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.

Name: Lori
Pet's Name: Kipper
From: Shanghai
To: North Carolina
 

Most pet owners never want to make their animal take a long term trip. Sometimes, though, life throws you a "bone" and you go for it!

PetRelocation did an excellent job of relieving all my worries, answering my 1,000 questions, and even coming to meet me on the China end face-to-face before the big move. Kipper was taken from home to airport NOT in the cage, so he had less cage time...that impressed me.

Also, I was emailed when he safely arrived at the departure airport and at the arrival airport. I received photos to let me know he was doing just fine. Once he arrived at the final destination, he was transported by car another hour. The service that did that transport was also very understanding of pet owners and called and sent photos to let me know all was okay. Kipper arrived and did not miss a beat...he was happy and calm!!

I have used another pet moving company, but make no "bones" about it, Pet Relocation is the best:)

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!

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!

Name: Jenn
Company: General Mills
Pet's Name: Penelope
From: Cincinnati, OH
To: Austin, TX
 

When I found out I was moving from Ohio to Texas my to-do list became a mile long. Not only was I moving cross country, but I was expected to do so within a month. With so much to coordinate, PetRelocation was an obvious choice.

Everyone I worked with was extremely organized and helpful. They had every detail covered, many things I hadn't even thought about. The agents who handled the physical transportation of my dog were very kind and clearly love animals. Thank you for making the transition so easy on both of us!

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!

As a pet company, we believe all animals have something to teach us. So when the PetRelocation staff sat down to develop our core values, we looked at the parallels between the principles that guide the company and the animals who best symbolize those ideals. From the amazing teamwork of the Emperor penguins to the commitment of our loyal household pets, PetRelocation promises to stay true to these values as we provide the best possible service for every member of the animal kingdom.

	1. We believe in the importance of an amazing team. Our shared greater purpose motivates us to continue onward and toward our common goals. All of our journeys are inextricably linked. We value our families, our relationships, and our ability to achieve anything through the power of our team.
Teamwork
	2. Our actions are guided by integrity. We strengthen our relationships with each other, our clients, and our vendors by communicating openly and listening carefully. We value building honest relationships.
Integrity
	3. We are empowered to innovate. We find fulfillment in challenging and improving the industry standards. We are fast and forward moving. We value the pursuit of growth in our service, our company, and our industry.
Innovation
	4. We are experts and we will never stop learning. We must continuously pursue knowledge to continue growing. We value and build upon our unique experiences.
Wisdom
	5. We are committed to excellence in everything we do. We strive to exceed goals and expectations. We value creative solutions and welcome the opportunity to overcome challenges.
Commitment

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!

We just received this video of Monty, a Yorkiepoo we're assisting with a move from Philadelphia to Australia. Here he is on his second day at Spotswood Animal Quarantine Station in Melbourne. Looks like he's having fun!

Once again, isn't it great when pet boarding facilities provide videos and pictures? We love to see how our pets are doing in the process of a move, and updates like this illustrate that pet quarantine, which is often a necessary part of an international pet move, can be filled with fun moments.

Please contact PetRelocation with your questions about moving pets to Australia.

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

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!
 

Name: Miranda
Pets' Names: Buddy and Xena
From: Rochester, NY
To: Bangalore, India

It has been over a year since we moved out cats, Buddy and Xena, to Bangalore. Prior to the move, I had been struggling with what to do with our cats. I didn't want to return them to a shelter, and my family lived too far away and already had too many pets to take them in. So in the end, we decided to bring them with us.

I am so glad that we did! PetRelocation.com was so helpful in guiding us through all the veterinary visits and paperwork required. Their agents were always easily accessible any time of day when I had questions. All employees that I encountered during the transportation of our cats (by car to New York city, two flights on Lufthansa, by car again from Chennai to Bangalore), whether in person or via email messages, reassured me that our cats would be well taken care of. I quickly realized that all of their employees were doing this work because they love animals.

