T'way Air Launches Detection Dog Adoption Program "From Detection Dog to Companion Dog"

Promoting a Culture of Companion Animal Adoption

T'way Air announced on May 6 that it will launch an adoption matching program for retired quarantine detection dogs, called "From Detection Dog to Companion Dog," in collaboration with Sono Pet and the Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency.

The "From Detection Dog to Companion Dog" program is an experiential initiative in which prospective adoptive families spend two days and one night with retired detection dogs that previously worked at airports. This immersive experience allows families to interact directly with the detection dogs before deciding whether to proceed with adoption.

The program is scheduled to take place from October 17 for two days and one night at Sono Pet Club & Resort Vivaldi Park in Hongcheon, Gangwon Province, with around 20 participants. Those interested in joining can apply through a Naver form on the event page from May 1 to August 31, and the final list of participants will be announced individually in September.

Participants will receive accommodation and meals at the Vivaldi Park Pet Suite Park View for two days and one night, as well as access to educational programs and transportation via a chartered bus departing from Gimpo Airport. Priority will be given to families confirmed for adoption and those seriously considering adoption.

Quarantine detection dogs are generally retired from service and adopted into general households at around 8 to 9 years of age. Some become eligible for adoption at an even younger age—on average, about one year old—if they do not meet the standards during training. However, due to a lack of awareness about detection dogs, the number of adoption applications remains low.

In response, T'way Air has designed this experiential program to provide prospective adoptive families with ample opportunities to bond with the dogs, aiming to promote responsible adoption and support new lives for both retired and training-failed detection dogs. Based on the collaboration among T'way Air, Sono Pet, and the Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency, this initiative is being promoted as a social contribution model that brings together public institutions, airlines, and resorts, setting a new standard for public-private partnership CSR activities.

Furthermore, as this project connects detection dogs that have dedicated themselves to border quarantine with new lives in family homes, it is expected to raise social interest in detection dogs and have a positive impact on facilitating private adoption.

A T'way Air representative stated, "We created this program to help retired quarantine detection dogs continue their lives in warm family environments after retirement," adding, "We will continue to promote companion animal adoption culture through various social contribution activities."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.