Busan City and the Busan Economic Promotion Agency announced that they held the "'Happier Together, 2026 Pet-Friendly Partners Day'" at 1:40 PM today (the 15th) at ILLOW in Gijang-gun (Busan's 1st Pet-Friendly Space for 2026).

Approximately 30 people, including Mayor Jeon Jae-soo and representatives of pet-friendly businesses, attended the event to hold a certificate-awarding ceremony for the "Busan Pet-Friendly Space" and a close-knit roundtable discussion for on-site communication.

The event was co-hosted by the city and the Busan Economic Promotion Agency. First, certificates were awarded to the companies selected as "Busan Pet-Friendly Spaces," followed by a roundtable discussion. This "Pet-Friendly Space" certification is the first of its kind among local governments nationwide.

While establishing a foundation for fostering the local pet industry through existing startup, R&D, and market-expansion support programs, the city plans to create new industrial demands by turning the pet service industry (accommodations, restaurants, grooming, and care) into a unique Busan-specific brand through the "Pet-Friendly Space" initiative launched this year.

The selection of "Busan Pet-Friendly Spaces" targeted businesses with excellent hygiene and safety among local pet service facilities (restaurants, accommodations, grooming, and boarding/care).

The 10 selected companies were finalized through rigorous evaluations in hygiene, safety, operation, and global services, comprising 3 pet-companion restaurants, 2 companion accommodations, 2 grooming shops, and 3 boarding (care) facilities.

The selection process was conducted through a public contest in July this year with the participation of relevant experts, and 10 high-scoring companies were finalized in August based on 5 core evaluation factors.

Selected companies will receive a certificate and plaque bearing the name of the Mayor of Busan, along with benefits such as customized corporate capacity-building and promotional support for certified companies. The certification period is 3 years from the date of selection.

A support fund of 9 million won will be provided to help selected companies with facility improvements, capacity building, and promotions, and joint promotions and marketing for certified companies are also scheduled to be supported in their 2nd and 3rd years of certification.

Through the "Partners Roundtable" held after the certification ceremony, the city plans to listen to the vivid voices and communicate with the certified companies to jointly shape policies for fostering the pet industry.

Mayor Jeon Jae-soo stated, "The entire world is currently paying attention to the massive blue ocean called 'Petconomy,'" adding, "I hope that these certified Busan Pet-Friendly Space companies will inject new vitality into the local economy and establish themselves as representative leaders leading the Petconomy market."

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