Today our cats are doing great! I was cautious about letting them roam outside at first, but after having them get out a couple of times without incident, we decided to let them be outdoor cats. We have found a great veterinary clinic close by who have helped us with a couple of illnesses/injuries. One word of caution to those moving to India - be aware of what floor cleaner is being used when mopping the floor. Phenol-based cleaner made one of our cats sick. After a week or so (and a couple of trips to the vet) he was all better.

If you are struggling with the decision to move your pets, please consider this service. It is well worth it to have your pets follow you on your journey!



 

Most of the time our Pet Relocation Specialists are working hard to help individual families bring their pets along when they have to move, but sometimes larger organizations find themselves interested in our pet relocation services, too.

Recently we were contacted by Cindy Crawley, president of the Poodle Club of America Rescue Foundation and founder and president of the Mid-Atlantic Poodle Rescue, about an urgent situation. Over two dozen puppy and adult Poodles were found living in terrible conditions in Washington, and after being rescued and temporarily cared for by the Forget Me Not Animal Shelter, it was time to place them in their forever homes.

Cindy contacted us to see if we could help get the dogs from Washington to Las Vegas and Phoenix where they would be adopted, and we were happy to have the chance to be hired for such a noble cause. Read on as Cindy answers a few questions about what she does -- and what we can do ourselves -- when it comes to helping animals in need.

How did you first become involved in animal rescue? 

I was recruited to Poodle Club of America Rescue Foundation in 2007 to help the founding president, Sally Poindexter, with administrative work. I had never had anything to do with dog rescue prior to this. I had belonged to the local Poodle Club in Maryland where I live, but the Club really did not do much rescue work at all. I quickly realized that if I was going to gain the respect and trust of the Poodle Rescue community, I was going to have to start doing hands’ on rescue work myself. It has all fallen into place for me since then!

How did this particular Poodle rescue come about? 

The Poodle world is not very big, especially from a rescue standpoint. We sort of know where the breeders are and who may be in trouble -- not 100% of course, but it is not often that we are surprised when problems arise. Almost one year ago, I offered help to an individual in Washington. I had been informed by mutual friends that this person was having a hard time financially and possibly had too many dogs, so I had five Standard Poodles transported from Washington to Maryland to relieve her of this burden. 

I had pretty direct conversations with this individual and told them that Rescue is not a puppy broker for people who breed too much and cannot sell their puppies, and we are not a dumping ground for people’s broken-down breeding dogs. I checked in with this person over the past year and was told in no uncertain terms that no more help was needed. Imagine my surprise and disappointment when I discovered that this person was preparing to ship an older stud dog out to a property across the country. When I was not able to get a satisfactory answer to questions about the purpose of acquiring a stud dog, a wellness check was done on the property by local animal control. The animal control officers who saw the situation in which the Poodles were living immediately went back to town and got a search warrant and decree for seizure. It was that bad.

What is the most challenging part about what you do? 

We must fundraise constantly. Money is needed primarily for vet work and transportation. Poodles (for better or worse) have been among the top 10 breeds in the American Kennel Club for many decades.  There is a lot of indiscriminate breeding that goes on in people’s backyards in what are basically puppy mills. We try very hard to educate people searching for a Poodle to find the best breeder, one who cares about their dogs and insists on spay and neuter contracts for their pets.  

What’s the best way for people to get involved in helping animals in need? 

If people want a hands’ on experience, any Poodle Club of America Rescue organization would welcome help from the public, as would most local humane societies or SPCA’s. Poodle rescue organizations are always in need of foster homes. We need people to drive dogs from place to place.  If people cannot do hands’ on work, donating to a reputable rescue group is another way to help. Reputable rescue groups are 501c3 not for profit. The new social media has been a real benefit to rescue organizations, as information can be shared in a pretty timely way.

Do you have pets of your own? 

Like many members of Poodle Club of America Rescue, I also breed Poodles. We believe that as breeders, it is our obligation to rescue. We love the breed. We are here for them in their time of need. I breed and show Standard Poodles under the Beauciel prefix. I am very proud to say I have a homebred Best in Show winner.  
 

