Our veterinary team visits our shelter to do vaccinations and health check-ups after each rescue. Veterinarian Dr.Han visits our shelter regularly to check on the dogs, and at a minimum twice a month. Two vaccinations are required for the U.S. and Canada, DHPP/DHPPL and Rabies. For DHPP, we use Vanguard Plus 5L4.

In the case of puppies less than six months, we normally do four shots, including kennel cough and parvo. We also run heartworm test for each dog. Those who are malnourished must wait till they’re fit to take the vaccinations and treatments. It takes longer for underweight dogs to be able to get their treatments. After vaccinations, dogs go through a de-worming process for one week, and are then sterilized. We spay/neuter all dogs with exception of those younger than 6-8 months depending on breeds. The age exception follows for treating heartworm, as it is only found in those about 12 months of age and older. Not all dogs have heartworm, but chances are high to test positive for heartworm if a dog is more than a year old. For de-worming after vaccinations, we use Drontal.

The government quarantine office of South Korea requires vaccination and health certificates for the application of quarantine papers, which must be approved and inspected to issue a permit to fly. The U.S. and Canada require Rabies and DHPPL/DHPPL vaccinations for quarantine inspection.

See the photos below.

For de-worming, Drontal is used for the first week followed by Metrogyl or Metronidazole for tapeworm.

For heart worm prevention, Ivomec and Heartguard on a monthly basis; We administer on the 25th of every month.

For fleas and ticks (only during summer).

Please note, for dogs that test positive for heartworm, two of our three vets Dr. Han and Dr.Lee treat them based on the protocol. It normally takes a couple of months to treat, from pre-medication to the Immiticide and the “big shot” injection, to post medication follow-up for two weeks to a month depending on the stage of infection. We go by the “Standard 1” of the treatment protocol. In total, it takes three to six (3 – 6) months to clear a dog of heartworm. We do have adopters who choose to receive their dogs first and do the treatment in the U.S. and Canada.

Due to the large number of dogs we rescue and our limited space at the Sanctuary, we are not able to toilet train/house train the dogs. All of our dogs live with more than one kennelmate. Given that these dogs are rescued from meat farms where they’ve been kept in cages for the entire time they’ve been alive, they currently only understand doing their business wherever in the kennel.  When considering an adopter, this is why we prioritize homes with a fenced yard. After you’ve brought your new family member home, we recommend adopters leave their doors open to the fenced yard or have potty pads inside on the floors.

For the U.S. & Canada:

For now, dogs are flown to the following international airports where direct flights from Seoul/Incheon International Airport. Our SaveKoreanDogs Sanctuary/shelter is located 1-2 hours from the airport depending on the traffic. We try to use direct flight only as it takes 11 hours to West Coast and 13 hours to East Coast. Why we avoid transfer/layover is that I can’t let the dogs wait long hours again at the airport and then get on the connecting flight when it’s already more than ten hours of flight to go across the Pacific. As for Korean Air we use frequently for all the dogs flying out, there is a comfortable live animal compartment with auto temperature controller and quite comfortable.

These are the cities with direct flights. Please note its by cargo:
If your dog is flying by Korean Air, they are as follows. Its a daily flight to the below destinations. It takes a couple of hours at the customs clearance and please be noted that the arrival can not be on time as scheduled. Please call the airport and allow a couple of hours of delay. Please note there is time difference, US and Canada continent is 13 to 16 hours behind Korea, your pick up day is same as departure day in Korea.

West Coast: LA, SF, Seattle, Las Vegas, Vancouver
Most flights to West Coast arrival time are from 10 am to 11 am.

