Name: Stephanie
Number of Pets: 2
Pet Type: Dogs
Pet Breed: Australian Shepard/Lab and Chihuahua/Dachshund
From: Japan
To: England


We are moving with the US Air Force and are currently stationed in Japan. We will be moving to England but they require us to fly back over the states and then over to England. Will it be possible to get the dogs on these flights following the DEFRA PETS Scheme? I know that they have to fly on specific airlines so I'm a little confused if they can start out on one and then transfer to a different air line in the different country and still manage to avoid the quarantine. Thanks for any help you can offer me. -Stephanie

Hi Stephanie,

Thanks for your question! Both Japan and the US are qualifying countries under the PETS Scheme, so you should be able to complete your travels without undergoing a quarantine as long as youfollow the prescribed rules and regulations. Find out more about the PETS Scheme and review the Pet Import Requirements for the UK on our site.

Good luck in your travels and please let us know if you need anything else, Stephanie! PetRelocation does offer a military discount, so please contact a Pet Relocation Specialist if you'd like to find out more about the door-to-door pet travel services that we offer.

Name: Rebecca
Number of Pets: 3
Pet Type: dogs
Pet Breed: Miniature Poodle
From: Yokota AB, Japan (Tokyo)
To: United States

We are supposed to move sometime in September of this year. My concern is regarding the pet embargo that is imposed from around May through September. Due to high temperatures, pets aren't allowed to fly during some of this time. Is there another solution?



Hi Rebecca,

You're right that it's important to exercise caution when traveling with pets during the warm summer months, but it's not impossible to do it (and do it safely). Airlines with established protocol, such as Continental's PetSafe Program, have instituted policies to keep pets safe when the temperature rises.

Take a look at these summer pet travel safety tips and be sure to check in with the airline you'll be using to make sure they handle pets with care. Examine the Pet Import Requirements for the US as well, and contact our Pet Relocation Specialists if you have any more questions.

Good luck and thanks for the pet travel question!

If you pay much attention to news about dogs or pet travel, you may have heard the phrase "Breed-Specific Legislation," rules and regulations that place restrictions on pit bulls and other types of dogs from being imported into or living in a certain area of a country or city.

These laws are controversial to say the least, and they arose primarily due to oftentimes inaccurate beliefs about community safety as well as (some would say unbalanced) patterns of media coverage. Pit bulls carry the stigma of being tough and aggressive, but many pet owners have pit bulls and other so-called "aggressive" breeds who are as sweet and loving as any other dog.  

Here at PetRelocation.com, we love all breeds (our CEO even has a Staffordshire bull terrier - that's big Bruno giving one of our customers we relocated to Japan a ride!), but we often encounter hurdles when it comes to shipping certain kinds of dogs. Since we always try our best to stay on top of the latest rules and restrictions, feel free to contact us if you ever have any questions about a specific city or country's regulations when it comes to importing these breeds.  Here are some tips on how to plan ahead if you're going to be traveling with a breed that is frequently discriminated against:

1. Many countries have outright bans on the import of Pit Bulls, American Staffordshire Terriers, Cane Corsos and other types of dogs they view as "agressive", so it's important to do your research before traveling or undertaking a pet move. For example, places like Montreal and Colombia do not allow pit bull-type breeds.   To research whether your destination has BSL, start with the country of import's agriculture and veterinary ministry page.  You can usually find this by searching for the name of the country and the word "agriculture" until you find the governing website for the country's ministry of agriculture (sometimes called a department of agriculture).  This is typically the department that oversees the import and export of live animals, including pets.  If the country has breed-specific legislation, they will state it on their pet import requirements page. Understand-a-Bull also has a great list they've put together of countries that have BSL.
    
2. Look for ways to find exemptions to breed-specific legislation.  For example, Switzerland has a ban on dogs with cropped ears or tails, however will allow them to be imported if their owners can provide a signed letter stating they are moving there for work purposes.  Also, pit bulls are not actually a breed, but rather a type of dog often identified by a broad set of physical characteristics - which can lead to inconsistencies in treatment and rule enforcement.  Many countries that ban pit bulls will accept the dog if a DNA test is done in advance to show that the dog does not have a high percentage of pit bull terrier.
    
