Evidence that the world is becoming more and more pet friendly, Washington lawmakers have introduced a bill that would allow dogs and cats to travel on trains. Currently non-service animals are not allowed to travel by Amtrak, and this bill would designate that at least one car per train to be pet friendly.

Rep. Jeff Denham is the bill's main sponsor, and he introduced it for personal reasons. “My dog, Lily, is part of our family and travels with us to and from California all the time. If I can take her on a plane, why can’t I travel with her on Amtrak, too?” he said.

If the Pets on Trains Act of 2013 is approved, traveling pets would need to be kept in a kennel and they wouldn't be able to go more than 750 miles. Passengers would pay a fee for each dog or cat they want to transport.

We'll see how it goes, but as an overall trend we like that this issue is even being discussed. By the way, are you traveling with a pet anytime soon? Take our Pet Travel Survey and tell us about it!

Some pet travelers will see new air travel rates beginning June 15, United Cargo has announced, so travelers planning to use PetSafe animal transportation services (United's specialized pet program) should check with the airline ahead of time to find out how much they should expect to pay.

Rates for some routes (including those going from the United States to Japan and other Pacific destinations) will decrease, while routes from the U.S. to Guam and Micronesia will increase. According to United, the changes are a result of "recent market evaluations" and the desire to offer competitive pricing.

Says United: "A key benefit of United Cargo's PetSafe is the use of climate-controlled vans to transport our four-legged customers between their flight and our facility safely and comfortably. United Cargo employs more of these specially-designed vans than any other carrier. Also, we recently opened our newest on-site PetSafe kennel facility at O'Hare International Airport in Chicago. United operates similar kennels at our airport facilities in Houston and Newark, and these kennels provide the ultimate in care and comfort for animals traveling on United Airlines."

Visit United.com for more information about PetSafe routes and fees, feel free to contact PetRelocation with any questions about pet travel, and keep in touch for more pet travel updates.

Continuing our coverage of summer pet air travel embargoes and restrictions, today we have news that Delta Cargo has begun its Summer Live Animal Program. This means that during the summer months (specifically May 13 through Sept. 29, 2013) select stations will provide "additional care and protection" for pets and will fly certain breeds during warmer temperatures. Normally Delta will not fly pets if the temperature exceeds 85F/29C.

Please contact us to find out about the qualifying airports, and note that Delta Cargo will not accept any snub-nosed dog or cat if the temperature exceeds 75F/24C for any city. To qualify for these special summer allowances, all cities the pet is being routed through must qualify.

Delta may end up being the best choice for some people, but based on our experience, it's preferable to fly with an airline that operates with pet safe procedures all year (United Airlines drives pets out to the airplane in a temperature-controlled vehicle, for example, so the weather outside is not as big a factor). That being said, because English Bulldogs, Olde English Bulldogs, French Bulldogs and mixed varieties of these breeds are especially susceptible to the stress of travel, United has released some breed-specific adjustments recently. See the full Bulldog update here.

Also regarding United, Boston Terrier puppies, American Bulldog puppies and Pug puppies may fly any time of the year without restriction, but adults of these breeds are completely embargoed from May 15 to Sept. 15. To provide extra safety, snub-nosed breeds should use travel kennels that are one size larger than normally required.

All these rules can certainly sound confusing and this is just a quick overview, so don't hesitate to contact us if you have questions about the specifics of these summer regulations for pet travel. It's our job to see pets transported safely, and our team of specialists is happy to discuss your options and concerns.

Please stay in touch for more summer pet travel news, and travel safely everyone!

Though there's something special about each and every pet move we carry out, some stories are especially memorable. Meet Mahalo the cat, our featured pet move this month. After enduring a natural disaster (the 2011 tsunami and earthquake in Japan), Mahalo's owner Marian sent her beloved cat to live with friends in Colorado while she left Japan and searched for a new place to live. When she was able to get settled in a cat friendly condo in Hawaii she knew it was time to bring him home, and of course we were happy to help arrange their reunion.

Read more about Mahalo, a one-of-a-kind cat with a very dedicated owner.

Thank you for speaking with us, Marian! When was the last time you saw Mahalo before this relocation? You surely missed him...

