South Korea’s Pet Industry Shifts from Sales to Care Services
Creatrip Team
a month ago
South Korea’s pet industry is becoming more like that of developed countries: businesses focused on selling pets (sales, imports, breeding) declined while service-oriented sectors—transportation, pet funerals (jangmyo; pet cremation/burial services), grooming—grew. The Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs Ministry’s 2025 animal protection and welfare survey found 24,384 pet-related businesses nationwide (up 3.5% from 2024) and 30,426 workers (up 3.8%). By sector share, grooming accounted for 44.5%, boarding/management (caretaking) 23.8%, and sales 11.4%. Year-on-year increases: transportation (+20.5%), pet funerals (+7.2%), grooming (+6.6%); declines included imports (-11.5%), sales (-10.5%), and production/breeding (-4.5%). New pet registrations fell 4.9% to 247,000, while cumulative registrations reached 3.676 million. Rescues of lost or abandoned animals dropped 10.4% to 96,000—continuing a multi-year decline. Local governments’ 888 designated animal protection officers reported 1,281 violations, mostly poor animal management such as leash failures. Officials said growing pet ownership brings greater interest in animal welfare and will inform future policy and education efforts.