3. In addition to country restrictions there are airline rules to consider, as well. These change fairly frequently and often depend on the time of year (due to temperature restrictions) so it's best to double check with your airline before you book your own flight or your pet's.
    
4. Consider your pet's quality of life after the move.  Many times owners of pit bulls and other frequently banned breeds can also have trouble finding housing that will accept these types of dogs.  Also, several countries require breeds they view as being aggressive to wear muzzles when in public spaces. 

While BSL can be frustrating and unfair, the unfortunate fact is that many people wanting to move or travel with their dogs will have to comply by these rules and regulations.  In the meantime, educating others on alternatives is the best way to create progress in helping all our four-legged friends live equally.  The American Veterinary Medical Association opposes BSL, as do several other official institutions like Best Friends Animal Society.  Here's what the AVMA had to say in a recent op-ed:

Do you disagree with breed specific legislation? Many organizations are working on fighting these laws. Read a state by state run-down of BSL and learn about what you can do to help overturn legislation in your area.

If you have a pit, a staffie or another breed that tends to be discriminated against and are planning an international pet move in the future, let us know if you need any assistance -- we're always happy to help in whatever way we can in order to keep these great dogs out of shelters and in their loving homes where they belong!

Beginning in a little over a year, travelers moving cats and dogs to Korea will face changes in import regulations. Here's the rundown of the guidelines that will be put into place December 1, 2011.

For pets coming from countries not considered "rabies-free":
 
-Microchips will be mandatory for all cats and dogs. The microchip number should be stated on the official health certificate.

-Rabies Antibody tests are required for cats and dogs over 90 days old, and the result should be greater than 0.5IU/ml. The test should be done between three months and two years before arrival. The original test result should accompany the pets.

-Rabies vaccinations should be completed more than 30 days before departure and within the last 1 or 3 years, depending on the type of vaccine administered.
 
For pets coming from "rabies-free" countries (Japan, Taiwan, Cyprus, Australia, New Zealand, Portugal, Iceland, Guam, Hawaii, Samoa, Cayman Islands, Polynesia, Martinique , Albania, Dominica, Malaysia, Switzerland):
 
-Microchips will be mandatory for all cats and dogs. The microchip number should be stated on the official health certificate.

-Rabies Antibody tests are NOT REQUIRED. 

-Rabies Vaccinations are NOT REQUIRED

-For the Official Health certificate, no validation date is required by the Korean government, and it depends on the export country’s regulation for the validation of the health certificate.
 
 If these regulations are not properly met, the pet will be quarantined.
 
 Required Documents:
 
-Original Rabies Vaccination certificate
-Official Health certificate, including microchip number
-Original Rabies Antibody test result
 
 Finally, Korea will allow four animals maximum per person/company to import.
 

That's all the information we have for now; we'll be sure to keep you informed of any further changes that may put into place over the next few months.

Cat fanciers will enjoy this one:  there's a cat cafe in Osaka where for around $9 USD an hour, you can hang out in the coffee shop with some furry friends.  If you're planning a pet move to Japan, you might stop by here after you get there to see what it's like!

No word on whether they need us to help with any upcoming cat transport needs but we're guessing cats that end up at the kitty cafe never want to have to move away!

Recently we moved a returning customer of ours, a German Shepherd named Jake. He moved a year ago from Austin, Texas to Panama City, Panama. Then his owners were moved to Tokyo, so they contacted us to  pet move him for a second time. We took Jake to have a blood test in Panama and had it sent to Kansas State University in the US to get the results. Below is a picture of Jake with our agent Karina on his way for his blood test in May of this year.


His owners wanted him to go back to Austin prior to arriving in Tokyo so he could receive schutzhund training. Schutzhund training was developed in Germany specifically for the breed and is considered a dog sport that shows their desire to work and follow directions.