The last time I saw Mahalo was last year around August 2012 during a visit to Boulder, where my friend was taking care of him. We had our high school reunion in Boulder so I stayed with her. The timing was great -- I attended the reunion and visited my friend and Mahalo.

What I missed most about him is hard to say because he just IS. He has a presence. He has a matter-of-fact way of getting on with life no matter what the circumstances! I guess if I had to pick, it was his inquisitive nature, his friendliness, and how he would come running when called by name. He also has a sit and shake routine! When I say sit, he would do it and then lift up his right paw for a snack!

Did anything concern you about the idea of moving Mahalo?

For the move from Boulder to Hawaii, I was most concerned about there being a hiccup with quarantine -- although I KNEW I had faxed all the paperwork and documents to Mandy. Still, windows of dates create anxiety. I have had pets experience Hawaii quarantine back in the day when there were NO shortcuts, and even with shortcuts you hear of horror stories. I have also shipped cats from Oregon to Hawaii in 2002 so I should be used to it, but in reality everything has worked out and the quarantine people are fantastic. Not sure why I was so anxious!

How has Mahalo been adjusting to life in Hawaii?

Interestingly there have been some changes. Back in Japan, he used to love dark tight corners, like underneath my bed frame, between the bottom of the bed and a futon I stored underneath. Tight! But back in Boulder he loved the crate they put out to get him acclimated, and also slept in the closet with the little girl of the house. He also licked my face to wake me up like an alarm clock back in Japan and did that with the little girl. But once he got back here, he jumps into my bed to wake me up, rolls around, etc... but no alarm clock licks of the face. He also does NOT like the crate at all, even though he did back in Boulder before leaving. In fact, when I put him in there with the fleece he loves, he growled! Gee! But he still sits and shakes on cue!

Is Hawaii a pet friendly place to be?

I am a resident owner of my condo and it is a pet friendly complex -- a new one, and I wouldn't have bought in if it wasn't. That was a condition when I started looking two years ago; while pet friendly is growing in Hawaii, it is not easy (especially for large dogs or multiple pets). I am planning to get a second cat, but I have to check out the rules.

Homeowner rules are pretty strict in Hawaii even in condos -- dogs have a weight restriction of about 25 pounds I think, and one pet is generally the rule. However, some condos have been known to grandfather in long time residents and change rules for new buyers. There are lots of vets in the city and in suburbs so you have to wonder where do these owners live? Small animal vet services are very lucrative and busy. Boarding starts at about $25 a day and there are plenty of pet sitters, but again I always advise folks to get personal referrals only. Many pet owners want people to come to their homes, and the going price is $25-$35 a day. Finally, there is a Petco in the city of Honolulu and the suburbs as well as Walmart, Walgreens and other stores that support pets, so there is certainly nothing to worry about.

The one piece of advice I would give to pet owners moving to Hawaii is to nail down a place to live first. Be sure it allows pets. Dog runs (mostly in suburbs) and parks I think are available in the city and the beach, but people must pick up after their pet. Of course that doesn't apply to cats; my cats are strictly indoors. I am not a fan of letting cats run amok outside, as Hawaii has a lot of birds and they are tame, which means they are fodder for cats. Also, living in a condo means there is no good way cats can be let outdoors.

You've moved Mahalo by yourself before, so what made you decide to hire the services of PetRelocation this time?

I found about PetRelocation through a friend in Japan who used your services from Florida to Japan back to Florida. Also, I saw you on Facebook after the friend told me about your services. I decided to use your services because I was not planning to go to Boulder to meet Mahalo, as some other issues came up precluding my doing the arranging. Also, after talking to my friend from Florida, I realized I did not want the hassle of taking him to the airport in Denver, yaddah yaddah.... Also that he would be delivered to me in Honolulu was the best part. I did not want to do the send off and pick up I have done too many times.

I liked the prompt response emails from Mandy. She went into detail about every concern I had. I also liked that you have local vendors and that you start the process early on, which was good for a planner like me. I couldn't have done without the hand-holding on the communications regarding departure, arrival, and quarantine. For me, just firing off emails and getting an answer was the best!

Thanks again, and we're looking forward to Mahalo becoming famous. Just as an FYI - he was a show cat in Japan and has won his share of ribbons, although he is now retired. He placed in his class of neutered short hair cats.

