Rescued from Abandoned Pet Shop in Suwon: Animals Starved for 2 Weeks!

posted by KoreanDogs.org team on February 10,2025 in Uncategorized

Sharing for Coexistence of Animal Rights on Earth (CARE)

On Monday, December 23rd, CARE received an urgent tip and immediately went to the scene! After a tense situation that lasted until dawn, all 42 animals were successfully rescued!

The tip stated: “Over 50 dogs and cats have been abandoned in a closed pet shop for more than six months, and they have been starving for two weeks. Reporting to the local government has been useless, and the animal welfare organizations I contacted haven’t come.”

The information about the animals starving for two weeks and the video we received were shocking. It was a chaotic scene of cats desperately trying to escape through the wire mesh.
When we arrived, 32 cats and 10 dogs were covered in feces and were nothing but skin and bones. The white Bichon Frises were matted with filth and had turned brown. The cats devoured the food and water we gave them, their faces buried in the bowls for over an hour. Their bones protruded, and their bellies were as thin as paper.

Residents expressed their frustration: “We’ve begged the local government to help these animals, but they’ve done nothing. It’s been useless. Dead bodies keep turning up, left outside in garbage bags.”

The pet shop owner is currently imprisoned for investment fraud related to animal sales. The unregistered pet shop had been operating for a year, and the animals were abandoned six months ago. Despite several complaints, the local government visited the site but showed no concern for the animals’ welfare and took no administrative action. They even visited about ten days prior but ignored the animals’ terrible condition.

CARE broadcast a live YouTube video from the scene, urging citizens and organizations to participate in the rescue. Due to ownership issues, we couldn’t immediately proceed and requested the local government’s presence. However, the Suwon City Hall initially refused, citing the late hour. Only after a flood of complaints did they arrive two hours later.

CARE requested that the “Abandoned Animal Acquisition System” be applied since the pet shop owner was imprisoned. CARE also obtained an ownership waiver from the owner’s family as a supplementary measure. After persuading the Suwon City Hall for over an hour, they finally decided to temporarily allow CARE to move all the animals to a safe place.

All the animals were finally out of that hellish place. On the same day, “Haksamo,” who came to help, took 10 cats, and individual activists took 3. Animal Rights Citizens’ Coalition “Ray” took 5. The remaining animals are being cared for by CARE, and several organizations, including those affiliated with Jeon Gil-yeon and “Nest Mandy Mom,” are helping with adoptions and fostering. We are truly grateful for their help.

The Suwon City Hall will soon obtain a formal waiver of ownership. All the rescued animals will receive essential checkups and treatment and be adopted into safe homes.

❣️Please contribute to the basic checkup costs for the animals who narrowly escaped death and the medical expenses for those still receiving treatment!

❗️Please help with the animals’ medical expenses❗️ Urgent Treatment Support Relay

Update: All the cats have now found foster homes or been adopted, thanks to the help of many activists and organizations. However, four cats remain at the hospital and still need foster care. It’s a relief that many of the 42 animals found safe places in less than 10 days. We will continue to work hard to find good homes for the remaining ones. Due to the large scale of the rescue, basic veterinary costs are insufficient. We aim to raise 10 million won (approximately $7,700 USD) for treatment. On this first day of 2025, please join us in helping these rescued animals and supporting future rescue efforts!

Animals abandoned for six months in a closed pet shop were reduced to skeletons without a single drop of water at the scene. CARE

An emergency rescue unfolded in Suwon: 42 cats and dogs, on the brink of starvation, were found abandoned in a pet shop, having gone without food for two weeks.

💗🐾🙏 In addition to these recent rescues, CARE provides a sanctuary for 800 dogs at their shelters, all rescued from the horrors of dog meat farms and puppy mills. Your donation will support CARE’s vital mission to end the dog meat trade and animal cruelty in South Korea, and will directly assist with the medical care, fostering, and overseas adoption of these deserving dogs.
You can make a one-time or monthly donation via PayPal. 👉 https://animalrights.or.kr/pages/paypal.php
Thank you for your support! 💙

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💗 To donate to Coexistence of Animal Rights on Earth (CARE), the best option is to contribute directly to them. However, we have set up a GoFundMe page for those who prefer an alternative where you can donate and share with your friends and family. Rest assured, 100% of the funds raised on GoFundMe will be donated to CARE. (South Korea is not on the list of Countries supported on GoFundMe, so KoreanDogs.org is raising money for CARE instead.) 👉 GoFundMe Link: https://gofund.me/d483838d

✍ Sign the Petition

Call for Action

👉 Click HERE to file a petition with the South Korean government through e-People online. (You can use our “Suggested message” below or write your own.)
📌 Need help with the e-People petition? Click HERE for instructions.

👉 📧 Send emails to the members of the Suwon City Council and the South Korean National Assembly.

👉 📬 Send letters to the Suwon City Government.

