Over 35 years ago, I rescued a cat with a
terrible skin condition from the drain. I could never have imagined this act
would be the beginning of my life’s work. Whilst so many pet owners were
discarding their cats and dogs for merely the reason they no longer wanted to
be owners, I could not ignore the crisis and felt I needed to create a safe
space for these animals. I could not ignore the cats or dogs that are abandoned
merely because their owners no longer wanted them, and knowing the number of
these animals was soaring, I started to feel the need to create a safe space
for these animals.
I gathered all my savings, purchased a property
nearby with a wide garden and filled it with unloved and sick animals. Caring
for these animals alone was very burdensome and I often felt very alone and
upset by how lacking we Korean people were in our care of animals. For a couple
of years, I asked individuals, associations and government who could contribute
to the protection of animals and eventually in February 1991 a number of people
came together to establish the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry affiliated non-profit
organisation Korean Animal Protection Society (KAPS) and I became KAPS’s first president.
The same year I petitioned the government to introduce animal protect laws and
the eventual result was the enactment of laws nationwide.
Because I know a love for animals is a love
of all living beings, and I believe firmly love of animals leads to loving of our
fellow humans, and helping hurt animals is righteous work, I have dedicated all
my time and energy to the welfare of animals. Even though it is difficult, I cannot
give up and will not give up. And though there still remains many problems,
KAPS has achieved many small successes and this leads me to believe that through
gathering like-minded people who are equipped with honesty, love and faith, we
can make a society where we live in harmony with animals. For those who are interested in KAPS’s work
and would like to participate, we invite you to become a member. We encourage
you to promote the love of animals to the people around you, make aware the
importance of animal welfare to the government and write letters to encourage
an end to animal cruelty. Lastly, myself and I are forever thankful for
donations that allow KAPS to continue our work in animal welfare and keep open
the animal shelters.
Korean Animal Protection Society former director
Son-Ran Geum
September 11th, 2005
