Korean Job Discussion Forums

[CBP]

I brought home a cat from Japan last year with no problems, but I've heard that bringing cats into Asia can be very challenging and risky. A friend and his family are moving to Korea soon and want to bring two cats. He says that they're going to bring them in the cabin and put them under their seats. All airlines I checked last year told me that unless the cats are small kittens, that's just not possible; they're going to have to go in the cargo section. Also, I really question how safe it is bringing cats in Korea. I just don't feel this is a good idea. Any thoughts on this?

Thank you.

[Kikomom]

Read somewhere once that cats can go three days without having to use the litter box, they should survive the cargo hold. Bringing pets into the passenger section always makes me wonder about other passengers with possible pet allergies. Not exactly fair to them.

People who truly love their animals will do what they have to do to either take them along or find them a better home. I'm turning down a trip to Italy this fall to stay home with my poople pack.

[ChinaBoy]

My thoughts are that could you please move this out of the "job-related discussion forum"?

Not that I've got anything against cats, mind you. And I certainly wouldn't care about people with possible pet allergies. It's 100 times worse to be sitting next to someone with a baby.

[Nierlisse]

We brought our 2 cats with us. They were too big to fit under the seat (unless we stuffed them into a small carrier and even I am not mean enough to do that) so they went into the cargo hold. A small bag of food went in there with them but I don't think they ate any. No litter. They were fine. And by fine I mean they spent the next week attached to our hips. I don't think they liked the ride at all. But they survived.

Make sure you read up on all the requirements; ours needed to have rabies shots 30 days before we came here, otherwise they will probably be put into quarantine. They are doing pretty well here for the most part. I think they miss having our house to run around in, now they are in a small apartment so they don't get as much exercise.

All things such as food, litter, catnip, and toys can be found here. Just have to do some looking. If you're only coming for a year, it might not be worth it to bring them, but of course, it's up to you and how attached you are to your cats.

[himynameishowie]

We also brought 2 cats with us, and they did great on the trip--both rode in cargo. They just had to have their rabies vaccines 30 days before arrival and a health certificate (the vet gives this to you). I gave them a little water before leaving for the airport, but no food or water once they were in their carriers. The carriers were lined with towels from home in case they had to pee, but neither of them used the bathroom in the carrier (over 24 hours before seeing a litter box!).

I definitely recommend NOT taking them into the cabin with you because 1) you'll miss the foot space and 2) it's too busy in the cabin. One of my cats is EXTREMELY skittish around people, noises, etc. and the cabin would have been a disaster, especially if he started meowing. We flew on Korean Air and they took great care of the kitties; they were calmly waiting in baggage claim for us to pick them up. One thing--be prepared to dish out about $200-250 each to take them on the plane. Korean Air considers them excess baggage and you pay accordingly.

There isn't a lot of selection when it comes to cat things in Korea, but they do have the necessities--I feed my cats Nutro brand (they ate that in the US) dry food, and Fancy Feast wet food (I've also seen Purina Cat Chow, Whiskas, Friskies, and Science Diet). I also think that the litter you find in the pet stores isn't the greatest... it's sold in 5kg packages, it doesn't clump very well and the cats were tracking it all over the apartment. I buy a 30lb container of litter from Costco about once a month (only about $12) and it's much better. I also stocked up on my cats' favorite toys and treats before I left the US--enough to get by until I could find things they'd like here. Anything you can bring to make the transition more comfortable for your cats is worth it; while one of my cats is happy just as long as he's near us, the other one hid in his "fort" for 3 days (a fabric/plastic cat tree that easily collapsed into my suitcase--it was his favorite thing in the US, I knew I had to bring it) and I'm SO glad I brought it.

I think it's also good if you can find a good vet that likes cats; I'm in Daegu and lucked out that I found an English-speaking vet that owns a few cats (they're always at the office with him). I didn't worry when I had to board them for 3 days when we went away to Busan. I knew they'd be well-taken care of--I made sure to look at the boarding facilities when I chose the vet.

While dogs are waaaaay more popular here, cats are slowly growing in popularity. Depending on how needy/independent your cats are will make the difference with how much you need to bring for them. You know your cats, bring what you think they need to feel as comfortable and relaxed as possible during the big transition. Sorry this is so long... I hope it helps. Feel free to email or PM me if you have any more questions... Good Luck!

[RJjr]

Are they used to riding around and being kept in confined spaces like that? While it would be okay in cargo, I can tell you exactly what the other passengers will hear for most of the flight if the cats are in the passenger area:

Meow. Meow.

