Pet Industry News Briefing — October 9, 2026

South Korea's pet food market faces growing calls for transparency due to a lack of official import statistics. Meanwhile, Fenovis has won the Consumer Satisfaction Brand Award for the fourth consecutive year, and lawmaker Yoon Jun-byung proposed the 'Animal Welfare Basic Act' covering a full lifecycle welfare system. Additionally, the global pet wearable market is projected to grow through 2035 driven by health monitoring demand.

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"Pet Food Statistics Gap Highlighted... 'Animal Welfare Basic Act' Speeds Up Institutional Reform"

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Pet Industry and Business Trends

1. South Korean Pet Food Market Faces Controversy Over Missing Import Statistics Although the domestic pet food market has grown to around 2.5 trillion won, the government reportedly lacks accurate data on the exact market share held by imported products. The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs stated that no relevant data is currently available, and plans are underway to build a statistical framework based on the 'Pet-Related Industry Act'. Experts point out that understanding the actual market conditions must come first to foster this newly growing industry.

2. Fenovis Wins '2026 Consumer Satisfaction Brand Award' for 4th Consecutive Year Fenovis, a pet healthcare brand by Nosework Inc., took first place in the pet food and supplements category at the '2026 Consumer Satisfaction Brand Award' hosted by JY Network and sponsored by The Dong-A Ilbo. This marks its fourth consecutive win, reflecting high consumer satisfaction regarding pet health and nutrition.

3. Global Pet Wearable Market Projected to Grow Through 2035 The global pet wearable market is expected to keep growing through 2035, fueled by pet humanization and increasing demand for health monitoring. The Asia-Pacific region is anticipated to lead this growth, driven largely by the expansion of smart device-based health management services.

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Policy and Legal Amendments

1. 'Animal Welfare Basic Act' Proposed to Establish Full Lifecycle Welfare System National Assembly member Yoon Jun-byung (Democratic Party of Korea) proposed the 'Animal Welfare Basic Act' to address the rapidly growing pet population and animal welfare demands. The bill defines animals not merely as objects of protection, but as sentient beings capable of feeling pain and emotion, requiring the state to systematically take responsibility for animal welfare across their entire lifespan. It aims to shift from passive protection to an advanced welfare system.

2. Animal Protection Act Amendments Prepared, Including Pet Ownership Bans for Animal Abusers, Met with Organization Reactions Regarding the amendments to the Animal Protection Act passed at the National Assembly plenary session on the 1st—which include breeding ban orders for repeat animal abusers and fines for violating care obligations—the Animal Welfare National Assembly Forum evaluated them as "an important step forward in animal protection legislation." According to reports by Livestock Newspaper, related organizations are urging authorities to secure enforcement personnel and budgets ahead of the law's implementation.

3. Animal Testing Practices in Industrial Settings Highlighted via Data Released by Lawmaker Nam In-soon According to a Health Chosun report, data submitted by the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety to National Assembly Health and Welfare Committee member Nam In-soon shows that animal testing remains prevalent in industrial settings. Dogs, cats, and various other animals are still used as test subjects, bringing discussions on alternative testing methods and stronger animal welfare back to the forefront.

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Health Care and Lifestyle Tips

1. CDC Emphasizes Disease Prevention Through Pet Hygiene Management The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) emphasizes through its 'Healthy Pets, Healthy People' campaign that keeping pet supplies clean is key to protecting the health of both humans and animals. In particular, it recommends regularly washing pet toys and food bowls to prevent the spread of germs.

2. AI-Based Behavior Analysis Enables At-Home Health Monitoring AI-powered services like Petpeotalk help monitor pet health right from home by analyzing pet behavior, sounds, and abnormal signs. This is useful for catching early warning signs or when visiting the clinic is difficult, aligning well with the trend toward prevention-focused healthcare.

3. KNIA Provides Lifecycle Health Management Guides by Breed and Age The Korea Health Promotion Institute (KNIA) operates the 'Pet Health Management Guidelines,' which offer preventive management strategies based on analyses of major injuries, diseases, and veterinary treatments according to pets' breeds and life stages. This allows pet parents to obtain tailored prevention info customized for their pets.