Okay, cat lovers, itโs your time to rise. Lately, my roommate and I have been dreaming of adopting a kitten after the winter break. We are in need of a cuddly friend. And, since we are looking for a new place, everything has come together. So, we started looking into ethical cat adoption in Korea. Here are some options we found.
Street Cats
Yes, you read it right. You can just take one of the cats that live on the streets and make it your new baby.ย Some may say the universe has even chosen you in gifting you a kitten.
However, this option can be a little bit risky. If you are not willing to take the cat to the vet first thing after deciding to take it home, it could bring diseases, fleas, and other things you may want to avoid, into your home. If you have other animals at home or little kids, you may want to rethink this option.
Some street cats may also not do well in a home. There are some very feral cats that can be very aggressive or become chronically stressed when kept inside. At the same time, there are some that clearly are not made for the streets.
Before bringing a street cat home, make sure you have assessed its personality, and have the means to take it to the vet immediately. Note that in South Korea, the vet can be a bit pricey. To neuter or spay a cat, plus get a medical assessment and treat minor issues, it will be upwards of 500,000 Won. Additionally, there is always a possibility that the cat has a serious illness so you should be prepared for the possibility of having to pay a much higher price.
Also note that in South Korea, once you take in a street cat, you are legally considered the catโs owner. You cannot take in a cat and release it once you find out about health or behavioral problems. Also, you cannot bring one into your home during the winter while it is cold, only to release it in the Spring. This is animal abandonment and is a criminal offense in Korea.
Shelters
In Seoul, there are a few cat adoption centers that provide care for cats and make sure they are in the best conditions to be adopted. They also make sure to match you with a cat that will be happy to have you around, and the other way around too.ย
The shelter I liked the most is called Nabiya. They have the option to adopt cats, but also they are always on the lookout for homes that can foster cats before being adopted out to forever homes. They are volunteer-based, and currently are holding a campaign to attract weekend volunteers.
For those who are in Korea temporarily and missing a companion, this is a great option. You can enjoy the company of a cat, volunteer, and also not have to face the possibility of being unable to bring your pet with you when you leave Korea.
If you would like to check out their Instagram page, you can Click Here. Make sure to check them out if you want to become part of the amazing shelter team.
Veterinary Clinics
The last option I am providing you today is to keep an eye on the veterinarianโs announcement board. From my experience (my sister is a vet student), veterinarians have enormous hearts.
They would not ever leave a kitten in the streets if they could do something about it. So, if there are any local cats that are being fostered and in need of a forever home, your neighborhood vet probably knows about it.
You can visit your local vet and let them know that you are looking for a cat. They are bound to know of a few street cats that are in good health or a cat or two with new litter.
I am sure that, after this, you are considering adopting a cat, so if you areโฆ. make sure to do it responsibly and with the knowledge that having a pet is not the same as having a toy. You need to be both economically and emotionally committed to them. If you know of other ethical cat adoption centers, let me know in the comments!
Looking to adopt a dog instead? Click Here for a first-hand account of adopting a dog in Korea!
