A stray cat spotted at the IGC parking lot
Photo Credit: Yubin Lee
October is a month of many holidays to celebrate; to some people, it is known as ‘Adopt a Shelter Dog Month.’ With the increasing number of people who prefer to buy pets from pet shops rather than shelters, many dogs have been unable to find permanent homes. Thus, Adopt a Shelter Dog Month was created to promote the adoption of shelter dogs who have long awaited a new companion.
The first animal shelter was made in 1869 by a group of animal activists to practice and conduct humane treatment of all animals. With respect to this ideal, Adopt a Shelter Dog Month was officially first celebrated in 1981 by the American Humane. In addition, the association has recently set in motion the “Feed the Hungry” fund to provide necessities for homeless animals.
Despite the effort to stop animal abandonment, the current rate in South Korea is still significant. The Korean Animal Welfare Association study showed that only 1 in 10 pets are fortunate enough to stay with their owners until they die.
The leading main cause of the rising number of abandonment was the sudden trend of purchasing pets during the pandemic. As people were required to stay home, many acted on adopting or buying new pets for companionship during the lockdown. The average hours of staying indoors abruptly increased, impacting many people’s mental well-being. Pets had a positive effect in helping their moods when some were unable to return to their homes or interact with their families and friends. However, with the pandemic coming to a halt and people returning to their workplaces, many animals are now being abandoned. In a government report on adopted pets, it has been shown that there was a 3% increase in pet owners compared to 2019. Subsequently, the average number of abandoned animals rose from 7,955 to 10,769.
This trend has led to a better acknowledgment of the seriousness of the animal abandonment rate. In addition, there has been an overpopulation of homeless animals, including those needing to fend for themselves, since most of them are not affordable for neutering and spaying. Furthermore, health issues are common problems for abandoned animals as they cannot receive the sufficient medical help they had received before.
George Mason University Korea has taken part in helping out abandoned animals by creating an organization. Incheon is home to many stray cats, so students rallied around as the registered student organization (RSO) ‘Catriots’ to help them. The president of the RSO, Kieun Kwon, informed that the main activity is to feed the cats or look after them, which is supported by donations. She expressed her opinions on the current issue of animal abandonment, commenting that it is an unfortunate situation that needs government support and funding. Without adequate food, stray cats tend to rummage through facilities’ trash, and the Mason Korea campus was no exception. Besides, there are many other ways to contribute to Adopt a Shelter Dog Month or to other animals in need. It includes fundraising, fostering them, volunteering in organizations, promoting activities, delivering relevant news through social media and online platforms, etc.
To take part in Adopt a Shelter Dog Month, anyone can give a helping hand to their local shelters or other organizations, as even the smallest action can create a better life for animals. Spreading awareness of taking care of their lives is crucial to prevent abandoning animals and other irresponsible behavior.
Written by Yubin Lee | Staff Writer
Revised by Yoonhye Cho | Managing Editor
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