Recently relocated to Building 506 on Osan Air Base (next to the walking gate and Anthony’s Pizza) thanks to a large community effort, HBO volunteers have created a cozy and functional space for the dogs and cats who find their way into the shelter's care. During our visit, we were greeted by the sound of nails tapping on the solid floor as curious dogs approached us, no doubt lured in by the cacophony of scents my twins tend to accumulate throughout the day. As my kids practiced quiet voices and calm movements, one of the dogs crept closer to me, stealthily positioning herself into prime tummy rub position. Luna One, as she was then introduced to me, chose her target well. I have a soft spot for small dogs who want to snuggle, likely as a counter to my medium-sized people who are jumping beans of chaos. I was happy to oblige Luna while her foster mom and HBO board member, Elizabeth Williams, chatted with me about Homeward Bound Osan.

Operating as a private organization since 2011, HBO's mission is "to provide well-being, compassionate care, and find loving homes for the relinquished and unclaimed animals of Osan AB and USAG Humphreys." It is a non-profit, no-kill, animal shelter that operates solely on the generosity of volunteers and donors. It serves as a place of last resort for military ID holders stationed in South Korea who find it necessary to relinquish their dog or cat as well as a temporary stop for strays who occasionally come to them via the Osan AB Veterinary Treatment Facility (VTF).

While cats are the most common unclaimed animals found on the base, HBO was recently asked to assist when a small Pomeranian, nicknamed "Little Bear," wandered through the Morin gate one afternoon, severely dehydrated and full of ticks. After Security Forces surrendered the dog to the on-base vet, "Little Bear" was transferred to the HBO shelter for care while volunteers worked to locate his owners. After weeks of searching without success, HBO began the process of preparing "Little Bear" for adoption, which included funding his first round of vaccinations, a microchip, a heartworm test, and anti-parasite medicine. Five weeks after "Little Bear's" appearance at the gate, and just before "Little Bear" was set to begin the adoption process, his owners came forward and were reunited with their pup, Bobby. It's a story with a happy ending, but also one that illustrates the surprise expenses incurred by the donation-reliant shelter and the sincere dedication HBO's volunteers have towards the animals in their care. 

Antonia Pfeiffer, HBO's Manager, has worked hard to create a professional environment within the shelter. Her background as a Veterinary Tech, and her passion for continuing education in animal behaviors, make her an invaluable asset to the training/retraining, care, and rehoming that the shelter facilitates. It also helps her intuit a good fit for potential adoptions. She and her team help interested persons understand their capabilities and limitations while ensuring quality matches with pets in need. "We get a lot of people who come in saying they want a dog, but they don't know that what they would really rather have is a cat," Antonia says. 

Homeward Bound Osan seeks to match the right animal to the right home environment. Given the special needs, medical history, or personality quirks of each animal, having a broad range of foster families and potential adopters minimizes the chances of prolonged shelter stays. Once a foster or adoption application has been received, HBO works with the owners to gently integrate the animals using a slow and nuanced approach. Volunteers introduce the animals, facilitate a safe interaction, assess the human's understanding of animal behavior, and work with them to train the animals constructively. Some foster situations become forever homes, but even short-term stays provide stability and comfort that can't be achieved at the shelter. 

Antonia and her team's compassion and concern for the animals in our community is strong. A pet's welfare depends entirely on its owner’s ability to meet both its physical and mental needs. Antonia stresses the importance of being educated, interested, and engaged with the animals you have at home and developing an awareness of the animals around you in the community. She encourages pet owners to "advocate for the animal you have and be willing to learn, train, and understand; utilize the resources that are available to you." 

To that end, HBO has created several online resources and in-person outreach programs to set current and potential pet owners up for success. The organization has consolidated transport, training, and veterinary information on the “Resources” page of their website, along with regular updates on their social media accounts with helpful animal care tips. HBO has also organized events such as the open house my family attended, animal yoga for kids, pet costume contests, agility competitions, and group social walks. The outreach events raise awareness about the shelter and provide socialization opportunities for animals currently in their care.  

Fostering or adopting a pet may not be the right fit for you right now, but if you are interested in supporting Homeward Bound Osan's mission, there are several opportunities available through their website. One of the most rewarding ways to support the shelter is to donate your time or skill set by becoming a board member or volunteering for a shift, social walk, or weekend stays.  

