Where to Call for Pet Poisoning? — A Complete Guide to 24-Hour Emergency Hotlines in Korea and the U.S.

ImmunityQ&AMeongsiljang Veterinary Advisory Board

We’ve compiled a list of emergency hotlines in Korea and the U.S. to call if your dog or cat ingests a toxic substance, along with information to prepare before making the call.

Where Should You Call If Your Pet Ingests a Toxic Substance?

A worried-looking dog and its owner making an emergency call on their phone in the living room

The Pet Poison Emergency Hotline is a specialized service that provides 24/7 telephone guidance on emergency measures when dogs or cats ingest toxic substances. The most critical step is to contact a veterinarian immediately without hesitation. Since South Korea does not yet have a nationwide dedicated pet poison hotline, 24-hour emergency animal hospitals serve as the primary point of contact. In the United States, two organizations—the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center and the Pet Poison Helpline—operate paid consultation services. There is no situation where it is safe to assume your pet is fine simply because symptoms are not yet visible.

Contact Information for Suspected Poisoning in Korea

South Korea currently lacks a dedicated pet poison control hotline. If your pet shows symptoms, call your regular veterinarian or a 24-hour emergency animal hospital immediately. Save the contact information for 24-hour animal hospitals in your area to your refrigerator and phone favorites for quick access. The Animal Protection Counseling Center (1577-0954) handles cases of abuse and abandonment and is not suitable for poisoning emergencies. If family members have also been exposed, you can contact the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency Call Center at 1339.

Comparison of the Two Major U.S. Pet Poison Hotlines

Item	ASPCA Animal Poison Control	Pet Poison Helpline
Phone Number	1-888-426-4435	1-855-764-7661
Operating Hours	24 hours, year-round	24 hours, year-round
Consultation Fee (per case)	Around $95	Around $89
Consultation Language	English	English
Case Number Issuance	Issued (shareable with vet)	Issued (shareable with vet)
Use from Abroad	Available (international call charges apply)	Available (international call charges apply)

Consultation fees are based on each organization's official guidance and are subject to change. Payment is made by credit card.

Can U.S. Hotlines Be Used in Korea?

In short, the service is available, but it requires English consultation, international calling charges, and credit card payment. Once you receive a case number after the consultation, you can share it with your domestic veterinarian, who can then coordinate treatment plans through direct follow-up calls with the toxicology hotline specialists. If English feels daunting, it’s more practical to first contact a 24-hour veterinary clinic in Korea. This information is especially useful for pet owners traveling or studying abroad with their pets, so consider saving it for future reference.

A veterinarian taking notes while on a hotline call at the animal hospital.

If These Symptoms Appear, Transport to the Clinic Takes Priority Over a Phone Call

If your pet is disoriented or has collapsed, is experiencing seizures, shows signs of labored breathing or cyanosis (bluish discoloration), or has repeated or blood-tinged vomiting, do not waste time on a phone consultation. Instead, prioritize getting to the clinic immediately and notify them of your estimated arrival time. Forcing your pet to vomit or giving them large amounts of water at home can actually increase the risk of aspiration pneumonia.

Information to Prepare Before Calling

For a faster and more accurate consultation, it’s helpful to have the following information ready before you call:

What: Product name, ingredient name, brand (including photos of the packaging and label)

How much: Estimated amount ingested (in grams, milliliters, or number of pills)

When: Estimated time of ingestion and how much time has passed since then

Who: Your pet’s species (dog/cat), age, weight, any underlying health conditions, and current medications

Current condition: Any symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea, seizures, or excessive drooling

It’s important to keep the packaging and take clear photos of it rather than throwing it away.

A pet owner's hand holding a smartphone to photograph the product label, with a cat watching on.