Here is a picture of Jake ("Jaico" as he was known in Panama) before he left at the airport. The airline is measuring his crate to make sure they have the right dimensions for the air way bill booking.


While he was in Texas, Jake stayed at Triple Crown Dog Academy where they refreshed him on his Schutzhund training. We also set up a health examination and took him to the vet to have his paperwork issued for his flight to Japan. We took the documentation to the USDA offices in Austin and had them endorsed by the USDA as well. Then it was time for his flight to Tokyo!

Jake arrived safely in Tokyo late Monday night, and our agents took pictures of him after he cleared through customs and quarantine. He was delivered to his owners that night and I'm sure after all of his pet travels, he was extremely happy to see them!

The Daily Dish has a couple of pet friendly great stories up this week, one about the stray dogs who have learned how to move around the city of Moscow by riding trains. 

[Animal specialist Andrei] Neuronov says there are some 500 strays that live in the metro stations, especially during the colder months, but only about 20 have learned how to ride the trains. This happened gradually, first as a way to broaden their territory. Later, it became a way of life. "Why should they go by foot if they can move around by public transport?" he asks.

"They orient themselves in a number of ways," Neuronov adds. "They figure out where they are by smell, by recognising the name of the station from the recorded announcer's voice and by time intervals. If, for example, you come every Monday and feed a dog, that dog will know when it's Monday and the hour to expect you, based on their sense of time intervals from their ­biological clocks."

There has been quite a bit of talk about the stray situation in Moscow.  While some pets live like kings and queens, others are cast aside on the streets.  Many expats who relocate to Moscow and Russia have a difficult time with the adjustment.  For details on moving dogs and cats to Russia, check out our Russia pet import requirements.  We also have a great firsthand account from a past customer who moved with dogs to Russia.

The Dish also had a post up about the hormone "oxytocin" and how it connects dog owners to their pets.  We actually learned quite a bit about oxytocin a few weeks ago at an Ignite Austin talk given by Jennie Chen, who runs Keep Austin Dog Friendly.

[James Serpell, head of the Center for the Interaction of Animals and Society at UPenn,] is most excited about new studies on oxytocin and dog ownership. Oxytocin is the most important social-bonding hormone, present notably between mother and child but also in just about any interaction involving pair bonding, social affiliation, and trust. More specifically, it's involved with the gaze between infants and mothers. Researchers at Azabu University in Japan found last year that the dog's gaze at its owner increases the owner's oxytocin level.

 

No one ever said pet shipping was easy, and when it comes to shipping birds, things can definitely get pretty tricky.  The amount of paperwork involved in flying a feathered friend overseas is usually quite extensive.  We recently moved Pipi, a very cute cockatiel, from New York City to Nagoya, Japan.  His owners were thrilled to see him, and sent us this note today shortly after he arrived:

Pipi has arrived 10 minutes ago. Now he is eating food and looks so happy. My son is so excited to see him. Of course, I'm so happy to see him!!!!! Thank you so much for your support to import my family member Pipi.

Best,

Eiko and Pipi

So what exactly is involved in flying a bird to Japan?  People always jokingly ask us, "Can't they just fly themselves?"  Unfortunately, your bird will need to rely on good old fashioned air travel just like you to move overseas.  Here's a quick rundown of things to keep in mind if you're shipping a bird:

1.  The Right Type of Bird Travel Crate

We talk a lot about pet travel crates being an important first step in the process and it's no different for birds.  If you're planning on flying your bird, you'll need to comply by IATA's Live Animal Regulations (LARs).  What this means for birds is typically that the crate offers them some sort of perch, has openings for ventilation that aren't too big for them to get a beak or a wing outside of and provides them with food and water.  We make custom bird crates here at our offices, which consists of purchasing a small dog or cat travel crate (depending on the size of the bird we're shipping) and attaching a storebought perch to the inside of the crate wall.  We then cover the ventilation holes and door with very fine pieces of wire mesh that we attach securely with plastic zip ties.  Since privacy is important to birds, we make detachable "curtains" by cutting out strips of burlap that we attach to the outside of the crate with velcro.  Add a couple of dishes to the crate door and line the floor with a piece of newspaper and you've got a first-class bird crate ready to go! Don't forget to start getting your bird used to being in the crate well in advance of his move.

