Korean Job Discussion Forums

[gojulie]

I have 2 small dogs that I want to bring back with me to Canada in the spring. I wanted to start early with researching how to do so, but it is next to impossible to get a straight answer from Air Canada about anything.

Has anyone flown a pet to Canada before? Any guidance/stories/experience you can give me would be very helpful indeed.

I have looked into the petairline shipping company but they are much, much more expensive than having the dogs fly with me.

[mdspeakeasy]

Hey,
I did this last year and brought a Jindo home with me.
You can see her here.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cSU02DHKvVA

Anyway, I thought it was going to be a nightmare but it was really easy.

1. Get a direct flight if you can (easier on the pup) - give yourself minimum a month to arrange everything.
2. Call your airline (I went Air Canada) and tell them your flight number and that you need to book space below for your animal. They'll ask you some questions about the animal size and stuff. They're only aloud 1 dog on each flight so that's why you have to book well in advance.
3. Go to your vet and make sure you get a valid official rabies certificate with the vet's seal on it. Try to find a vet who's done this before and it'll be easier.
4. Get a cargo container for your animal - it has to meet the airline's requirements (animal must be able to stand up in it) When you talk to the airline people they'll direct you where to buy one. I got mine through them 140000 won delivered to my apartment and my dog uses it as a house now - great purchase.
5. Head to the airport - when you check in you'll have to pay for the animal's place on the plane - I paid 250000won when I checked in.
6. Pop by the Animal Quarantine place in Incheon to get your Rabies papers stamped and photocopied etc. (Give yourself lots of time of course at the airport for this - for me it didn't take very long but you never know) Probably a small fee - can't remember.
7. Drop off the animal at the oversized baggage.
8. Arrive home - I flew directly into Vancouver and that's where I stayed so I can only tell you from my experience (but here in Canada there's no Quarantine - it's pick-up-and-go) - animal comes out of oversized baggage.
9. Head to customs or some place and they'll check your Rabies paper. I went through really quickly. The Philippino woman in front of me trying to bring dried meat in her suitcase took WAY longer than me. It was fast.
10. Boom - you're done - you're home - go for a walk, play, enjoy not being stared at! It's wonderful - I do it everyday. No regrets.
I'm happy to help someone in a similar situation because - coming home to Canada after 6 years in Korea was a really big and scary move. There was no way the dog was not coming too. In the end it was easier than I expected and totally worth it.
Cheers

[gojulie]

Wow, thanks for all the info. I have 2 dogs, I wonder how that will work.