Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Manner of Speaking]

I live in a small studio apartment, and I'm getting tired of living alone. Roomates cause too much problems, so I'm seriously thinking about buying/adopting a cat.

Can anyone give me any advice on keeping/getting a cat in Korea? I live in Daegu. I do plan to stay here long-term, with occasional 1-2 week vacations elsewhere, where I would get someone to look after it. I know there are lots of street cats out there, but I'd prefer to get something that is a little less feral and has been examined by a vet.

Thanks in advance,

MOS

[Howard Roark]

Well, if you don't want to take in a stray, you have 2 options.

You could find one that someone is giving away. Look on Dave's buy/sell/trade forum. In fact, there is a cat to give away on there right now. And it's in Daegu! Sounds like it was meant to be to me. Also check www.pusanweb.com classified ads. I've seen a few cats there from time to time as well.

If you want to buy a cat in Korea be prepared to spend a fortune. Pet stores don't usually sell cats. Now and then they'll have a really expensive, pure-bred, imported one for like 3-400 000won.

[Zyzyfer]

Yes, please check out the Buy/Sell/Trade forum! If it wasn't for my allergies, I'd have 10 cats by now from that thing. There's often free cats advertised there.

[Manner of Speaking]

Howard and Zyzyfer,

Thanks; actually I have seen those recent ads in the buy/sell/trade forums and was considering them. What I was also interested in specifically was hearing from current cat owners about their experiences or advice re: getting shots for cats, any cat diseases specific to Asia or Korea to watch out for, recommended brands of cat food/litter and where cat supplies can be had, problems with landlords and pet ownership (if any), etc. Have either of you had a pet cat here in Korea?

Thanks again in advance,

MOS

[susmin]

I have a cat. I found him in the neighborhood. He was a poor little kitten. I have discovered that there are good vets in Korea and you can find all the essentials. However, everything is more expensive. I pay 15,000 won for a bag of food. It's worth it to me, but definitely something to think about. You can also get all of the necessary shots as well as spaying or neutering. Let me know if you have any other questions.

[schwa]

I've got 2 & they're delightful companions. Rescued one from a dismal small cage in a pet store (10000 won) & the other a tiny kitten just ran out from under a car & implied 'take me home.' They're both adult now & well-adjusted indoor cats.

Find a local vet you like & trust, you can shop around. Many are inexperienced with cats but you can gauge their kindness. My guy had never spayed one before but I liked his manner & he did a great job with both.

Even if he doesnt speak great english, you can discuss shots & diseases easily -- vets study all that from english texts. As far as I know, there arent any unusual diseases Korean cats are prone to. I plan to send my 2 to the US next year & I dont anticipate any problems having them up-to-date certified against all the common feline afflictions.

Premium American dry food should be commonly available. My cats are thriving on Purina Pro-plan (though prone to getting chubby) & if you can't source this around simply ask your vet or a petstore to bring it in -- its easily accessible. 15000 won a container. Likewise, Tidycats is the litter of choice. 12000 won but the same price as 2nd-rate stinky Chinese product. Total cost works out to about a dollar a day per cat. Far less than the enjoyment they provide!

A kitten will go rough on your furniture & wallpaper (a scratching post is required but not all-sufficient) but its not such a big deal. Landlords are almost universally easy about small pets here.

Cats are becoming more popular & accepted as pets, a trend I'm happy to see. Superstitions persist but I see the fate of Korean cats looking up.

[just because]

What is the story behind the superstition against cats here???

[schwa]

Spooky eyes. Associated with ghosts. Treated like vermin so (surprise!) they lurk around & shy from people. I've seen kids throw rocks at them & I've seen carcasses evidently tossed live onto bonfires. But lately I'm seeing more people caressing & caring for them.

[just because]

In one of the workbooks last week we had a question about liking dogs and cats. So i asked who likes and hates dogs and cats. There are 220 students(I grade report cards and know how many I have to do each month).
Dogs: Like 217 hate 3
Cats: Like 6 hate 214.

[A.I.]

A Korean friend told me the old belief was that cats are sent by the ancestors as revenge while dogs are sent as helpers. Cats carry the evil intentions of the ancestors in their eyes. Hence the nations love affair of the yappy kind.

I recently rescued a set of lungs with a huge pair of eyes attached and the last 3 weeks have been the most settled I have been in Korea. Eddie lives inside for now- which I think is a little hard on her but she is smaller than my hand so my studio is a mansion .

As for shots- I was told by a Koren vet that there are none......of the vaccination kind, that is.

I feed her purina science biscuits and fresh chicken fillets which I find cheap here. She is the healthiest kitten I have seen in a long while.

Cats and I would say is the priciest thing- 10 000 a week.

Good luck- don't knock ferral- my little Eddie rocks.