How to Adopt a Dog in Korea: Gangdong Reborn Center

So you’re in Korea and you’re thinking about becoming a fur parent…. Congratulations! 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 doing so. Today, I want to share with you the incredible Gangdong Reborn Center and how you can adopt a dog in Korea.

But first, if you don’t know already, I kind of share everything about my life on Instagram; however the one thing I’ve been keeping to myself is… The adoption of my rescue Pomeranian, Honey!

In an effort to help others in Korea who are looking for a furry friend, I want to tell you about the adoption process here and why I highly recommend the Gangdong Reborn Center.

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Honey’s Story

Back in May, I was feeling very lonely and depressed. I hadn’t seen my family in ages and I’ll be the first to admit that yes, expat life does get very, very lonely at some points. And honestly, I was at my lowest. I had been encouraged in the past to adopt another fur baby after the passing of my dear Yuki, but I was very reluctant.

One day, at Cross Fit, I asked some 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. I knew I wanted a small dog, so for me, it was between a Pomeranian and a Mini Poodle. Why do you ask was I searching for a purebred dog? I wasn’t, but the amount of purebred dogs I see in shelters is alarming. All my dogs until Honey have been mutts and I love them just the same.

When I saw Honey, I was initially debating between her and another puppy I saw. But the more I thought about Honey, the more I realized that Honey and I would be perfect together.

But also, let me tell you something about the sad reality of pets in Korea… In Korean society, dogs are accessories. Attitudes are changing and not everyone thinks like this, but it’s still fairly prevalent. Once pets outgrow their puppy cuteness or a family has a monster of an untrained dog, they toss them out in the streets and be done with it.

Which is exactly where Honey’s story starts. She was found in a very busy intersection near Gangdong Station. If you all aren’t familiar with the east side of the city, let me break it down for you. This station is one of the busiest ones. There’s thousands of stores, traffic, people, and all sorts of things going down. Unfortunately for Honey, she isn’t afraid of cars and she was just hanging out in the middle of the street like a boss.

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

Gangdong Reborn Center

Sadly not a lot of people know about this center and it should be publicized because the experience I had there was legit top notch. 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 will gain a new life through adoption, and that the relationship between pet and owner will be forged anew through training and education. 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 an adoption profile. The second floor is for the paperwork and the third floor is for education, training, and socialization.

This center is mostly for Koreans and I think I might possibly have been the first foreigner to have ever adopted from the center since it’s opening in 2017.

Since the center was opened by the Seoul Metropolitan government, they have strict rules and regulations. I for one, am all about it. In addition, according to the laws of Korea, if an animal is not claimed within 10 days of it being found, then it belongs to the state and will be henceforth put up for adoption.

If you cannot speak, read or write Korean, bring a Korean friend to help you with the initial paperwork. You will be asked a variety of questions such as why you want the dog, what are your working hours like, and other questions.

Some of the staff speak some English, but it’s obviously much better to bring a Korean friend to help you translate.

Once you fill out the paperwork for the dog you want to adopt, you’re allowed to watch your potential fur child through the glass. The center requires you to visit three times before you’re allowed to spend time with the dog. This is to make sure that you’re really serious about adopting and if you change your mind, the dog won’t be stuck with an owner that doesn’t want it.

When I filled out my paperwork for Honey, I was told another family was looking into adopting her. My heart honestly fell and I didn’t want to pick out names for her just in case I wasn’t awarded her adoption. Pomeranians are considered status symbols in Korea due to how expensive they are. If they’re at shelters or in pet stores, people acquire them quickly.

Despite the odds, I picked named for her in Korean, English, Japanese and Spanish. In Korean, I chose Sarangi (meaning love); in English, I picked Honey; in Japanese, I picked Aki (meaning Autumn or light depending on the kanji); and in Spanish, I picked Osita (meaning little bear).

After much deliberation, the Gangdong Reborn Center decided I would be the best fit for her due to the fact I have raised dogs my whole life and the other family didn’t. On my third visit, I was taken to a private room where I could feed her and we instantly hit it off. 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. I was also required to go through two educational classes before the adoption ceremony. These classes are usually held on Saturdays at 4pm.

The Gangdong Reborn Center also offers the first round of vaccinations for the animal, as well as microchipping, and a free grooming session before they come home.

During the adoption process, you can visit your pet as many times as you like before the adoption ceremony.

The Paperwork

As I said before, Korea and the 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. In my case, mine read, “Honey’s Family.” We were then instructed on how to build a leash. There were some speeches and a video of our pets while they were at the center. Then we were given our dogs and let me tell you… I started crying my eyes out.

How did I not know that Honey was everything I needed before? I was so insanely happy to have my little girl come home, I had so many feels.

There were photos taken and finally I put my baby girl in her carrier and brought her home with me once and for all.

How to Get There

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

Dogs are particularly smart creatures and Honey is no exception. They know if they’ve been abandoned. According to her caretakers, Honey was so upset she had been left behind, 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. Why did I decide to adopt a dog? Simple. I work and study all the time. I literally have no social life. I’m at home pretty much all the time. It’s easy for me to spend time with Honey since I’m building my online empire and working towards my residency visa in Korea.

I honestly ask myself every day what was life before Honey? What was life without the cuddles every morning and evening, the happy spins because of walks, and the weird noises when she’s trying to communicate with me. I can’t even remember a time where there was no Honey and I’m so insanely happy she’s in my life now.

I can’t believe someone would so callously throw her away especially when her personality is so wonderful. I’m sad to think someone would do that to a fur baby so angelic, and it also makes me wonder what we as humans did to deserve wonderful creatures like dogs. Honey has a happy ending with me and I would also highly encourage everyone reading this post to adopt and don’t shop. Save a life and gain a new best friend. It’ll be the best thing you do on your expat journey in Korea.

Good luck and stay beautiful.

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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