Pet economy boom in S. Korea sparks tech innovations

Demand for animal-care gadgets on the rise as pet ownership surges amid pandemic

After bathing her dog, Ms Kim Hee-eun would put the two-yearold Pomeranian spitz in a “dry room”. Shaped like a standard pet carrier, the room functions like a hairdryer with wind blowing from all directions. It takes only 10 to 20 minutes to dry her dog, said the 29-year-old civil servant.

“Using the dry room, which costs around 1 million won (S$1,150), is convenient as it requires less human effort and the pet can rest inside,” she said.

Ms Park So-hee, meanwhile, uses a pet closed-circuit television (CCTV) to monitor her cat – a five-year-old Korean shorthair. “This is to prevent emergencies when the whole family is out,” said Ms Park, 28, who works in an IT firm.

“I can check on my pet frequently so I feel safe. I can also better understand my pet’s behavioural patterns.”

The two women are among a growing group of South Koreans using technology to care for their beloved animals at home, as pet ownership in the country surges.