I'm just here to clarify some stuff:I received my lovely cat Finn when I was 16 and he was an itty bitty kitten. Now I'm 22 and, I mean, we're family. There's no one I can give him to.I'm applying for the EPiK program in Fall, and he has to come with me. But there is that pesky little rule. He is pretty clean, he meows quite a bit, but is otherwise well behaved.I know that pets aren't allowed because of people abandoning them and damages, and whatnot. But I am obviously not planning to abandon him. I am already beginning the process to get all his papers, and I plan to bring him over after orientation. So this rule really stinks for me. He was a gift when I was 16, and I love him to death. I can't just abandon him back home, because I plan to stay in Korea long-term. At least 6 years, and probably more.Do you guys think I can at least make it a year with a smuggled cat? After my first contract ends, I'll try to find my own place that allows cats at least.
I know tons of EPIK teachers who have pets. There's only one that I don't know if she lives in her own housing or if she has the school-provided housing. Everyone else that I know of has their own housing.On one hand, the school -probably- won't conduct any inspections or anything. On the other, there have been plenty of tales of nosy landlords and whatnot. Honestly, I'd say to leave him at home with your family for the first year, and then, if you renew/find another job (plans change--you might not end up being here long term), find your own housing and bring him over then.Note however, that there are inspections when you move out. And that your coteachers will probably be in and out of your apartment (when you're there) the first couple weeks as you get stuff like gas and internet set up.
You started this thread, having already decided what you are going to do (break the contract). Can you/will you make it a year? Completely depends on circumstance and very much luck of the draw..... so whatever anyone says on here is completely irrelevant.
Is that 'no pet' rule still in the contract? I seem to recall it being mentioned when I first came to Korea, but in the contracts I've signed since there has been no mention of 'no pets'. But that could be because my contract is with the Gyeongsangnam-do Office of Education, and might be slightly different to the EPIK contract.
Since you can't have your pet at orientation anyway, they have to fly over separately with someone else or with a courier service. Either way it is best to wait until you have moved into your apartment to figure out what will work. Once you move in you can feel out the place and figure out if your cat will be welcome before having him sent over.
Ok. I've only adopted a hamster while I've been an EPIK teacher, so I have zero experience with bigger pets. However, all of these people are saying you absolutely can't bring your cat to Korea due to EPIK orientation. That part is partially true if you think outside the box. I'm not saying that this will work 100%, but it is one possible way to bring Finn over without worrying about your parents or a friend shipping him off to a shelter because they get impatient with waiting for you to ship him over more or less.1. You 100% cannot have your cat at orientation. 2. But if you can plan ahead of time and find a foster or cat babysitter while you're in orientation, then it could be possible from that angle. Fly to Korea a week earlier before orientation starts and drop Finn at his "cat sitter". Then complete orientation and get settled into your apartment. My landlady/co-teachers were only in my apartment the first week to set up stuff. Next, arrange to pick him up from the cat sitter and bring him to your apartment. Side note: However, if for some reason, the landlord finds out about your cat and is strictly no pets policy, that could greatly complicate your apartment situation. Here's a few Facebook groups that could help give you advice about logistics: Everything Paws Korea, Animal Rescue in Korea, Airborn Animals, and I'm sure there are more.Here's a video of someone who brought her cat back over from the US. She adopted her cat while she was living in Korea, went back to the US, and then came back to Korea. However, at the time of this video it sounds like she was working for a hagwon and not EPIK: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Lz3XxtDMyEAgain, not saying this could all work for certain, but it was just an idea that popped into my head while reading the comments and such. Good luck.
From the cat's perspective it's terrible. Animals don't travel in the cabin internationally. So basically you'd be stuffing Finn in a box for almost a full day, taking him to another country where everything smells and tastes different, putting him in another house that he doesn't know, with people he's never met, then abandoning him. (Yes, I know you're not abandoning him. But that's what he'll think) You won't have time to visit during orientation and your first week or so. It's pretty much a recipe for seriously traumatizing your poor cat.
Quote from: kyndo on February 02, 2018, 07:38:11 am I've flown internationally several times with my 7 kilo dachshund (rules can be bent) in a carrier at my feet. Yes, we know how you did that....
I've flown internationally several times with my 7 kilo dachshund (rules can be bent) in a carrier at my feet.
Quote from: Mr.DeMartino on Yesterday at 01:40:32 Trump is a liar and a con man.
Quote from Mr.DeMartino on June 14, 2019 at 02:28:07 Donald Trump is a lying sack of shit
Now if only someone would do something about EPIK having pets...