Need a list of 24 Hour Emergency Animal Hospitals? It always feels like our fur babies are sick when their veterinarian is closed. Therefore this list will come in handy if you are needing to find a veterinarian to see your pet in an emergency. During an emergency with your fur baby, it can be critical to locate the closest 24-hour animal hospital quickly. Therefore, we have compiled a list of locations for you to find the help you need. Additionally, we provide critical information you need in these times to get you the best care possible for your pet. Are you in an emergency right now? Do not wait. Go straight to critical information: Types of ’24-Hour’ Animal Hospitals In South Korea, the term ’24-hour’ as it relates to an animal hospital may have a few possible meanings as of 2022: Since 24-hour may mean different things in different locations, we recommend visiting your local 24-hour emergency animal hospital to fully understand how they operate. Don’t wait until there is an emergency. Let’s talk about emergency preparedness. What To Do Before An Emergency Happens Since it is crucial to be able to provide information to the doctor for your pet, planning ahead is important. Once the emergency hits you may feel overwhelmed by 1) finding a hospital, 2) finding transportation, 3) navigating to a new place, 4) managing the language barrier, and 5) making decisions for your pet. Therefore, we recommend: A Typed Medical History and Medication List Have a list of medications and dosages saved to your phone. Hence, we asked our regular veterinarian to write down the names of our fur babies’ medications in Korean (or what they are used to treat). This can be very helpful as some of the drug names are different. Communication Plan Have a Communication Plan and practice your plan for asking for help. Use 1330 or BBB Korea regularly so that you feel comfortable using these services to ask for help. You can’t rely on friends to wake up to help at 3am. Practice the Drive Visit the 24-hour emergency vet nearest your home before an emergency happens. You need to learn the roads and parking situation in advance. Consider visiting the 24-emergency vet for a regular checkup just so that your information is already in their system. Information Available to Copy Paste on Your Phone Have the 24-hour emergency hospital Korean address saved on your phone. It’s very hard to search any app or the internet in a crisis. Have the closest hospital to your house saved on your phone or in your phone contacts. What to Do in an Emergency Getting the right help for your pet as quickly as possible is essential in an emergency situation. This means that you need to prepare yourself before you experience an emergency. Call Ahead Call Ahead to let the 24-hour vet clinic know you are coming. This is an absolutely critical step. You need to contact the 24-hour animal hospital prior to arrival to let them know the medical issue so they can prepare ahead. Leo Mendoza of Shindogs Air says this phone call can mean life or death for your pet: “All 24-hour emergency animal hospitals usually only have ONE general attending vet on duty, and that vet may not be the specialist your pet requires. If the hospital gets advance notice, they will ensure the specialist comes in for your pet!” Grab Medications Take any medications with you to the hospital. Knowing crucial information about your pet’s medical conditions and history can help when making decisions about care. So, make sure to keep a list of any medications and dosages that your pet takes regularly on hand. Remember the Translated Medical History on Your Phone Since you prepared ahead of time, make sure you remember your pet’s medical history that you have saved to the files on your phone. Assistance Calling the Emergency Vet In this stressful situation, you may also want to have assistance calling ahead. Having a language barrier will definitely make this situation more hectic and frustrating. Therefore, if you need assistance calling the 24-hour emergency veterinarian, you can contact: 24-Hour Emergency Animal Hospitals This list has not been vetted by South of Seoul, nor is it an all-exclusive list. However, our goal is to provide you with locations that can assist you to get the help you need as quickly as possible when your pet is unwell. Many of the locations listed below have English-speaking staff, but we cannot guarantee that they will have them available 24 hours a day. Also, this list includes locations in the following areas: Pyeongtaek, Dongtan/Hwaseong, Suwon, Seoul, and Daegu. We know you may be in an emergency right now. Read carefully to determine if you are calling the correct area. Pyeongtaek Correct number for Raum Animal Medical Center is: 031-692-5022 Dongtan/Hwaseong Suwon Seoul Daegu Finding Additional 24-Hour Vets If you are traveling and need to find 24-hour emergency animal hospitals, you can enter the phrase “동물병원 24시간” or “24시간 동물병원” into Naver and it should help you find the closest location to you. However, you can also contact 1330 to assist you in the closest 24-hour animal hospital as well. Here is the list of the locations with Naver pins and phone numbers for you to download and keep handy. Useful Phrases for Pet Owners During an emergency situation, it is always useful to have a few useful phrases on hand. Therefore, we have compiled this list to empower pet owners to do their best for their fur babies in stressful situations. Veterinary Services Vary Between Countries Different cultures and countries care for animals in different ways. For example, Korean veterinarians may not prescribe medications the