Korean Job Discussion Forums

travelinbri · Joined: 23 Mar 2003

So many questions, and where do I start.
I plan on living in Korea for 1-4 years, have been there previously for about three, and I would love to get a dog. I woudl be willing to get a mature dog, instead of a puppy, and wanna adopt a needy one, but is it wrong to get a dog for a short while then give it up? I am torn, it seems like I would be abandoning it (If I couldn't find another foreigner to give it to when I left) but on the other hand, the dog would probably have a much better life with me for a coupel of years than stuck in a pen for those years... thoughts?

Also, what is the story with brinign dogs to National Parks?

Thanks,

-TBri

kylehawkins2000 · Joined: 08 Apr 2003

I think it's a bad idea unless you plan to bring the dog back to your native country when you leave. I know a dog is much different than a baby but I think they do become attached and have emotions in much the same way.

travelinbri · Joined: 23 Mar 2003

So you're saying I should just adopt a baby while I am here?

casey's moon · Joined: 14 Sep 2004 Location: Daejeon

How about offering your services as a dog babysitter? If you happen to live in the Daejeon area, I know someone who might like to use your services from time to time (uhh, me).

I agree that it's not a great idea to get a dog that you don't plan on taking home with you when you leave. It will be too hard on both of you.

mindmetoo · Joined: 02 Feb 2004

A barking dog in a small Korean apartment with cement walls that transmit sound... great. Great idea.

(He says suffering from a neighbor who has 3 yappy dogs in the apartment next to me and they bark all day long.)

red dog · Joined: 31 Oct 2004

I don't think you should adopt an animal unless you plan on keeping him or her for life. But there are several animal protection groups here that urgently need foster homes. Why don't you try contacting Arumpoom, the Korea Animal Protection Society, etc., to offer your services as a foster parent? You may need to ask a Korean friend or co-worker to help you communicate with Arumpoom and most of the others; I think KAPS has the best English skills but I'm not sure if they have an official foster program.

And of course you'll have to consider your living situation, how much time you have for an animal, whether you have a roommate, etc. Some apartment buildings here will tolerate animals until someone complains and then order you to get rid of them -- not a situation you want to be in.

But if you decide you can do it, you could prevent an animal from being killed in an animal shelter. So I hope things do work out.

www.koreananimals.org
www.koreananimal.net
www.withanimal.net

(BTW, some people do adopt animals here and bring them back to their home countries, but it requires a serious commitment. You have to be sure you know the rules for importing animals and be willing to pay all costs involved, etc. I think you should only consider adoption if you're in a very stable situation.)

casey's moon · Joined: 14 Sep 2004 Location: Daejeon

Yangkho · Joined: 22 Sep 2003 Location: Honam

Things are slowly changing. I'm meeting happier and happier dogs...including some on mountain trails, yes! (The owners were Korean.)

I say go for it. You never know how long you'll be here.

Get something that grows big. You can scare all the old men coming out of dog restaurants. Get a little revenge.

red dog · Joined: 31 Oct 2004

I took my beautiful foster dog, Amber, to Yeouido Park last year and got yelled at at first, then was left alone when I showed the park guy I had plastic bags to clean up after her. But there are some parks that won't allow dogs, and many areas where there just aren't many parks to be found.

If you're not in Korea yet, you might want to take some time to get settled first to make sure you like the country, your job and your housing enough to want to stay there for some time with a dog (since moving around would be more difficult).

Also, I agree that dogs can be trained not to bark so much, but it takes time and patience and many people of all nationalities just aren't up to the challenge. (Amber liked to bark at strangers and it was hard to get her to stop.)

I really hope the OP can foster and/or adopt some homeless animals, but I just want to point out what a big responsibility it is and make sure s/he is prepared. I kind of had to take care of Amber until she found a home because she was left out on my rooftop and I didn't want my landlords to call the police to have her taken away, but it certainly wasn't an ideal situation and she had to spend way too much time alone. I think she's better off now with a more stable person who works from home and has more time for her, and I'd hesitate to take on another foster animal.

But then again ... there are so many homeless animals out there, anyone who can take care of them long enough to get them into permanent homes is providing an important service. A foster home is a lot better than a shelter, in the vast majority of cases.

manlyboy · Posted: Tue Nov 09, 2004 7:49 pm Post subject:

Unfortunately I can't own a dog for all the aforementioned reasons. However, there are so many really cool exotic, low maintenance pets you can purchase here in Korea that make for fairly interesting substitutes. My favourite is the Iguana. They're a bit pricy, but they actually make for good companions if you devote enough time to them.

red dog · Joined: 31 Oct 2004

manlyboy · Posted: Tue Nov 09, 2004 9:58 pm Post subject:

red dog · Joined: 31 Oct 2004

I don't think people should support the exotic animal trade (or the breeding of domesticated animals like cats and dogs). If the OP is qualified to take care of an iguana, I think s/he should adopt a homeless iguana (if this is possible here -- if not, it's better to wait to get an iguana).