--

Thanks to Cindy for sharing this story with us! We helped move 10 adults and 12 puppy Poodles earlier this week, and it sounds like all are adjusting well.

Keep up with the Forget Me Not Shelter blog to find out how everyone is doing, like them on Facebook, and if you'd like to make a donation to help cover the costs of this endeavor, scroll to the bottom of this page.

Name: Enrico
Number of Pets: 1
Pet Type: Dog
Pet Breed: Bosnian Coarse-Haired Hound
From: St.Vincent
To: Romania

I would like to move my pet (a dog) from St.Vincent and the Grenadines (in the Caribbean) to Romania. It's a long trip and I am hoping that you can help me with some information and tips on requirements etc. There is no direct flight, so my route I plan to take would be from St.Vincent and the Grenadines to Antigua to Germany then to Romania.

Thanks,

Enrico

 

Hi Enrico,

Thanks for the questions. First, here is a basic rundown of the pet import requirements for Romania. It will take a little time and planning, as you can see, and it's also important that you choose a pet-friendly airline for your journey. Note that if you transit through Frankfurt using Lufthansa, you may be able to take advantage of the Animal Lounge there.

Be sure to contact us if you have any more questions, and good luck with your trip!

It was previously announced that pets wishing to fly into Scotland will no longer have to be diverted to London or Manchester. A new facility at the Edinburgh airport accepts pets directly, making life much easier for Scotland-bound animals and their owners.

Travelers with specific questions about what routes are affected by this expansion now have an official document to reference. See below for the air routes approved by the Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) as of Oct. 4, 2012.

Keep in mind that routes may change in the future, but for now this is a good guide for all pet travelers going to Edinburgh. As you can see, it's possible to gain entry to Edinburgh with pets via United Airlines, British Airways, KLM and Lufthansa.

DEFRA Pets Air Routes OCT12

Please contact PetRelocation with your questions about moving pets to the UK or anywhere else. Happy traveling, everyone!

Name: Mike
Pets' Names: Cash/Money/Bank
From: San Francisco, CA
To: Bangkok, Thailand

I was left with the difficult challenge of shipping my friends' three dogs to Bangkok (Thailand) from San Francisco (USA).

I actually looked for several pet relocation services on the web and attempted to contact five. The same day I submitted my request to PetRelocation.com, I received a phone call from one of their representatives.

I explained my situation, and they got me in touch with their international pet shipping specialist Scotty.

I was given an estimated ship date of 30 days from the submission of my materials and they stood by their deadline! Of course there were things I had to do (vet checks/documents/buying supplies/etc) but Scotty helped me through every single thing! I am extremely detail-oriented myself, and Scotty was very accommodating and was available by phone through every step of the process.

It turns out shipping a pet is not such a terrible task as long as you have guys like Scotty as well as the rest of the team at Petrelocation.com backing you up. In the rare situation that I need to ship more animals overseas, these guys will be the first people I contact!

Name: Jennifer
Number of Pets: Three
Pet Type: Dog
Pet Breed: Cocker Spaniels
From: USA
To: South Korea

I am thinking of moving to South Korea. I have heard that there is a way to bring your pets when traveling internationally without having to put them in quarantine in the new country. Is this true? What would I have to do? Also is there a limit of how many pets can be brought? I have three dogs and nobody will be left behind!!

Thanks,

Jennifer

Hi Jennifer,

Thanks for your question -- of course you don't want to leave anyone behind! The import requirements for moving pets to South Korea are set to change Dec. 1, so it's more than likely you'll need to follow these rules. As for the other part of your question, current requirements state that four animals are allowed to be imported at once. It's always wise to double check information like this with the proper authorities, however. Here's the official site and another resource that might be helpful.

Take a look at all of this and please let us know if you have any questions or if you'd like some help. International pet travel can certainly be stressful and tough to figure out sometimes. Good luck!