interviewed the participants. This project was spoken highly by the participating students and was considered as a good example of cooperation between a public organization and a media company to promote an animal welfare project.

Gangdong District’s animal welfare policy is geared towards to instantly responding to social changes by continuously engaging the residents in policy making and implementation. It held a public debate session in 2016 to collect ideas and opinions about animal welfare policies from the residents, and in the second half of that year it launched the nation’s first companion dogs’ medical expenses aid project for the vulnerable classes. Recently people bitten by dogs have emerged as a social issue. But Gangdong District acknowledged the necessity for problem behavior correction education for both dogs and owners beforehand and launched the “Gangdong school for companion animals” project. In addition, it foresaw the anticipated increases in demands for problem behavior correction education and launched the companion animal behavioral education expert program. The projects attracted strong attention, and President Moon Jae-in included stray cat feeding stations, the vitalization of re-adoption of abandoned animals, and problem behavior correction for companion animals in his election pledges. This shows the government is switching the direction of its animal policy towards what Gangdong District is pursuing. By building a sustainable structure for communication with the residents and improving policy responsiveness, Gangdong District will continuously developing its animal welfare projects.