same way that American veterinarians do. We have found this to be the case as we have dogs on medications for arthritis and anxiety. At a recent emergency vet appointment, we learned that the Korean veterinarian we saw was unfamiliar with treating regularly for either of those conditions. Join the Everything Paws Korea Facebook Group Looking for a place where pet owners living in Korea can ask questions and share ideas? Everything Paws Korea has information on training, recipes, health tips, and DIY. In addition, there are post links to articles and such relating to our pets. However, please keep in mind, information in this group should never replace the advice of a qualified veterinarian. Updated October 26, 2024 KimchiRednecksAbout Melissa Edwards-Whittington & Chuck Whittington (KimchiRednecks) Chuck and Melissa—also known as the KimchiRednecks—have been living in Korea since 2017 and documenting their life abroad since launching their YouTube channel in 2018. Originally created to share their adventures with friends and family back in the U.S., KimchiRednecks has since grown into a vibrant and dynamic platform that reflects their love for Korean culture, food, travel, and everyday life. From foodie explorations and recipe experiments to gaming, tech, and car projects (especially the BRZ), their content offers a fun and honest window into expat life. Chuck Whittington is a graduate of Francis Marion University with a degree in Information Systems Management. With over two decades of experience in IT, Chuck combines his technical expertise with a long-standing fascination with Korea—having visited many times before moving permanently. He’s the tech-savvy side of KimchiRednecks and brings a love for innovation, gaming, and cars to the channel. Melissa Edwards-Whittington holds a degree in Bible with a minor in Elementary Education from Mid-Atlantic Christian University. She has worn many hats over the years—working in customer service, marketing, and now also serving as a volunteer Co-Editor and Social Media Marketing Manager for United on the RoK Magazine. Her writing and digital work focus on building community and supporting military-connected and expatriate populations in Korea. Melissa also volunteers with South of Seoul, where she helps manage online social media groups, supports local language exchanges, and creates original content to assist newcomers and long-term residents alike. Together, Chuck and Melissa share their lives with their three beloved Shih Tzu daughters—Minion, Sookie (forever in their hearts), and Mayhem—who are frequently featured in their videos and social media posts. Whether they’re sipping coffee at a neighborhood café, exploring hidden corners of Korea, or experimenting with homemade whiskey and brandy on their second channel, Shining with KimchiRednecks, Chuck and Melissa are passionate about sharing the real and ever-evolving journey of life abroad. One of their greatest joys is cooking, and they frequently document their culinary adventures—especially their experiences learning to prepare Korean dishes and other global cuisines—on their YouTube channel, inviting others to celebrate food, culture, and connection alongside them. Follow Chuck, Melissa & the KimchiRednecks Adventures: YouTube: @kimchirednecks YouTube: @shiningwithkimchirednecks Instagram: @kimchirednecks Facebook: KimchiRednecks United on the RoK Magazine: www.unitedontherokmag.com

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By: Angie Alvis, South of Seoul volunteer Moving internationally, even moving back to your home country, takes a lot of preparation and planning; especially if you have pets. There is a lot of planning and paperwork involved with flying with pets, even if you are just flying back to your home country. Be sure to check with your arriving country for their requirements for importing pets. This blog outlines the three ways you can fly out of Korea with your pet: in-cabin, excess baggage (accompanied cargo), and unaccompanied or manifest cargo. Pets In-Cabin In-cabin means that your pet will fly with you on the plane. You will put your pet under the seat in front of you for the duration of your flight. Not every airline allows pets in-cabin on international flights and you need to make sure your pet meets the guidelines set by each airline, so double check before you book your tickets. Generally speaking, your furry companion will need to be VERY SMALL. Most weight restrictions are around 10-15 lbs. Maximum carrier sizes are pretty restricted as well, usually around 10 inches or shorter in height. This is pretty small considering your pet needs to fit comfortably inside its carrier. If the carrier appears too small for your pet, you may be turned away completely at check-in. Check with the airline regarding their specific requirements.  