This undated file photo shows dogs at an animal shelter in Seoul. (Yonhap)
SEOUL, Sept. 8 (Korea Bizwire) — Unlike the negative views held by certain groups towards abandoned dogs in terms of health and behavior, abandoned animals turned out to adjust well at adopted homes as they are cared for and their wounds are healed.
Lim Ji-min, a 23-year-old who adopted an abandoned dog from the Korea Wildlife Protection Association last April, said the dog has adjusted well at its new home, despite initial concerns about the dog’s lethargy and illness.
Roh Myeong-seon, a 48-year-old woman who adopted an abandoned dog from the Seoul Abandoned Animal Adoption Center in 2018, also said the dog successfully went through proper potty training.
The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs conducted a survey of 5,000 men and women in South Korea, in which 55.1 percent said they were most concerned about health and behavioral issues when adopting an abandoned animal.
“Despite the fact that pets can live out a fully healthy life if properly cared for, the word ‘abandoned’ alludes to the notion of sickness and behavioral problems,” said Prof. Lee Su-jeong, head of Yeonsung University’s Department of Companion Animals.
Experts explain that abandoned dogs receive proper medical treatment at protection facilities, helping them to recover fully by the time they are adopted into a new family.
They added, however, that abandoned dogs that weren’t properly cared for or trained at an early age may need additional treatment and training even after adoption.
H. M. Kang (hmkang@koreabizwire.com)