2.  Check Your Bird's CITES Status

The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species, or CITES, protects not only endangered species but other exotic species that might be subject to endangerment if their trade is not controlled.  If you are moving with an exotic species internationally and your pet is listed as a CITES protected species, you'll need to make sure you have the right permits ahead of time.  Departing from the US, pet owners will also need to have their pet inspected and permits issued by the US Fish & Wildlife Service prior to departure as well.  It takes about 6-7 months to obtain the documentation required to safely and legally ship a CITES species, so we advise people who are planning to hire our services to move their exotic pets to contact us as soon as they can.  In the case of our friend Pipi, he is one of the three parrot species not listed as a CITES species so we were able to avoid the lengthy CITES permitting process.  Cockatiels, budgies and peach-faced lovebirds are all exempt from CITES regulations.  Other popular parrots like African greys, cockatoos and macaws are all protected by CITES.

3.  Know the Pre-Export and Post-Import Requirements

This is perhaps the hardest step of moving a bird internationally. There are many steps that must be taken before a bird can travel internationally.  You not only have to know the export requirements for the country you're departing from but also the import requirements for your destination country.  Pipi, for example, had to originate froma region free of Avian Influenza and be kept in an "embarkation quarantine facility" for 21 days prior to departure to prevent entry of mosquitos.  Other countries, like Singapore, require a series of Avian Influenza and Newcastle Disease testing, all done within a certain timeframe before the flight.

If you get stuck - contact us. We'll make it happen!

We just got these pictures of Gus and Simba who are pet moving from Tokyo, Japan to Jamison, PA.  They were checked in for their pet flight at the Narita Airport and will now fly from Tokyo to Newark, where we'll pick them up and clear them through customs prior to delivering them to their owners.

Gus and Simba look like they have plenty of leg room in their crates, and they look very relaxed.  Enjoy your flights home!

 

You might remember when we pet transport moved little Bowie, a miniature Australian Shepherd, from Texas to pet friendly Doha about six months ago.  Back then he was just a little pup.

A few months after Bowie arrived in Doha, his family contacted us because they were moving again -- this time to Tokyo, Japan!  We assisted them with preparing Bowie's health documents so he could be shipped to Japan and avoid any quarantine.  Today we received this update from his owners, Kim and John, along with a picture of Bowie, all grown up!

Hello Jillian,

Bowie has arrived ! He was completely wiped out by the trip but very very happy to see us. He certainly did not have the same bounding energy that he had when he arrived in Doha as a puppy ! He definitely knows there is a new smell in the air. He arrived in time for a typhoon, with lots of rain and cool air. He's going to have fun with the cool weather and the many dogs in our neighborhood. Contrary to popular belief, many Japanese families own dogs and lots of big ones!!

A very big Thank you from our family to you for coordinating this move and to all of the team at PetRelocators for another successful and happy Bowie arrival.

Sincere Thanks,
Kim & John & family

 

We often get asked questions about shipping pets to Japan from the US.  Not only is Tokyo a common destination for executives relocating for work, Japan is also home to US military installations like Kadena Air Force Base in Okinawa, Misawa Air Force Base and Yokata Air Force Base.

Know the import requirements for Japan -- and plan ahead!

Because of the fact that Japan is rabies free, the requirements to get a pet into the country can be quite difficult.  The first step when considering a move with pets to Japan is to be aware of the import requirements, including all of the bloodwork and paperwork.  We have a list of the steps for moving pets to Japan, which you can print out and take to your veterinarian.  It's important to note that this process typically takes six months to complete if you are planning on avoiding quarantine.

Select your flights and routing

If you are moving to Tokyo, finding a pet-friendly airline to take your pet should not be too difficult.  Remember that the flights typically go out of major airports, like LAX in Los Angeles, JFK or Newark in the New York area, and Houston Intercontinental in Houston.  If you are not located in one of those major cities, you will need to arrange a flight that can take your pet there -- or just get in the car and drive! 