Before booking your ticket, call the airline that you want to book with and check that there is space for your pet on the flight that you want. Each flight only allows a certain number of pets in the cabin. Pets as Excess Baggage (Accompanied Cargo) If your pet cannot fly in-cabin, another option is for your pet to fly as excess baggage, or accompanied cargo. This means that your pet will fly on the same plane as you, in a temperature controlled cargo area of the plane. Not all planes have temperature control areas for cargo. It is important to call the airlines before booking your ticket to ensure that the flight you are interested in flying to has the proper accomodations for pets. Weight and carrier size restrictions vary by airline. It is important that your pet fits comfortably in a carrier that meets the airline’s requirements. Your pet must be able to sit up, stand up, and turn around in the crate without touching the top of the crate. In addition to crate restrictions, many airlines also have temperature restrictions. Most airlines will not accept pets during extreme hot or cold temperatures. If your crate does not meet the airline’s requirements or is not the appropriate size for your pet or it is too hot or cold on the day of your flight, the airline will not accept your pet for travel. If you are planning on flying with your pet as excess baggage during the summer or winter, it is a good idea to have a pet shipper as a backup. If you are booking a ticket for a pet as excess baggage, you need to call the airline and request a spot for them in the cargo compartment. Again, only certain planes have temperature controlled cargo areas and only certain airlines fly pets as unaccompanied baggage.  Pets as Unaccompanied Cargo You will have to fly your pet as unaccompanied or manifest cargo if you have a larger pet or if you pets cannot fly on the same day as you. This happens more often than you’d think – especially given the temperature embargos and the limited flights with temperature controlled cargo compartments. Flying your pet as unaccompanied or manifest cargo means that your pet will fly on a cargo-only plane. Airlines do not allow individual pet owners to book these accommodations. You will need to hire a pet shipping company to arrange everything with the airline. Here are a few Korea-based pet shipping and relocation companies for flying pets as unaccompanied baggage:  The First Class Pet www.thefirstclasspet.com Email: gina@firstclasspet.com Phone: 070-4101-1169 010-9794-1125 Kakao Talk is the best way to communicate with First Class Pet Pet Airlines www.petairline.co.kr Email: jeremy@petairline.co.kr Phone: 02-2667-0112 Email is the best way to communicate with Pet Airlines Shindog Air www.shindogsair.com Email: shindogsair@gmail.com Phone: 010-5119-8073 Facebook and Facebook Messenger is the best way to communicate with Shindog Air  Shindig Air also runs Flying Pets Korea – Free Advice  Angie Alvis, M. EdAngela Alvis holds a Master’s in Education and Bachelor’s of Arts in Sociology. Ms. Alvis specializes in curriculum development and instructional design. Angela Alvis has a depth and breadth of experience in education and early childhood that has taken her across the world to work in a variety of school settings, from rural programs to large urban districts, and everything from ECSE and DLL classrooms to childcare and university settings. Prior to her work with South of Seoul, Ms. Alvis spent several years leading the wide-scale implementation of play-based learning and a formative assessment model with over 120 educators in five early childhood schools that served over 15,000 students in Washington D.C. After transitioning back to the US, Ms. Alvis became the Associate Director of Strategic Initiatives at Tools of the Mind, she works on cross-departmental teams as the education and content expert. She is currently co-designing a multi-faceted teacher development model that integrates workshops, video coaching, and professional learning communities.

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Always remember, if you don’t feel comfortable speaking, you can simply show the server your phone and point the to the useful phrases for pet owners that you need. You can also save these images to your phone for emergencies. Although ideally we recommend visiting a vet with strong English skills, we also understand that this is often impossible. We also understand that even when a vet speaks English or an expat speaks Korean, misunderstandings still occur. We have compiled this list to empower pet owners to do their best for their fur babies in a stressful situation. Korean Translation provided by Pyeongtaek Korean Tutors. One-on-one Korean language tutoring with a Certified Korean as a Foreign Language teacher.               Looking for English-Speaking Vets in Pyeongtaek Regardless if you choose an English-speaking vet or not, we recommend holding onto this list of useful phrases for pet owners. Also, if you are new to the area and have not chosen a veterinarian yet, make sure to check out our blog with English-speaking animal clinics and hospitals in Pyeongtaek. In case of emergencies, it is always vital to keep a list of locations you can have on hand. Be sure to check out our blog about 24-hour emergency animal hospitals with tips to help you prepare for emergencies with your pet. Our content partners, KimchiRednecks, also wrote a blog about Best Friends Vet near Osan Air Base. As parents to three older shih tzus, the KimchiRednecks often provide content and videos on their channel with their pups. Fun Options for A Day Out With Your Dog Ready to take your dog out for the day? Check out this blog for fun options near Osan Air Base. Also, if you are near Camp Humphreys, check out these options. Join the Everything Paws Korea Facebook Group Looking for a place where pet owners living in Korea can ask questions and share ideas? Everything Paws Korea has information on training, recipes, health tips and DIY. In addition, there are post links to articles and such relating to our pets. However, please keep in mind, information in this group should never replace the advice of a qualified veterinarian. Volunteer with South of Seoul Interested in working with a fun team of talented volunteers? The South of Seoul volunteer team is always looking for other like-minded folks to research information, compile blogs, and edit content.

