Korean Job Discussion Forums

[jay-shi]

So I've read all about airline compliance regulations, the Canada government compliances and my reservations are made.

Incheon --> Vancouver --> Montreal in early June.

Does anyone have experience with dogs on long flights? She's a 2 year old Shitzu.

She'll be flying with the cargo because Air Canada doesn't allow pets in the cabin anymore for trans-pacific flights. I've heard dangerous stories about stub nosed breeds such as Shitzus on long flights.

She has an over sized kennel which she is already accustomed to.

I'd rather take my chances and give her a better life in Canada than leave her in a shelter or with strangers in Korea.

Does anyone have any experience with this type of dog or similar on long flights. Any particular tips?

Thanks for any advice.

[skconqueror]

I am also curious about this.. we have a yorkie that will be making the flight next year.

[jjk]

We took our pug- also a snub nosed dog- from Korea back to Australia, and he made the trip perfectly well. He had a layover on Bangkok on the way, then a month in the care of AQIS.

He made the trip back to Korea earlier this year, with a KL stop, and was fine. he went as cargo on both trips. We did not travel on the same flights.

Friends took their dog back to Canada without any problems.

[skconqueror]

What are the costs associated with bringing a dog? How much is his "ticket"

[nwise]

My pugs ticket from LA was 220 or so. She was in the cargo hold. Did fine. DO NOT give the dog tranquilizers. I did a lot of research on this. 80% of pet fatalities are related to tranquilizers. They slow the ability for the pet to take in 02. Combined with the fact that the airliner's cargo hold is pressurized to something like 8k feet, ie less 02, the pet can suffocate.

Also, check the heat regulations for the airline you are flying on. That was a prob for me.

[Muhaksan]

I took my snub nosed Boston Terrier to the USA twice. First time was round trip on Korean Air cargo while we flew a different airline and picked him up later. It was easy for him but a major hassle at cargo terminal in Inchon. You can't go directly to Korean Air, you have to use a freight forwarder (a middle-man). It cost about us$250 each way.

Next time was one way in the cargo hold of Northwest while I was on the same flight. It was great. Their program is called Pet Priority. You fill out a small sheet with carbon copies. As the dog is boarded, an attendant in the hold pulls off a copy and they deliver it to you in your seat so that you know he's on the plane. The same thing happened with my transfer to another Northwest flight in Tokyo. It cost about us$130.

We had to get a departure paper from customs in the airport (Pusan). She checked his rabies vaccination paper(at least 30 days prior to entering USA - not sure on Canada), then it cost 10,000 won I think. Easy. No drugs and airlines have summer restrictions on snub nosed dogs. Check their website. It's too hot and their breathing is restricted.

I was really impressed with Northwest. Be sure you tell your airline well in advance that you're bringing a dog. Good luck.

[jjk]

Taking the dog to Australia to Australia is much easier using a company that specializes in pet transportation. The total cost including vet trips, paperwork 'ticket' and Aust. government fees and charges was about $5000. It was $1500 to bring him back to Korea....

Luckily he is our child!

[Snowflake]

Talk to Yoon Sohee at the Chungwha animal hospital in Itaewon - they provide a full service for taking animals on flights, I'm sure she can give good advice? She speaks perfect English as well.
Website here:
http://www.cwhospital.com/eng.htm

[travelnguy]

We don't have snub nosed dogs, but we do fly with our dogs quite often. We have two beagles. We fly with KLM or Northwest as often as possible. They seem to be the most attentive. As a previous poster mentioned, they let you know when the dog is on the plane. That is a big relief. We have never paid more than $250 per way for them to fly.

1. Make sure you freeze a bottle of water. It will melt during the flight and give them water the entire time. We didn't do this the first time and the bottle was empty. Water was all over the bedding (even using a water bottle that has a little ball inside to stop the water, rabbit or hamster style).
2. Don't give them any relaxers.
3. Take them on a long walk or run so they will be tired and want to sleep.
4. Give them food a couple of hours before the flight and make sure you give them time to use the bathroom. Our female beagle has never peed or pooped in the cage in all the times she has flown.
5. Give them a toy or a shirt that they are used to.
6. put a sign on the cage (do not open). I have heard stories of baggage attendants opening the cage to play and the dog got out. This can be quite dangerous considering the surroundings.

Relax. It's pretty safe. Good luck.

[raclos234]

i took my dog(yorkie) from daejeon to inchon then flew her home to the states in oct 06'...needless to say it was a bumpy ride. but here is some help to get u over the hump so hopefully nothing bad will happen.

1)make sure ur dog is over 8 weeks old to have its shots (b/c if he or she isnt, u would need a direct flight to ur home country/city b/c u will have have to stay w/ ur pet at the first spot u stop off at for 30 days...or find ur own transportation to get to ur home city.)
2)check into the animal quarantine office at the airport. if u got all ur documents...ur good to go.
3)ticket is about $180-250..depending on the carrier
4)under no circumstances fly w/ cathey pacific with ur pet (this airline doesnt accept pets. my dumbass head teacher booked me on a flight w/ them on my way back...and i had to go to another carrier) check each carrier to see if they accept pets and reserve a spot for urs in cargo.
5)bring enough food for ur dog, but not too much...cuz theyll confiscate the food u dont give to ur dog to eat at customs

[Pyongshin Sangja]

Woof!

Thanks for the info!

[polonius]

I flew my Schnauzer from Incheon to Toronto. Cost 300,000 won. Had to make sure that I had the rabies shot. You need to take your dog up to the 3rd floor at the airport before you line up to check baggage. It is the quarantine section. Once you get to Vancouver, you will have to pick up your dog, they will check that it is alive, and check your rabies paper work. Take it out for a quick pee, then you will have to re-check your pooch for the next leg of the flight.

I didn't tranquilize Jack. I was advised not to put a bowl of water in the carrier, as it might get knocked around. I put his favorite blanky in for the ride. He did fine. Took a massive pee when he got out though. Never seen relief like that before. In Canada, they will charge you $30ish, for the checkup.

[Pyongshin Sangja]

Ah, well then. As long as Jack is ok.