If you're moving to another place outside of Tokyo, things can get somehwat tricky.  Most airlines will not fly directly into Misawa or Kadena, which means that pets will need to clear through customs in Tokyo.  From there, your pet will need to be booked on a connecting flight to one of the smaller airports.  The tricky part about onward forwarding to Okinawa is that Narita Airport does not have flights suitable for pets.  Pets must be transferred to Haneda and then sent onward.

 

 

Petrelocation.com - When we say "Any Pet, Anywhere, Any Time" we really mean it! Now maybe we should include "Any Number of Pets" in our company motto as well.
A few months ago we were contacted by a woman wanting to move back to the Philippines with the rest of her extended family. Among them, they had a total of twenty two cats and two dogs they wanted sent from the Houston, Texas area to Davao City, Philippines. I researched the airlines and flight options and with the help of some great people at Northwest Cargo, we were able to make it happen.
The first step the owners took was ordering twenty four SkyKennels off the internet. I sent them the necessary labeling for each crate, which they put on the crate when they put the crates together. They also took all their pets in for a preliminary health exam, where the vet cleared them to fly and also microchipped and vaccinated all of them.
I checked with my agent in Manila to make sure it would be okay to bring in such a large number of animals. There were additional import taxes but no regulations prohibiting sending twenty four pets into the Philippines at once. The key word there is "pets," as these were an individual's beloved animals, and were not used for any sort of commercial purposes. The Philippines does have restrictions on that many animals being imported commercially.
On the day of departure, we picked up the cats and dogs at 3:30 in the morning. The owner had them all ready to go in their crates. Then it was off to Houston Intercontinental where they departed on an early Northwest flight from Houston to Detroit. In Detroit they transferred planes and left on their second flight from Detroit to Manila, which had one stop in Nagoya, Japan (but no change of planes). Upon arrival in Manila, our agent cleared them through customs and took them back to their boarding facility where they were able to get out of their crates for a little bit and rest. They had Hydration Gel with them the whole way, so they were never thirsty, but they also offered them fresh food and water in Manila.
Then they left on their final flight, a domestic Philippine Air flight from Manila to Davao City. Our agent collected them at the airport in Davao and transported them straight to their owners, who were quite happy to see them after such a long journey!
From fourteen horses to Honduras to twenty two cats to the Philippines, no animal or shipment is too big for PetRelocation's team of specialists to handle! We enjoy the challenge and are happy to help.

Nama the ferret moving to Taiwan!

Pet traveling internationally with ferrets is usually no more difficult than traveling with a dog or cat. In many pet friendly countries, the import requirements are determined on a case by case basis, which greatly depend upon the specific species of your ferret. In our experience, these requirements are not usually more rigid than those for importing a dog or cat. Pictured here is Nama. Nama is a Mustela putorius furo and he will be relocating soon from Japan to Taiwan along with his fellow family members Mei Mei (Toy Poodle) and Pon Pon (Pomeranian). For Mei Mei and Pon Pon this will actually be a return trip, as they are originally from Taiwan and only moved to Japan about a year ago. Being it his first time to Taiwan, Nama will be required to fulfill the usual 21 day quarantine that is mandated for all first time pets that are moved to Taiwan.  What a cutie he is!

 

The lifestyle magazine Monocle has been publishing a list of "Most Liveable Cities" since 2007.  The 2009 winners were ranked as follows:

1	Zürich	Switzerland	(04)
2	Copenhagen	Denmark	(01)
3	Tokyo	Japan	(03)
4	Munich	Germany	(02)
5	Helsinki	Finland	(05)
6	Stockholm	Sweden	(07)
7	Vienna	Austria	(06)
8	Paris	France	(10)
9	Melbourne	Australia	(09)
10	Berlin	Germany	(14)

These cities were rated in a survey on a basis of safety/crime, international connectivity, climate/sunshine, quality of architecture, public transportation, tolerance, environmental issues and access to nature, urban design, business conditions, pro-active policy developments and medical care.