Meow! MEOW! MRAW!! MRAW! MEAAAAAAAW!!! MEOOOOOW!! MRAW!!!!!!!! MEOOORAW!!! MEAAAAAAAW!!! MEOOOOOW!! MRAW!!!!!!!! MEOOORAW!!! MEAAAAAAAW!!! MEOOOOOW!! MRAW!!!!!!!! MEOOORAW!!! MEAAAAAAAW!!! MEOOOOOW!! MRAW!!!!!!!! MEOOORAW!!! MEAAAAAAAW!!! MEOOOOOW!! MRAW!!!!!!!! MEOOORAW!!! MEAAAAAAAW!!! MEOOOOOW!! MRAW!!!!!!!! MEOOORAW!!! MEEOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOW!!! MEOW!!! MEAAAAAAAW!!! MEOOOOOW!! MRAW!!!!!!!! MEOOORAW!!! MEAAAAAAAW!!! MEOOOOOW!! MRAW!!!!!!!! MEOOORAW!!! MEAAAAAAAW!!! MEOOOOOW!! MRAW!!!!!!!! MEOOORAW!!! MEEOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOW!!! MEOW!!!

I'd and find it entertaining, but most passengers would probably be more like

[kiwiduncan]

Another alternative to normal kitty litter is bio-pellets - those little fuel pellets made from sawdust and scrap wood.

My cat Minty had them in his tray in NZ and the pellets were fairly clean, dust-free and lasted a very long time. They're very absorbant so as long as you're picking out the poos everyday you can go a couple of weeks without needing to change the pellets. There's very little smell as they get wet and the mild smell that is emitted is more like pine trees than cat pee.

Lastly, the combination of nitrate rich urine and carbon rich wood means the soiled pellets, which eventually breakdown into damp sawdust, are a great soil booster for your garden (if you have access to one). Alternatively just scatter it in the undergrowth in some nearby park or forest - it'll breakdown quickly and nourish the soil, which is not necassarily true of some of the conventional clay based cat litters.

I know there are companies producing and selling wood pellets in Korea. Here are a couple of links:

http://www.drwood.kr/

http://kr.blog.yahoo.com/dasselstrasse

[rebel1]

If your friends are moving to Korea indefinitely they'll probably want to bring their cats along. Really, it is no big drama. It only feels that way until you've been through the system. My poor baby has moved from Korea to the States to Chile and back to Korea, in cargo- which I swear I hated more than she did, and in the cabin. Korea is probably the best of all the 3 immigrations she went through.
The restrictions on animals in the cabin are made by the airline. Your friends need to call the airline and check what the restrictions are. Most airlines only allow a maximum of 2 pets on each flight...which means if they are traveling with 2 they need to be sure that no one else is booked onto that flight with a pet.
Some airlines do not allow any pets in cabin so make sure your friends check this with the airline prior to booking a flight.
The cabin restriction is usually 3.5 kg. If your cat weighs more than that they put them under in cargo. They need to be weighed long before going to the airport so you know which bag to bring. I have a top of the line cargo case and a top of the line cabin bag for my cat. I highly recommend getting the best possible bag. If you pm me I'll send you the bag details. It makes a world of difference.
DO NOT GIVE YOUR ANIMALS ANY DRUGS PRIOR TO FLYING....unless it is light herbal calming tablets. Most animals become highly distressed when they are drugged and it makes the experience far worse and hence more dangerous for the animal.
Cats can survive for more than 7 days without water....so going without water for the flight and a few hours prior to the flight makes for a far more pleasant experience for your cat than flying around in a soiled catsand tray! I pick up Eddie's water and food 3 or 4 hours before we leave for the airport. If she is in the plane with me I take her in her bag to the bathroom on the plane and take her out of the bag so she can stretch her legs and have a sip of water. If you feel you can't do this get the pads that are usually marketed as puppy toilet trainers and line the bag with one of those.
As far as paperwork goes- you need to call the airport you are departing from, get the form they will require your vet sign and take it to the vet. The vet needs to give the cats a check up(fairly basic once over) and your cat must have a rabies shot...you NEED to have the paperwork to show this was done. It needs to be done 1 month prior to flying.
Be careful with the rabies shot. They have 3 year vaccinations now and the vet in Chile gave my cat this-it caused a severe reaction and scared the living daylights out of me.
I also recommend getting harnesses for the cats if you take them in the cabin. I unclip the leash and my cat stays in the bag with the harness on and I clip the leash back on going through immigration. Immigration usually require you take your animal out of the case and carry them seperately through the detectors.....she's even been patted down by American immigration! Ridiculous! If your cat is nervous they might try to run- that's why I recommend the harness. This isn't necessary if your animal flies cargo.

[WendyRose]

The cabin restriction for Korean air is 5kg including the crate. A full grown cat probably won't be under that.

We have a cat in Korea, but we bought her here. She'll be going home with us in 2 1/2 months so that's how I kow about Korean air. Just call the airline you're planning to use and ask the specifics.

[rebel1]

You can't fit a 'crate' under the seat. You need a carrier bag.
I might be wrong on the weight- the cat's weight limit might be 4.5kg.....but I don't think so- I think it's 3.5.
My cat is pretty small. Her usual weight when she's not carrying around her pre-summer belly;) is 3.5kg- that's why she can travel in the cabin. Most cats are much bigger than her.