By Jane Han
Staff Reporter
Want a pet, but don't want to deal with the extra cost and hassle? Try a pet insect or a similar low-maintenance companion, like a growing crowd of cash-strapped people looking for extra company around the house.
The extended money crunch is encouraging pet shoppers to turn to animals such as beetles, hermit crabs and porcupines, which are relatively cheaper to care for than dogs and cats.
According to Shinsegae E-Mart, a leading hypermarket chain that houses a pet shop, sales of unconventional insects and animals soared more than 46 percent this year compared to the same period last year.
This month alone, year-on-year sales hiked 60 percent, it said, as moms and dads have more actively taken their children out to go pet shopping during the summer vacation.
``Parents are finding these new options more attractive because they're not simply cheaper, but they offer young kids a good observational experience,'' said Hong Ja-min, a pet merchandiser at Shinsegae E-Mart.
She explained not everyone has the money, time and energy to take care of a typical household pet, so the less needier ones are emerging as an ideal alternative.
Dogs and cats typically cost starting anywhere from 100,000 to 300,000 won, with average monthly maintenance costs totaling about 50,000 won. But popular insects cost as little as 5,000 won to buy, according to market data.
Cheaper and easier maintenance make these pets more attractive, but the downside is that they're less interactive and cuddly compared to furry animals.
``These pets can be left alone for days with little or no care and still be fine,'' says Hong, ``Requiring little attention can be good, but it can also take away the fun and joy of having a pet.''
Experts say an old fish tank or a large plastic container often works as an ideal pet insect house. They warn that owners should take extra caution using fly spray around the house so that the pet house isn't affected.