Korean Job Discussion Forums

peach.bb · Joined: 01 Jan 2011

Hi,

I've had my cat here in Korea for what will be 2.5 years (I got him as a kitten), and my time here is up in October. I'm travelling, so I'll have to send him home via an animal service. My dilemma is that while being a well-behaved and impeccably-trained cat (poops in the toilet!), he has an attitude and can be very picky, especially in new situations and environments. Where I'm living now is his 4th home in Korea, and each move became even more difficult.

He absolutely hates being locked in his carrier, to the point where he hurts himself (ripped out his claw last time). He sleeps in the carrier now, but if the door closes, he goes nuts. Howling, crying, shoving his face into the grate, etc. Even when I bring him up to our private roof and let him out of the carrier, he is still howling (for up to 2 hours!).

I'm worried about the 15+ hour flight home, if he'll even be allowed on the plane (due to his loud behavior), and how he'll adjust to being in a new country (and living with my in-laws). Also, this won't be the only flight, because once I do get home, I'll be moving to a new city, which will require a second flight for the cat.

I'm very concerned about leaving him here, because it'll need to be with a 'forever in Korea family', and those are usually Korean, who don't always like cats. I'm terrified of what will happen if I leave him here. It's not like leaving him with a cat-loving foreigner, because they will have the same situation when they want to go home.

I'm feeling very stuck and really not sure what to do. Any thoughts?

Jeweltone · Joined: 29 Mar 2005 Location: Seoul, S. Korea

I'm not sure if this will work (or is ethical) but:
My American vet will prescribe a mild sedative for "crazy" cats like this. My cat goes absolutely nuts in confined areas (and howls) when we take him to the vet, so I am seriously considering the vet's offer next time...

You might talk to a trusted vet in Korea to see if they can do this. You will have to check on your pet at reasonable intervals somehow, but again, you can talk to the vet.

I have also driven halfway across the country (Chicago to California) with three cats (!) - it turned out that the crazy one was perfectly content to sit in my lap OUTSIDE the carrier - you should have seen the double-takes from the truck drivers. Oh, and Motel 6 is pet-friendly.

You can also order Feliaway - it really does calm psycho cats down as it promises. You can try coaxing your cat into the open carrier (it will take lots of patience) and crate training.

nathanrutledge · Joined: 01 May 2008 Location: Marakesh

drugs.

had a coworker long ago with a little dog who had a cold. the vet told her to give him some benadryl. Poor old lady didn't think about it and gave the little dog (maybe 7 or 8 pounds) a whole adult human dose. Dog just lay there on the floor, totally decongested, for about 3 days.

if you give the cat some benadryl or some other drug that'll make it sleepy, you'll have no trouble. dope him up before you go and then prepare a little solution of liquid that he'll lick to take on the plane. if he wakes up and starts getting cranky, give him a bit more.

just my two cents.

warmachinenkorea · Joined: 12 Oct 2008

It's usually considered a bad idea about sedatives but talk to your vet and see what they say. Thanks for being responsible and taking the cat with you.

Don't give them human medicine unless your vet says it's OK.

jondepoer · Joined: 02 May 2010

I've considered drugs, but I've heard that combined with the pressurization, it can cause their heart to stop. Also, he won't be in the cabin (too big and too loud... Can't risk it), nor will I be travelling with him. I've begun to research travel companies and some do take extra care, like walking dogs during layovers, but a cat is different. I don't trust that he'll get back into the carrier if he is let out.

warmachinenkorea · Joined: 12 Oct 2008

It is a stressful event on an animal to travel. If he is under the plane then he might calm down considering no one will be around. Why are you not traveling with him?

