How a small cafe is transforming Korea’s pet adoption culture

This photo shows the counter and entrance of Paw in Hand’s Gyeongui Forest Branch in Mapo District, Seoul, Aug. 7. Korea Times photo by Inna Christine Cabel

Along the Gyeongui Line Forest Trail in Seoul’s Mapo District, a modest white and orange sign stands out against the greenery. Behind its doors lies a place where coffee and compassion meet — a cafe dedicated to reshaping how people see rescued dogs.

Recently reopened after a thoughtful renewal, Paw in Hand’s Gyeongui Forest Branch was designed to promote adoption as an alternative to buying pets, while also serving as a warm, accessible meeting point between animals in need and potential adopters. Operated by Paw in Hand, Korea’s leading animal adoption platform, the cafe blends the charm of a neighborhood coffee spot with the heart of an animal welfare center.

Paw in Hand began in 2013 as a mobile application, created to share information about shelter animals — particularly those at risk of euthanasia. What started as a digital platform has grown into a nationwide movement. The app has now been downloaded more than 2 million times and provides real-time updates on rescued animals from shelters across the country.

Recognizing that many shelters are located far from city centers, making adoption less accessible, the organization opened its first Adoption Culture Center in Hongdae in April last year. The Gyeongui Forest Branch cafe builds on that success, offering a walk-in location near Daeheung Station on Subway Line 6 where anyone can stop by, meet adoptable dogs and learn about the adoption process.

“This space was created with the belief that promoting a culture of adoption instead of purchasing animals is the ultimate solution to reducing the number of abandoned pets. Being in the city means people can visit anytime, learn about the reality of abandoned animals and connect with those looking to adopt,” a Paw in Hand staff member told The Korea Times.

Kkamdol, a rescued dog who has been adopted, chews a wooden stick at Paw in Hand’s Gyeongui Forest Branch in Mapo District, Seoul, Aug. 7. Korea Times photo by Inna Christine Cabel

From the moment you step inside, it’s clear that this is not a typical dog cafe. Rather than catering to pet owners seeking a fun afternoon, it serves as a socialization space for rescued dogs awaiting adoption. Visitors are encouraged to interact gently, letting the dogs approach in their own time. Picking them up is discouraged, and the space is kept calm to ensure the animals feel safe. The thoughtful guidelines reflect the cafe’s commitment to the dogs’ well-being, as well as the comfort of its guests.

Once visitors order a drink, they receive a small token that can be dropped into a donation box, turning a simple coffee purchase into a contribution toward food for the shelter animals. A portion of the cafe’s revenue also supports the cost of caring for them, ensuring that every cup of coffee or dessert purchased has a direct impact on their welfare.

This photo shows instant camera shots of adopted rescue dogs with their families at Paw in Hand’s Gyeongui Forest Branch in Mapo District, Seoul, Aug. 7. Korea Times photo by Inna Christine Cabel

On any given day, a few dogs like Kkamdol, Malrang and Cinnamon can be found wandering between tables or basking in the sunlight near the windows. Their profiles, along with before-and-after photos of once-abandoned dogs now living happily with their adoptive families, line the cafe walls. The cafe is divided into two areas: one where dogs roam freely to meet visitors, and another for those who prefer to observe from a distance.

For many, the highlight isn’t just the coffee or the chance to meet adoptable dogs — it’s the opportunity to take them for a walk. The cafe runs a volunteer dog-walking program that allows visitors to give the animals valuable outdoor time, helping them stay healthy and socialized.

Applications open once a week through the cafe’s Instagram profile, and spots are in high demand, often filling up in couple of days. Volunteers choose a date, answer a short questionnaire and, if selected, look forward to strolling the nearby forest trail with one of the dogs. For the dogs, these walks are more than exercise — they’re a break from routine, a chance to explore new scents and an important step toward adjusting to life with a family.

Malrang, left, and Cinnamon enjoy playtime at Paw in Hand’s Gyeongui Forest Branch in Mapo District, Seoul, Aug. 7. Korea Times photo by Inna Christine Cabel

The cafe’s larger mission is to change how people perceive rescue dogs. Too often, these animals are seen as hurt or undesirable, but here, visitors meet them as they truly are — gentle, curious and eager for connection. Through simple interactions, whether in the calm of the cafe or along the shaded paths of the forest trail, adoption begins to feel less like an act of charity and more like a deeply rewarding choice.

In a city where life moves quickly, Paw in Hand has carved out a haven where small moments like a wagging tail, a warm cup of coffee and a walk through the trees can have lasting impact. Stepping back onto the forest trail, visitors will take home more than a pleasant afternoon — they’ll have the quiet satisfaction of giving a rescue dog a better tomorrow.

Youn Ye-jin is a Korea Times intern.