Ask the Pet Travel Experts

Name: Camilla
Number of Pets: 1
Pet Type: Dog
Pet Breed: Mix Breed
From: Oslo
To: London

How can I arrange my dog's travel myself, which airline should I use, and how expensive is it?

Thanks,

Camilla

Hi Camilla,

Thanks for your question! It's definitely understandable that you're researching your options and working on planning your pet move yourself, as pet travel can certainly be expensive no matter how you go about it. First, here are the pet import requirements for the UK (they've recently been relaxed so that's good news). Choosing a pet-friendly airline is very important, and we often fly with British Airways when we go to London. 

Additionally, on our blog we've offered some advice that may help you: how to control the costs of a pet move and pet travel lessons from a DIY pet move. Hopefully these will help to get you started. Please contact us if you have any more questions, and good luck with everything!

 

Name: Leigh Ann
Number of Pets: 1
Pet Type: Cat
From: China
To: America

Hi,
I will be moving back to America from China and will be bringing my cat with me. While on the long flight, do I need to provide litter for my cat? If so, in China, you cannot find disposable litter boxes. Do you have another suggestion?

Thank you for your help.

Sincerely,
Leigh Ann

 

Hi Leigh Ann,

That's a great (and frequently asked) question. We do not recommend litter in the travel crate -- this would probably make more of a mess than it's worth. Rather, we suggest placing something absorbent in the bottom of the crate, such as an old towel or some shredded newspaper.

Hope this helps! Please contact us if you have more questions about moving a cat to the United States or if you'd like a free quote for our services. Good luck with everything!

Name: Krysta
Number of Pets: 5
Pet Type: Dogs
From: Puerto Rico
To: Northern Virginia/DC

My friend, who lives in Puerto Rico, has a dog that surprised her with puppies and I am working with a Rescue Organization trying to get them brought over to the US. What are the regulations and cost for bringing them over? Thank you!!!!

Krysta

Hi Krysta,

Wow, sounds like you have quite a situation on your hands. Well here are the pet import requirements for the United States (luckily it's not the toughest country when it comes to importing pets). As for costs, it will vary depending on a few factors.

For a free quote for our services you can fill out our online form, and if you'd like to speak to a Specialist you're welcome to give our office a call. Note that we recommend puppies be at least 12 weeks old before they fly.

Good luck with everything, Krysta! Just let us know if you need anything else...

 

Name: Barb
Number of Pets: Two
Pet Type: Dogs
Pet Breed: Golden Retrievers
From: Frisco, TX (Dallas suburb)
To: London, England

Hi! We may be moving overseas ( we will know in about 30 days). We know the rules have changed. Question is: Our one golden is 10 years old and hyper and in great shape. Is she too old to travel nine hours? (Our other golden is only 5 years old.) Thanks!

Will keep you informed....

Barb
 

Hi Barb,

Thanks for your question. You're right, the UK pet import rules have recently changed, but of course it's normal to still have questions about how to move your pets overseas.

Here at PetRelocation.com we have flown dogs that were ten years old and older. There may be greater risks associated with older pets, so it's great news that your pup is in good shape. The best you can do is keep her fit and healthy in the weeks before the flight, choose a large crate that will allow for plenty of airflow, and finally, talk to your vet about the trip to see what she/he advises.

Please contact us if you have any more questions, Barb. We'd be happy to help you with your move if you do end up going overseas!

Name: Martin Wirtz
Email: teemwirtz@me.com
Number of Pets: 1
Pet Type: bird
Pet Breed: cockatiel
From: USA
To: Germany

We are a military family moving to Germany. We need information on importing our pet cockatiel and how your services may help us.

Thank you,

Martin

Hi Martin,

Thanks for the question. Here is some info about moving birds to Germany to get you started.

If you have any other questions about moving pets to Germany  you can check our website or contact us for a free quote. We'd be happy to help you sort everything out!

