Moving Your Pets Abroad
Your pets are a part of the family, so it is no surprise that bringing your pets with you when moving overseas is a priority. There are a number of requirements when moving your pets abroad. On this page we will discuss mainly moving with dogs and cats abroad.
On this page we will discuss:
Entry requirements
The entry requirements for every country is of course different. In terms of cats and dogs the common requirements in order for your pet to enter the country include:
- Pet passport – You must have a passport for your pet for it to enter.
- Vaccinations – Your pet must have up to date vaccinations in order to enter most countries.
- Microchip – Some countries such as the UK require microchips in order for the animal to enter the country.
- Rabies – When moving your pets abroad they must be vaccinated against rabies.
How to ship your pet?
There has been a massive increase in expat movement over the past decade; therefore there is an increase in demand for moving your pets abroad. The most common travel methods are as followed.
On board
You can bring your pet on board on many airlines nowadays but there are certain requirements for different airlines along with limited spaces. Bringing your pet abroad is going to be expensive and the importance of it is increasing. The pet must remain in the carry on case throughout the flight and there are very specific rules in place pertaining to how the pet is to be transported. Some specialised removal companies in pet travels and include:
Accompanied baggage
Your pet can also be classified as accompanied baggage meaning they will fly in the cargo hold of the plane alongside your other baggage. The cost of the transportation is the same as excess baggage. This option is only possible if you will be travelling on the same flight as your pet.
Live animal shipment
Pets can be shipped as live animal cargo and is a popular option that many people choose. If you opt for this option it is wise to plan in advance. There will be many requirements for travel documentation, vaccination and permits depending on which country you are moving to. So make sure you are prepared
Considerations and tips
Relocating your pet can be stressful for both you and your pet. But the option of leaving your pet behind usually isn’t an option
Increasing your pets comfort while travelling
Your pet has similar requirements to a valuable object, so before there are some preparation factors we advise you to consider when moving your pets abroad include:
- Purchase suitable carrier
- Water available in the crate
- Carrier contains the pets name, destination address and your contact details
- ‘This way up label’ to make sure your pet doesn’t travel in discomfor
When to leave your pet behind
This is a difficult options but sometimes it’s in the pets best interest to perhaps stay behind. Certain factors that affect this decision include:
- Pets age – If your animal is old the stress of the travel could have a negative impact on their health
- Pet breed – Some breeds may struggle when travelling. Such as pugs may experience difficulty breathing when travelling
- Expat living conditions- Some climates may be too extreme for your pet to handle and some countries dislike and even eat some animals we call pets.
- Pets health – A pet with poor health is likely to be rejected at the borders and the stress of flying could also affect its health even further.
