More than a month after the pet-friendly restaurant policy took effect, operators say its strict rules undercut the policy's intent.
On the 21st, Daejeon city reported there are 44 pet-friendly restaurants in the area. That represents well under 0.2% of the 24,804 local establishments covered by the regulation — including restaurants, cafes, and bakeries.
Officials found that three of the city's five districts received no new registration applications after the first week. Although regulators revised the Food Sanitation Act enforcement rules last month to permit dogs and cats under certain conditions, many restaurants hesitate to register because the guidance remains strict.
Although some requirements were eased recently, operators still call them burdensome.
Jeong, a cafe owner in his 30s, said customer numbers have fallen since the policy took effect. He said many patrons who arrive expecting to bring pets leave when staff cannot quickly verify vaccination records.
He added that disputes over pet control sometimes occur and that he worries about resulting complaints or regulatory reports.
When reporters visited restaurants in Dunsan-dong, Daejeon on the 21st, a venue with roughly 30 seats was nearly empty at lunchtime. Some shops displayed notices saying pets were allowed, but few customers actually took advantage. That aligns with criticism that few venues registered and that the conditions are overly strict.
Park, a dog owner in his 20s, said the revisions actually reduced the places he can go. His dog is elderly and has difficulty receiving vaccinations, making dining out harder.
Some restaurants that previously allowed pets have switched to no-pet zones following the revision.
A restaurant in Dunsan-dong, Seo-gu, stopped allowing pets after it struggled to meet the new requirements. The owner said they chose to prohibit pets rather than risk a suspension of operations while trying to comply.
Experts say expanding administrative and financial support is key to a smooth rollout.
Lee Jun-jae, a professor of hotel and aviation management at Hannam University, said loosening standards can only go so far in reducing burdens on the ground. He recommended benchmarking jurisdictions where similar systems have taken hold and bolstering the policy with targeted administrative and financial support.