Thanks to Marian for sharing this wonderful story with us. We're glad Mahalo is home safe and sound at last! Please contact us for more information about moving pets to Hawaii, and travel safely, everyone.

PetRelocation belongs to an international network of pet shipping specialists called IPATA (the International Pet and Animal Transportation Association), which means we are able to meet and share information with some of the world's best service providers in our field. 

Last week we attended a regional IPATA meeting in Dallas, TX (that's just a few hours away from our Austin headquarters), and there we were able to get to know a few of our colleagues a little bit better. In fact, a few of them were so interested in what we do that they decided to prolong their time in Texas and come down to our office for a visit. Today Manuel Leunda from Las Lunas in Argentina and Simon Jackson from Dogtainers in Australia were kind enough to spend some time with us for a "Lunch & Learn."

Manuel is actually the current president of IPATA, and he updated us on all the latest pet shipping news and plans for expansion in South America. Simon is the IPATA Treasurer, and he answered our questions about Australia import rules and how they may be changing in the coming years. The world of pet travel is busy, complex and dynamic, so we were happy to have the chance to catch up with these friendly experts. It's always beneficial to have face-to-face meetings with people we normally do business with by phone and email, and we love showing off the great city of Austin to out of town guests, as well.

Thanks to Manuel and Simon for stopping by and giving us great overviews of the important work they do. Thanks also to Kyle Freeman from VIP Sitters in Canada, who stopped by last Friday to say hello. Come back anytime, y'all!

Lunch & Learn with fellow IPATA members

Cats, dogs, guinea pigs, and horses. Those are just a few kinds of the pets we've moved here at PetRelocation, and we love that we're able to assist such a diverse group of customers.

Though the procedures can vary based on country-specific import requirements and the sizes and needs of the animals themselves, every day we talk to people who can't imagine leaving their pets behind when something like a new job throws a big change into the mix. Big or small, furry or feathered, the pets we end up assisting do tend to have one thing in common: they're well-loved and treated as part of the family.

In case you're curious to find out more, here's a breakdown of the top breeds we moved last year.

Pet Moves by PetRelocation (2012)

1. Domestic Short Hair Cat: 377

2. Labrador Retriever: 125

3. Tabby Cat: 53

4. Domestic Longhair Cat: 51

5. German Shepherd: 40

6. Golden Retriever: 29

7. Chihuahua: 28

8. & 9. (tie) Dachshund / Boxer: 25

10. Australian Shepherd: 20

We also moved over 10 each of the following: Pugs, Goldendoodles, Maltese, Shih Tzu, Beagles, Yorkies, Border Collies, Persian cats, and a few more. Of course there were several mixed and specialty breeds as well, along with a couple ferrets, rabbits, and even a chinchilla.

No day is ever the same here at PetRelocation, and we can't wait to see what the rest of 2013 brings. Please contact us if you have questions about moving your own pet -- even if you have a special case, it's probably nothing we haven't heard before. Happy traveling, everyone!

Name: Miguel
Pet's Name: Elvis
From: Caracas, Venezuela
To: Sydney, Australia

We are from Venezuela and the story begins in Caracas in mid 2012, when our Visa to live in Australia was finally approved. That was when the process to bring our pet to Australia started.

Venezuela is a country from which it's not allowed by the Australian Government to export animals directly, and as a primary requirement the animal must live at least six consecutive months in a country from which it can be exported. After many difficulties, sleepless nights, and complicated procedures, we achieved the first step: Elvis traveled from Caracas to Houston in September 2012 to begin what would be his export process before the final destination.

Austin, Texas, was the city where we decided to live the experience of what would be a transition for all of us, and there we contacted the PetRelocation agents. From the first contact via email, we were well-treated and they recommended some guidelines for what would be the preparation process for exporting our pet. We decided to visit them at their offices in Downtown Austin to meet in person and have everything made clearer. We were well-received and after that moment, the team of specialists took Elvis' case with a continuous monitoring of the whole process and guided  all veterinary checks, documents and legal procedures, quarantine, and travel plans.

