Why I Started This Project
In South Korea, thousands of dogs are abandoned each year. Many end up in overcrowded shelters, and some are euthanized simply because there is no space left.
While learning about this issue, I discovered something that surprised me: many families overseas are willing to adopt rescued dogs from Korea. The biggest obstacle is transportation. Getting a dog safely from a shelter to a family abroad is often the hardest part.
In June 2025, I founded Doggy Wings to help address this gap.
What is Doggy Wings?
https://www.instagram.com/doggywings/
Doggy Wings is a nonprofit, youth-led volunteer initiative that coordinates flight escort support for rescued dogs being adopted overseas.
When someone is already flying internationally, they can volunteer to escort a rescued dog on their flight, following airline and animal welfare regulations. This allows one dog to reach its new family while creating space in a crowded shelter.
What I’ve Done So Far
Because minors face legal restrictions when traveling with animals, I have personally escorted rescued dogs twice, accompanied by my parents.
Through this process, I’ve learned firsthand about airline regulations, health documentation, and the logistical challenges involved in international animal transport. While the number may be small, these experiences helped me understand what it takes to scale the project responsibly.
Current Challenges and How I’m Addressing Them
Legal Limitations for Minors
As a minor, I cannot independently coordinate adult volunteers. To address this, I am currently in discussions with Yongsan District Office about proposing a youth policy framework that would allow student-led animal welfare projects to operate with adult sponsorship.
Building an Adult Volunteer Network
To expand beyond parent-accompanied flights, I am creating promotional materials and simple merchandise to raise awareness and recruit adult volunteers, including college students and young adults who travel frequently.
The Goal
My long-term goal is to help 1,000 rescued dogs reach adoptive families overseas by 2030.
It is an ambitious target, but I see it as a collective effort. Every successful flight escort means one more dog leaving a shelter and one more family gaining a new member.
How You Can Help
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