Milo from @twolittlepigpigs
Here at BTB we’re huge fans of rescue and while we understand it’s not for everyone we do know that some people really want the chance. With the increase in demand for Boston Terriers it’s getting harder to rescue locally. That is why we wanted to bring you this interview about rescuing from Korea. Right now there are two rescues that adopt Boston Terriers and French Bulldogs from Korea, one is Paw Paw Boston Terriers and the second is With Frenchbulldog. We interviewed Victoria mom of Stella and Milo of twolittlepigpigs about her experience adopting her dog Milo from With Frenchbulldog.
How did you find out about them?
Just searching on Instagram. I found PawPaw first, and after inquiring about one of their dogs and it not working out, I just started searching for other rescues in South Korea. Finding with_frenchbulldog was truly fate because they had JUST posted Milo’s picture, he was 12 hours away from being euthanized and they were trying to get a foster. Since I was interested in him the rescuer pulled him and just figured it out, thankfully!
How do you get in touch with them?
First, by messaging on both the Korean and English accounts expressing interest. Then our conversations continued with PM on Instagram, eventually moved to the KakaoTalk app.
Do you speak Korean? I noticed that their posts are all in Korean?
I don’t. I used the translation button on Instagram but it really isn’t great. The rescuer put me in contact with a rescue partner she works with out of NY. That person messaged me and became a third party contact person who helped translate. Eventually I downloaded an app called KakaoTalk which was SO MUCH easier and the translation was way better. I still keep in contact with the rescuer through that app or Instagram messenger.
Where did you pick your pup up?
So that’s building 77, all the way to the left like where that stop sign is, is where customs is.
I picked him up from JFK airport. Building 77, it doesn’t seem like you would pick up a dog there. It’s where all the goods come in and are put on trucks etc. I have pictures of the buildings, so that I can help others in the future because I pretty much had to figure it out on my own and that was difficult. When the dog lands there is paperwork attached to the crate, you have to get that (they will make you wait a few hours for it) and bring it to customs to get stamped off on. You will need your drivers license, some people have also been asked for a passport. You will also need a $100 money order. There is a post office nearby if you happen to forget. As of January 2021 this process has changed a bit. Please see adoption fees section for the most up to date information.
Did you have to meet them at the airport?
Yes, your name is on the paperwork to pick up the dog so you have to be there, give your ID and social security card.
Which airports do they fly into?
New York, Seattle and Los Angels.
Is there an official application that you have to fill out?
Yes, once they have a good feel for your true interest they will send an application. They also ask for pictures of your house since they obviously can’t do home visits.
How long did the process take?
Milo was rescued on August 6th and we picked him up October 15th. Once a dog is pulled from the shelter they bring them to the vet to get checked out and updated on shots, usually a spay/neuter too. If the dog doesn’t need any other care (not heartworm positive, no leg issues etc) they can leave the country 30 days after the rabies shot. If they need more care, they will keep them in long term foster until they are fully healed and healthy. They also don’t fly smush face dogs from July-early October because of the heat so we had to wait that out. They will give you some date options and work with their pet cargo company to try to get your preferred dates as much as possible. The pet cargo company doesn’t fly on the weekends so it has to be a weekday.
Does With Frenchbulldog work with any US rescues?
With_frenchbulldog also works with the rescue Road Dogs out of LA, she will send a handful of dogs to them to help free up her fosters to she can grab more from the shelters. They also are working with Hurley’s Heart Bulldog Rescue out of New York who are bringing in several dogs in October and November.
When did you first see your dog?
At the airport! After all the paperwork was processed (I can provide more info on that too), they let me in the area where they were holding him and I was able to get him out of the crate and take him home! I recommend bringing scissors, so you can cut the plastic wrap off of the crate. I also recommend making sure you open the crate in an enclosed area. Apparently a lot of dogs will run right out of their crates and if they’re not in a secure place, apparently a lot of people lost their dogs that way. JFK told us that directly. Milo ran right into my arms.
What are the adoption fees like?
My rescuer told me, when others were interested, that the fee is anywhere from $1200-1700 depending on the size of the dog and where they are flying to. They do charge an adoption fee but lately they’ve been waiving it because they know the cost of shipping is so high. With_FrenchBulldog is truly just trying to save as many dogs as she can. They hope that you will donate to them in the future so they can continue to pull dogs from shelters. They have to pay to take them from the shelter, then for all of their vet care, and then while they’re in foster for however long. The other thing is they can fly with sponsors, if their weight plus the crate is 15 pounds and under. This is a cheaper way to get them here but because of covid no one is traveling so they have to be sent via cargo. There is also a broker fee of $250. As of January 2021 “people aren’t allowed in the cargo area”. If you are picking up from JFK, call Asiana Cargo ahead of time to make sure they have the documents they need/get in touch with a broker. The broker takes care of everything and so people don’t have to go from building to building like was the case previously.
This is some info the rescuer shared with me, to share with others who may be interested in adopting:
DM @with_frenchbulldog, they will provide list of available dogs;
They will discuss basic info and reason for adoption;
They will send an application for adoption by email;
If they think you qualify they will reach out for additional information;
Adoption fees depend on your location. They are only charging cargo service fees for overseas adoption. Cargo fees vary, but it is usually between $1100 to 1700;
After they receive the adoption fee they will send the adoption agreement and schedule for cargo.
The air bill will be emailed to you for your reference.
CANADA:
There are only 2 airports they can transport to: Toronto and Vancouver
-Cost is usually over $1700, because limitation of airline
-Can only fly on Lufthansa airline
Useful Information Not in the Interview:
Victoria tries to make herself available to anyone interested in adopting overseas so feel free to DM her on Instagram (twolittlepigpigs) or email twolittlepigpigs@gmail.com.
There are SO many Bostons (and other breeds!) over there in these shelters it’s heartbreaking. Some shelters are outside, so dogs come in severely malnourished or with hurt legs.
They also sent weekly pictures and videos while he was being fostered and kept Victoria up to date with his weight gain etc
With Frenchbulldog does adopt to people with children but they do try to be careful and make sure it’s a good fit.
As far as single people, Victoria believes they don’t have an issue with that either. When she first started looking some of the adoption update pictures she saw some single people.
Unfortunately, rescuing these dogs is expensive! It was at least $300 to pull Milo and get him vet checked and neutered, and they waived that fee for Victoria.