Korean Job Discussion Forums

[avenue712]

Hi all,

I'm new to the site and seriously considering teaching in Korea. I have two cats that I don't think I can part with. I've had them for several years, and got them before teaching abroad had ever crossed my mind. I'm currently in Seoul visiting a friend. I spoke with her supervisor who said that while she can't think of a foreign teacher who moved with pets, she doesn't think it would be a problem.

My question is, have any of you moved to Korea with your pets? If so, did you use a pet relocation service or just flew them with you in the cargo hold of the plane? Did your pets adjust well? How are vet services? Availability of quality food and other products? Any info would be greatly appreciated!

avenue

[seoulsucker]

From what I gather, some building managers/landlords can ask for much higher security deposits when pets enter the equation, and some schools are reluctant to fork over the cash. I've only heard that on a a few occasions, though.

It's not tough getting pets into the country. Just make sure they're up to date on their shots and you have all the paperwork to back it up. Your recuriter should be able to help you out with the process, assuming you're using one.

Pet care is actually pretty decent and readily available here, but sometimes you have to look a bit to find supplies and food.

[RACETRAITOR]

I got my cat in the country, but her parents were shipped in from the US, and they never had any troubles. As long as they're indoor cats, they'll be fine anywhere. By the way, never let your cats outside here.

[joyfulgirl]

a friend of mine moved here with a cat, from scotland, and had no troubles, really. i think she had to leave him overnight at the airport, for some reason; they wouldn't let her get him the day she arrived. but she went back and got him the next day. the cat was fine. i adopted a cat from dave's buy/sell/trade a year ago here, and have had no problem at all finding food and supplies. the floor is littered with cat toys, and he's as fat as a...cat.

[Little Laura]

I brought my dog with me. Researched it carefully to have the paperwork in order; he wasn't held up at the airport. If I remember correctly (I came four years ago), they want the rabies shot to be within a month of your arrival, and a health certificate from your vet just three days before your departure. That took careful booking.

Tucker (yes, Tucker, if there are any Australians reading this!! Yes, I brought a dog named Tucker to a country where they eat dogs!) flew in the back, cargo hold. He was trembling and barking when we were finally reunited, but no worse for the wear.

He has adjusted fine...don't know if cats are more sensitive.

Dog food: wonderfully, I was even able to find the brand he ate back in the States, Nutromax Choice, which is one of the healthiest brands on the market (mostly meat rather than grain, but boy do I pay through the nose for it.) My dog's worth it to me, though.

There are vets everywhere here. Five within walking distance of where I live.

When I was moving in, the guards at the entrance of my apartment building made a big fuss, told me no way dogs are allowed here. I politely acted like I couldn't understand (well, I couldn't understand their Korean of course, but their sign language was clear enough,) and just went on with my moving and living. I found out later there are several dogs in my building, one even bigger than Tucker, who is bigger than the average Korean dog which is perhaps one reason they made a fuss. Tucker quickly won the guards over with his friendly ways.

BTW, cats are not generally liked here, but as long as your cat stays in your apartment, what does it matter? Your new Korean friends, if you make them, will get used to your cat. Some may be afraid of it, but hey, maybe they'll learn how nice cats can be.

Good luck!

[SuperFly]

Take those cats, they will comfort you and console you in hard times. They're your friends/companions/family...if you dissapear from their lives, they'll go into shock. Ya, they might get over it, but most likely they'll spend the rest of their lives wondering what happened to you.

[pet lover]

Are you okay with them flying cargo? Because that is one problem when you travel with two: you can take one in the cabin (so long as you make all the prior arrangements) but the other would have to fly cargo. And no, they won't let you buy two tickets and put one cat under the seat in front of the empty seat. I've contacted every airline that flies between Korea and America on this and they all say NO. When I moved up here from Jeju, I had to buy a round-trip ticket for a Korean co-worker to fly with me and occupy a seat so I could get both dogs in the cabin. Buying two international tickets PLUS paying the pet fees on both pets can get expensive. (unless, of course, you are open to flying them cargo)

[Little Laura]

It's really not a big deal to have them fly cargo. The pilots are alerted that there are live animals on board, the air in there is controlled. Airlines have been doing this for years and know how to do it.

[khyber]

our dog has flown to canada and back to korea as well as a few domestic flights in canada.
No, they don't like flying.
Yes they get over it.
The "pets" section of the hold is in the front, right under the c0cckpit where it's warmer.
I imagine it WOULD be freaky to be down their if you don't know what the fluck is going on... but she pulls through.
just gotta pamper them a bit; take them for longer walks for the first few days...
they get over it.

if you have animals you love, you GOTTA take them to korea.

[RACETRAITOR]

The only reason most Koreans don't like cats is because they've never met a friendly cat. But believe me, they will act the same as any other human to a purring cat in their lap.

[pet lover]

Actually, my older dog has flown cargo internationally twice. Maybe he does do okay with it, but *I* am a mess. I feel much better when he's in the cabin with me where I can keep an eye on him and know he's okay. Then there is the whole plane crash thing. I want to be able to at least set him free and ideally, take him out with me. Can't do that if he's locked away in cargo. No, I've never been in a plane crash, but that doesn't mean I have the inability to worry obsessively over it. Also, considering what a mama's boy he is, I'm sure that he feels better when he's as close to me as possible. And my "daughter" canNOT handle scary situations....she's never even been left alone since I got her.

[khyber]

between you and me, i'm not convinced that they'd let you take a dog out on a life raft....

[pet lover]

I plan to stuff them down my shirt and look pregnant. Actually, hadn't thought about crashing and needing a life raft. Hmmm. Guess that IS a possiblity considering that most of the flight would be over the ocean. Guess I'd assumed that my life jacket would be enough to keep us afloat. Though, that WOULD leave my legs to the sharks. SEE! THIS IS WHY I HATE FLYING!!! Now all I can think of is crashing and having very UN-vegan sharks chomping down on my legs.

[fusionbarnone]