Name: Beth
Number of Pets: 4
Pet Type: Hens
From: California, USA
To: UK

Is it possible to take our hens with us? What check ups/paperwork would we need to get?

Thank you,

Beth

 

Hi Beth,

Thanks for your question! The UK has recently changed their pet import process, but there are still a few specific restrictions in place when it comes to birds.

Here's a link to a DEFRA document addressing the import of captive birds to the UK that walks you through the process. Please take a look and contact us if you have any more questions. We also have a free quote form if you'd like to find out more about our services.

Good luck with everything!

Name: Olya
Number of Pets: 3
Pet Type: Cat
Pet Breed: Persian, Scottish Straight
From: Thailand
To: Cambodia

I'm not exactly moving but I'm going to Cambodia for a week and I want to take my kittens with me. I read on the website all the rules for bringing pets to Cambodia. I got a microchip and everything else. The problem starts when it says they need to be vaccinated for rabies 30 days before. But my kittens are still to young to be vaccinated for rabies. Which puts me in front of the question what do I do? And is it possible for me to take them?

Thanks,

Olya

Hi Olya,

Thanks for contacting us with your pet travel question. Honestly we usually recommend that you leave your pets at home if you'll only be gone for such a short time. Especially with such young cats (we also recommend that pets be at least three to four months old before they travel anywhere), it's in their best interest to remain in the care of a trusted pet sitter.

If you do decide to go forward with the trip it would be best to talk to your vet about your options and double check with the Cambodian officials about any possible exceptions.

Please contact us if you have any  more questions, and good luck with everything!

 

Name: Joe
Number of Pets: 2
Pet Type: Canine
Pet Breed: Shih-tzu
From: Philippines
To: Oklahoma

What do I need to do to get my pets to the US from the Philippines???

Thanks,

Joe

Hi Joe,

Thank you for contacting us. Here are the pet import requirements for the US. In addition to following these guidelines, our advice is to start preparing well in advance and also choose a pet-friendly airline.

Please contact PetRelocation.com if you have any questions or if you'd like a free quote. Good luck!

 

Name: C.P.
Number of Pets: 2
Pet Type: Cat
From: Maine, USA
To: Sweden

I am confused with some paperwork requirements. To move to Sweden I have to have the EU Commercial document. In that document it states that I have to have an examination done 24 hours before dispatch. I also have to get the documents USDA endorsed. So my question is: Does the paperwork need to be filled, signed, and endorsed 24 hours before we leave? Or is the paperwork valid for a certain amount of days?

Thanks!

Hello,

Here's a run-down of the pet import requirements for Sweden -- hopefully this helps explain the process a bit more. It actually is necessary for all of the endorsements, etc... to take place in the 24 hours before flight, so you'll need to depart from a major airport with a vet on site.

Please contact PetRelocation.com if you have more questions... Our specialists would be happy to help and you can also obtain a free quote from our website if you're interested in our services.

Thanks for the question and good luck with your travels!

Name: Finn
Number of Pets: Two
Pet Type: Dogs
Pet Breed: Mixed, small dogs
From: Brasil
To: Portugal

What are the required documents I'll need? Will there be a quarantine for the dogs in Portugal?

Hi Finn,

Thanks for submitting a question to us. Here are the pet import requirements for Portugal. There is no quarantine at this time, but you'll need to satisfy a few guidelines.

Please contact us if you have any more questions, and feel free to fill out our free quote form. Good luck and happy traveling!

 

Name: Cecilia
Number of Pets: 5
Pet Type: Cats
Pet Breed: One British Short Hair, One Persian, Three Domestic Short Hair
From: Hong Kong
To: Bangkok, Thailand

Is there a quarantine for Thailand? Can my pets travel on the same aircraft as me?

Thanks,

Cecelia

 

Hello Cecelia,

Here are the pet import requirements for Thailand (and you can also find more info here). If all requirements are met there shouldn't be a quarantine.

As far as air travel, we recommend choosing a pet-friendly airline and in that case it's not necessary to travel on the same flight. You may end up hiring someone to help with your cats' passage, but just know that it's typical for pet owners to take separate flights.