Mayor Lee Jae-jun
City of Suwon
241 Hyowon-ro, Paldal-gu, Suwon, Gyeonggi-do
Postal Code 16490
South Korea

Suwon City Council
241 Hyowon-ro, Paldal-gu, Suwon, Gyeonggi-do
Postal Code 16490
South Korea

📬 Suwon’s addresses in Korean:
이재준 수원시장님
수원시청
(우)16490 경기도 수원시 팔달구 효원로 241
South Korea

수원시의회
(우)16490 경기도 수원시 팔달구 효원로 241
South Korea

👉 📬Send letter to the South Korean President.

Office of the President of the Republic of Korea
[04383] 22 Itaewon-ro, Yongsan-gu, Seoul
South Korea

📬 South Korean President’s addresses in Korean:
대한민국 대통령실
[04383] 서울특별시 용산구 이태원로 22
South Korea

📝 Suggested message

Petition to the City of Suwon Regarding Neglect of Animal Welfare at Abandoned Pet Shop

To: The Government of South Korea
South Korea’s National Assembly Members
Suwon City Government

To the Honorable Mayor and City Council of Suwon,

I petition the City of Suwon to address the egregious neglect and lack of prompt action regarding the recent animal cruelty case at an abandoned pet shop. The appalling conditions these animals endured demand immediate action and systemic change to protect vulnerable animals within your city.

On December 23rd, CARE, an animal welfare organization, received an urgent tip concerning approximately 50 dogs and cats abandoned in a closed pet shop for over six months, with credible reports of starvation for the past two weeks. Disturbingly, this tip also indicated that previous reports to the City of Suwon had been ignored.

The situation CARE discovered was horrific. Forty-two animals—32 cats and 10 dogs—were found emaciated, covered in their own waste, and in dire need of medical attention. Residents corroborated these findings, stating that they had repeatedly contacted the city with concerns about the animal’s welfare and the presence of deceased animals on the property, all to no avail.

Despite the severity of the situation and the apparent failure of the pet shop owner (currently imprisoned for fraud) to provide adequate care, the City of Suwon’s response was woefully inadequate. CARE’s initial request for assistance was denied, with the city citing the late hour as justification for inaction. Only after significant public pressure and a flood of complaints did city officials arrive at the scene—two hours after the initial request.

This delay demonstrates a profound disregard for the welfare of these animals and a failure to uphold the city’s responsibility to protect them from cruelty and neglect. The fact that this situation persisted for six months, with reported complaints going unanswered, is unacceptable.

Therefore, I demand the City of Suwon take the following actions:

1. Conduct a thorough investigation into the city’s handling of this case, including why previous complaints were ignored and what systemic failures allowed this situation to escalate to such a critical point.

2. Implement stricter oversight and enforcement of animal welfare regulations within the city. This includes regular inspections of pet shops and other animal-related businesses, as well as a clear and accessible process for reporting animal cruelty and neglect.

3. Establish a clear protocol for responding to animal welfare emergencies, including a designated contact person or department available 24/7. This protocol should ensure prompt and decisive action to protect animals in distress.

4. Increase funding for animal welfare programs within the city, including support for local shelters and rescue organizations like CARE. This funding should be used to provide medical care, shelter, and adoption services for rescued animals.

5. Publicly acknowledge the city’s failings in this case and commit to concrete steps to prevent similar situations from occurring in the future.

An online petition is currently underway, urging immediate action to hold accountable those responsible and to strengthen the enforcement of animal protection laws in Suwon: https://chng.it/TJqxx5mDpJ. We encourage the City of Suwon to take these demands seriously and show a genuine commitment to protecting the lives and well-being of all animals within your community. We expect a timely and transparent response to this petition, detailing the actions the city will take to address these critical issues.

Sincerely,

[Your name, city, country]

📝 Suggested message in Korean

수원시 동물 학대 방치 펫샵 사건에 대한 시정 촉구 청원

수신: 대한민국 정부
대한민국 국회의원
수원시

수원시장님과 수원시의회 의원님께,

저는 수원시에 폐업한 펫샵에서 발생한 동물 학대 사건에 대한 수원시의 심각한 방임과 즉각적인 조치 부족을 시정해 줄 것을 간곡히 청원합니다. 이 동물들이 겪은 끔찍한 상황은 귀 도시의 취약한 동물들을 보호하기 위한 즉각적인 조치와 시스템의 근본적인 변화를 요구합니다.

12월 23일 월요일, 동물보호단체 CARE는 긴급 제보를 받고 즉시 현장으로 출동했습니다. 새벽까지 이어진 긴박한 상황 끝에 42명의 동물 모두를 구조하는 데 성공했습니다. 제보 내용은 ‘6개월 이상 50명 이상의 개와 고양이가 폐업한 펫샵에서 방치되고 있으며, 2주 전부터는 굶주리고 있다. 지자체에 신고를 해도 소용없고, 제보한 동물단체도 오지 않았다’는 것이었습니다.

