Korean Job Discussion Forums

ghettofabulous · Joined: 29 Dec 2008

so my hamster died last night. that makes me sad. but he's lived a long full hamster life of over 2 years. so i'm now wondering if i should get another pet or if its better to have none at all. i'd really love to have a cat, but i'm kind of afraid of the hassle it would be to take him back to the states with me when i leave. or i'm considering a rabbit. do you guys keep any pets? which pet do you guys think is the best to have in korea?

tzechuk · Joined: 20 Dec 2004

condolences.

Bloopity Bloop · Joined: 26 Apr 2009 Location: Seoul yo

I'm really tempted to pick up a hedgehog from E-Mart. I'll have to do a lot of research beforehand but if I end up getting one, I'll let you know. I've been considering it for a while now. I really like bunnies, but they'd probably stink up my room.

Globutron · Joined: 13 Feb 2010 Location: England/Anyang

mimis · Joined: 24 May 2009

First of all, sorry to hear about your hammie.

Second, I completely disagree with the above^^

We have a small dog and a one-room. I walk her twice a day (yes, 3 times would be even better) for a long time and for the rest she can lounge around or play or sleep (which they do most of the time anyway). I know it seems sad for the animal, but what is better: being locked up in a cage at a shelter 24/7 (in poor conditions) or leading a good life with you or me? Our dog gets the best quality food, medical care, goes for walks, has toys, is loved and I will bring her with me where ever I will go in the future. There are SO many dogs on death row, the majority of shelters here are kill-shelters, I assure you it is not cruel to adopt one and give it the best life possible, albeit in a small apt.

If you like something more low-maintenance, I think hedgies, rats and hamsters are the easiest (besides fish of course). Cats and rabbits prob. come in a good second. If you're up for adopting, why don't you check out www.animalrescuekorea.org, there are loads of bunnies, cats and dogs and occasionally smaller creatures looking for permanent homes.

Good luck with whatever you decide^^

Globutron · Joined: 13 Feb 2010 Location: England/Anyang

Yeah I'll go with that.
Especially since you mentioned getting from shelters, rather than a pet shop - Buying from pet shops basically encourages them to bring more stock in. It should be a dying trade, methinks.

And you're right about the dog thing too IF you can treat it like that.
For me and people here, we work from 1 30pm until 9-10pm, so it doesn't leave much ideal time for anything like a dog, who would be locked away for 8-9 hours a day. ESPECIALLY if there is no companion.

If you can work a way out that can ensure happiness, then of course get it.

In that repsect I'd prefer one to get a higher maintenance pet to a lower one, since low maintenance encourages lack of love and devotion.

NovaKart · Joined: 18 Nov 2009 Location: Iraq

I had a hedgehog when I was in China. It was a wild one I think, I'm not sure how domesticated they can get. It wasn't a dwarf hedgehog but a full sized one.

It was not a good pet. It didn't like being handled at all and it was kind of painful to pick it up. I was afraid to handle it after it bit me once. Sometimes it would roll in a ball and make hissing noises. I had a box for it but it wouldn't stay in there. Perhaps a large cage or tank would have worked better but I didn't know where to get one. I just let it wander around the apartment but unfortunately it used the toilet everywhere. I just picked up after it. I fed it cat food which I found out to do on the internet. I have heard they will use a litter box but I didn't have it long enough to try it out.

It was nocturnal. It slept during the day and at night went all over the place. After about 3 weeks it died, I have no idea how. It didn't make a good pet but maybe one bred in captivity like a dwarf hedgehog would. I bought mine in an outdoor market.

ghettofabulous · Joined: 29 Dec 2008

wow, thanks for all the great ideas. i'm on the verge of convincing my husband to agree to getting a cat. our apartment is a good size (2 bed) so i'm not worried about the space issue. but we both work pretty long hours, so a dog is out of the question. i have to do some research about how much it costs to take a cat on an airplane.

Dazed and Confused · Joined: 10 Jan 2003

I've had 2 dogs and guinea pig in Korea. The guinea pig lived a long time and died feb '09. She was over 5 or 6 years, I think. One of the dogs I brought with me to Korea in '97 and had to be put to sleep last Feb. Hard process but at over 16 years he wasn't doing well. Now I've got one dog. The house seems empty most of the time.
Pets can make life a little better in Korea. Sometimes it is a whole lot better. However, if you aren't going to stay a long time and can't make arrangements for your pet when you leave, then don't get one.

Senior · Joined: 31 Jan 2010

Man the hedge hogs at emart are awesome. I totally want to get one, but I'm not a big pet guy. Except for dogs, but I consider dogs to be pets as much as you consider a toddler to be a pet.

reactionary · Joined: 22 Oct 2006 Location: korreia

just don't name it Sonic. I know you were going to.

sqrlnutz123 · Joined: 15 Jun 2009 Location: South Korea

Hedgehogs are not that fun. You can't cuddle them and the get pissy really easily. On the plus side, they look like a loaf of bread when they run. Who wouldn't love that?

pangaea · Joined: 20 Dec 2007

I don't think a pet is a bad idea, as long as you are planning on taking it with you when you go. I know a lot of foreigners just give their pets away when they leave. I've even heard of one guy who just turned his dog loose in the street one day and left it when he didn't want it anymore. I don't know how anyone could be that cruel and indifferent to an animal's feelings.

I didn't mean to get a dog, but I found a stray on my street one day and couldn't stand to see her shivering in the cold and rain with her ribs sticking out. I took her home with me, fully intending to find another home for her, and ended up bringing her back to the US with me. It was nice to have her as a companion in Korea but I did feel bad about leaving her all day when I went to work. The only thing I regret is that I will have to leave her with my parents when I return to Korea. Sad

The trip home was very stressful for her and I was very worried that she wouldn't survive it. I also know that with me working and probably taking classes, I wouldn't be home enough to spend time with her and that's not fair to her. Fortunately, she loves my parents, they love her, and she will have someone at home with her 24 hours a day, which she will love as she is a spoiled lap dog. Smile

NovaKart · Joined: 18 Nov 2009 Location: Iraq

That's a nice story. If I was in your position I just would have ignored the dog even though I would feel sorry for it but I would have thought it would be an impractical idea to take her in. But it looks like you really made it work.

Jane · Joined: 01 Feb 2003