S. Korea to offer up to $850 in annual subsidies to households that adopt retired service dogs
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Service dogs in South Korea are those that formerly worked in the military, police and emergency services, or the detection units of related agencies.
PHOTO: UNSPLASH
SEOUL – The South Korean government plans to financially support those adopting dogs that have retired from years of public service, through a subsidisation programme announced on April 1.
The programme will cover up to 60 per cent of expenses for the dogs, with a cap of one million won (S$850) each year, according to the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs.
Households adopting dogs that formerly worked in the military, police and emergency services, or the detection units of related agencies, are eligible for the programme.
The plan is in accordance with an agreement reached in 2025 between six branches of the government, including the Ministry of Defence, the National Police Agency and the National Fire Agency.
Several civilian sectors are working together to provide care for the retired dogs as well.
Samsung Fire & Marine Insurance, Meritz Fire & Marine Insurance, KB Insurance and DB Insurance offer discounts of up to 20 per cent on their pet insurance programmes.
Five companies from the Korean Pet Food Association, including Wooriwa Pet Food Kitchen, offer 20 to 30 per cent discounts on their products.
Forty-four member hospitals of the Korean Animal Hospital Association provide 30 per cent discounts on medical fees, while 20 pet funeral companies offer 20 to 30 per cent discounts as well.
The ministry added that it is pushing to establish a dedicated care centre for retired dogs that have not yet been adopted. THE KOREA HERALD/ASIA NEWS NETWORK
