Pet Industry News Briefing — October 11, 2026

As South Korea's pet market is projected to grow up to 21 trillion won by 2032, local pet food brands are expanding overseas while discussions on animal welfare legislation pick up speed. Key issues include ethical debates over using stray animal carcasses and the urgent need for institutional measures to prevent pet abandonment and adoption cancellations.

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Pet Industry & Business Trends

Korean Pet Food Brands Accelerate North American Expansion The K-pet food brand 'CHOOLIP' participated as an exhibitor at 'SuperZoo', a major US pet industry trade show, to expand its distribution network in North America. This move is seen as a strategic step to strengthen the global competitiveness of domestic brands amid the rapidly growing export trend of Korean pet food.

Animal Medical Device Market Projected to Grow at 5.8% Annually Through 2035 Driven by the pet humanization and intensive livestock farming trends, the global animal medical device market is forecast to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 5.8% through 2035. This reflects a broader social shift where pets are viewed as family members, driving premium demand in the medical sector as well.

Domestic Pet Food Market Reaches 8.5 Trillion Won, Expected Hit 21 Trillion Won by 2032 The domestic pet market was estimated at around 8.5 trillion won in 2022 and is projected to expand to 21 trillion won by 2032. However, reports point out that the government still lacks an accurate grasp of the import share within the domestic pet food market, highlighting an urgent need for data-driven policy making.

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Policy & Legal Revisions

'Animal Welfare Basic Act' Re-proposed, Prime Minister to Oversee Policy Efforts are underway to establish basic principles and implementation systems for animal welfare policies under a separate law. Following a previous proposal by lawmaker Seo Sam-seok in July, lawmaker Yoon Jun-byung has now proposed the 'Animal Welfare Basic Act', which includes a system where the Prime Minister oversees animal welfare policies. This is an attempt to elevate animal welfare from inter-ministerial cooperation to a national-level core policy.

Stray Animal Carcasses Allowed for Dissection Practice, Raising 'Euthanasia Abuse' Concerns Amendments to the Animal Protection Act now allow stray animal carcasses to be provided for veterinary research and education. However, animal protection groups and experts have expressed strong concerns over a lack of transparency in euthanasia decisions, ethical issues regarding carcass utilization, and the need to expand alternative animal testing. Critics warn that without proper monitoring mechanisms, the broadened legal scope could be open to abuse.

Ongoing Pet Abandonment and Relinquishment, While Adoption Accountability Stagnates Cases of individuals being referred to authorities for raising or adopting pets only to abandon them continue to emerge. While calls are growing to strengthen accountability starting from the adoption stage to prevent irresponsible abandonment, relevant systems remain inadequate. Recent news highlighted these structural issues and urged the establishment of practical measures to strengthen adoption responsibility.

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Healthcare & Lifestyle Tips

Pet Healthcare Guidelines Released Related institutions, including the Korea Rural Economic Institute (KREI), are providing 'Pet Healthcare Guidelines' that analyze major injuries, diseases, and medical procedures according to pet breeds and life stages, offering preventive management plans. These guidelines reflect the latest trend of emphasizing routine preventive care rather than just hospital-centric treatments.

Spread of 'Pet Home Care': Shifting from Hospitals to Daily Management Starting in 2026, the 'pet home care' trend—expanding pet healthcare from hospitals to everyday home management—is picking up steam. With the emergence of IT and biotech solutions like genetic analysis and gut microbiome testing, pet owners can now easily monitor their pets' health status right at home.

Easy Diagnostic Services Using Smartphones and AI Emerge Smartphone and AI-driven diagnostic services are gaining attention as prime examples of modern pet health management. These technologies help everyday owners—even those lacking veterinary knowledge—screen for early symptoms and visit the hospital at the right time.