Seoul, South Korea – A recent survey conducted by the Ministry of Agriculture, Food, and Rural Affairs has revealed substantial discrepancies in veterinary care costs across different regions of South Korea. The study, which covered 4,159 animal hospitals nationwide, highlighted a particularly wide range in the cost of influenza vaccinations for pets.

According to the survey, the average cost of an initial veterinary consultation was ₩12,911, while hospitalization for a dog averaged ₩64,271. However, the most notable variations were found in the cost of influenza vaccinations, with Gyeongnam Province recording the lowest average cost at ₩31,575 and Daegu City reporting the highest at ₩37,825, representing a difference of approximately 1.2 times.

The ministry attributed the overall decrease or stabilization of veterinary costs compared to the previous year to the inclusion of smaller, single-veterinarian clinics in this year's survey. These smaller clinics generally offer more competitive prices.

The survey also indicated that the disparities in veterinary costs between regions have narrowed slightly compared to the previous year. This trend is believed to be a result of the government's implementation of mandatory price disclosure policies for veterinary services in 2023.

"We anticipate that this survey will empower pet owners to make more informed decisions when choosing a veterinary clinic," said Park Jung-hoon, director-general of the ministry's Animal Welfare and Environment Policy Division. "We will continue to refine our survey methods to enhance transparency in the veterinary care sector and safeguard consumers' rights."

The ministry emphasized that the data collected from this survey can be accessed on its official website, allowing pet owners to compare prices among different clinics in their region.