The Banryeomaru Hwaseong adoption center in Gyeonggi Province has successfully placed 3,333 animals with new families [1].
This milestone highlights a shift toward rescue and rehabilitation over euthanasia for abandoned animals in South Korea. By providing medical care and behavioral training, the center aims to ensure a sustainable match between pets and owners.
The 3,333rd adoption took place in March [2]. The animal involved was a dog named Haru, who had been rescued from an area near the Gwacheon Racecourse [3]. Haru was adopted by Park Ji-hoon and Ji Hye-gyeong, who now welcome the dog into their home.
Founded in 2013 [3], the center has spent 13 years operating as a hub for animal welfare. The facility does not simply act as a holding area; it provides a comprehensive suite of services to prepare animals for domestic life. These services include health screenings, vaccinations, neutering, and socialization training [3].
Park and Ji described how the arrival of Haru has changed their household dynamics. "Conversation has increased, and because we are all focusing our attention on the dog even in small things, I think it has become an opportunity for the family to become closer," they said [4].
The center's approach focuses on a tailored screening process to find the most compatible homes for each animal. This method is designed to reduce the likelihood of pets being returned to the shelter, which is a critical component of the center's mission to provide a new life instead of euthanasia [3].
“Banryeomaru Hwaseong has successfully placed 3,333 animals with new families.”
The milestone at Banryeomaru Hwaseong reflects a broader societal transition in South Korea toward animal rights and responsible pet ownership. By integrating medical and social rehabilitation into the adoption process, the center addresses the systemic issues that lead to animal abandonment, moving away from the historical reliance on euthanasia in municipal shelters.
