Through dignified funerals conducted by professional morticians, Petdoc seeks to support pets throughout their lifetimes, even beyond death, in a manner similar to human services.
Founded in late 2016, the company launched its flagship Four Paws pet funeral service in 2021 and now manages around 30 percent of South Korea’s estimated 100,000 annual pet funerals. It employs 100 people running six funeral homes across the country.
"We initially started by selling pet snacks, supplies and medical items. However, the pet market was saturated with competitors, so we sought a different perspective," Ted Oh, CEO of Petdoc, said in an interview with AJP.
"We noticed most pet companies focused on how animals ‘live’ rather than their passing, which led us to venture into the funeral business."
"About 50 percent of pets are buried illegally, 30 percent are discarded as trash, and only the remaining 20 percent receive proper cremation," Oh explained. "While these figures might not be exact due to Korea’s incomplete pet registration system, they still reveal a significant trend."
According to 2023 data from the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, 28.2 percent of Korean households own a pet, up from 17.4 percent in 2010. The pet supplies industry, valued at 8.37 trillion won (US$6.2 billion) in 2022, is expected to reach 20.5 trillion won by 2032.
Four Paws operates four funeral homes around Seoul and two other locations in Sejong and Busan. The company recorded a 227 percent increase in monthly funeral services from October 2022 to July 2023.
Dogs account for about 70 percent of services. The company's services sometimes extend beyond conventional pets.
"We once had a client request cremation for a snake he had used in homemade soaking liquor. He later returned to the funeral grounds with three Buddhist monks, who performed what appeared to be ritual ceremonies to bid the snake farewell," Oh recalled.
"We frequently witness conflicts between parents and children at pet funerals," he said. "Many parents struggle to understand paying for animal funerals, while their children insist that pets are family members."
"Korean law still classifies dogs as property. Throughout my work, I've seen many people treat them as mere possessions. While stronger penalties for animal mistreatment are important, addressing the social stigma surrounding companion animals seems more urgent," he emphasized.
"We see this as completing a full circle. These abandoned animals find loving homes, live happy lives and eventually pass away surrounded by those who care for them," Oh said.
"While business opportunities may arise from this partnership, we’re not simply pursuing profits. We aim to be a company that brings meaning to pets' lives and deaths by making a positive impact on other animals in need."
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