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Paw print

Dedicated to our furry companions, the series offers insight and advice for a healthier, happier life with animals.

Paw print

Illegal pet sales surge on livestreams, raising concerns over animal welfare

A YouTube livestream recently drew attention after a host promoted the sale of puppies in real time, saying, “We only have four dogs left. You’ll be surprised at how cheap they are, prices are completely down. Anyone looking to raise a Samoyed? Take them home for a low price.” Viewers quickly flooded the chat with comments such as, “Do you have smaller dogs?” and “Show us the bichon!” The replay of the broadcast has since garnered over 20,000 views. During the stream, the host continued to encourage sales, saying, “All bichons have been sold, but reservations are open, contact me anytime,” and “We can deliver nationwide, so feel free to reach out.” This kind of live commerce, where pets are showcased, priced and sold in real time through YouTube, Instagram and other social media platforms, has become increasingly common in Korea. Modeled after televised home shopping channels, these broadcasts allow viewers to “order” a living animal with just a few clicks. However, such transactions are illegal under Korean law. Article 49 of the Enforcement Rules of the Anima

Nov 11, 2025By Youn Ye-jin
Illegal pet sales surge on livestreams, raising concerns over animal welfare
Paw print

‘Good Boy’ brings horror to life through a dog’s POV

It’s past midnight in an isolated countryside home. A dim television flickers across the living room as a dog lifts his head, ears twitching. Something stirs in the darkness. He looks up, eyes narrowing toward the hallway where a shadow glides past. What happens next is not seen by a human, but by Indy, the four-legged star of “Good Boy.” Billed as the world’s first dog’s-eye-view horror film, “Good Boy” opened in Korean theaters, Wednesday, and has been hailed as one of the year’s most inventive and emotionally charged genre films. Directed by American filmmaker Ben Leonberg — a director, writer and producer making his feature debut — the 73-minute film turns a classic haunted house setup into an intimate portrait of loyalty, fear and devotion. The story follows Indy, a Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever, as he tries to protect his sick owner, Todd, from a mysterious presence lurking in the woods surrounding their secluded home. What begins as a simple act of faithfulness becomes a haunting struggle for survival, told entirely through the eyes and senses of a dog. L

Oct 25, 2025By Youn Ye-jin
‘Good Boy’ brings horror to life through a dog’s POV
Paw print

KTO unveils guidelines to make Korea pet-friendly travel destination

As more Koreans consider their pets part of the family, the Korea Tourism Organization (KTO) is taking steps to make travel easier for them — and for everyone else. In cooperation with the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, the KTO released new guidelines for creating pet-friendly travel facilities on Monday. The comprehensive manual is designed to help tourism sites better accommodate travelers with pets. The guidelines outline measures that can be applied across various facilities, including tourist attractions, accommodations, restaurants and cafes. They specify essential features such as leash hooks and disinfectants, as well as recommended amenities like pet lounges, playgrounds and waste disposal areas. The guide also compiles key regulations under the Animal Protection Act, Food Sanitation Act and Feed Management Act. To ensure practicality, the KTO consulted with experts including veterinarian and animal behaviorist Seol Chae-hyun, Petsgo Travel CEO Lee Tae-gyu and officials from the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety. The organization said the initiative aims to create an

Oct 13, 2025By Lee Hyo-jin
KTO unveils guidelines to make Korea pet-friendly travel destination
Paw print

Rescued lab beagles to find new homes at adoption event in Seoul

Beagles once confined to laboratories will be looking for their forever homes at a special adoption event this weekend in Myeong-dong, one of Seoul’s most popular tourist and shopping districts. Animal welfare group Beagle Rescue Network, known for its efforts to save and rehabilitate research dogs, will host the Be Happy Beagle Adoption Fair at Community House Masil in central Seoul on Saturday. Following the success of its inaugural event in June, the fair returns this fall to raise awareness about the plight of laboratory animals and promote a culture of responsible, compassionate adoption. The fair, organized by Professor Kang So-young of Seoul Digital University, will be held under the theme “Adoption is a life, a responsibility, a promise.” Organizers hope to remind the public that adopting a pet is not merely a generous act, but a lifelong commitment to protect and care for another living being. “Only about one out of every 10,000 beagles used in laboratory experiments ever make it out alive. It underscores how far we still have to go in ending animal testing and developi

Oct 10, 2025By Youn Ye-jin
Rescued lab beagles to find new homes at adoption event in Seoul
Paw print

How to protect pets from ‘holiday syndrome’ during Chuseok

For many households, Korea’s Chuseok holiday is a highlight of the year, a time for long-awaited reunions, generous feasts and journeys back to hometowns. Yet what feels festive for people can be a major disruption for companion animals. “There is a noticeable rise in clinic visits after major holidays,” Lee Chul-min, a veterinarian at Yadang Animal Medical Center in Paju, told the Korea Times. “Dogs and cats are often brought in with vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, loss of appetite or sudden behavioral changes, signs of what some call ‘holiday syndrome’ for pets.” Just as people experience fatigue and irritability from travel, housework and family obligations, animals face their own version of holiday stress. Being crated for hours, exposed to unfamiliar environments or separated from their primary caregiver can unsettle even the calmest pet. Without preparation, these situations may lead to digestive problems, anxiety, excessive barking or scratching, and in some cases aggression or self-harm. Prepare for long-distance travel Most pets are not accustomed to spending hours i

Oct 3, 2025By Youn Ye-jin
How to protect pets from ‘holiday syndrome’ during Chuseok
Paw print

