Fewer Pet-Friendly Restaurants After New Rules, but Standards Aim to Improve Safety
Creatrip Team
3 months ago
A new amendment to South Korea’s Food Sanitation Act enforcement rules, effective March 1, allows restaurants and cafes to admit pets only if they meet specific hygiene and safety standards. Though pet-friendly cafés have existed for years under pilot programs (regulatory sandbox), many establishments that previously allowed animals now display “No Pet Zone” signs because they do not meet the new requirements. The rules require physical barriers to keep animals out of food prep areas, clear signage, restrictions on free movement of pets, dedicated pet chairs or cages, adequate spacing between tables, covered food displays, separate pet dishes, pet waste bins, and proof of vaccinations, among other measures. These standards — which can lead to business suspensions if violated — are voluntary only for businesses that choose to host pets. Authorities say the regulation filters out noncompliant venues, leaving verified pet-friendly places that balance pet owners and other customers, and officials are holding briefing sessions to help confused business owners adapt. The change may reduce the number of pet-accessible eateries in the short term but is framed as a necessary step toward a safer, more mature pet-friendly culture.
