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| An image of dogs in unique costumes / Courtesy of Seoul Metropolitan Government |
By Jung Da-hyun
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| The Seoul Metropolitan Government will hold a pet festival, Oct. 8, during which lectures will be provided by pet experts. Courtesy of Seoul Metropolitan Government |
The biggest draw of the festival will be a fashion run for pets, during which owners will walk their pets five kilometers along Haneul Park, wearing the same colored clothing or accessory as their pets.
A total of 500 teams can participate, with 400 teams for advance registration and 100 teams for on-site reservation. Those who are interested can register at lnk.bio/run-pet from Tuesday to Oct. 4. On-site registration will be available starting from 8 a.m. on the festival day.
After completing the five-kilometer walk, each participating team will receive eco-friendly bags and blankets and have the opportunity to obtain caricatures and four-cut photos of their beloved pets.
Starting from 1 p.m., insightful lectures by pet experts will take place. Renowned dog trainer Kang Hyung-wook and celebrated veterinarian Na Eung-sic, known for his cat-focused YouTube channel, will share their expertise. The lectures will delve into understanding and interpretation of the actions of both cats and dogs, along with offering valuable insights into proper pet care.
In addition to these events, the festival will feature various attractions such as picnic zones and a consultation program on animal behavior correction.
This inaugural pet festival in Seoul marks a significant step, reflecting the city's increased focus on animal welfare.
As the number of pet-owning households increases, the city revised regulation plans for protecting animals on May 22 to make a legal basis for enhancing animal welfare.
According to the KB Management Institute, the number of pet-owning households in Korea stands at 5.52 million as of 2022, constituting approximately 25.7 percent of all households, up by 2.8 percent from 2020.
Seoul will designate Oct. 4, next year, as the day to celebrate animal protection with a plan to hold such festivals every year.
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