Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Rteacher]

From what I can gather, the folks connected with Animal Rescue Korea have made great efforts to improve the plight of abandoned pets in Korea.

They are presently facing a crisis of sorts because of the closing of a shelter in Daejeon by the end of Februrary (unless they can get an extension) and they urgently need people willing to adopt a dog - or to donate towards their vet care and maintenance.

Tim has also been taking volunteers from Seoul every Saturday to Daejeon to mainly walk the dogs and give them some individual attention.

The thread posted in the "Off-Topic" forum gives a lot of details ...
http://forums.eslcafe.com/korea/viewtopic.php?t=101200&start=75

Here is a link to their site: http://www.animalrescuekorea.org/index.php?pageid=home

Anyone interested in adopting a dog or wanting to donate to the group (which I've checked out and am convinced is legit...) can meet with Tim, myself, and a couple volunteers from the group this Sunday for lunch at the Ashoka Indian restaurant in Itaewon (Hamilton Hotel, 3rd floor) at 12:30.

Adoption details and pics can be found here:
www.animalrescuekorea.org/forums/showthread.php?t=129

This thread shows why donations are also needed:
http://www.animalrescuekorea.org/forums/showthread.php?t=317

Here are a couple pups that needed serious medical care, which they got - thanks to the efforts of concerned expats:



Currently they're both under foster care, but they are among the many that are ready to be adopted:

[/b]

[Rteacher]

(bump)

[bellum99]

It would be nice if people could help out.

[esetters21]

Good post. I would be great if anyone could do what little bit that they could to help out this dire situation.

[crash bang]

i'm thinking about doing this. problem is, i'm leaving in 3 1/2 months, and i have no idea how difficult it would be to find a permanent home for a pup that i fostered

[Rteacher]

I'm mainly gonna donate something toward their medical care. The group works with vets who give discounts to help rescued animals.

The main organizer and his employer have also been spending their own money toward feeding the 120 or so dogs since the shelter's owner ran out of funds.

Anyone who wants to help in any way now (and can afford lunch at Ashoka's) is urged to join us at that restaurant this Sunday at 12:30.

You can PM me - or just show up if you get inspired at the last minute ...

[esetters21]

My dog came from that shelter. I checked with my vet yesterday about having her spayed. They told me it would be 400,000won. If anyone knows a cheaper alternative please clue me in. That surgery costs around $150 back home, and/or is done for the cost of adopting animals from the shelter ($45-60).

[NicRenee]

I got my little guy from the shelter as well (see avatar). He was just one of the darling, lovable dogs down there. If you could foster, even though you're leaving in a few months, it would be so helpful. I'm sure you would find a home quickly and if not there are always people who can help out when you leave.

I was actually surprised by how full of life and love most of the dogs were! I've only been to a few shelters back home and most of the dogs seemed so bleak or even angry. There are lots of options at the Daejeon shelter for any kind of preference.

Think about it! Give one of these little (or big!) guys a second chance on life.

[Rteacher]

My understanding is that Tim gets a big discount for vet work done by Dr. Lee at the Royal Academy Clinic in Daejon.

People can also donate directly to Dr Lee, and contact information for him is given on the "veggie club" website:
http://seoulveggieclub.wordpress.com/

The following is from an article on adopting written by Tim on their website:

...As far as adoption, transportation etc is concerned the usual process is:
- anyone considering adoption should definitely come down to the shelter to meet the dogs in person (adopting a dog is such a personal process, you always need to make your own connection with an animal);
- you can spend as much time as you like at the shelter getting to know any of the individual dogs that you wish to - taking them for walks, hanging out with them on the grass etc;
- the adoption fee is 30,000 KRW which goes to Mrs Jung the shelter manager (the lady who runs the place and pretty much pays for everything out of her own pocket);
- we will generally then take any dog in the process of adoption to the vet at the Daejon Emart (he is very kind and does a lot of work with the rescue dogs for very little cost) he will look at each dog to check their general health, give them a blood test to check for heartworm etc, that normally costs about 25,000 KRW;
- if the particular dog is not up to date with its vaccinations (which many are not, as Mrs Jung just does not have the money) then it is probably a good idea to get the immunisations done (which will cost another 25,000 KRW);
- as long as the dog is in a carry cage (you can either bring one with you or the Emart vet sells them) then the dog can come back on the KTX train no problem...
http://www.animalrescuekorea.org/forums/showthread.php?t=129&highlight=adopting

[spliff]

Most schools don't allow housing enough to nurture a pet. Why don't you you target the wealthy Koreans who have the space? After all, they are Korean dogs are they not? Then there's the problem of finding a new home for the animal in 3, 5 or 10 months when you go home. No, I think fostering Korean dogs is not a good idea for foreigners temporarily living in Kore to contemplate.

[Rteacher]

I think that there are quite a few expats who have stayed in Korea for years, and who plan to stay for some time.

They would probably be better candidates (among foreigners) for adopting dogs - although having a pet may encourage some expats - experiencing the loneliness of living in remote rural areas - to stay in Korea longer.

I imagine there's considerable red tape/hassle involved, but isn't it also possible for one to take an adopted pet back to one's home country when leaving Korea?

By networking, one also has a decent chance of finding someone - another expat or a Korean acquaintance - willing to take on the responsibilities of caring for a pet for some time (remember that one human year is like seven years to a dog ...)

It's probably true, though, that most of us aren't in a situation where we can easily adopt dogs, but many of us, I think, can at least do something -just for the sake of helping...

[NicRenee]

Yes, wealthy Koreans may have more space to foster a dog, but most any place is better than a shelter that is about to close down. What the OP is doing is trying to help the dogs in a desperate situation - While a typical English teacher's apartment isn't ideal, it could be much, much worse.

[sineface]

[Scarlet13]

I have two from that shelter as well, and there are so many still there. It is the sadest place I have ever been.

I have fostered before and it was for about 2 months so for those of you leaving in 3 or 4 months that could very well be enough time to foster. If the dog isn't adopted by then it could be moved to another foster home. Maybe not ideal but it gives them a chance to find a home.

[adamginzinger]