Los Angeles: KE017 arriving LAX at 9 am + 1 hour
Settle: KE019 arriving Ohare at 11 am + 1 hour
San Francisco: KE 023 arriving SFO at 9:30 am + 1 hour
Las Vegas: KE KE 005 arriving at 4 pm + 1 hour
Vancouver: KE071 arriving YVR at 11 am + 1 hour

East Coast: NY, Washington DC, Toronto
New York: KE081 arriving JFK at 10 am
Washington: KE 093 arriving Dulles airport at 9 am + 1 hour
Toronto: KE 073 arriving Pierson airport at 9:30 am + 1 hour

Other Cities: Chicago, Atlanta, Dallas/Texas
Chicago: KE 037 arriving Ohare at 9 am + 1 hour
Atlanta: KE 035 arriving at Heartfields Jackson at 9:30 am + 1 hour
Dallas/Texas: KE 031 arriving Forthworth at 9 am + 1 hour

If by UA, UA 892 is the daily flight bound for San Francisco and dogs get on the connecting flights in SFO to their destinations. This is why UA require your ID and SSN number for customs clearance at the San Francisco airport.

Among all the destinations, Toronto is the most expensive and flies three times a week depending on the season. Airline cargo requires a minimum 4 business days booking in advance. Upon acceptance/approval of your application for adoption, we make arrangements for the quarantine papers and cargo schedule for the dog. Once your payment is made (for the transporting costs), I can put the dog on a flight. Your payment must come to our non profit charity account on our website, https://savekoreandogs.org/adoption-costs-fees/

The photos below show how it works.

Korean Air Destinations
USA
New York(JFK), NY, United States – John F. Kennedy
Washington(IAD), DC, United States – Dulles
Chicago(ORD), IL, USA – O`Hare
Los Angeles(LAX), CA, United States
Seattle(SEA), WA, United States
Dallas(DFW), TX, United States – Fort Worth
Detroit(DTW), MI, United States – Metropolitan Wayne County
Houston(IAH), TX, United States – George Bush Intercontinental
Las Vegas(LAS), NV, United States – McCarran
Atlanta(ATL), GA, United States – Hartsfield-Jackson
San Francisco(SFO), CA, United States
CANADA
Toronto(YYZ), ON, Canada – Pearson
Vancouver(YVR), BC, Canada

Korean Air branch offices at those direct flight destinations will call you to inform you where to pick up your dog(s) and customs clearances, or (if less than a week booking) you call the office with the reservation confirmation/airway bill number I send you a couple of hours later upon booking.

After the dogs get on board and moved to the live animal compartments, REAR 5 of the aircraft and it has auto temperature control in it.

Sometimes, small size dogs total weight of the dog and crate is less than 5 kg, you are allowed to take the dog into the cabin and placed under your seat. Please note that the weight has to be less than 5 kg if you want the dog in the cabin.

We also sometimes use United Airlines (UA) cargo to San Francisco and to Canada, Toronto and Vancouver. Flight costs by United Airlines is half of what Korean Air charges. (Please take a note UA does not accept any live animals as the airline is currently under embargo) UA daily flight UA892 flying out of Incheon/Seoul international airport offers only one destination that is San Francisco (SFO). For the dog to get on connecting flights to other cities in US needs a few hours lay over at SFO. Customs clearance in SFO to other cities in the US require your Social Security number and ID. THIS APPLIES TO US CITIZENS ONLY. CANADIAN CITIES DO NOT REQUIRE THIS.

If you are in the US and your dog is flying by United Airline and getting on connecting flight to other cities in the US, please call 650 872 1225, email SFO@coppersmith.com or mk.sunoo@united.com (UA Branch office in Korea) for customs clearance in SF. The website has all the info you need. http://www.coppersmith.com/
Sometimes the dog stay overnight at the SFO airport, they do have an excellent pet care service for that. https://www.united.com/ual/en/US/fly/travel/animals/petsafe.html
FYI, United Airlines does not allow anything else in the crate other than the water bowl, no jackets, no vest, no harnesses.

We prefer Korean Air that is the most expensive, but fly direct to the destinations. Let’s make the flights short, as short as possible as this will reduce the stresses.
Its best you come to these cities with international airport with direct flights from Seoul for pick up and drive home with your dog. West coast LA, SF, Seattle, Las Vegas, Vancouver, for East Coast: NY, Washington DC, Toronto, Chicago, Atlanta, Dallas.

