Seoul: More than three out of 10 pet owners in South Korea adopt their companion animals from acquaintances, making it the most common route of adopting pets, a government poll showed Wednesday.
According to Yonhap News Agency, the poll conducted by the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs revealed that 35.5 percent of pet owners in South Korea adopted their pets from acquaintances. In comparison, 26.2 percent purchased their pets from shops, and 12.2 percent adopted them from animal shelters. The survey was conducted in September, targeting 5,000 South Koreans aged between 20 and 64 years old.
The poll further indicated that 10.8 percent of pet owners paid a fee to adopt pets from acquaintances. In terms of the costs of raising a pet, respondents reported spending an average of 142,300 won (US$99.4) per month. Dogs incurred the highest expenses at 175,200 won, followed by cats at 130,400 won and birds at 50,800 won.
The survey also highlighted that 87.8 percent of respondents supported banning individuals who have previously committed animal abuse from owning a pet. Furthermore, more than 75 percent of those surveyed were aware of the country's Animal Protection Act, reflecting a significant increase from 57.1 percent in 2020.