Incheon opens Pet Welfare Center to support growing pet population

Incheon Metropolitan City has opened the Incheon Pet Welfare Center in Cheonghak-dong, Yeonsu-gu, to address the rising number of pet-owning households. According to 2025 survey data, approximately 392,000 households in Incheon—about 29.2% of the total—live with pets.

The center serves as a regional hub for animal welfare, focusing on the protection of lost and abandoned animals, adoption support, and pet culture education. Beyond basic care, the facility will provide health checkups, socialization training, and post-adoption services, including behavioral correction and parenting counseling to prevent abandonment. A temporary foster care program for long-term residents will also be implemented.

Incheon is investing 5.648 billion KRW this year into animal welfare and safety management projects. These initiatives include supporting medical expenses and vaccinations for adopters, providing neutering services for outdoor dogs, and medical support for pets in vulnerable households. Additionally, the city will support the neutering of stray cats and promote a culture of coexistence through public education on pet etiquette and respect for life.