How do I adopt a pet in Korea?

I adopted my dog from a Korean shelter and it was a wonderful experience. The main government-run shelter system is called 동물보호센터 and you can browse available animals on the Animal Protection Management System website at animal.go.kr. Each city and district has its own shelter, and animals that are not claimed or adopted within a certain period become available for adoption.

Private rescue organizations are also very active in Korea. Groups like KARA (Korea Animal Rights Advocates), KAPCA, and Animal Rescue Korea have English-friendly adoption processes and often list animals on their Instagram and Facebook pages. The adoption process typically involves filling out an application, a brief interview about your living situation, and paying a small adoption fee of about 100,000 to 200,000 won that covers vaccinations and neutering. As a foreigner, you will need to show your ARC and proof of residence. Some organizations may ask about your lease to confirm pets are allowed. After adoption, register your pet at a local vet within 30 days using the animal registration system, which costs about 10,000 to 15,000 won for the microchip.