Consumer Counseling Case Study 2 – Dispute resolution on pet selling industry
The buyer bought a puppy from a shop. But, the puppy died after symptoms of high fever 2 days after the purchase. The buyer informed the seller and made a claim of compensation. The seller wants the buyer to pay half of the original price in order to receive for another of the same type of puppy.
It is important to get a written contract when you purchase dogs or cats. According to a standard set by the Fair Trade Commission, when selling pet animals, pet shop owners must provide a written document containing the following items to the consumer.
1. Name and address of pet distributor
2. Pet birth date and date of receipt of pet by seller
3. Pedigree, sex, color and special features when sold
4. Vaccination record for immunization and pesticide
5. Veterinary/ medical record
6. Health condition when sold
7. Purchase price and purchase date
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Rules /Laws for pet owners
In 2007, the Korea Animal Protection Law was revised to include more strict provisions to prevent animal abandonment and harsher penalties for animal abuse or cruelty. The laws went into effect starting January 27, 2008. Under the new laws aimed at promoting responsible pet ownership and reducing the growing number of stray pets, according to different district or city requirements, pet owners can be required to register their pet with the local government. To see if your district requires this, check with your local district office (gu-chung). If required, registration should be done at the district office. Even if registration isn’t required, it is mandatory that you have identification tags on your pet. Tags should provide the owner’s name, address, and phone number. Under the new laws, it is also mandatory to use a leash at all times when in public. Waste removal has also been added so pet owners should always carry plastic bags for proper removal. The fee for not following any of the above requirements is KRW 300,000. If you are found to have abandoned your pet, you can be fined up to KRW 500,000. It should also be noted that some areas in Korea have also instituted micro-chipping laws. The Seoul suburb, Seongnam, for example has already implemented micro-chipping registration. To see if the area where you live is under micro-chip rules, check with your gu-chung or vet. The procedure usually costs somewhere between KRW 30,000-40,000.
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David Lee and Baekho
There is a transient nature to expat life, which is a prime concern for those expats who are interested in raising pets while living in Korea. Still, pet ownership in Korea is on the rise, with one in every five households now raising a pet, and the rate of foreigner pet ownership is following suit.
Korea’s pet culture is relatively new and even for those interested in having a pet, as an expat it can seem like a daunting myriad of information to find the right place to purchase or adopt a pet, to find an English-speaking veterinarian, to find places to train or board your pet, to know where to purchase quality pet supplies, to find good places to take your dog for exercise and socialization, and of course, to find where to purchase the newest pet fashions that are all the rage in Korea. For those of you who have pets but still struggle to find the right resources, or for those of you who are contemplating pet ownership, a look at some of the FAQs and resources available for your pet may help you decide whether or not you can be a responsible pet owner during your stay in Korea.
Adopting or purchasing a pet
When trying to find the right pet, you have a few options. The first is to adopt a pet that has been rescued. There are two great organizations here that can you help you with that process and services are available in English for your convenience. The first is the Korean Animal Protection Society (KAPS) which offers English services for people who are interested in adopting a pet. For those of you who aren’t ready to make the great leap yet, you can also sponsor an animal for a minimum donation of $10 per month. If you just want to lend a helping hand and spend time with the rescued animals, volunteer opportunities are also available. For more info, you can check their website http://www.koreananimals.or.kr/english/.
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