Actions You Must Never Take at Home

Even veterinary toxicology textbooks advise against inducing vomiting at home without a veterinarian’s guidance. Whether inducing vomiting is appropriate depends on the ingested substance and the patient’s condition, and should be determined by a clinician. It is especially dangerous in the following situations:

Corrosive substances: Alkaline products such as bleach, detergents, and lye pose a high risk of further damaging the esophagus and mouth during vomiting.

Petroleum-based or volatile substances: Kerosene, gasoline, and paint thinners can be aspirated into the airway during vomiting, potentially causing aspiration pneumonia.

Depressed consciousness or seizures: If the animal cannot adequately protect its airway, vomit may enter the lungs, posing a risk of suffocation.

Home remedies: We do not recommend administering salt water or hydrogen peroxide at home, as their safety has not been established. Always seek guidance from a veterinarian or a poison control hotline first.

Common Misconceptions and Facts

Misconception 1: "No symptoms, so it must be fine." → Poisoning from chocolate, lilies, xylitol, or acetaminophen often worsens rapidly within hours to a day. Visit the clinic even during the asymptomatic phase to avoid missing the critical window for detoxification.

Misconception 2: "Keeping activated charcoal at home will solve the problem." → Activated charcoal is contraindicated depending on the substance, time elapsed, and the patient’s condition. It must only be administered under veterinary guidance.

Misconception 3: "Consultation fees are a waste; I’ll just go straight to the clinic." → If the product contains unusual ingredients, a consultation with a toxicologist can significantly change the treatment plan.

Additional Precautions by Species and Breed

Even when exposed to the same substance, cats and dogs can react differently, so it’s important to share your pet’s species and breed characteristics during consultations. Substances such as lilies (Lilium spp.), aromatic or topical products like essential oils, and human medications such as acetaminophen (Tylenol) can be dangerous to cats even in small amounts. If you suspect exposure, please consult us immediately, even if no symptoms are present. Herding breeds such as Collies, Shelties, and Australian Shepherds may have a genetic predisposition that makes them more sensitive to certain medications, including some dewormers like ivermectin. Keep a record of your pet’s species, breed traits, and any current medications, and be sure to share all this information during consultations.

Reviewed by a veterinarian

Dr. Tony — Punnawat Phongkittirak

Veterinarian

A veterinarian who majored in veterinary medicine at Khon Kaen University, Thailand, and completed the IVSA program at North Carolina State University in the United States. Drawing on clinical experience at animal hospitals, he works in the pet healthcare field and is dedicated to building a digital care environment that connects pet parents with veterinarians.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is there a nationwide pet poison hotline in Korea, similar to the ASPCA’s?

As of 2026, South Korea does not operate a nationwide, 24-hour hotline dedicated to pet poisoning cases. In practice, your first point of contact should be the veterinary consultation service provided by your pet insurance company, your regular veterinary clinic, or a local 24-hour emergency animal hospital.

Is the consultation fee for the US hotline mandatory?

Yes, both the ASPCA and the Pet Poison Helpline are paid services that require credit card payment at the start of the call. However, the fee covers unlimited follow-up calls, ongoing consultations, and direct access to a dedicated veterinarian for 24 hours.

I’m not sure how much my pet ingested. Should I still call you?

Yes, you can still consult with us even if you don’t know the exact amount. By providing photos of the remaining packaging or spilled substance, along with the weight of the empty container and the original capacity, we can estimate the ingested amount. Our toxicologist will then calculate and guide you through both the worst-case and best-case scenarios.

Should I keep emetics (vomit-inducing medication) at home?

We do not recommend it. Inducing vomiting at home without a veterinarian’s guidance can cause serious secondary damage, especially if the pet has ingested corrosive or petroleum-based substances, or if its level of consciousness is impaired. Saving your veterinarian’s contact information is more important than having a home emergency kit.

Do I still need to visit the clinic after a hotline consultation?

The appropriate course of action depends on the presence of symptoms and the substance ingested. While a toxicologist may sometimes advise that home monitoring is sufficient, we recommend transporting your pet to the clinic if there is any risk involved. For safety, it is best to leave the decision to a professional.