Today we can say that our French Bulldog arrived healthy and without any complications from his Houston / Los Angeles / Sydney trip, and just had to fulfill the a minimum quarantine period in Australia of thirty days.

For us it is a happy ending, and as a family we are extremely grateful to the team of professionals for the excellent service. Thanks, PetRelocation!!!

-Miguel, Gabriela, Camila and Elvis!

Choosing a pet friendly airline is one of the most important components of planning a safe and smooth pet move. We have a few carriers that we primarily use for the relocations we handle, and among them is German airline Lufthansa.

In addition to transporting thousands of human passengers each year, Lufthansa is also known for its Frankfurt Animal Lounge. This 4,000 square meter facility allows traveling animals to transit and board (if necessary) under the care of expert professionals. Lufthansa Cargo is recognizing the fifth anniversary of the Animal Lounge and celebrating over 30 years of experience transporting animals. Though clearly a standout service provider in the realm of pet travel, we're glad to hear that Lufthansa plans to continue to improve and innovate in the future.

Here's an excerpt from a recent Lufthansa Cargo announcement regarding specific horse travel updates as well as an overall goal to keep expanding their pet offerings:

"But we are not resting on our laurels, of course. Instead, we continue to work on getting better and better for you and your animals. We have just introduced a new horse container that offers 20 centimeter more space on the side. Rather than aluminum, the containers are made of special plastic materials to better protect your horses from heat and cold. This is yet another contribution to making sure your animals are in good hands with Live/td - today and in the future."

We'll keep you updated as Lufthansa and other airlines improve and add pet services and pet friendly routes (United recently made a couple of pet travel expansion announcements). Such news is always welcome to us, and we're guessing you feel the same way.

Happy pet traveling, everyone!

Philly the Goldendoodle recently moved from Houston to Sydney, finished out her quarantine, and now she's home with her loving family. As you might imagine, her owners (Amy and Stephen) are pretty excited to have their happy girl right next to them as they start the next chapter in their lives.

This was the first time Philly's owners had ever moved a pet (so they felt naturally uncertain about the whole thing), but as we've seen time and again, once the Pet Relocation Specialists step in and map out a plan, the doubts begin to fade.

Philly's owners did the right thing in getting the process started with us several months ago, and her whole trip went smoothly. Read on for more about Philly's move, and thanks to Amy, Stephen and Philly for sharing another great pet move story with us!

What were some of your concerns going into the move?

Philly's (and our!) anxiety on the flight. Not being able to see her everyday during quarantine. Something going wrong with the paperwork!

How is Philly adjusting to the new location?

She is so happy and lively, just as she has always been. It's like she was like "oh great, you're back, let's get on with life!"

Back when Philly was a younger pup

What is life like in Australia so far? Do you think it’s going to be a pet-friendly place to be?

We are Australian so we knew what we were getting in for. People love their animals here!

What advice do you have for people who might be planning a move?

Don't try and do it yourself! Amber is much better at it!

Happy girl

Why did you decide to hire professionals to assist with Philly's move?

Less stress. We didn't even try (to do it ourselves) when we saw how much legality was involved. PetRelocation had the knowledge that we didn't, and Amber was always there to assure us things were okay and she answered our frantic questions.

Please contact us with any questions about moving pets to Australia (or elsewhere). Happy traveling, everyone!

Happy Friday, pet lovers! Have a wonderful day and a great weekend (and check out the top pet news of the month).

Pampered pets in Singapore.

Austin does it well. Nashville, not so much. How cities can improve kill-rates and help stray animals find homes.

Something just plain cool: the future of airport architecture.

Pet-friendly workplaces (one of our favorite topics).

Top 10: Pet Travel Gear.

A Chicago hospital allows visiting hours for pets.

A news update for pets moving to Perth.

Like infographics? Here are Pet travel trends illustrated by HomeAway.

Name: Claire
Pet's Name: Freddie
From: Florida
To: UK

I had looked into bringing my dog Freddie over from the US to the UK for months ever since I made the move myself. I researched both handling everything myself and a variety of companies that would handle the arrangements. After researching for over 10 months, PetRelocation was actually the last company I looked at and so I was quite surprised when I emailed them and they requested that I call. Every other company had just sent me an email, some with a brief introduction but most with just a cost estimate.

