Rescue dogs will walk a red carpet in search of new families and pet owners can join conversations about saying goodbye to their animal companions at a Seoul festival on Saturday.
The inaugural Seoul Daengnyang Days will take place at Oil Tank Culture Park in Mapo-gu on Oct. 31, featuring performances, hands-on activities and programs exploring life with pets, according to the Seoul Metropolitan Government.
Among the highlights is a red-carpet adoption event from 3:30 p.m. to 5 p.m., where rescued dogs from foster homes will take to the runway to meet prospective adopters.
At 4 p.m., a talk titled "Today, Hello Again” will address the grief that can follow a pet’s death. Veterinarian and animal trainer Seol Chae-hyeon and Cho Ji-hoon, who runs a pet-loss counseling service, will discuss emotionally preparing for separation and coping with loss.
Visitors looking for lighter activities can try a “Meong-BTI” assessment exploring their dogs’ personalities, make dog toys and photo key rings, or join games testing how well their dogs can wait. A stamp rally across seven zones will offer souvenirs to the first 1,000 participants.
The main stage will feature a dog-dancing performance, a fashion show pairing pets with their owners, and concerts by singers including Haha and Kim Na-young.
An outdoor screening of “My Heart Puppy” will run from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., preceded by a prerecorded interview with actor Yoo Yeon-seok about adopting his rescue dog Rita.
An exhibition of works by six emerging artists and a collaborative art wall will offer additional activities for visitors, including those without pets.
Free shuttles will run between the venue and the World Cup No. 2 Public Parking Lot and the Peace Park Parking Lot.
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