The domestic companion animal rearing population reaches 15 million. As a result, facilities and events with dogs and cats are also increasing. Services and facilities for dogs as a member of the family, such as cafes where dogs can enter, movie theaters, and outdoor screenings, are provided. Pets are precious lives and families to be happy together, and many people's views on companion animals have changed. However, many things surrounding them have yet to change in line with this gaze.

According to a study by the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs in 2017, Korea's animal hospital medical expenses are lower than those of developed countries such as the United States and Germany. Including the monthly health insurance premium, the difference between human and animal medical expenses is not significant. However, the reason why medical expenses are a big burden for people who raise companion animals is that they have to pay the full cost of treatment unless they have private insurance. The domestic pet insurance subscription rate in 2020 is 0.25 percent, which is significantly lower than that of other countries. The reason is that insurance premiums are expensive and coverage is lower than that of human insurance, making it difficult to subscribe. The government's top priority will be to level prices from medical services frequently used by them.

In addition, as the regulations of COVID-19 are gradually lifted, abandonment of companion animals is increasing. According to the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, the number of registered abandoned animals over the past month was 11,363, up about 30 percent from the previous month. Experts say the animal registration system should be supplemented, and investigations and penalties for abuse and abandonment should also be strengthened. 

There are more families raising companion animals and the welfare of animals is gradually improving, but there are still many unprotected animals. It was once a beloved cat, but one day it was suddenly abandoned and became a street cat. It is time for them to have warm attention and touch.

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