Vaccinations available at 42 designated animal hospitals from Oct. 16 to Oct. 31; open to registered dogs and cats aged 3 months or older — owners pay just 10,000 won per animal
Yangcheon-gu will subsidize fall rabies vaccinations for pets at 42 designated animal hospitals across the district from Oct. 16 to Oct. 31, the district said.
Rabies is a fatal zoonotic disease transmitted through bites or scratches from infected animals and is extremely difficult to treat once symptoms appear, making prevention critical. The risk is particularly high in spring and autumn, when pets are more likely to come into contact with wild animals during outdoor activities. In response, the district runs subsidized rabies vaccination campaigns twice a year, each spring and fall.
The program covers dogs and cats aged three months or older that have not yet received a rabies vaccine. Dogs must be registered with the animal registration system to qualify. The district is providing vaccines for a total of 3,000 animals, with owners paying only 10,000 won ($7) per animal at participating hospitals.
Without the subsidy, a rabies vaccination typically costs around 30,000 won at a private animal hospital, so the program is expected to ease the financial burden on pet owners considerably.
Pet owners wishing to participate can visit any of the 42 designated hospitals during the campaign period. A full list of participating hospitals and further details are available on the Yangcheon-gu website's public notice board. As operating hours and remaining vaccine supplies vary by hospital, owners are advised to call ahead before visiting.
The district runs a range of programs aimed at creating a safe environment for pets and their owners. These include a neighborhood veterinary support program that covers medical costs for low-income residents and elderly recipients of the basic pension, a short-term pet care service for owners who have difficulty caring for their animals, and a pet culture class covering behavior correction and leash etiquette — all part of the district's broader effort to promote responsible pet ownership.
"Rabies is entirely preventable through vaccination, so regular inoculation is essential for the safety of both pets and residents," Yangcheon-gu District Mayor Lee Ki-jae said. "We will continue to provide practical support for pets and their owners, and work toward building a community where people and animals can thrive together."
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