7 K-pop songs that use pets as musical muses

Pets aren’t just companions. In K-pop world, they are now used as vivid symbols of comfort, loyalty and even shifting power dynamics in love. Through playful metaphors and heartfelt confessions, K-pop artists use animals to explore emotions that range from solace to devotion. Here are seven standout tracks that bring pets into the K-pop conversation in creative ways. 1. “Pet” by 10cm This gentle indie-pop track flips the usual perspective, stepping inside the quiet world of a pet waiting at home for its owner. The lyrics paint intimate, everyday scenes — a dog perched by the door, ears twitching at each sound, tail wagging at the faintest hope of a return. Lines like “I’m waiting for you, all day long” distill a devotion so constant it feels almost invisible. Free of melodrama, the song lingers on repetition, small joys and longing, inviting listeners to feel the stillness of a pet’s routine and recognize how much its life revolves around us. 2. “Your Dog Loves You” by Colde (feat. Crush) Colde, who owns a dog named Samna, wrote this track entirely from his pet’s poi

Sep 19, 2025By Youn Ye-jin and Inna Christine Cabel
7 K-pop songs that use pets as musical muses
Paw print

What’s really in your pet’s vitamins? Consumer watchdog warns of gaps in pet supplement safety

With more Koreans welcoming dogs and cats into their homes, the market for pet health products is booming. Shelves and online platforms now offer everything from joint-support chews to vision-protecting powders, promising to boost pets’ well-being much like human health supplements. Yet behind the glossy packaging, questions are mounting over whether these products actually deliver on their claims. Kim Jun-hee, a 24-year-old office worker, began giving her dog an expensive urinary health supplement after the outdoor-trained pet repeatedly urinated indoors while sleeping. Nearly six months later, she remains unsure whether it has had any effect. “Sometimes I wonder if it’s really doing anything,” she said. Nearly one in four Korean households now includes a companion animal, and spending on pet nutrition and wellness products is surging. According to a 2023 report from the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, the domestic pet industry grew from about 810 billion won ($591 million) in 2010 to roughly 7.8 trillion won in 2022, and government projections put its value a

Sep 4, 2025By Youn Ye-jin
What’s really in your pet’s vitamins? Consumer watchdog warns of gaps in pet supplement safety
Paw print

Outrage over dog dragged to death by e-bike prompts legal reform calls

The death of a Rough Collie dragged by an electric bicycle in Cheonan, South Chungcheong Province, has fueled public outrage and renewed calls for stronger animal welfare laws in Korea, as critics point to both the owner’s actions and systemic failures in the authorities’ response. On Aug. 22, a man in his 50s tied his dog to his electric bike and rode about 4 kilometers along the Cheonan Stream trail. Witnesses reported the animal bleeding from its paws and abdomen and struggling to breathe before collapsing. Reports said a rescue team eventually transported the dog to a clinic, but it died on the way. A veterinary report later concluded the dog likely suffocated due to prolonged pressure from a choke chain, compounded by heat and exhaustion. Police booked the owner under the Animal Protection Act. He denied intentional abuse, telling investigators, “I only wanted the dog to exercise and lose weight.” Animal rights group CARE rejected that explanation, saying the cruelty was unmistakable. “The dog lay bleeding and gasping, but the owner provided no help and instead interfered

Aug 28, 2025By Youn Ye-jin
Outrage over dog dragged to death by e-bike prompts legal reform calls
Paw print

How a small cafe is transforming Korea’s pet adoption culture

Along the Gyeongui Line Forest Trail in Seoul’s Mapo District, a modest white and orange sign stands out against the greenery. Behind its doors lies a place where coffee and compassion meet — a cafe dedicated to reshaping how people see rescued dogs. Recently reopened after a thoughtful renewal, Paw in Hand’s Gyeongui Forest Branch was designed to promote adoption as an alternative to buying pets, while also serving as a warm, accessible meeting point between animals in need and potential adopters. Operated by Paw in Hand, Korea’s leading animal adoption platform, the cafe blends the charm of a neighborhood coffee spot with the heart of an animal welfare center. Paw in Hand began in 2013 as a mobile application, created to share information about shelter animals — particularly those at risk of euthanasia. What started as a digital platform has grown into a nationwide movement. The app has now been downloaded more than 2 million times and provides real-time updates on rescued animals from shelters across the country. Recognizing that many shelters are located far from city cent

Aug 20, 2025By Youn Ye-jin
How a small cafe is transforming Korea’s pet adoption culture
Paw print

Is your cat 'ddungnyang'? Cute chub might hide health concerns

In Korea, many pet owners delight in ‘ddungnyangs’ — chubby cats whose round faces, waddling walks and overflowing charm fill social feeds and hearts alike. But behind the fluff and the memes lies a growing concern. Feline obesity is emerging as a silent epidemic, not only affecting the cats themselves but also reflecting emotional and societal patterns that influence the life of owners, too. Growing concern Globally, between 30 to 60 percent of pet cats are estimated to be overweight or obese. In the U.S., a 2022 survey by the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention reported that 61 percent of cats fell into this category. Korea appears to be following a similar trend, especially in urban settings where pet cats live almost exclusively indoors. In high-rise apartments across Seoul, cats lead peaceful, well-fed lives — yet veterinary professionals warn that too much comfort may come at a cost. “Over 50 percent of the cats we see are either overweight or obese,” said Cho Yoon-ju, research director of the VIP Animal Medical Center Seongbuk branch in Seoul during a phone interview

Aug 12, 2025By Kim Min-ji
Is your cat 'ddungnyang'? Cute chub might hide health concerns
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