Registered pets top 3.67 million as stray animals fall for 6th straight year

The number of registered companion animals in South Korea has surpassed 3.67 million. As more households take in pets, the related industry has continued to grow, while lost and abandoned animals have declined for six consecutive years.

The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs released the results of its 2025 Animal Protection and Welfare Survey on Monday.

The cumulative number of registered companion animals stood at 3.676 million as of the end of last year, up 5.3 percent from the previous year. New registrations fell 4.9 percent to 247,000, but the overall registered population has consistently expanded. Dogs accounted for the vast majority at 3.603 million, while cats numbered 73,000.

Lost and abandoned animals totaled 96,000, down 10.4 percent from the previous year. The number of rescued animals stood at 136,000 in 2019 and has fallen steadily since, dropping below 100,000 for the first time last year.

The number of animal protection centers nationwide grew by five from the previous year to 236. Of these, 87 are directly operated and 149 are run under contract.

The pet industry also continued to expand. Pet-related businesses reached 24,384 as of the end of last year, up 3.5 percent from the previous year, while the number of workers in the sector rose 3.8 percent to 30,426.

By business type, grooming services held the largest share at 44.5 percent of all establishments, followed by pet-sitting and boarding at 23.8 percent and retail sales at 11.4 percent. Transportation, funeral, grooming and boarding businesses all increased, while import, retail and breeding operations declined.

Animal protection enforcement was also strengthened. The number of animal welfare officers designated by local governments rose 10.9 percent from the previous year to 888, and authorities detected 1,281 violations of the Animal Protection Act last year. Inadequate animal management — including failure to use a leash — accounted for the largest share at 913 cases, or 71.3 percent, followed by violations of operator compliance requirements at 184 cases, or 14.4 percent.

"Interest in animal welfare is growing alongside the rise in pet ownership," said Kim Dong-il, director of the ministry's Animal Protection Division. "We will actively use the survey results to inform policy development and improve the regulatory system, working toward a more mature pet culture."