How to Adopt a Dog in Korea: Gangdong Reborn Center

So you’re thinking about adopting a furry companion…. Congratulations! Today, you’re going to get the 4111 on how to adopt a dog in South Korea.

Saving a life is the most beautiful thing you can do. Not only do you give an animal a second chance, but you gain a best friend. In particular, I want to share my experience with the Gangdong Reborn Center in Seoul.

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Honey’s Story

In May 2018, I was feeling very lonely and depressed. I’ll be the first to admit that yes, expat life can be isolating. Honestly, I was at my lowest.

After Cross Fit one evening, I asked a couple of my teammates to help me search for shelters near our area and see if there were any dogs available for adoption. They taught me how to search on Naver and the browsing began.

When I saw Honey’s profile, she was honestly my second choice. The more I thought about Honey, the more

A sad reality of Korean society, is that dogs are accessories. Attitudes are changing and not everyone thinks like this, but it’s still fairly prevalent. Once pets outgrow their puppy cuteness and are dealing with an untrained dog, they toss them out in the streets…

Honey was found in a busy intersection by Gangdong Station. She isn’t afraid of cars and was walking in the intersection well after the light turned green.

A kind bystander grabbed Honey before she was run over. They immediately called the Gangdong Reborn Center nearby and brought her to it.

Gangdong Reborn Center

The Gangdong Reborn Center is a cafe and shelter. You can enjoy a drink while watching the dogs in their play area. You can also bring your dogs to socialize.

They chose the name Reborn because in a way, the animals gain a new life through adoption, and humans gain a new family member. Check out the Gangdong Reborn Center on social media because they have many Instagram photos of current and previous dogs. 

There are three floors to the center. The first floor is for the cafe and dog area. There are various photos of adoptable dogs throughout the cafe and adoption profiles. The second floor is for the adoption agreement and paperwork. Lastly, the third floor is where a professional trainer will help potential adopters get education on training and socializing their dogs.

This center is mostly for Koreans; however, I am the first foreigner to adopt from the center since it opened in 2017. Gangdong Reborn Center is operated by the Seoul Metropolitan Government. Thus, they have strict rules and specific regulations.

How To Adopt A Dog in Korea At Gangdong Reborn Center

1. Formal Surrender Agreement

Korean law states, “if an animal is not claimed within ten days of being found, it becomes a ward of the state and will be henceforth put up for adoption.” I had to go through this waiting period for Honey. 

2. Pre-approval Requirements

Potential adopter have to put in a “pre-adoption letter.” This means you’re going to have an adoption coordinator who will determine if you’re a perfect match for the dog’s personality.

Some of the staff at Gangdong Reborn Center speak some English, but it’s obviously much better to bring a Korean friend to help you translate official paperwork. During the interview, I was asked why I wanted a dog, my working hours, and lifestyle.

In order for my application to be taken seriously, I had to visit Honey three times before I could meet her.

3. Health Checks 

While the dog is in the custody of Gangdong Reborn Center, they will receive regular health check-ups and medical care. They have a veternarian let you know if the dog has any health problems. I was informed Honey had a luxating patella and collapsing trachea which are common in Pomeranians.

Your pet’s health is of utmost importance to the staff. The Gangdong Reborn Center gives the first round of vaccinations for the animal, as well as microchipping, and a free grooming session before they come home.

4. Meeting Your Dog

Until the adoption ceremony, I could come as many times as I wanted to visit Honey. However, I was not allowed to bring her home until all relevant documentation was approved. 

5. New Adopter Orientations

At orientation, prospective pet owners are educated about owning a dog in South Korea. This includes animal welfares, reporting follow-up vaccinations, and proper registration for the dog.

They really want to promote responsible pet ownership and giving essential information to the family members. I was required to attend two educational classes. Classes are held on Saturday at 4pm.

6. Pickup of the Dog 

The time of actual pickup day may vary. At Gangdong Reborn Center, you are given one last in-person orientation and a customized supplies list. The Center gave me an entire gift box of necessary items to take home for Honey. I did not have to pay an adoption fee. 

My Experience With The Adoption Process

After I filled out my paperwork for Honey, I was informed a Korean family put in an adoption application before me. My heart honestly fell because I felt like a Korean family would have priority over some foreigner. Pomeranians are considered status symbols due to how expensive they are. If they’re at local shelters or in pet stores, people acquire them quickly.

After some deliberation, the Gangdong Reborn Center decided I would be the best fit because I have raised dogs my whole life, and I was a single woman with more time. On my third visit, I was taken to a private room where I could feed her kibble and I instantly felt we were a good match. I was asked her name and I immediately said, “Honey.”