Please contact us if you'd like a free quote or if you have any more questions. We'd be happy to assist you with your upcoming pet move!

The following guest post was written by Stacy Kowalchuk. Stacy is a dog owner and pet blogger at Trupanion pet insurance. She has been writing pet-related blogs, tips, and articles for over 3 years and has owned dogs her entire life.

Spring is finally here! The sun is shining, the flowers are blooming, and many dog owners are coming out of hibernation and getting back into a regular dog-walking routine again. Now that both dogs and cats are spending more time outside, it's important to take a few safety precautions to ensure that our pets can enjoy the great outdoors to the fullest. Here are five quick tips to get you started:

1. Hi, my name is - It's a great idea to equip your pet with proper identification before letting him loose outside. Place a visible ID tag on his collar as well as getting him microchipped, just in case. This way, you can be sure that your pet will get returned home if he ever gets lost.
2. What the flea? - While it's recommended in many areas to use flea and tick preventive medications year-round, it's especially important to use them during spring and summer when the critters are most active. Ticks can cause lyme disease in pets, and flea infestations are no fun for anyone, so it's best to prevent them before they happen!
3. Walk to run - If your dog has been a couch potato through the winter, then it's a good idea to gradually get him back into running as opposed to going full-sprint right out of the gate. Just like with humans, exercising and gradually building up muscles will help prevent injuries.
4. Got mulch? - When planting your beautiful garden, it's important to steer clear of cocoa mulch which, just like chocolate, is poisonous to pets. Sago palm plants are also poisonous to dogs and cats, and households with cats should keep lilies out of the house and yard.
5. Too cool for school - Because temperatures are rising, we've got to keep our pets cool. If they are outside on hot days, be sure that there is always a shady retreat and plenty of water available. And never never never leave pets in cars. Even on a 60 degree day, temperatures can rise to 100 degrees inside a car!

With a little bit of precaution and a lot of play time with their favorite human, your pets are sure to have an enjoyable springtime!

Name: Maria D
Number of Pets: Three
Pet Type: (One dog and two cats)
From: Dubai, UAE
To: NY, US

Hi,

We are planning to relocate to NYC with our dog and two cats in due course. All the pets are up-to-date with their vaccinations.

Could you talk us through the process so that we are 100% prepared when the time comes?

Thanking you in advance,
Maria

 

Hi Maria,

Thanks for reaching out to us.... We'd be happy to direct you with a few links and documents, and if you're interested in our door-to-door services you can also fill out our free quote form if you'd like.

Here are the pet import requirements for the United States as well as some information about pet travel crates and a few helpful resources. We also can't overemphasize the importance of choosing a pet-friendly airline and trustworthy customs agents/drivers who may be helping you along the way.

Hopefully this gets you off to a great start. Please contact us if you have any more questions, and good luck with your trip!

Name: Nathan
Number of Pets: 1
Pet Type: Dog
Pet Breed: Labrador Retriever
From: Buenos Aires, Argentina
To: Denver, Colorado

My puppy is three months and two weeks old. She is just now able to have her rabies vaccination. Will she be able to fly in two weeks if I get her vaccinated? What else needs to be done to bring her home with me?

Thanks,

Nathan

Hi Nathan,

Thanks for the question! These are the pet import requirements for the United States. In addition to the rabies vaccine you'll need a health certificate, and other than that we advise that you spend some time choosing a pet-friendly airline that places a priority on pet safety. (United has a PetSafe program, for example.) Four months should be a reasonable age to fly a dog if everything is handled correctly.

Feel free to contact us if you have questions about any of this, and good luck with your trip!

 

Name: Richard
Number of Pets: 1
Pet Type: Dog
Pet Breed: Yorkie
From: Texas, USA
To: South Korea

I am being offered a two-year contract in South Korea. I would like to accept the position, but my wife will not leave her dog. What are all the requirements, and is there an quarantine in Korea for the dog?