Each of the following steps require a payment:

Cargo freight fee by the airline

1. 1. ) We use Korean Air extensively as it offers direct flight to the most international airports in US and Canada. I get estimate for you based on the dog, the crate size and the weight.
   2. ) We try to put the dogs into smaller crate(s) as the dogs sleep through the flight. We are often asked to change to bigger crate(s) at the cargo terminal inspection by the airline on the day of departure. Airway bill is issued based on the crate size and weight after boarding. What I can give you only the estimate as we are often asked to change the crate to a bigger size.

Vet bills and medical treatment

1. ) We take care of all the vet bills such as all the required vaccinations, spaying/neutering and heartworm treatment. As of February 2018, we are unable to donate the items below. We have been donating the crates since March 2017 and other costs/expenses involved with each shipment as below. I am so sorry to say we can not afford this anymore. There will be $300 more to the airfare by cargo
2. ) Animal transporter fee to the airport. Two trips to the airports are required for East Coast bound as those depart early in the morning (5:30 am to 6:30) the quarantine office is open at 9 am. So it must be done before the day of departure. Two trips to the airport costs us $300
3. ) Issue of health certificates, health check and quarantine papers by vets

Airport expenses

1. ) quarantine inspection fee at the airport.
2. ) Toll fee of two highways to the airport, parking fee at the airport.
3. ) Crates, harnesses, leashes, collars, water bottles, jackets (for winter only)
4. ) Crates sizes are from the smallest 250 international standard to the largest 550. Those bigger than 550 will need the super giant size (or 550 wooden bar extension) for large breeds such as Hound/Tosa or Retriever, Malamute. We go by CM in Korea. For most of the dogs we have are for two sizes at the moment. International standard crate size 450 is 65cm X 76 cm X 110 cm and a bigger size standard 550 is 74 cm X 60 cm X 110 cm.Airline cargo requires a minimum 4 business days booking in advance. The office is closed weekends. Please be reminded that due to the time differences, you pick up the dogs on the same day they depart from the airport here. Airline quotes/estimates for transporting a dog are based on the size of the crate and weight. We try to have them in proper crates but are often asked to change to bigger crate on the cargo inspection before getting on board. This means actual flight cost is determined at the cargo and airway bill is issued accordingly.

For the first step to adopt a dog:

A. ) Pick your dog first (so that I know what size crate is needed for your dog) and tell us your nearest international airport from you, then I can quote you how much it will cost. We try to have the dogs in the smaller crates but at the airline cargo, we are often asked to change to bigger crates. Its all determined by the LIVE ANIMAL inspection by the airline cargo at the airport. Flight cost ranges from $400 for the smallest crate 250 size to $1,800 for the largest crate 550 size per dog.

Crate sizes are small, medium and large, each S, M.L again comes in two sizes. If the dogs are less than 8 kg (about 20 lbs) and less than 6 months-old, two can be shipped in one crate. It will be less by 30%. That is why I always ask potential homes to look for another home. You can take two puppies less than 8 kg in a crate and you can save a few hundreds of dollars.

We take care of all the process involved in transporting our rescue dogs.

We bring the dog to the airport on the day of travel, if it is early morning flight like to East Coast, JFK, Dulles, Chicago, Dallas and Toronto, we have the quarantine inspection done before the day. This means two trips are required for a dog flying to East Coast. After the inspection at the Animal Quarantine before the day of departure (for East Coast) or on the day of departure (for West Coast), we move to the cargo terminal where another inspection is done by airline cargo officials with the Live Animal Check List Standards. When the green light is given, the cargo issues an airway bill which we have to pay on the day based on the crate size and weight. The total cost is determined on the day of shipping when the airway bill is issued on the departure date at the cargo terminal at Seoul/Incheon international airport.

Korean Air branch office in your home country (where your dog is flying) will call you, or you call them if your booking is less than four working business days. This is to confirm if you are the receiver of the dog(s) and will tell you where you can pick up your dog(s) and give you full information about customs clearance. You must bring your ID to the airport cargo terminal to pick up your dog as the quarantine papers and the airway is under your name. There will be $50 – 100 (depending on the airport, I hear Toronto Pierson charges 200 CAD) for a customs clearance fee.

