There are so many animals, mostly dogs, that have been abandoned by their families to roam around the streets of Korean cities and towns.

These animals often die in a miserable way such as being run over or being killed and eaten. It is a terrible site to see these dogs, lost and confused in a world without kindness.

The reasons why animals are abandoned in Korea are regrettably much the same as in Western countries. As usual, irresponsible human beings are at fault, not the animals. No reasons justify abandonment, none of them are noble. It's often because

• people don't want look after an animal with illness
• people lose the animal due to negligence
• people abuse an animal and it runs away
• people see an animal as a financial burden
• people move house without them
• people do not wish to take care of an aging animal
• people do not want to pay medical expenses
• people get bored with the animals
• people get married or pregnant and don't want a pet around
• people believe in stupid superstitions about an animal

Such is the fate of animals that are highly social and see their human families as part of their pack. And of course the common culprits in all of this are irresponsible, ignorant and uncaring people.

Abandoning animals is a criminal act of abandoning a life and passing on one's responsibility onto the others. But to make matters worse, the Korean government does not have any management plans in place for abandoned animals--it passes the problem onto to others as well. Some cities in Korea are suspected of allowing dog-meat restaurants to capture abandoned dogs for their businesses.

Often the responsibility is placed on animal rescue and care associations to help abandoned animals. However, only a small number of the animals that are taken in by these associations are adopted. The rest are euthanized. The private shelters and individuals who do try to help in Korea are invariably overwhelmed.

It is the responsibility of society to protect its companion animals, since humans have made them a part of that society. Stray animals is first and foremost a human problem, not an animal one. We all need to be aware that the mentality behind it is not far distance from the mentality behind the abuse and neglect of children or aged people.

Providing adequate care and protection is a measure of how mature and compassionate a society is and how advanced its culture of companion animals has become. As Gandhi said, "The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated."

One solution to the problem is adoption, as it can save life and by example become a driving force to fundamental change in the thinking of other and in society.

Hopefully, as Korea matures in the area of animal welfare, more shelters will be provided for abused and abandoned animals, control will be exercised over the pet industry, prejudice and superstition against certain animals or animal bloodlines will disappear, and cuteness will not longer be the superficial standard by which an animal's life is valued.

(The sad reality for many dogs in Korea--a life spent on a chain.)