Volunteer shifts, lasting 25-30 minutes, take place at roughly 0700, 1200, 1800, and 2200, allowing for time to walk, play, feed, and clean. Volunteer reliability and responsibility are critical to the well-being of the dogs and cats in the shelter's care, but the shelter also strives to provide an environment that delivers relaxation and emotional support for both the animals and the humans who help. There is a guest kennel available if you would like to bring your own dog, and volunteers are invited to come during non-shift times to visit with the animals or just be a calming presence. 

Homeward Bound Osan also offers a unique opportunity for teens, aged 16 and older. A newly created Youth Ambassador board position helps develop leadership skills, encourages responsibility, and serves as a bridge between the shelter and Osan AB’s youth community. Teens are also able to take independent volunteer shifts while children younger than 16 are welcome to participate with an accompanying adult. 

Volunteers with a variety of skills and hours of availability are always needed as, unfortunately, the demand for relinquishment services of dogs is greater than Homeward Bound Osan can accommodate. They receive an average of two requests per week, but with a maximum shelter capacity of three dogs, and not enough foster families to match the requests, it creates a heart-breaking and frustrating situation for all parties involved. Elizabeth Williams, HBO's Animal Safety and Rehoming Coordinator says: "People like the idea of having an animal, but they are not aware of what needs to be done and the additional restrictions that come with living in Korea." 

HBO urges service members to educate themselves before getting a pet. Aspiring pet owners should be aware of potential housing restrictions on certain breeds and the number of pets allowed. Many of the relinquishment requests come from people who purchased a puppy that grows into a dog, whose personality and needs do not match their home environment. One such animal recently in HBO's care was Duece, a delightful Doberman-pinscher with a playful spirit and friendly nature. Duece arrived at HBO malnourished and having been kept largely confined to a small apartment. With proper care and training by volunteers, Duece recovered beautifully and, considering his base-restricted breed, found a forever home off-base with a family well-equipped to meet his needs. 

If pet relinquishment becomes necessary, the pet owner needs to allow enough time before their departure to complete the application, interview, and turn-over process. The animal must be registered on-base to the person relinquishing it, so once the registered service member has left South Korea, it's too late for HBO to help. After an application has been received, HBO conducts an interview to assess the service member's level of need and an animal behavior assessment to make sure the pet in question can be rehomed within the limitations of the volunteer organization. The application then goes to HBO's Board for a vote, where available space and resources are factored into the final decision.  

Unfortunately, despite anticipated costs being factored into the relinquishment fee, older or neglected animals can develop unexpected medical or care situations that put a strain on the organization's budget. Local clinic Best Friends Vet, graciously collaborates with Homeward Bound Osan to provide medical care for shelter animals at a reduced fee which helps offset some of the cost. The organization has also been generously granted an on-base facility, but HBO is not sponsored by, nor does it receive any additional funds from the government. Instead, Homeward Bound Osan relies heavily on donations from individuals and local organizations to advance its mission of providing humane, compassionate care for relinquished and unclaimed animals until new homes can be found. 

Regardless of how an animal makes its way to the shelter, upon its arrival it will find a friendly environment, concerned caretakers, and knowledgeable advocates. On the day my family visited, we had the opportunity to visit with Luna Two (yes, there were two Lunas at the time), who was later adopted by a single airmen with a solid support plan in place; Whisper, who won the heart of a self-proclaimed homebody who can keep him close throughout the day and manage his ongoing medical needs; and, my canine shadow, Luna One, who, I'm delighted to report, was finally matched with her forever home, three years after she was initially surrendered. 

For the service members who find themselves in need, the animals whose welfare is at stake, and community members who seek a human-animal connection, Homeward Bound Osan serves a vital role as a refuge and a bridge, turning challenging stories into happy endings. 

Website: https://www.homewardboundosan.com/

Facebook: www.facebook.com/HomewardBoundOsan

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/homewardboundosan/

Email: HomewardboundOsan@gmail.com

About the Author

Sierra Beaton is a prolific reader, writer, and memory keeper. She enjoys capturing daily life through photography, regularly subjecting her family to new recipes, making friends out of strangers, and is easily distracted by plants.

As a seasoned military spouse, mom to three kids, and generally curious individual, she's had the opportunity to learn a lot of things she never knew she needed to know. She enjoys sifting through her lived experiences and sharing her observations with others.