Korean Job Discussion Forums

[happygirl]

This already goes against everything I believe. When we adopt an animal we choose to be responsible. I am doing the best I can in this difficult situation. Please have some compassion folks. I know I'm going to get slammed for this, but please be gentle.

I am trying to book flights home for my cat and I. She is like my baby and I adopted her with the intention of being in ROK another year at least (would have been my 3rd year here) and taking her home with me. Family circumstances require that I return now. The only flight that will allow her is 800,000 more for my ticket and then an addition 130,000 for hers. I simply do not have the funds.

So, I am looking into the possibility of finding her a new familly. Isha is not a normal cat. She speaks Korean and English. She likes being held like a baby, sleeping on my lap and sleeps in the bed with me every night.

She plays with string on a stick toys. She also has a paper flower and oher toys. She loves peanut butter in tiny quantities. Isha is learning how to walk on a harness. She really enjoys going out in the hall for walks.

We live in a high rise. Her favorite place during the day is sitting in the window. She watches the people, traffic, birds and occassionally talks to the folks below.

Pictures of her are here http://www.kodakgallery.com/Slideshow.jsp?mode=fromshare&Uc=12i36qj9.auneer65&Uy=-6ljcou&Ux=0

She will come with her blanket, covered litter box, carrier, assorted toys, scratching pad, harness, bowl and vet papers.

We live in Gwangju, Jellonamdo. I will meet someone 1/2 way to exchange her on the bus, but would really prefer it if you could come meet her in her space. I know I'm asking a lot. She's worth it.

Please PM if you want to add a permanent member of the family.

[Ryst Helmut]

BEAUTIFUL girl...wish I could take care of her....alas, my wife is a ninja and would kill me.

Good luck!

!shoosh,

Ryst

[happygirl]

Thanks Ryst.

[ucfvgirl]

I am normally one of those people who bashes those other people for adopting and then dropping. However, in your case, I won't do that simply because you have admitted that what you are doing is not what you intended for your kitty. I understand how much more expensive it is to take a pet home. Been there, done that. I am sure you'll find a great home for Isha: she's absolutely beautifiul. It must be breaking your heart tgo leave her behind. From the photos, it seems like you have had her since she was a kiitten.
As you can see from my avtar, I have a Jindo dog and mixing a cat into the picture would not be a good idea. Good luck! I am sure it'll be a quick adoption.

[happygirl]

ucfvgirl,

Thanks for your support. She's knows something is up and won't get out of my lap. It is breaking my heart. Had her spayed, caught up all her immunizations and have her on heartworm preventative. Quite a bit of cash...

But the most important investment has been emotional. She is my baby. I've only had her since the first of September but she's a totally different cat. Much more affectionate. Plays games. Talks.

She found me. I trust that the right person will show up.

[guido]

and yet she is not worth 800000 won to take home.........come on....pets are forever...your situation might be bad but you cant tell me you dont have that spare cash after being here since at least september...take the cat with you, it will be the best thing you can do...my friends fly home with their cat in a cage on their lap...you say she is your baby...spend the money

[ucfvgirl]

Some of us don't have that much spare cash just lying around. I know that I don't. I send so much money home every month to deal with my debts back there, that I live on a failry tight budget here. So, don't assume everyone can afford it.

[maeil]

Ah, I really feel for you... now you've got me worried about taking my two little ones home this fall. Hope you find her an excellent home..

[happygirl]

[superdave]

that's just bullshit .... you can weigh 150kg and get on a flight no problems, even though that's the weight of 2 reasonable people ... yet a 2kg cat is gonna cost you a fortune.

it sucks that they would charge you so much to take a little kitty cat abroad ...

i'd take her off you, but my kitty kitty is very possessive.

good luck finding a new home for her.

[jmbran11]

I don't know where you're going home to, but Singapore Airlines always offers flights for decent prices to the U.S. and charges less than $200 for pets.

I realize you've probably made arrangements and this isn't an option, but just in case, I wanted to mention it. I brought my two dogs here with them and will be taking my dog home that way also.

[happygirl]

[pharflung]

I have not done this, but I did do some research for my own trip.

You do not have to bring your cat along with you on the flight. There are companies that specialize in shipping pets.

Or you may be able to arrange with a friend to send the cat later as cargo on another flight. Or perhaps you could send the cat ahead of your flight. I suspect the cargo price would be about the same as bringing the cat along.

As a general rule, a good place to start in getting advice is with your veterinarian. They have to do the health certificates, so they know clients who have traveled with pets, who could give you advice. Another idea would be to contact cat breeders, who often exhibit their pedigree cats at cat shows. They should know about the alternatives.

There are several websites with info. If they do not have the exact answers you need, try emailing them.

http://pettravel.com/

This has lots of links, and takes some digging.


http://ipata.com/

This is an assocation of professional pet shippers.


http://www.hsus.org/pets/pet_care/caring_for_pets_when_you_travel/traveling_by_air_with_pets/


http://www.petswelcome.com/milkbone/frameairtrav.html


http://www.iluvcats.com/aaaofadonair.html

I did a lot of work to bring my cat along to Korea, making sure before I booked my ticket that there would be space for my cat, then calling immediately after to reserve the cat space. However, at the last minute I found someone who wanted to adopt my cat. As he is an outdoor cat, it was for the best, though I still miss him.

So I called the airlines (two of them) to let them know the cat was not coming. Guess what? When I arrived at the airport, the airline still had me down for bringing a cat. And it took them about a half hour to figure out how to delete the cat reservation so they could get me aboard without charging me $200.

The moral of the story is that sometimes people reserve a spot for their pet, but don't bring him. You don't pay until you board, so why not make the reservation may be the reasoning. So it may be worthwhile to check back.

BTW, I went with Northwest Airlines, but the first leg was technically with another airline, even though NWA was selling the ticket, so this simplified the cat fee, rules, a little.

Don't give up.

[happygirl]

Thanks pharflung. That took a lot of work. Have gotten the number for cargo out of Narita. Trying to put together all the pieces. Looks like it's still going to be too expensive to be managed.

There are 2 people seriously interested in adopting her and they both sound like fantastic candidates. In the end it will be what's best for Isha.

[spliff]

Sounds more like what will be best for wallet...