Korean Job Discussion Forums

[tzechuk]

All vets have *hotels* for dogs and cats. There is a thread (sticky) here in the buy and sell forum where users offer to cat/dog sit your animal for you. The hotel, btw, runs at 10,000 won a night.

[T-dot]

Pets are fine, dont listen to all the hate on this board.

There arent any angry mobs of Koreans hunting for pets on the street. I would wait to get settled and then bring the cat later if are comfortable with your new situation. Its pretty shitty for the animal to endure the flight and then return right away if you decide Korea just isnt for you.

Ive been raising a dog in korea for the past 6 years and have never had a problem. I mean if you let your dog off leash or cat roam the streets there are obvious risks, but accidents can happen.

Im curious where all these people come from where pets live forever and are never involved in accidents.

[Epicurus]

[Daegudavid]

I have two healthy cats. The vets here are very nice (although not always knowledgeable, so ask around first) and they are happy, well loved cats.

If you take them to the vet, expect people to hiss at you, spit at you and shout abuse. But it's Korea. Koreans are rude, and enjoy hurting foreigners anyway.

But back to the point... Bring your cats and help make Korea a cat friendly place.

[hellofaniceguy]

Starting this month...all animals entering korea will be quarantined. Something like 7 days....law was just passed last week and in the local newspapers.

[tzechuk]

[Moldy Rutabaga]

I try to stay out of the more spittle-laden threads, but there is a lot of mean-spirited garbage being peddled in this thread intended to troll or mislead the OP.

My daughter has two cats and they both stay inside. We have a larger apartment with several balconies giving them enough room to play. Korea has changed a great deal since I first came here in 2003 and it is much more pet friendly. There are lots of stores selling pet food and supplies and toys, and a large variety of goods through home shopping as well.

The cats are not allowed outside as it is not safe. Drivers are pretty aggressive here and animals are at risk; but I would not let the cats outside in the US either. Try to set yourself up with a slightly larger apartment with a good-sized balcony -- another reason to expand your job search outside Seoul. Again, like north America or elsewhere, you will meet Koreans who like cats and people who don't, but the idea that people are going to abuse the both of you on that basis is hogwash.

Ken:>

[teachergirltoo]

[TK421]

I forgot to mention that my cat is 2 year old, male, and neutered. No risk of rogue pregnancies.

Again, good information coming to me from cat owners in Korea, exactly what I was looking for, thanks.

I guess I've come to the conclusion that I will bring my cat Ichabod. Don't wanna part with him, and it sounds like doing this is a lot easier and safer than I've come to believe.

Now the last thing I want to know is if that 7 day quarantine law is true, as an above poster said. If so, can anybody provide me with a link or any information? I can't seem to find any. Also, 7 days is kind of a long time... What kind of conditions will my cat be kept in? It's hard to trust you pet with strangers for 7 days... As you might have guessed, I don't really trust anyone I don't personally know (not just Koreans). Any info or experience with quarantine?

Good to know a lot of you people are spreading the cat love around Korea!

Oh and to the poster who said cats are horrible pets, I don't think you know what you're talking about. When you own a cat and feed it, and take care of it, it really does bond with you and love you. Like I said, my cat literally follows me around everywhere I go, and no matter where I am in the house he's within a few feet. Sounds like a dog right? What's your reasoning for hating cats? I would understand not wanting a cat that wants nothing to do with you, but if cats treat you that way it's because you're not their owner.

[shinramyun]

Well, I guess I had an ungrateful ModEdit cat.

That is why I have a husky now.

[TK421]

[teachergirltoo]

There is no quarantine if your pet has all its shots. Check all your info at animalrescuekorea.org.

[galoshes]

Good God, some of these people...

Look, I lived in Seoul for twelve years. We had a big, bustling household and cats and dogs (and sometimes also white mice and squirrels) were always part of the family. At one point we actually had eight cats from three generations -- mama cat, granny cat, and six adorable kittens (although we had to give most of the little ones away -- we loved cats but we weren't the weird cat people the neighbors whispered about ^ ^). And they weren't indoor cats, either; they were always free to come and go as they pleased. We never had any problems with the neighbors. They all knew the cats belonged to us and didn't bother them.

In South Korea your cat, if it's allowed to go out, will risk the same dangers from dogs, cars and bad people that cats face everywhere. It definitely will not be in the cat-purgatory some people are trying to make it out to be.

[fermentation]