○ Gyeonggi Province produces ads for public buses throughout province to prevent street cat abuse
– Punishments for animal cruelty under related laws stressed to reduce abuse

○ 50 public bus routes in 13 cities and counties of Gyeonggi, including Suwon and Namyangju, carry ads
– Animal cruelty prevention promoted along bus routes in cities and counties of Gyeonggi Province and throughout the Korean capital region

With the social issue of cruel and distressing abuse directed at street cats intensifying, Gyeonggi Province is working to prevent such brutality through public advertisements.

On August 27, Gyeonggi Province announced that it will produce ads for the prevention of street cat abuse starting from September and display these ads on 50 public buses that operate throughout the Korean capital region so as to publicize animal cruelty prevention.

Ads with the phrase “Street cat abuse is a crime” will be displayed on buses to help raise public awareness of animal cruelty as a crime with violators subject to punishment in accordance with the Animal Protection Act.

The Animal Protection Act, which was amended this past February 12, raised the punishment for such crimes from “imprisonment of up to two years or a fine of up to KRW 20 million for offenses against animals” to “imprisonment of up to three years or a fine of up to KRW 30 million.”

The ads will be displayed on 50 public buses in 13 cities and counties of Gyeonggi Province, including Gapyeong, Namyangju, Pocheon, Gimpo, Paju, Suwon, Osan, Hwaseong, Gwangmyeong, Hanam, Gwangju, Seongnam, and Yongin.

These buses will operate not only in cities and counties of Gyeonggi Province, but also in major areas of Seoul, such as in the vicinities of Gangnam Station and Yangjae Station, so as to raise public awareness throughout the capital region.

Ms. Lee Eun-kyung, Director of Gyeonggi Province’s Animal Protection Division, commented: “The promotion of street cat abuse prevention through the use of public buses in Gyeonggi Province will help address the recent increase in such cases. We will continue to publicize abuse prevention and actively promote policies in order to create a world in which humans and street cats coexist.”

Gyeonggi Province is currently preparing and promoting various policies to encourage coexistence with street cats, such as Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) Day and related projects, as well as the installation of street cat feeding stations and establishment of cat adoption centers.