When I called PetRelocation, Cara spent about 45 minutes on the phone with me answering all my questions, giving me a ton of information and generally making me feel better about putting my precious cargo on an airplane across the Atlantic. (I had honestly contemplated leaving him happily in the States with my mom rather than risk any dangers of a flight.)

Cara made me feel comfortable with every part of the process, and I was impressed at how personal the phone call was, how much she clearly cared, and that the company basically required a real phone conversation and didn't just send out an emailed price quote. So, when their quote came in and was well in line with their competitors, it was no contest.

From then on the service from both Cara and then Bethany, who handled all of Freddie's logistics, was fantastic. They worked with both me in the UK and my mother, who was keeping Freddie in the US. They were always incredibly and immediately responsive to any and all questions and concerns (and we had a lot!) and never made us feel like we were a bother or being silly.

When the USDA called with a question and I received an overseas voicemail, I sent a panicked email to Bethany and she had called the USDA and cleared up the question in less than five minutes. When we worried that rural FedEx service would not be sufficient for the fast turnaround needed on some of the veterinary paperwork, Bethany made sure that the USDA and others got the paperwork out on time to arrive.

Last night, as Fred boarded his flight and made the red-eye trip to the UK, I was actually able to sleep as Cara and Bethany had made me feel confident that Freddie was going to be all right. I know that I would never have been as calm or assured if I had attempted the process myself, or if I had used another company.

My vet was so impressed with the quality of Bethany's assistance in filling out the medical paperwork, that he asked for the name of the company I was using to bring Freddie over - and he has worked with a lot of pet shippers over the years.

Upon arrival in the UK the Animal Reception Centre, folks said that our paperwork had been filled out perfectly and they were impressed because they so rarely saw paperwork without any errors.

Most importantly, Cara and Bethany and everyone at PetRelocation took an interest in Freddie as an important part of my family and took joy in helping us be reunited and in Freddie's safe arrival.

Although Freddie seemed a bit confused (where am I? Why is it snowing?) he was so excited to see me, wriggling and jumping and yipping. He was happy as a clam, and although a bit jet lagged, no worse for the trip. As I write this, Freddie is asleep at my feet, content on his new bed with a half gnawed bone by his side.

I couldn't recommend a company more and if we ever travel back across the Pond, I will look no further than PetRelocation to move us again!

Thank you so much for reuniting our family!

Here's another glimpse of life at Spotswood Animal Quarantine in Melbourne. We introduced you to Monty before as he tried to track down an elusive tennis ball, and here he is exploring his dog run. Looks like there's plenty of room for an excited pup to run and play!

Please contact PetRelocation if you have any questions about pet travel and pet quarantine, and enjoy seeing Monty once again.

Name: Dan
Number of Pets: 1
Pet Type: Dog
Pet Breed: Thai Ridgeback
From: Czech Republic
To: Murcia, Spain

I wish to buy a puppy in the Czech republic and have it transported to me in Murcia, Spain. I do not know what would be required legally and if the animal can travel freely within the EU. What would be required?

Also could you arrange transportation and what would be the cost?

Thank you,

Dan

Hi Dan,

Thanks for the question! These are the pet import requirements for Spain. Dogs are generally able to fly unaccompanied, but we do advise waiting until puppies are at least 16 weeks old before undertaking air travel.

If you're interested in finding out more about our services, please fill out our free quote form for an estimate. Thanks again, and we look forward to hearing from you!
 

Name: Sierra
Number of Pets: One
Pet Type: Puppy
Pet Breed: Cane Corso
From: Frankfort, Indiana
To: Joshua, Texas

So there is a guy on Craigslist who says I can have one of his Cane Corso pups, and I just have to pay the transportation company direct. This seems fishy; is there a way to find out if he really has a dog to send to me?

Thanks,

Sierra

Hi Sierra,

This definitely sounds fishy, and we advise that you do not send this person any money. Usually puppy scammers say they want to give you a "free" dog and all you have to do is pay transportation costs. They often keep trying to get more money out of you and never make a shipment because there is in fact no dog.

Here is more information about puppy scams and how to avoid them. Instead of dealing with people you don't know (never wire money to an unknown party, by the way), try checking your local animal shelter for pets in need of a home.

