The Gyeonggi-do provincial government has launched a mobile veterinary service to provide medical care directly to animals in private shelters [1].
This initiative addresses the financial strain on shelters that rely on donations to fund expensive medical procedures. By bringing care to the animals, the program aims to prevent the spread of infectious diseases among stray populations living in dense conditions.
The "visiting animal hospital" sends professional veterinarians to facilities within Gyeonggi Province [1]. These teams perform on-site examinations, heartworm tests, and neutering procedures [2]. The service targets the specific needs of shelter animals who may otherwise lack access to consistent veterinary care due to the high cost of transport and treatment [3].
Funding for the program comes from a resident-participation budget totaling 50,000,000 KRW [1]. This allocation allows the government to bridge the gap in care for animals housed in private facilities that lack the resources for comprehensive medical oversight.
At one private animal protection facility, the mobile team provided care for approximately 100 stray dogs [1]. The concentrated nature of these shelters increases the risk of health crises.
"Because they are in a group, diseases related to infectious diseases are the most dangerous," Han Byung-jin said [1].
The program was launched in 2023 to eliminate medical blind spots for animals in the province [1]. By integrating professional veterinary services into the shelter environment, the provincial government intends to stabilize the health of the stray population and lower the operational burden on private caregivers [2].
“The program aims to prevent the spread of infectious diseases among stray populations living in dense conditions.”
This initiative represents a shift toward public-private cooperation in animal welfare, recognizing that private shelters often lack the capital to maintain public health standards. By utilizing a resident-participation budget, Gyeonggi-do is leveraging local civic engagement to fund systemic health interventions, which may serve as a model for other provinces facing high stray animal populations and limited shelter funding.
