Seoul's civil law enforcement unit steps up monitoring of unregistered pet-care services

Legal disputes over pet deaths and injuries on the rise; repeat paid care requires business registration

Operating without registration carries up to one year in prison or a fine of up to 10 million won

A pet sitter working through an online pet care platform. (Not related to the content of this article.) [Provided by Seoul50Plus Foundation]
A pet sitter working through an online pet care platform. (Not related to the content of this article.) [Provided by Seoul50Plus Foundation]

The Seoul Metropolitan Government is moving to crack down on unregistered pet-sitting services as demand for temporary animal care continues to grow.

Pet-sitting — where owners leave their animals with private households while traveling or on business trips — has become increasingly common, but legal disputes are growing more frequent. Cases involving pet deaths or injuries, and subsequent compensation disputes, have drawn attention to the risks of entrusting animals to sitters who, in most cases, operate without any business registration.

Seoul's Civil Affairs and Judicial Police Bureau announced Sunday it would strengthen monitoring of unregistered operators providing pet-care services out of residential spaces through online platforms.

Because pet-sitting in private homes is largely conducted in closed, unregistered settings, the actual care environment and business practices are rarely visible to outsiders — raising the risk of disputes between users, animal hygiene problems and noise complaints between floors.

The bureau said it would use monitoring activities to identify cases where individuals repeatedly take in pets for payment — in effect running a business — without registering as an animal care service. When unregistered operations are confirmed through monitoring or public tips, the bureau said it would proceed with formal charges.

Under the current Animal Protection Act, any business that temporarily takes in, trains or cares for pets must register as an animal care management business with the relevant local authority. Registered facilities are subject to regular inspections and must meet statutory standards, including the installation of CCTV, maintenance of fire safety equipment and regular disinfection. Unregistered operations in private homes fall outside this oversight framework, the bureau said, making targeted enforcement necessary.

Operating without registration as an animal care management business can result in up to one year in prison or a fine of up to 10 million won ($7,460).

The Seoul Metropolitan Government urged residents who witness illegal pet-sitting activity or have suffered harm to file a report through the city's smartphone app or official website. Reports should include the platform used, the care location, information about the other party, transaction records and communication logs. Whistleblowers who provide decisive evidence will receive a reward under the relevant city ordinance.

Demand for pet-sitting has grown steadily alongside the rising number of pet owners. Around the Lunar New Year and chuseok holidays, second-hand trading sites are often flooded with dozens of posts from owners seeking sitters.

"We will actively investigate blind spots in oversight, including unregistered operations, to create a care environment where residents can use these services with confidence," said Lee Chang-seok, head of Seoul's Civil Affairs and Judicial Police Bureau.


ikson@heraldcorp.com