Thanks,

Richard

Hi Richard,

Thank you so much for contacting us. It's definitely a challenge to plan an international move and make all the decisions associated with one. Of course your wife wants to bring her dog along (we're pet lovers, too -- we understand!), and we're happy to help.

These are the pet relocation requirements for South Korea. You'll need to have updated vaccines and a few documents endorsed by the USDA, and we recommend spending some time to choose a pet-friendly airline. At this time, there is no quarantine if all requirements are met.

Please contact us if you have any questions or if you'd like a free quote. Thanks again, and good luck with everything!

 

Name: Shannon
Number of Pets: 1
Pet Type: Cat
Pet Breed: Peterbald
From: Austria
To: NY, USA

Do cats need to wait 30 days after their rabies vaccine to travel to the US? What are the specific requirements regarding rabies vaccines for cats?

Thanks,

Shannon

Hi Shannon,

Thanks for reaching out to us -- these are the pet import requirements for the United States. You will need to have your cat's rabies vaccination administered at least 30 days before you depart.

Please contact us if you have any more questions or if you'd like a free quote, and good luck with your travels!

Name: Rosa
Number of Pets: Two
Pet Type: Dogs
Pet Breed: Dachshund
From: Italy
To: California

Because of their weight they cannot travel in the cabin. What do you suggest? Is it better to send them on a cargo trip or to take them on our same trip, but below, in the dedicated area?

Thank you,

Rosa

Hi Rosa,

Thanks for the question! The most important thing you can do is choose a pet-friendly airline so that your dogs will be safely transported in the cargo area. Take a look at our blog for more information about pets traveling in cargo if you have any concerns about it.

Please contact us if you have any more questions about importing your pets to the United States, and good luck with everything!
 

Name: Cansu
Number of Pets: 1
Pet Type: Dog
Pet Breed: Labrador
From: Turkey
To: USA

I wanted to use a direct flight from Turkey to US to make the trip shorter for my dog. Only direct flight is with Turkish Airlines. Is Turkish Airlines a pet friendly airline? Or would it be better to use KLM or Lufthansa and make a transit somewhere in Europe.

Thanks,

Cansu

Hi Cansu,

Thanks for contacting us. These are the pet import requirements for the United States just in case you'd like to review them. We often use KLM and Lufthansa and generally find them good options for travel, and when scheduling trips we often opt to break the journey into parts in order to allow for stretching/bathroom stops.

As far as flying out of Turkey goes, it will be important to do some research and find a trustworthy agent to help you get through customs, etc. Airport regulations aren't exactly standardized here and situations can be unpredictable. We'd be happy to help you out with any questions you have about this process!

Please contact us if you would like to speak to a Pet Relocation Specialist, and good luck with everything!

Name: Graham
Number of Pets: Two
Pet Type: Dogs
Pet Breed: Local
From: Oman
To: Papua New Guinea

What is the process? I have been told it is not possible to import dogs to Papua New Guinea.

Thanks,

Graham

Hi Graham,

Thank you for contacting us with your question! This is a tricky one. It may be possible to move pets here, but it's not an easy process and it's one that depends on where you're coming from. We actually moved a dog to Papua New Guinea recently and described the endeavor on our blog.

Take a look at this detailed account of moving pets to Papua New Guinea, and please let us know if you have any further questions. You're also welcome to fill out our free quote form or give our office a call if you're interested in our services. Thanks again, and good luck with everything!

Name: Michael
Number of Pets: 1
Pet Type: Dog
Pet Breed: Rhodesian Ridgeback
From: Czech Republic
To: Scotland

Can you advise me about the best way to move my dog to Scotland?

Thanks,

Michael

Hi Michael,

Thanks for contacting us! These are the pet relocation requirements for Scotland. You can also find some information about travel crates and other pet travel details on the PetRelocation.com website.

Please let us know if you have any more questions, or fill out our free quote form if you're interested in our services. Good luck with everything, and travel safely!