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Did you know that you can get tickets for your pets? Each administrative area of Korea creates its own rules regarding pet ticketing. This blog looks at the rules in Pyeongtaek-si, Gyeonggi-do. New Culture Means New Pet Rules Many international residents in Korea have dogs and sometimes it’s hard to be sure exactly what the rules are. In order to help clarify some things, I went to Pyeongtaek City and asked them about their pet rules and fines. Pyeongtaek City Posted Pet Policy: Be considerate of others and understand not everyone loves pets. Some people are scared of them. This means that when people feel uncomfortable around you and your pet, you are the one who should adjust to the situation. The Problem with ‘Considerate’ This should be one of the easiest rules to follow but we have found it’s not. The term “considerate” means different things to different people and different cultures. Even in one country, ‘be considerate of others’ could mean many different things. The concept of being ‘considerate’ also becomes complicated when people don’t share the same language. One person may feel they are being considerate while the other person feels threatened. In this situation, both are correct and both are wrong at the same time. When you add pets into the equation, things get complicated quickly. ‘Considerate’ in Korea In Korea being considerate of other people may include: We know this may feel difficult to adjust to and people will be more scared of larger dogs than smaller dogs. The following video is in Korean but it also helps give you an idea of how Pyeongtaek views being considerate about pets. Pyeongtaek Fines for Pets The following fines can be assigned based on the following issues: If you need more information than this: Contact the Pyeongtaek City Livestock Division at phone number 031-8024-3840~4 Lanae Rivers-Woods, MAITLanae Rivers-Woods moved to Korea in 2011 where she lives in the countryside with her family, friends, and puppies. She holds a BSSW (Bachelor’s of Science in Social Work), a MAIT (Master’s of Arts in International Teaching), and registered by the Pyeongtaek Korean Times with the Korean government as a Cultural Expert. Ms. Rivers-Woods used her 15 years experience as a social architect, UX/UI designer, and technology consultant to found South of Seoul in 2015. South of Seoul is a volunteer organization that leverages technological tools to mitigate cultural dissonance in multi-cultural communities. Through South of Seoul, Ms. Rivers-Woods works with independent volunteers, non-profit organizations, businesses, local & federal government, universities, and US military organizations to develop solutions to support English speaking international residents in rural South Korea. Additionally, Ms. Rivers-Woods founded the South of Seoul smart phone app available for Google Play and iPhone. The app provides information a resources for those living and traveling in South Korea. When she isn’t in South of Seoul development meetings or working her day job, Ms. Rivers-Woods loves to be outside at skate parks, the beach, or playing in the mountains. www.southofseoul.net

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Over the summer we were going everywhere trying to find the perfect places to play with our doggies who spend far too much time inside. Although we found many wonderful options for summer, with winter on the way I knew we needed to find ones that might offer a big more warmth. Which is how I found the fabulous J. Dog Cafe located near my favorite new area of Pyeongtaek. This dog friendly cafe has everything you need to enjoy the long winter months with your fuzzy family members. The large spacious facility offers ample outside and inside space for puppies to play. Large and small dogs are welcome and all for the cost of one drink per human who accompanies the dogs. No fee per dog. The drinks are a little pricey – ranging from 7,000 and up – but considering it costs at least 20,000w for two humans and two dogs at the larger parks and THEN we have to spend another 10,000w on coffee, this is a great deal for us. Also, what makes J. Dog different from other cafes is the fact that they have a huge yard for the doggies to play in so it’s like a park and a cafe in one space. Also, the owners both spoke English and were very kind. We felt quite welcome. The cafe isn’t only for visiting, they also have boarding options as well if you are in need of a place to leave your beloved babies over the weekend or while you are traveling. We might try leaving our doggies there in the future. Looking forward to running into all the local expat dog owners at J. Dog this winter. We can all hangout together while hugging our puppies and mochas. For more information on things to do with your dogs in South Korea, check out our Fur Babies blog posts. *** This listing and all other restaurants reviewed by South of Seoul can be found in the South of Seoul app which can be downloaded from Google Play and the Apple App Store. *** CLICK HERE FOR ADDRESS AND CONTACT INFO.

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