Seoul, South Korea – The average monthly cost of owning a pet in South Korea has risen to 175,000 won ($130), according to a recent government survey.

The Ministry of Agriculture, Food, and Rural Affairs released the results of its 2024 Animal Welfare Public Awareness Survey on Tuesday, revealing that the overall monthly cost of keeping a pet, including veterinary expenses, has increased by 16,000 won to 142,000 won compared to the previous year.

Dog owners reported spending an average of 175,000 won per month on their pets, while cat owners spent around 130,000 won. The survey also found that 93% of pet owners visit the veterinarian at least once a year.

Public awareness of animal protection laws has also increased significantly. Approximately 75.4% of respondents indicated that they were aware of the Animal Protection Act and its provisions, up from 57.1% in 2020. The survey showed a steady increase in awareness, with the figure exceeding 70% in both 2023 and 2024.

Furthermore, 67.7% of respondents were aware of the pet registration system, with 82.5% of dog owners reporting that their pets were registered. While 70.8% of respondents were aware of the rules for pet owners, such as leashing their dogs when going out, only 45.6% of pet owners reported adhering to these regulations.

The survey also revealed a growing awareness of animal cruelty, with most respondents considering not only physical abuse but also confining animals in dark or cramped spaces as forms of cruelty. A significant majority of 87.8% of respondents supported stricter penalties and bans on keeping animals for those convicted of animal cruelty.

When asked about adopting pets, 80.9% of respondents expressed a willingness to adopt stray or abandoned animals. The survey was conducted online from September 6 to 27 last year, involving 5,000 people aged 20 to 64 nationwide.