Cats
Cats have a special disadvantage in Korea. They do not hold any position of affection in Korean society. If one were to believe all of what is said about cats in Korean media and popular wisdom, one might also assume that cats live to deceive and frighten people, as well as spread disease.
While some dogs, especially small dogs, are kept as pets, it is very uncommon for Koreans to raise cats with similar affection. High quality cat products are not available in Korea, except through U.S. Military bases, which are not accessible by Korean nationals. This means that the cat food and litter one might commonly see at supermarkets and pet stores does not exist in Korea. Only recently has Korea begin selling cat food, but the prices are high and the quality is questionable. Vaccinations and common veterinary services for cats are extremely rare.
IAKA is trying to educate the public, especially through primary schools, that cats are friendly, clean and are especially suitable pets for Korea's congested urban neighborhoods. There is much work to be done as the older generation of Koreans have had years to develop their ignorance and prejudice about cats, which they pass on to their children. Cats are considered to be nuisance animals and many attempts have been made to eradicate the stray cat population, not by humane methods, but rather by beating the animals to death in sacks or, in some cases, boiling them alive in large pressure cookers to supply the insatiable demand for "herbal" remedies in Korea (though clearly animal parts do not fall in the "herbal" category). Many people know of the Korean predilection for consuming all manner of wildlife such as bear, tiger and rhino parts, but many do not realize that companion animals are also convenient substitutes. However, cats are not eaten like dogs are. They are mainly used as the foundation ingredient in elixirs that are believed to cure several ailments such as arthritis and neuralgia.
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