Seoul: The number of dogs, cats, and other pet animals registered in South Korea rose by more than 5 percent on-year last year, data showed Monday. The figure reached 3.67 million in 2025, marking a 5.3 percent increase from the previous year, according to data compiled by the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs.

According to Yonhap News Agency, the number of newly registered animals saw a decline of 4.9 percent, totaling approximately 247,000 over the same period. In South Korea, dog owners are mandated to register their pets with the authorities, while cat registration remains optional. This measure is part of an initiative to reduce the number of stray animals.

The data also indicated a decrease in the number of stray pets rescued in 2025, which stood at 96,000, down 10.4 percent from the previous year. Additionally, the number of animal shelters operated by regional governments across the country increased to 236, a rise of 5 from a year earlier, the latest findings showed.