SEOUL, May 26 (AJP) - The southern port city of Busan is offering a year of free pet insurance to people who adopt abandoned dogs, hoping the move will ease concerns over veterinary costs and boost adoption rates.
The program, announced Monday, applies to anyone who has adopted a stray dog in Busan since Jan. 1. To qualify, the dog must be adopted through one of the city’s six animal protection centers or two adoption agencies and registered with an RFID chip.
The insurance covers 70 percent of treatment costs for injuries or illness, whether surgery, hospitalization, or outpatient care, up to 10 million won ($7,323) per year. It also includes up to 10 million won in liability coverage for damages caused by the dog to others or their pets.
“A lot of people are hesitant to adopt abandoned dogs as they’re worried the animals may have undiagnosed illnesses,” Busan’s animal welfare bureau official Kwon Na-yeon said. “That’s why we’re offering insurance for the first year, to encourage more people to open up to these animals.”
Pet ownership in South Korea has steadily risen. A government survey found that 28.6 percent of households had pets in 2022, up from 17.4 percent in 2010. But the cost of care remains a major concern. Unlike human healthcare, veterinary services aren’t standardized, and fees often vary depending on the animal’s size and species.
The pet industry itself is booming. According to a report by KPMG Korea’s Issue Monitor, the market reached $6.2 billion in 2022 and is projected to more than double to $15.2 billion by 2032.
“Interest in adopting abandoned dogs still exists, but adoption rates have stagnated these days,” Kwon added. “We hope this support will provide that final push for those who are still undecided.”
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