Dear Isabella,

I have received the estimation from two pet carriers. Among them, one company(http://www.eaecargo.co.kr/ East Asia Cargo Company) offered lower rate. However, the cost will depend on volume-weight combination. Thus, the cost will vary depending on which size cage will be used. We are not sure about which size would fit for Dante.

CARE shelter manager measured Dante's height as 77cm(from feet to tip of the ear). As you may know, most of airline requires 3~4cm space between tip of the ear to the top of the cage when a canine stands on four feet with its head up.

For your information, two options are as follows;
(1) Giant kennel : 121(l)x81(w)x88(h), 13Kg
(2) X-Large kennel : 101(l)x68(w)x76(h), 12 Kg

With the Dante's weight 23kg, the volume-weight would be ;

(1) 144.0 Kg, 1,944,000KRW(approximately 1,965 USD)

(2) 87.0 Kg, 1,174,500KRW(approximately 1,190 USD)

East Asia Cargo said that the actual cost will be determined on the departure date when they weighs a dog and a cage, and measure the volume of the cage. But it is said that there won't be a big difference from the estimation. Slight plus or minus may be expected.)

Reservation should be made at least 10 days in advance. The payment should be made on the departure date, directly to the East Asia Cargo.

Our biggest concern is the size of the cage. #2 is too tight? #1 - space enough, but costly.

CARE will get some sponsorhip for Dante's cage(which would cost around 200USD) and medical expense(to meet the EU requirement, microchip, etc). Some of our volunteers agreed to give special care and love to Dante, to have him ready for a new home(more socializaion training, exercise, etc. - he's friendly and doing well though. )

Dante is curretly at the CARE's shelter, located Pocheon, 20km away from Seoul.

He has a roommate named 'Dori' - Korean Jindo mix - in 2.5x2.0m cage.

I've attached a couple of pix  that's taken two days ago. His coat looks much better than did in June. He doesn't seem to suffer an emotional trauma. Thank God...

Please let me know if two options work for you. If we have to go for a giant cage(#1), we still have four months to work out for the sponsorship in your country and in Korea too.

Isabella, could also check with the quarantine service in your country? Are there any required document? (eg. health record - what information should it contain?)

Hope everything goes well and let me know your thoughts and concerns.

Hope to hear from you soon.

Sincerely,

Jihyun Stephanie Jun

+1 215. 200. 2684

On Tue, Aug 26, 2008 at 4:46 AM, Isabella <puttycat@otenet.gr> wrote:

Dear Stephanie,

Thank you for getting back to be (us) so quickly – I am smiling from ear to ear!!!

Concerning Dante and the whole procedure the part that worries me most is the 4 months waiting period. Will he be chained or kenneled or fostered? I have seen videos about the dog market in Korea and the slaughter practices. In fact, the video showing a white/silver  Malamute (like Misha)  .... being repeatedly hung and him wagging his tail in between….  (sorry I will NEVER forget – and it is beyond my every imagination to have to witness on a daily basis the cages full of animals awaiting their faith – I think I would run amok) ….I looked into the eyes of his – I asked for forgiveness.  Beyond these videos and pictures I have little idea on how the animals are kept. I have seen them tied up to something one would not call a shelter or in cages full of filth and waste. Do you think he comes from a background like this? How does he react inside a home with everyday noises? Is there any way to train or work with him – ie agility?

The 1.650$ is a mighty sum of money. I will have to start saving from today and Dante could come then in the beginning of January? I will also work on the sponsoring thing – HOPEFULLY – I'll get some response. My heart is big, but every available Euro goes for the animals. Just yesterday a new cat with kittens arrived – much too young to have babies, tiny, malnourished, flea invested etc.. not pretty or attractive = in other words – not a homer – so guess who gets to keep her? At least I'll have her neutered and dewormed, deflead and fed with a cozy shelter for the winter. But she never will be a live indoors lapcat, curled before the fireplace.  And all that because people DO NOT neuter!!

So I will remain with anticipation to hear about the "best offer" flight deal and lets progress.

 Thank you Isabella

PS When you say he over reacts on the lead – you mean he rears and pulls? If so, he might associate this with abuse and I would suggest a very slow gentle training – like attaching the lead (a short one, in order not to drag on the ground creating resistance, gradually lengthening it)  to him, but let him run free.

Please give cuddles to Dante and tell him he found his Mom and is going to be spoilt rotten as soon as Mom can find a way around the $$ wall.

From: Jihyun Jun [mailto:stephanie@savedogsinkorea.com]
Sent: Tuesday, August 26, 2008 9:20 AM
To: Isabella
Subject: Re: DANTE - Adoption

Dear Isabella,

Thank you getting back to us.

Chances that large dogs get adopted in Korea is very rare due to the dog overpopulation and space limitation. We would be happy if Dante finds new home where he can run and exercise enough.

I've talked the matter with CARE members and they agreed that your current activity fully aproves your committment to the daoption and care of Dante. Therefore CARE will not require you to provide us with documents that I've previously mentioned.

Regarding procedual matter, we have found out that Dante's travel should meet the EU requirement.

 - must be microchipped

 - rabies given

 - after 30 days of rabies shot, blood test must be done. test result must be proved by the EU-certifed center in Korea.

 - after 90 days of the blood test, a canine can enter to Greece

Upon your decision, each step will be taken. However, please consider this is a time-taking process.

Regarding travel arrangement,

 - CARE is getting an estimate soon. (maybe over 1500$?)

 - Dante weighs 24kg

 - no direct flight to Athens from Seoul, Korea. one stop, via Frankfurt or Amsterdam, with Lufthansa or KLM. (Lurthansa charges additonal $150)

The shelter manager just sent me a memo about Dante;

 He is people-friendly. Very playful and energetic. Needs leash-training.(never been on leash training in Korea...). when leashed, gets extremely excited and overacts.

 Heartworm negative, neutered.

 Ages between 1.5~3 yrs.

 Good with other dogs, but tends to be submissive to larger dogs.

 Don't know if good with cats. (Dante attacks(or chases) birds though....)

I will get back to you when CARE gets the estimation from pet carrier company. Also we are looking for more economical way for Dante's travel, if there is any.

And also I will send pix to you when I get them from the manager.

Thank you agian.

Warm regards,

Stephanie