Gyeonggi Province Operates Voluntary Registration Period for Pets Through End of September

[Suwon Ilbo=Reporter Kim Gap-dong] Gyeonggi Province announced on the 6th that it will operate the '2024 Voluntary Pet Registration Reporting Period' through September 30.

The 'Pet Registration System' is implemented to strengthen pet owners' sense of responsibility for raising companion animals and prevent loss and abandonment, based on the Animal Protection Act. Dogs aged 2 months or older kept for companion purposes in residences, semi-residences, or other places must be registered. Cats kept for companion purposes can also be registered.

The voluntary reporting period extends through September 30, and pet owners can apply for registration at designated registration agencies such as animal hospitals. Registered agencies can be found on the National Animal Protection Information System (www.animal.go.kr) or by contacting the animal welfare department at city and county offices.

According to Article 15 of the Animal Protection Act, failure to register a pet results in a fine of up to 1 million won. If a pet is lost or the owner's information changes and the change is not reported within the designated period, the owner is subject to a fine of up to 500,000 won. During this voluntary reporting period, those who comply with reporting unregistered pets or unreported changes will be temporarily exempted from fines.

For those who completed registration in the past but whose address or contact information has changed, simple online change applications are available through the National Animal Protection Information System. However, if the owner itself has changed, residents must visit city and county offices to report in person, or changes can also be made through the Government24 website (www.gov.kr).

After the voluntary reporting period ends, concentrated inspections targeting unregistered owners will be conducted for one month in October at major pet dog access areas such as parks and apartments, as well as areas with frequent civil complaints.

Meanwhile, the province has been promoting a 'Pet Registration Cost Support Project' since 2019 with 31 cities and counties, allowing registration through implantable radio-frequency identification devices that minimize risks of loss and damage.

The implantable microchip is a rice grain-sized animal medical device that causes no inflammatory reaction to the animal's body. Only products meeting specifications are used for safe registration. Gyeonggi residents can register at municipal and county pet registration agencies, with a personal contribution of 10,000 won.

Lee Yeon-suk, head of the Province's Animal Welfare Division, urged, "For the establishment of a mature and responsible pet culture, we encourage you to complete pet registration, which is a legal obligation, during this voluntary reporting period."