2주 동안 굶었다는 정보와 함께 받은 영상은 충격적이었습니다. 고양이들이 철망 밖으로 나가려고 아우성치는 참혹한 현장이었습니다. 현장에 도착했을 때, 32명의 고양이와 10명의 개는 배설물 천지에 빠져 뼈만 남은 상태였습니다. 흰색 비숑들은 오물에 찌들어 갈색으로 변색되어 있었습니다. 고양이들은 물과 사료를 주자 정신없이 먹어댔고, 한 시간 이상 물과 사료 그릇에서 얼굴을 박은 채 먹어댔습니다. 몸의 모든 뼈들은 다 튀어나와 있었고, 배는 종잇장처럼 가늘었습니다.

주변 주민들은 “제발 동물들 좀 구해달라, 지자체에 민원을 넣어도 소용없었다. 사체들이 계속 나오고 쓰레기봉투에 담겨 밖에 나와 있다”며 안타까워했습니다. 펫샵 주인은 동물판매 투자 사기로 징역형을 받고 수감된 상태였습니다. 1년이나 무등록 펫샵이 운영되었고, 6개월 전부터는 주인 없이 동물들이 방치된 상태였습니다. 그러나 지자체는 몇 번의 민원에 현장을 나와 봤지만 동물의 안전에 무관심했고 어떠한 행정 조치도 하지 않았습니다. 심지어 10여 일 전에도 현장에 나왔었지만, 동물들의 끔찍한 상태를 보고도 방임했습니다.

CARE는 현장에서 유튜브 라이브를 통해 시민과 단체의 동참을 촉구했습니다. 소유권 문제로 즉시 구조할 수 없었기에 지자체의 출동도 요청했습니다. 그러나 수원시청은 밤이 늦었다며 처음에는 거절했고, 민원이 쏟아지자 2시간 후에야 현장에 도착했습니다. CARE는 펫샵 주인이 감옥에 수감된 상태이므로 사육 포기 동물 인수제를 적용할 것을 요구했으며, 보완책으로 CARE가 직접 주인의 가족에게서 포기 각서도 받아냈습니다. 현장에서 한 시간 이상 수원시청을 설득한 끝에, 결국 임시 조치로 CARE가 모든 동물들을 안전한 곳으로 옮길 수 있도록 수원시청이 결정했습니다.

이러한 지연된 대응은 동물들의 복지에 대한 심각한 무관심과 학대 및 방치로부터 동물을 보호해야 할 시의 책임을 다하지 못한 것을 여실히 보여줍니다. 신고가 접수되었음에도 불구하고 6개월 동안 이러한 상황이 지속된 것은 결코 용납할 수 없습니다.

이에 저는 수원시에게 다음 사항을 요구합니다:

1. 본 사건에 대한 철저한 조사: 이전 민원이 무시된 이유와 이러한 상황이 심각한 단계로 악화된 원인 등을 포함한 시의 처리 과정 전반에 대해 철저히 조사하십시오.

2. 동물 복지 규정 강화 및 시행: 시 내의 동물 관련 사업체에 대한 정기적인 점검과 동물 학대 및 방치에 대한 신고 절차를 명확하고 접근 가능하게 만들어 동물 복지 규정의 감시와 시행을 강화하십시오.

3. 동물 복지 응급 상황에 대한 명확한 대응 프로토콜 마련: 24시간 연락 가능한 담당자 또는 부서를 지정하여 동물의 위기 상황에 신속하고 단호하게 대처할 수 있도록 프로토콜을 마련하십시오.

4. 동물 복지 프로그램 예산 증액: CARE와 같은 지역 보호소 및 구조 단체에 대한 지원을 포함하여 시 내 동물 복지 프로그램의 예산을 늘려, 이 예산이 구조된 동물들의 치료, 보호 및 입양 서비스 제공에 사용될수 있도록 하십시오.

5. 본 사건에 대한 시의 과오를 공개적으로 인정하고 향후 유사한 사건의 재발을 방지하기 위한 구체적인 조치를 약속하십시오.

저희는 수원시가 이러한 요구를 진지하게 받아들이고 지역 사회 내 모든 동물들의 생명과 복지를 보호하는데 진정한 의지를 보여줄 것을 촉구합니다. 수원시의 책임 규명과 동물보호법 강화 및 철저한 집행을 긴급히 촉구하는 청원 캠페인이 전 세계적으로 진행되고 있습니다. https://chng.it/TJqxx5mDpJ 수원시 정부가 동물과 사람 모두를 위한 더 자비롭고 공정한 사회를 만들어 나아가기를 바라며, 본 청원에 대해 시의 명확하고 투명한 답변을 기대합니다.

👉 Post on X.

.@President_KR .@suwonloves .@ggholic .@dy_future #Suwon #SouthKorea Hold Suwon Accountable: Justice for Animals Abandoned at Pet Shop – Investigate & Reform! ✍️ Petition: https://chng.it/TJqxx5mDpJ ✊Call for Action: https://koreandogs.org/suwon-pet-shop-rescue/