transporting animals as CARGO - withOUT owner - KOREA to US????

[wendy]

Hello!
I'm hoping someone will have some information that will help me out because I am gradually getting more and more stressed out about this situation.
I am due to leave Korea on July 6th via Delta. I have three rescue cats that I need to bring home with me. I knew that there would be weather restrictions that month, so I thought I would be able to fly them as CARGO since Delta will not ship them as checked baggage during the summer. One cat will fortunately be able to join me in the main cabin, but obviously that leaves two cats to get home. I spoke to someone at Delta (in the US) and she was very helpful, however, I am having a hard time getting in touch with someone here, via the number she gave me. I have also tried calling Korean Air, and United (to compare costs and options), and each time I try to get in touch with their CARGO departments, I am unsuccessful. Either the phone keeps ringing, or a recording comes on (in Korean) and then eventually hangs up on me.
I know if I am absolutely desperate, I can use a 3rd party company to ship them for me, but I want to exhaust all other avenues first, since that option is incredibly expensive. Has anyone else shipped their pets home to the US as CARGO on their own? If so, which airline? I appreciate ANY help or suggestions you can give me as it is getting down to the wire and I'm starting to get progressively worried with each passing day!
THANK YOU!!!!

[luvadog]

Wendy, where do you live in the US? I'm shipping one dog here and maybe 2 through Dr. Pet very soon so maybe I can help you out. If you live near Atlanta we could go together and it might be cheaper. Dr. Choi handled my 7 dogs last year when I came home in July.

July 6th should be ok to put them in cargo. I think the embargo starts July 15 with some airlines. Call the airline reservation.

[wendy]

hi luvadog!
thanks for your response. i'm flying out on Delta, and was going to have the cats go cargo with me, but they said that if the temps are above 85 at any of the airports on departure OR arrival, they would not send them. :( it seems like it is not possible to send them via cargo on my own from korea, either. (but transport companies are so expensive.)
i fly out on the 6th to Washington DC, via a layover in Detroit. if you were somehow able to get the cats with you to Atlanta, i'd pick them up myself. i know dr. choi and i have to go to Dr. Pet anyway to have one of my cats get up-to-date vaccinations, so i'll chat with him tomorrow. i didn't realize they did transport. thanks for the info.
p.s. i'm pretty sure the embargo begins in june - sept.

[luvadog]

hi luvadog!
thanks for your response. i'm flying out on Delta, and was going to have the cats go cargo with me, but they said that if the temps are above 85 at any of the airports on departure OR arrival, they would not send them. :( it seems like it is not possible to send them via cargo on my own from korea, either. (but transport companies are so expensive.)
i fly out on the 6th to Washington DC, via a layover in Detroit. if you were somehow able to get the cats with you to Atlanta, i'd pick them up myself. i know dr. choi and i have to go to Dr. Pet anyway to have one of my cats get up-to-date vaccinations, so i'll chat with him tomorrow. i didn't realize they did transport. thanks for the info.
p.s. i'm pretty sure the embargo begins in june - sept.

Do you live in Atlanta? I'm in Nashville so have to drive there for pickup. Hope James can help you. I'll help on this end as much as I can.

The embargo doesn't count on non-stop flights like KAL from Incheon to ATL. You can ship anytime. Dr. Choi (or his driver) takes them to the airport and checks them in at 6:30am.

[wendy]

hi again!
actually, i live in Virginia, near DC, but i'd be willing to drive anywhere to get them. i really appreciate your help. i'm going to stop by Dr. Pet tomorrow and discuss my options with Dr. Choi.
my fingers are crossed that i will be able to work it all out within the next week. it's stressing me out so much!!! :eek:
again, i appreciate your help. thanks!!!
-wendy

[luvadog]

Let me know what you find out. I paid Dr. Choi before I left Korea but he waited a couple days until I could get home and sleep a day. My Panda should be about ready to fly, but I haven't talked with him yet. 3 emails and no answer yet, so I'll have to call. I heard he had a touch of P-monia.:(

[wendy]

aw. :(
i went to Dr. Pet on Saturday, and he wasn't there. (unusual, right?) so you must be right, maybe he's sick. they told me to call him on monday (today), so i'm about to give a ring now. i'll let you know if i hear anything.

[luvadog]

Here's a contact number there at Pet Cargo--Dong-ah Express. The one in charge last year was Kyungil Kim. This is the ACTUAL pet cargo...not baggage cargo. Mr. Kim's cell number: +82-11-370-7198...of course without the 82 country code. I think it's 011....for you in Korea. Check on that. +82-02-790-0021 is another number for Dong-Ah Express...same office.

This is where all the pet transport companies go to ship out their animals for you and the one Dr. Choi will use. They can tell you the price of shipping your cats but you'll have to know the exact measurements and weights of carriers and cats weights and size as well. There's a ton of paperwork which I don't know how to do, health certificates Dr. Choi can issue, certain requirements for the carriers, water bottles, food attached to the cage in case of layovers, etc. You must use zip ties and metal bolts-not plastic (although I noticed mine had some plastic. Dr. Choi tears up newspaper for bedding, but you can purchase the 2" thick pillows--expensive. I made mine.

But Dr. Choi knows all this or will find out for you and if something goes awry, then he will handle it on the spot. The flight is 14-15 hrs non-stop to ATL. My dogs handled it well but I just imagined they were thinking "What the heck is all that rumbling and whirring noise? Where's my Mommie?" :confused:

There might even be a non-stop to DC or very near. So ask him what's the best plan. seems like Wesley sent his dogs (thru Dr. Choi) to DC or Philly. Then he paid for ground transport which is VERY expensive so that's why I take the time to drive 5 hrs to Atlanta.

[wendy]

thanks soooo much for all the info luvadog!
i have a few options right now... and i'm weighing them to see which one will work out best. i should have a final decision by the end of the week. i'm beginning to feel a little less stressed finally.
i'll let you know the outcome.
thanks again for being so helpful!