International Rescue Pet Imports

The pattern we see

Most international rescue imports into North America follow a similar shape:

1. Origin country rescue prepares the dog: veterinary exam, vaccinations, rabies titer if required, microchip, crate training.
2. Flight cargo to a major North American airport (Toronto, New York, Los Angeles, Boston, Washington).
3. Customs clearance at the destination airport.
4. Airport pickup and ground transportto the adopter's home. This is where we come in for pickups at Boston, Buffalo, Niagara Falls, Detroit, and sometimes Toronto.

Russia: what to expect

Russian rescue networks are active and often connect with North American adopters via Facebook groups and specialty rescue organizations. Dogs typically fly via commercial cargo to East Coast cities.

• Documentation load: rabies vaccine + titer test, international health certificate, export permit, CDC Dog Import Form, microchip.
• Crate: IATA Live Animal Regulations compliant. Russian rescues generally provide this but confirm before flight.
• Geopolitical note:depending on the current political climate, flight routes and cargo availability shift. We've seen routes re-route through Istanbul or Frankfurt.

South Korea: what to expect

Korean rescue imports are typically well-organized. Korean rescue groups have partnered with North American adopter networks for years, and the paperwork pipeline is mature.

• Common origin airports: Seoul Incheon (ICN).
• Common destinations we've picked up from: LAX, SFO, JFK, Boston Logan.
• Breeds: mostly Jindo mixes, spitz types, small dogs rescued from meat trade, and some lab-type breeds.
• Temperament: expect a decompression period. These dogs have often been through significant trauma. Plan for a quiet ride home.

Dominican Republic: what to expect

DR rescue imports are smaller in volume but common. Dogs are frequently found strays rehabilitated by local rescues and placed with North American families.

• Common origin airport: Santo Domingo (SDQ).
• Common destinations we've picked up from: Miami, JFK, Boston Logan.
• Veterinary prep: parasite testing is important. Many DR rescues have tick-borne disease exposure; ensure the screening and treatment were done in origin country before shipment.

The CDC country risk classification

Since the CDC rules updated in 2024, country-of-origin matters for US entry. The CDC classifies countries as:

• High-risk for dog rabies: stricter rules, sometimes required rabies titer, and in some cases temporary import suspensions.
• Not high-risk: standard documentation requirements.

The list changes. Always verify on the CDC site before committing to an adoption: cdc.gov/importation/dogs.html.

What can go wrong

• Flight delays.Cargo flights rarely run on passenger schedules. A 12-hour delay is not unusual. Plan accordingly; don't book tight connections on your end.
• Customs holds. Missing or incorrect paperwork results in the dog being held at the port of entry, often at the cargo facility, until resolved. This can take hours or days depending on the issue.
• Weather embargoes. Extreme heat or cold at either end cancels live animal cargo on most airlines.
• Health issues discovered on arrival. Occasionally a dog arrives with symptoms that need immediate vet attention. Know where the nearest 24-hour animal hospital is relative to your pickup airport.

How we help

We handle the ground leg: airport cargo pickup, customs liaison if needed, and door-to-door transport to the adopter's home. We've done this from most major northeastern and mid-Atlantic airports and can coordinate with the rescue organization's ground transport partner if we're not the right fit for your specific flight.

We work with OmegaCHB on the US side for commercial rescue shipments and coordinate with the receiving rescue organization on the paperwork. Request a quote with your flight details and we'll confirm we can handle the pickup.

For rescue organizations

If you're a rescue coordinator placing international rescues with North American adopters regularly, we'd like to hear from you. Recurring rescue partners get streamlined coordination with Running Red on Canadian sides and OmegaCHB on US sides, priority scheduling, and direct communication with Lesli throughout every leg.