USAG YONGSAN -- During the permanent change of station (PCS) season of June until August, many military personnel in Area II move to other stations. Sometimes, however, not everything moves. In particular, an increasing number of pets are getting left behind.
In just one week in July, two pets were abandoned and found on post. One was a rabbit abandoned and left on the steps of the veterinary clinic in a box. The other was a dog abandoned by a moving Soldier who could not afford to ship his dog to his next station.
Most of the pets abandoned on post are usually found alone and in a dangerous environment. "When we see abandoned pets on base, they are seen wandering through neighborhoods like Blackhawk Village or the streets," said Maj. Sean Majoy of the 106th Medical Detachment. He said people had the misconception that leaving their pets on post would ensure the pets are picked up by veterinarians and can be cared for much more easily.
When veterinarians find an abandoned pet on post, they first try to locate the owner. "By regulation, all pets owned by people who are beneficiaries of the garrison are supposed to be microchipped, so our first step is to scan for the microchip," said Majoy. Pets should also be registered for vaccination purposes. However, not everybody follows the regulation, and more often than not there is no way to track unchipped pets.
The vet will then determine if the pet is adoptable based on the pet's behavior and temperament. If the animal is friendly, veterinarians will work hard to find the pet a family. Animals like dogs or cats are more popular than rabbits. "We currently have three rabbits in the stray facility. Two were abandoned, and one was given away because a family member was allergic," said Majoy. There is the rare case when the previous owner returns to the vet to reclaim the pet.
There are two primary legitimate reasons why pet owners surrender their pets. First, the pet could be aggressive and considered dangerous, especially to children. The second is health-related, including allergies to animals. In most cases, however, the owners will say they are PCSing and they cannot take their pets with them.
Mr. Majoy insists such irresponsible pet owners are to blame for the pet abandonment problem. "I heard that here in Korea, people want pets because they just feel alone. They purchase pets but are not committed to them, and when the PCS season comes, they abandon their pets." Also, pet owners should be able to support their pet financially through any move. It can cost up to several hundred dollars to fly with dogs or cats on the same airplane, depending on their size. Pet carrier services are even more expensive, reaching thousands of dollars depending on the size of the pet. Lower-ranking Soldiers, in particular, should be prudent before investing in a pet given the high cost of maintaining an animal, he said.
Fortunately, more than 95 percent of pets abandoned on post are able to find a new home, usually adopted by civilians or Soldiers. Vets take into consideration the animal's temperament and family make-up to find a good fit for even more troubled animals. The animals left behind are euthanized as a last resort given the lack of facilities off-post for abandoned animals.
For more information on adopting pets, please contact the Yongsan Pet Adoption Center/Veterinary Hospital, Bldg 4728, DSN 737-2450.
Related Links:
U.S. Army Garrison Yongsan Homepage
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