Europe has banned the sale of pets what will happen in Korea?

Introduction: Pets are family – yet the reality of being treated as 'products'

The population of pet owners is increasing worldwide. Particularly due to urbanization, the rise of single-person households, and changing family structures, the coexistence of humans and animals has become a daily life reality. In South Korea, as of 2023, about 6 million households own pets, and the pet industry has surpassed 4 trillion won in size. However, despite this apparent growth, the institutional and social perception of pets still remains centered around the idea of 'commodities.' In this context, the European Union (EU) has passed legislation in the European Parliament that fully bans the sale of dogs and cats in pet shops. Amid evaluations as a life-centered policy, this legislation is being highlighted as a groundbreaking turning point for animal welfare. In contrast, South Korea still sees the buying and selling of young puppies and kittens in pet shops as routine, and discussions about the right to life of animals are not actively taking place across society. It raises the question of when South Korea will establish laws and policies that recognize animals as living beings rather than mere commodities. This will be examined through the lens of European examples.

Main Point 1: Ban on Pet Shop Sales in Europe – A Systemic Shift for Life

In 2025, the European Union passed a strong bill that completely bans the sale of dogs and cats in pet shops. This bill was approved with overwhelming support in a vote at the European Parliament on June 19, 2024, with 457 votes in favor, 17 against, and 86 abstentions. It is now in the process of final approval following consultations with the EU Commission and the Council. The core of the bill is the prohibition of the commodification of living beings, and its main contents are as follows. First, the insertion of microchips is mandatory for all dogs and cats, and this information must be recorded in each country's animal registration database. Second, individuals under 8 weeks old cannot be separated from their mothers, and breeding in confined spaces is prohibited. Third, displaying or selling dogs and cats in pet shops is entirely banned, and related businesses can only mediate animals through registered shelters or adoption agencies. The background of this bill is rooted in the awareness of structural issues in animal distribution. In Europe, many dogs and cats have been bred and sold in unethical ways due to online pet trading, inbreeding, and illegal breeding farms. Citizens of Europe recognize this reality as a problem, and they strongly support the "sales ban," emphasizing that animals are sentient beings capable of suffering. In fact, surveys have shown that 89% of EU citizens responded that "institutional reforms are needed to reduce animal suffering." Thus, Europe has accepted the strengthening of animal welfare as an ethical obligation, with consensus across society and political action underpinning this effort.

Main point 2: Current Situation in Korea – Gradual Changes, but Reality Still Lacking

Awareness that pets should be respected as living beings is gradually spreading in Korea. The government is undergoing some reforms in systems to improve animal welfare, and related bills are being introduced in the National Assembly. However, it has not yet reached the level of regulations seen in Europe. The most recent change is the mandatory installation of CCTV in animal-related businesses, which will be enforced starting in June 2024. This legal requirement for CCTV installation in businesses directly interacting with animals, such as pet grooming and funeral services, is aimed at preventing abuse and securing evidence afterward. Furthermore, there is an effort to clarify responsibility for abandonment or abuse by mandating that dogs kept for more than 12 months be registered with local city or county offices. Another notable change is the amendment of civil law, which includes a declarative clause stating that “animals are not objects.” This proposed amendment seeks to redefine the legal status of animals. Additionally, a bill has been proposed to restrict the sale of pets between individuals on secondhand trading platforms, seen as a measure to prevent illegal breeding and home adoption fraud. However, these systems still do not address fundamental issues like “banning pet shop sales.” In Korea, many animals are still sold behind the glass displays of pet shops, and information regarding an animal's history, health, and breeding is not adequately provided to consumers during the purchasing process. Cases of pets being abandoned or given up shortly after purchase are also frequent. Practically, the pet industry in Korea remains centered on the “distribution of life,” and the rights of animals within it are not properly protected.

Main point 3: Why is Korea hesitating to ban pet shops?

There are various structural and social reasons why South Korea has not been able to easily push for a ban on pet shop sales. The first issue is the industrial structure. Thousands of people are involved in related industries such as pet shops, breeding companies, and distributors, and a sales ban could directly impact their livelihoods. This results in strong opposition and lobbying, making the political arena take a cautious approach. The second reason is the lack of social awareness regarding the legal status of animals. Legally, most animals are still considered 'property,' except for some registered animals, which also results in relatively low penalties for abuse or abandonment. Even if animals are recognized as living beings, legal and administrative protections remain inadequate. The third reason is the complexity of the institutional promotion process. South Korea's legislative process often faces political compromise and delays, and the field of animal welfare tends to be deprioritized in policy agendas. Moreover, the introduction of related systems requires significant costs and administrative effort, leading to issues with the distribution of responsibility between local and central governments. For these reasons, South Korea has yet to introduce groundbreaking systems like a ban on pet shop sales and is limited to gradual improvements in the system.

Conclusion: The path to a society that respects life must start now.

The European Union's decision to ban the sale of pets is not just a simple institutional change, but rather an example of a shift in the perception of animals. It is a declaration to treat life as life, which is a prerequisite for moving toward a better society. South Korea must also join this trend now. To reach the goal of banning pet shop sales, we need to secure transparency in animal distribution in the short term and, in the medium to long term, improve public awareness and establish institutional measures. We should strengthen the awareness of respecting life through school education and public campaigns, and implement technical and legal measures to block illegal transactions on online platforms. Additionally, we need to promote shelter adoptions and expand adoption linkage systems centered on local governments. Most importantly, the philosophy that 'life is not about possession but about connection' must permeate society as a whole. Animals are not mere decorations or sources of amusement they are beings with whom we coexist. The changes shown by Europe are not stories from a distant land. South Korea can do it too. However, the first step toward that must begin now, from social awareness and courage.