Please let us know if you have any questions, and proceed carefully out there!

 

Beginning Feb. 1, many pets brought to Germany from outside of the European Union may be required to pay a new pet import fee.

Previously for military members, the EU fees applied towards making sure animals with rabies are not introduced to the country have been covered by Ramstein Air Force Base officials, but a new law requires that pet owners must pay the inspection fee themselves. According to Military.com News, the fee will apply for military pets entering Frankfurt International Airport (FRA), as well.

The fee will range from 35 Euro (about $47) to 55 Euro (about $74) depending on the airport and whether or not the pet is accompanied. The fee must be paid by credit card, and at this time FRA and Ramstein Air Base are the only airports slated to implement this change.

Service members moving to Germany with pets should take note of this news and contact the relevant German authorities with any questions. Please contact PetRelocation if you have any questions about moving pets to Germany or about pet travel in general.

photo by || UggBoy♥UggGirl || PHOTO || WORLD || TRAVEL ||'s via Flickr

Name: Shirley
Number of Pets: 3
Pet Type: Horse, Dog, Cat
From: France
To: US

This inquiry is on behalf of a family we are helping in their relocation to the US. What are the rules for quarantine for their three animals? Where do they need to be held?

Thanks,

Shirley

Hi Shirley,

There is actually no quarantine for dogs and cats coming into the United States provided you meet these requirements, and these are the United States horse import requirements per the USDA.

Please take a look at this information and contact us if you have more questions or if you need some assistance. Thanks for the question, and good luck!

 

How's your new year going so far? There's already plenty of pet news to round up in 2013, so take a look and then have a happy Friday!

Mother Nature Network names its six top pet stories from last year.

Pets have emergencies, too, and Vet Care Express is a California company stepping up to help.

Can you put a price on your pet? The Texas Supreme Court is set to determine the "sentimental value" of animals.

Ideas for keeping pets healthy.

New York's East Village is offering some fancy choices for discerning dog owners.

Here's a little human travel news that might be of interest: some may not have to remove their shoes anymore at the airport.

A petition has been started to protest Qantas Airlines' ban on flying American Staffordshire Terriers.

Anyone who has ever tried to relocate a pet has learned that each country has its own way of doing things, and just to make things even more challenging, nations often change their import requirements from year to year, as well.

Recently we've heard some questions about shipping pets to Colombia, a country that in the past has followed breed restrictions and has not allowed cats to be brought in from certain countries. Unfortunately doing a quick internet search might reveal outdated information, so we wanted to share the latest Colombia pet import rules as we know them.

Here is some updated information regarding importing pets to Colombia:

• Cats are allowed entry into Colombia, and must meet the standard requirements as followed.
• Pets need to have a health certificate (the original and a copy in Spanish) issued by a veterinarian 48 hours before shipment. This must certify that the pet does not have any infectious or parasitic diseases. The certificate must include race, sex and age of the animal.
• Dogs need to be vaccinated against distemper, hepatitis, leptospirosis, and parvovirus.
• Restricted dog breeds include the following, as well as any mixes of these breeds: Staffordshire Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier , Pit Bull Terrier and American Pit Bull Terrier.

More information about bringing pets to Colombia can be found on the USDA website, and you're always welcome to contact PetRelocation.com for assistance.

Name: Megan
Number of Pets: 1
Pet Type: Dog
Pet Breed: Canaan
From: Seattle, WA
To: Melbourne, Australia

During the quarantine period, does my animal need to be housed in a facility, or can she stay at my home until she has reached 150 days post first blood draw and vaccines? Once my animal has cleared customs in Australia on the 151st day, can she be housed with me, or will she need to be housed at a facility?

Thanks,

Megan

Hi Megan,

Thanks for your question. Here are the pet import requirements for Australia; you'll see that your dog will need to spend at least 30 days housed in a quarantine facility once she has arrived in Australia. Here's more information from the official Australia site (AQIS) as well as Australia pet information from our blog, including customer stories. Hopefully you'll find that, though quarantine initially sounds like a scary thing, it's really a safe and necessary part of the process that many pet owners have handled well.

Good luck with your move, and please contact us if you have any more questions!