Mix1 · Joined: 08 May 2007

[quote="nathanrutledge"]drugs.

had a coworker long ago with a little dog who had a cold. the vet told her to give him some benadryl. Poor old lady didn't think about it and gave the little dog (maybe 7 or 8 pounds) a whole adult human dose. Dog just lay there on the floor, totally decongested, for about 3 days.

if you give the cat some benadryl or some other drug that'll make it sleepy, you'll have no trouble. dope him up before you go and then prepare a little solution of liquid that he'll lick to take on the plane. if he wakes up and starts getting cranky, give him a bit more.

just my two cents.[/quote]
Hold on though... cats may react differently to drugs than dogs do. I agree with sedatives/drugs but be careful WHAT you give it and how much!

Do not just randomly give it a dose of human medicine. Test out some prescribed drugs on him from the vet, before you make the trip, to see how he reacts.

Look at it long term: it might be a hell of a trip for him, but with sedatives it could be tolerable and he could live the rest of his life with you after that. Leave him in Korea and dump him with random owners and it's a total roll of the dice...

Let's face it, there aren't that many cat lovers here, and if he's high maintenance it's very possible he'll end up in a shelter or out on the street. He's yours. Keep him. You'll both be happier.

The Sultan of Seoul · Joined: 17 Apr 2012 Location: right... behind.. YOU

Keep him! He's your friend.

Drugs in a correctly prescribed dosage based on the hours of flight involved seem like a good option.

I wonder also - and this is I admit a kind of silly and naive idea, but then one reads of dogs in hollywood having personal trainers and chefs etc - if there are flights you can book for pampered pets where they are in a special animal only area and get looked after by kindly stewards and fed, petted etc?

I'll bet there is such an option or something like it, if one has enough money to shell out for it.

Prize goes to the poster who can find such a servcice for the ammusement of others and also as potential help for the op through the usage of internet search!

Hokie21 · Joined: 01 Mar 2011

amnsg2 · Joined: 15 Aug 2010 Location: Gumi

Even though he's flipping out each time you move, he's still learning that at the other end you're there to let him out and life goes back to normal. I think you should keep crate training him, and shut the door. Gradually increase the time, and add a treat at the end. He's already sleeping in there, which is a massive step.

Whatever happens to him during the flight, and however angry he is when he's let out the other side, it'll be worth it compared to how he'd feel if you left him with another owner and disappeared forever. But good luck with all the weeks of sulky cat you're going to experience in the meantime...

peach.bb · Joined: 01 Jan 2011

<sorry about my last post. Logged in under hubby's account.>

Anyway, thanks for all the support. I felt like I was trying to talk myself out of bringing him home, but everyone is right. One day of terror is far better than the rest of his life being horrible. And he is my friend, I love him! Does anyone know of good vets that actually like cats in the Itaewon/HBC area that I can talk to? I want to test- sedate him before he goes anywhere.

I'm not travelling with him because I'm travelling around immediately after Korea. I'm going home in late August for a quick trip, but that is in the 'no-fly zone' for pets (which sucks and would save me tons of money and stress).

The Sultan of Seoul · Joined: 17 Apr 2012 Location: right... behind.. YOU

peach.bb · Joined: 01 Jan 2011

Also, does anyone know any good travel companies that will fly from Seoul-Canada? That PetAirways looks nice, but it's only in the states. AirCanada's website says they do cargo, but I have to contact an outside company in order to set it up, and AirCanada Korea gave me a few local numbers, but I'm a little hesitant dealing with Koreans + my cat (no offense to any Koreans on here).

warmachinenkorea · Joined: 12 Oct 2008

Give me a bit and I will find the company my wife has used helping rescue dogs to The States and Canada. They're good fairly priced.

venus envy · Joined: 25 Jul 2007 Location: chicago

Chung Wha in Itaewon has been excellent with my pets and they have a great rep for helping with relocation. http://www.cwhospital.com/eng.htm

I think this is the link for their pet travel services. http://www.cwhospital.com/kat/main%28eng%29.htm

You can find a lot more info on http://www.animalrescuekorea.org

I'm happy to hear you're keeping your furry friend. Best of luck, OP!