Gyeonggi Province has launched a program to provide direct veterinary care at private animal shelters. The initiative marks a case where a resident's proposal has been translated into actual field support.
The province announced on the 10th that it will implement the "Visiting Animal Shelter Medical Support" program starting this month. The new initiative reflects 50 million won allocated through this year's participatory budgeting process.
In partnership with the Gyeonggi Veterinary Medical Association, the province will visit 15 private animal shelters across the region through the end of this year. Veterinarians will conduct on-site health checkups, vaccinations, treatments, and neutering procedures for shelter animals.
Private animal shelters house lost, abandoned, or abused animals. Operated voluntarily by individuals or organizations, these facilities have long been considered a blind spot beyond the reach of public support. The province aims to enhance on-site care capabilities by combining public resources and veterinary expertise with private protection efforts.
The program is significant in that a resident-proposed agenda has been realized as policy. The province plans to evaluate the pilot program this year before deciding whether to expand it as an ongoing initiative.
Private facilities wishing to participate can apply to the Gyeonggi Veterinary Medical Association by the 13th. Applications can be submitted via email or mail, with details available on the association's website.
"Private animal shelters are important sites caring for animals in need of protection," said Jeong Bong-su, head of Gyeonggi Province's Animal Welfare Division. "Together with the Gyeonggi Veterinary Medical Association, we will directly provide essential medical care to look after the health of shelter animals."
