Pet owners with their dogs at Jeju International Airport in Jeju City, South Korea, on March 16, 2023. Yonhap News
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Cho, a 31-year-old cafe owner in Seoul who declined to give his full name, previously ran a spot popular with pet owners.
Her cafe was known for its dog-friendly atmosphere and Puppuccino dog drink, and regularly welcomed customers with pets. Sometimes she brought her dog to work.
However, recent government warnings have made it difficult to allow dogs on premises.
“We received a warning from the government about keeping dogs here,” Cho said. “They said a complaint had been filed alleging the cafe was unsanitary because of the dog.”
Cho said most pet-friendly cafes and restaurants are operating without knowing about the pet ban. He said owners typically become aware of the regulations when a civil lawsuit is filed.
A dog participates in a pet supplies show held in Seoul on October 16, 2020. Yonhap News
Current law prohibits pets from entering establishments that serve food, such as restaurants and cafes. This ban applies to animals in crates or strollers, and also includes outdoor seating areas that are registered as part of a business.
Companies receive a warning on their first offense. A second violation will result in a 15-day suspension, and a third violation will result in a 30-day suspension. A fourth or more violation may result in a 60-day business suspension, revocation of business license, or even an administrative order to close the business.
Pet owners say the regulation is inconsistent with current trends in South Korea.
Almost a quarter of the country’s population, about 15 million people, are pet owners, and pet-friendly services are proliferating, especially in dining and travel, they noted.
Park Hee-jung, 31, who owns a 10-year-old golden retriever, expressed dissatisfaction with the restaurant’s inconsistent pet policy.
“I’ve had several experiences where I went to a restaurant based on word of mouth that pets were allowed, only to find that the policy had changed,” she said, adding that laws evolve to provide more options and become clearer. The guidelines added that it is expected that.
“Rules vary from restaurant to restaurant and are often not clearly defined. Finding a place where you can safely eat with your dog can be very confusing and difficult,” Park said.
In response to growing demand for pet-friendly meals, the government has launched a two-year pilot project in December 2022 to consider regulatory sandbox permits for some restaurants and cafes.
“As of July 2024, 141 stores of 38 brands are legally registered as pet-friendly,” said Jeong In-kwon, an official at South Korea’s Ministry of Food and Drug Safety.
Seo Yul-hee, the owner of the cafe Berilkiki in Pohang, North Gyeongsang Province, is one of them.
“Some agencies charge 3 million to 5 million won (approximately 370,000 yen) as a support fee (to obtain a sandbox permit),” said Seo, who handled the application process himself.
She said it would take some effort to renovate the store, but it would be manageable. “This is not a walk in the park, but with the right preparation, it is achievable for business owners.”
Licensed facilities must follow a set of guidelines from the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety. For example, post pet-friendly signs, keep dogs on leashes, and cover food when serving or displaying it. The permit is valid for two years.
Information about licensed pet-friendly facilities is available on the government’s regulatory information portal. Seo said he believes many businesses are simply unaware of this permit.
She also advocates for changes to the law, suggesting restaurants should be allowed to bring pets if staff meet requirements such as hygiene training, rather than enforcing a complete ban. .
As the pet-friendly diet pilot program nears its end, the Department of Food and Drug Safety is considering possible revisions to the current regulations, with the first timeline for changes set for December 2025.
“We will evaluate the results of the pilot project and first gather expert opinions,” Jung said.
However, some people do not support bringing pets in restaurants and cafes.
Yoon Hye-jung (33), a resident of Seoul, said, “I think small dogs are cute, but when I imagine their hair and dust getting into my food, I don’t like it.If a restaurant allows pets, I won’t go there.” spoke. .
Kim Hyo-jin, 30, owner of a small mixed-breed poodle, Maltipoo, said, “I don’t think outdoor seating at cafes is a problem for dogs, but I think many people feel uncomfortable having dogs inside restaurants.” Ta. Also, some people may be allergic to dogs or cats.
Choi In-young, a veterinarian and director of the Seoul Veterinary Association, said pet-friendly restaurants are necessary, but must follow certain legal guidelines.
“There should be a designated area for pets and shop owners should notify customers in advance,” he said. “Decor and equipment should be designed to prevent food contamination from pet fur.”
Choi also emphasized that pet owners need to take responsibility.
“If your pet hasn’t been taught basic etiquette, like no barking or biting, you may need to sign a waiver. Business owners should have the right to ask unwanted customers to leave. ” he said.
Korea Herald
