Should I buy a pet from a Korean pet store or adopt from a shelter?

Adopting from a shelter is the more ethical choice many people encourage. Korea has had ongoing concerns about puppy mills and mass-breeding behind some pet stores, where animals can come from poor conditions, so if you buy, choose a transparent seller who shows the animal's origin and health records. Shelters and rescue groups (via the government animal protection portal, animal.go.kr, and groups like local rescues) have many healthy dogs and cats needing homes, usually with vaccination and neutering done for a modest adoption fee. Adoption also frees up space to save another animal, and you'll get support from the rescue community.