Come for the salted shrimp, stay for the 'Meong BTI': Mapo-gu runs pet lifestyle booth at festival

Mapo-gu will run a pet lifestyle booth at the 19th Mapanaru Salted Shrimp Festival, running Friday through Sunday, giving visitors a chance to better understand their companion animals and create lasting memories with them.

The booth, titled "Wise Pet Life with MAPO Cats and Dogs," will be set up near the specialty market at Peace Plaza in Seoul World Cup Park and will welcome visitors daily from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. throughout the festival.

Pet owners curious about their dogs' behavior or struggling with care can consult on-site animal behavior specialists, who will observe the dogs directly and speak with their owners before providing behavioral correction advice. Visitors can also take a "Meong BTI" personality test — a dog-themed take on the Myers-Briggs-style assessment — to learn more about their pet's temperament.

Special memory-making experiences will also be on offer. A caricature drawing program will capture the likeness of visitors' pets, and a photo zone will be available for commemorative shots, with prints provided on the spot.

The booth will also share practical information for pet owners, including details on the animal registration system, stray animal adoption programs and adoption fee support, as well as veterinary clinic and pet care facility assistance for low-income households.

Alongside this, a "pet-iquette" leaflet promoting responsible pet ownership will be distributed to help both pet owners and non-pet-owning visitors understand and respect one another. Information on safety regulations for dangerous dog breeds and animal abuse will also be provided to raise awareness of animal protection.

During the event, the district will also collect residents' opinions on pet-related issues. Feedback and policy needs gathered on-site will be used to inform future animal protection initiatives.

Mapo-gu District Mayor Yoo Dong-gyun said he hoped visitors would enjoy the salted shrimp festival while gaining a better understanding of their pets and finding answers to questions they may have had. "We will use the opinions we hear from residents on the ground to develop pet policies that make a real difference in daily life," he said.