Pet Industry News Briefing โ 2026-05-15 (๋ฐ๋ ค๋๋ฌผ ๋ด์ค)
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The "Big 3" funeral service companies have all entered the pet industry, expanding services like pet care, travel, and funerals. Meanwhile, animal rights groups issued a statement today (the 15th) calling for an end to animal testing and better support for alternative testing methods. Although the amended Public Health Veterinarian Act passed the National Assembly, critics note that operational difficulties remain on the ground.
Pet Industry News Briefing โ 2026-05-15
Pet Industry & Business Trends
Big 3 Funeral Service Firms Enter Pet Market Boram Group has signed a partnership with Modoo Pet Group to expand its pet funeral services. With this move, all of the "Big 3" companies in the funeral industry have now entered the pet market. As non-industry firms like Coway and KT also join the fray, the competition to offer comprehensive pet care, travel, and funeral services is heating up.

Korean Veterinary Medical Association Holds First 2026 Meeting of Affiliate Heads The Korean Veterinary Medical Association (Chairman Woo Yeon-chul) held its first meeting of 2026 with affiliate leaders on the 13th at the Veterinary Science Hall in Seongnam, Gyeonggi Province. The meeting focused on key issues in the veterinary field and directions for systemic improvement, aiming to find practical development paths for each specialized area.
MAFRA Uses AI to Analyze Pet Medical Data by Age The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (MAFRA) used AI to analyze pet medical data and identify common diseases by age group. The results show that urological and oral diseases are primary health issues for adult pets (ages 3โ12), while senior pets (13+) show high rates of complex chronic conditions, such as hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, chronic kidney disease, and hyperthyroidism.

Policy and Legal Updates
Public Health Veterinarian Act Passes National Assembly Amid Ongoing Concerns Though the amended Public Health Veterinarian Act has passed, Daily Vet reported that the system remains at a "precipice." Despite the legislative win, experts point out that practical operational difficulties in the field have yet to be resolved.

Veterinarian Act Amended: Expanded Appointment Power and Mental Support The Korean Veterinary Medical Association welcomed the passage of the Veterinarian Act (Act No. 21623, promulgated May 12, 2026; effective November 13, 2026), which includes provisions for expanding the authority to appoint public veterinarians and providing psychological support for vets.
Animal Groups Call for Activation of Alternative Testing Methods On the 15th, organizations including the Korea Animal Protection Society issued a statement demanding an end to animal testing and urging the development and use of animal-free alternative testing methods. They emphasized that "animals are not for experimentation."

Healthcare & Lifestyle Tips
Key Points for Pet Healthcare by Age According to MAFRA's AI analysis, pet care needs differ significantly by life stage. For adults (3โ12 years), oral and urinary health is vital. For seniors (13+), regular check-ups for heart, kidney, and thyroid issues are essential. This data is expected to serve as a milestone for designing pet health programs in Korea.
Rising Demand for Dog Probiotics: How to Choose? The demand for canine probiotics is on the rise. Newsweek recently reported on criteria for selecting probiotics for dogs, highlighting the market's growth. Health Chosun referenced this report to offer advice to Korean pet owners on what to look for when choosing products.

Seodaemun-gu Announces Voluntary Pet Registration Period Seoul's Seodaemun-gu is running a "2026 Voluntary Pet Registration Period" for four months (MayโJune and SeptemberโOctober). Residents who register their dogs during this time will be exempt from fines (which can reach up to 600,000 won). Registration can be completed at designated veterinary clinics using the internal microchip method.
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