We would love to have some photos/videos of your dog landing at your pick up airport. For these dog meat trade survivors getting out of Korea itself is a success stories. Please share in our group page. We would really appreciate it. https://www.facebook.com/groups/263016840787841/

To the adopters, please do not open the crate door in the open areas, make sure its enclosed for water and stretch, pee and poop. Once you take your dog (s) home with you, they need extra care as most of the dogs have not experienced caring hands or home environment. Please give him/her plenty of water and TLC as he/she has just endured a long journey. Please do not open the crate door till you are in an enclosure.

Bringing Your New Dog Home

Preparation, patience, and love are key to building a happy home

The key to helping your new dog make a successful adjustment to his or her new home is being prepared and being patient. It can take anywhere from two days to two months (and for very traumatized dogs even longer) for you and your pet to adjust to each other and your other family members. The following tips can help ensure a smooth transition.

First, gather your dog’s supplies

Prepare the things your dog will need in advance. You’ll need a collar and a harness and leash, food and water bowls, food, and, of course, some toys. And don’t forget to order an identification tag right away. You will need a dog bed. Please have your dog double leashed, a harness is a must when you take your dog for a walk. Your dog may want to explore the new world and sniff around. We’ve had cases dogs runaway during the walks, please make sure you have the harnesses, make sure double leashed. Please double check its all TIGHT before walking.

At the airport, the crate will have a leash (we don’t use leather products) water bottle and small pouch of dog food attached on the crates. You are advised to come to the airport with fresh water. Also, bring some home cooked chicken and rice. They will love that. We don’t let the dogs eat (we get them to fast) before the day of departure because they tend to throw up on the way to the airport. They will be very hungry after almost no food for over 20 hours.

Plan your dog’s arrival

Try to arrange the arrival of your new dog for a weekend or when you can be home for a few days. Get to know each other and spend some quality time together.

You dog/s would have been under enormous stress, with a long drive to the airport before departure, noises at the cargo terminal, and being in the live animal compartment for over 11 hours to the West Coast or 14 hours to the East Coast. The amount of stress during the long journey may cause your dog/s to have diarrhea for the first two days.

Don’t forget the jealousy factor—make sure you don’t neglect other pets and people in your household!
Be patient and enjoy the results

Pick up at the airport

Please do not open the crate doors in an open area. Make sure you have the leash on the collar before opening the crate door. Let the dogs to smell you to get to know you. It is advisable to sit in front of the crate to wait for the dogs to get to know you.

Please make sure to provide fresh water for your new dog. As you know your pet traveled many hours to finally meet you. You are sure to make a good friend, if you bring some plain cooked chicken with rice as they wouldn’t have eaten for a while (blend ingredients enough not to upset their tummy). Also – if possible – clean the crate as it might be soiled on arrival. Please make sure your new dog is secured on a leash as they might be confused about the new smells, new faces, new soil and location.

You will need the following information when filling out the application form.

1. The nearest international airport from your home
2. Your full name, full address and your cell phone number. I must have it as the Korean cargo complains if the phone number you provide is unreachable. We need your cell number.
3. At least three photos of your home/house (fenced front/backyard are preferred) and three of your family photos are required. (or your dog’s photos) This is MUST attach to the applications together with minimum six photos of your home and family member.
4. How you wish to make the payment. Payment should be made in advance for us to make the reservation with the airline cargo. We use Korean Air cargo if not Asiana, from time to time United Airlines for low budget homes
5. We want to be updated on how the dog is doing/setting in at your home. Please photos/videos of the dog(s) daily or weekly in the first month as the first month is very important to us and the dog(s), share with the group, Save Korean Dogs Success Stories. It could be new discoveries, the whole stories of process of each day or interesting stories you would like to share with other homes. https://www.facebook.com/groups/263016840787841
6. Also, after I receive your application form, I will also make an international call/facebook messenger call to speak to you personally when I have more questions to ask apart from your application. I always want to make sure the potential homes have front/backyard for the dogs to play and feel the grass under their paws.