Korean Job Discussion Forums

[dasmith2]

i've been looking for info on this and found a lot of mixed information. so, can anyone with experience tell me what the procedure is for bringing a cat to korea? I currently volunteer at an animal hospital and i've taken a deep liking for a little guy with limited prospect for adoption (she was kicked around as a kitten by her previous owners and can't use her back legs).

rationally, it would be easiest NOT to bring a cat to korea, but I'd like to explore the possibility. any information would be greatly appreciated. thanks!

[dasmith2]

anyone??

[nomad-ish]

here's some info:

[dasmith2]

thanks! its much appreciated. i've found a few websites and a lot of them say different things about quarantine. but it seems that as long as the cat has had a rabies booster within thirty days of travelling quarantine won't be necessary.

[teachergirltoo]

You are right. It is a simple process. You can find everything you need to know at pettravel.com

[teachergirltoo]

Sorry Nomad I should have read your post first as I said the same thing.

[brkpnt]

I brought my dog to Korea. He is a 5 lb Chihuahua. Bring a health certificate from a vet with current shot records and make sure that if the animal is of age to receive rabies shots that you bring 2 years worth of rabies info. I had my dog vaccinated 2 weeks before we left the USA and the rabies shot was too new, luckily I had the previous year's records which showed that he was "rabies negative" the previous year. That's really all they are looking for: Health Certificate, Rabies, current shots.

[dasmith2]

[planthopps]

where are you coming from? I brought my cat from America last August. She had to have an APHIS 7001 form filled in by an American vet. It then had to be endorsed by the USDA in Olympia and fed exed back to my home. It was good for 10 days. If the animal is small enough they can fly with you as a carry on, you will have to pay extra money. Upon arrival in Seoul you have to go to the animal quarantine place at the airport where they will clear you. All the paperwork has to be with blue ink, also your animal must be microchipped with a certified rabies certificate from your vet signed in blue ink.

It was a lot of work but Korea is nothing compared to Japan with regards to importing pets!

[teachergirltoo]

When I moved here I brought my two dogs. Easy stuff. Get your health certificate and rabies form from your vet. Take it to the USDA vet and have it endorsed. The USDA vet in LA is right beside the airport so I just made a pit stop on the way to catch my flight. However, he is only open from 9am to 11am in the morning, so other port vets might have similar hours. It hasn't complicated my life here at all. I am so happy I have them with me. It all depends on your lifestyle. Most my friends here now are "pet people" and we a lot of outdoorsy stuff together, so as I said it all depends on who you are as a person. Cost wise - each dog cost me on Korean Airlines $220 US. One flew in cabin, the other in special hold. Same price. I understand that other airlines are drastically cheaper, so it all depends on who you end up flying with as to how much you will pay. Final note: get your rabies shot within one year of taking off, but NOT within 30 days. Hope this helps.

[crash]

http://www.nvrqs.go.kr/eng/rese_quarantine_02.asp?pageNumber=3-0

[dasmith2]

thanks all for your replies. I am traveling from Canada, but I think the regulations will be the same for me as they are for U.S citizens since Canada is not a rabies-free country. I am pretty sure this cat has had all her necessary vaccinations. Unfortunately, the veterinarian at the clinic I volunteer at is on vacation at the moment so I can't really talk to him about it. There is another vet in the clinic at the moment, but she is from another clinic and doesn't know the animals' histories as well. So I'll sit on it for a while. This is a particularly difficult decision because I don't know how the examiners will react in Korea once they see that this cat doesn't have full use of her back legs.
At least now I know that if I should adopt a cat before I go, it's not difficult to bring her with me. Thanks again!

[brkpnt]

Sorry for late reply. The vet cost was what a regular annual visit would be, and yours will be cheaper because you are adopting your pet from shelter. The cost of flying in cabin (under the seat in front of me) was $100 US one way.

One thing to think about though, and i may be thinking way too far ahead, but if the avian flu transmits to any other animal then those of us with US/Canadian born pets may not be able to take them home. I am now considering sending my dog home due to this. Any thoughts?