She was sweet, loving, and ate out of my hand with gusto. We worked on some commands like sit and stay and after an hour, I went home. During the adoption process, you can visit your pet as many times as you like before the adoption ceremony.

The Adoption Application Paperwork

The Korean governments and Gangdong Reborn Center have strict rules you must adhere to. Once you are awarded the adoption of the dog, you are required to sign paperwork that complies with the center’s regulations and the laws of Korea.

Below are the rules and regulations as follows:

1. As a responsible guardian in the adoption of the companion animals at the Gangdong Reborn Center, I will do my best to protect the dog.
2. Abuse or neglect by a third party is punishable by law. Transferring, selling, or losing your dog is also punishable by the Animal Protection Act.
3. The adoption process requires education in learning how to train the dog and the laws regarding dogs in Korea.
4. From the day after receiving the certificate of adoption from Gangdong-gu, the ownership of the dog is transferred to the adopter.
5. There will be monitoring after the adoption of the dog to make sure that the dog is happy, safe, and healthy.
6. The Reborn Center carries out basic health checkups that involve shots, veterinary care, and insect repellent. If there is any problem while the dog is in the care of the center, the Gangdong Reborn Center can take the dog to a hospital. The Gangdong Reborn Center shall also disclose the condition of the dog at the time of adoption. After the adoption, the Center is not responsible for veterinary costs.
7. Photographs and images taken of the adopter and the animal shall be broadcasted for

You are required to bring your identification with you and they will make copies to have on file.

The Adoption Ceremony

The ceremony promptly takes place on a Saturday at 10am. You will have a name tag on your table that reads your pet’s name and family. Mine read, “Honey’s Family.” Next, we built a leash.

There were some speeches and a video of our pets while they were at the center. Then, a staff member handed us our dogs. Let me tell you… I started crying my eyes out.

How did I not know that Honey was everything I needed? I was so insanely happy to have my little girl come home. Finally, I put Honey in her carrier and brought her to her forever home.

How to Get To Gangdong Reborn Center

From Jamsil Station, go out Exit 8 and take bus 30-5 to Korea National Sport University. Walk across the big intersection and turn left. Make a right into the first alley and then turn left. Walk all the way down until you see the Gangdong Reborn Center on your left.

Or from Jamsil Station, go out Exit 7 and take bus 3319. Get off at Yoon English Institute. Make a left and walk down one block. Turn right and it will be on your left.

Address: Yangjae Road, Gangdong-gu, Seoul, Korea 73 

Hours: 10am-7pm Tuesday-Sunday

Phone Number: 070-4163-7350

Animal Rescue Organizations 

Since I personally have experience at Gangdong Reborn Center and Honey’s adoption process was so smooth, I highly recommend them. However, if you are looking for other shelters, check out this list below. 

Rebel Rescue South Korea

At Rebel Rescue South Korea, they rescue dogs and cats of all sizes, breeds, and ages. In an effort to keep them from kill shelters they’re always looking for a foster parent and foster homes. You can even volunteer at the shelter. For more information, check out their official website here. 

Korean K9 Rescue

The mission of this organization is to rescue and rehabilitate dogs from South Korea and to place them with loving forever families in the United States. K9 Rescue is committed to bringing an end to the dog meat trade. Many of the animals rescued come from a dog meat farm.

In addition Korean K9 Rescue is an advocate of Lucy’s Law, championing the fight against puppy mills by banning third party sales of pet stores and dealers, promoting responsible breeding, and fostering a more humane welfare approach to pet ownership.

For more information on how to adopt, foster a dog, or support them, visit the official Korean K9 Rescue page here. 

Free Korean Dogs

Now here’s an organization who puts their money where their mouth is. Since their creation in 2015, they have shut down three dog meat farms and rescued 1,350 dogs from puppy mills, high-kill shelters, and at-risk situations. Some of their requirements for adopting are a virtual home tour and interview, virtual orientation, and adoption fees. For more information on how to adopt a dog, click here for the Free Korean Dogs website.

P.S. You can also become a flight volunteer to accompany an animal to their forever home. 

Dogs know when they’ve been abandoned. Shelter staff reported Honey was so upset she didn’t eat for five days. Hearing that broke my heart and I’m happy that she can have a happy ending with me. 

Because what was life before Honey? What was life without the cuddles, the happy spins, and the snorting when she’s trying to communicate with me. I can’t even remember a time where there was no Honey.

I also highly encourage everyone reading this post to adopt and don’t go to a pet shop. Save a life and gain a new best friend. It’ll be the best thing you do on your expat journey in Korea.

This post contains affiliate links which means at no additional cost to you, I make a small commission to help keep Gina Bear’s Blog running. Thanks for your support!

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