Traveling with Pets

Traveling with our two kitties is turning out to be much more confusing than I originally thought it would be. The Korean Consulate says they need to have their rabies shot in a min of 30 days to bypass the quarantine period when we arrive. They also need a health certificate. I also called Korean Airlines, as this is probably going to be the airline we use and they confirmed their policy, stating it was the same as what the Korean Consulate said. Korean Airlines was very confusing too. Originally the lady told me I can only bring one pet per person, but then she was trying to say I can put one in the cargo area and bring the other cat as carry on if they weigh less than 11lbs including the carrier. Unfortunately, Oliver is 13 lbs with the carrier and Baloo is 15lbs. They are going on diets today.

I went to the vet on Tuesday and they informed me they were having a shot clinic on Wednesday and that once they received their rabies shot, they would need a checkup within 10 days. Well, I drove my cats in their carriers an hr to the vet Wed. night only to find out I was misinformed! We have to get the health certificate within 10 days of our flight!

So now, I'm having Greg call the airline back to confirm things since I apparently can't get things straight. Our only other solution will be to have Greg fly back just so he can help me bring them.... I don't understand why we can't just pay an extra fine to have them both in the cargo area.

UPDATE:

I've talked to many airlines again and have confirmed how to travel with pets. Korean Air will let me take 1 as a carry on item if they are less than 11 lbs including their carrier and the other can go in the cargo area. So they are on diets, only getting half of what I normally feed them... it seems to be working, Oliver is now 10.6lbs when I weigh him outside the carrier. I'll confirm their weight when we go to the vet.

If they kitties are both over the weight limit then I will have to ship one of them using Korean Air Cargo. It is a little bit more expensive and it will also take longer to get him. So, we will have to see which route we have to take once they are weighted in their carriers.... I'm hoping Oli is down enough.