For those considering a move to one of the Top 10 cities, we have the import requirements as follows:

Moving Pets to Switzerland

Moving Pets to Denmark

Moving Pets to Japan

Moving Pets to Germany

Moving Pets to Finland

Moving Pets to Sweden

Moving Pets to Austria

Moving Pets to France

Moving Pets to Australia

 

Hi,

I am considering pet travel relocating my pet cat to pet friendly Japan, where there is a possibility that we will move in the future. I have read the Japanese pet import regulation and I have two questions:

• The regulations require an microchip that is ISO 11784 or 11785 compatible. My pet has an 9 digit chip, and therefore, I will ask my vet to implant a new one which is ISO compatible. I am however not sure about which chip should I choose. Are both 10 digit and 15 digit chips ISO compatible?
• The regulations require that the rabies vaccine must be an inactived vaccine (not recombinant) follownig the world organization for animal health OIE stanrdards. I checked the vaccine that my vet used the last time and it is not inactivated. Could you please tell me what manufacturers / brands of rabies vaccines for cats follow the OIE standard so that I ask my vet to use it when I start the paper work?  Many thanks, Ashraf.

Ashraf, you've really done your homework!  We can't stress enough to people considering an international move that it is a good idea to plan ahead and read through all of the paperwork carefully well in advance in order to avoid last minute surprises or delays.  Both of your questions are great ones, and I'll try to address them thoroughly.

ISO Microchips and Pet Travel

The nine digit chip you refer to is most likely the older style of AVID chip, that is in a format of numerical XXX*XXX*XXX.  This chip style is only acceptable in a few countries (for example, Hong Kong) and is not ISO compatible.  Nearly all chips these days that are produced are ISO compatible, with the exception of the 9-digit AVID chip.  Most 10 to 15 digit chips are ISO compatible, but it's important to check the actual chip frequency to be sure.  A great brand you might consider checking out is the ResQ chip, which is ISO compatible and can be read by nearly all ISO-compatible scanners.  Another bonus to the ResQ chip is that it has a free online registration system called PetLink which you can update whenever you move.  Most microchip companies charge an annual fee for your pet's online database to stay updated. 

You can check online to see if your vet carries ResQ.  If not, they can always order it, or see what kind of chips your vet has.  Most of the time the chip will say somewhere on the box if it is ISO 11784 or 11785.

Finally, be sure to have your vet indicate on the paperwork that your pet has two chips -- one ISO compatible and one that is not.  Sometimes in Japan and other countries, they will scan for the chip and pick up the incompatible chip anyway, causing confusion about the number on the paperwork being wrong (because your vet has put down the number for the new chip!).  If you have both numbers on all paperwork (including the rabies certificates, blood test form, and health certificate), you'll have your bases covered.

Rabies Vaccines - Live vs. Killed, Active vs. Inactive

It is very difficult to find a veterinarian who will give a live rabies vaccine these days, however it does happen occasionally.  I would recommend asking your vet ahead of time (before the vaccination is given) what kind of vaccine it is.  They should know -- if they don't, have them give you the name brand and you can search on the internet to find out what kind it is.  One common killed or inactive vaccine is Merial's IMRAB3 (a three-year vaccine, which Tokyo will recognize for one year).  Another inactive vaccine is the Defensor1 (thanks to our Twitter friend, Dr. Tobiassen, who writes about veterinary medicine on About.com for her recommendation).

If I travel my dog to the Philippines, are they going to quarantine my dog once it arrives in the country and for how long? Does my dog get delivered right away to the appropriate address?  Please advise. - Juvy

 

The most common question when people begin to look into moving their pets internationally is "Will there be quarantine?"  No one likes the idea of quarantine, and for some countries, like the UK and Japan, we will work with our clients and their vets to prepare pets ahead of time to avoid quarantine by having certain blood tests.  Some countries however do not allow quarantine exemptions no matter what you do -- like Singapore, Thailand and Australia.

Fortunately, when shipping pets to the Philippines, we don't have to worry about either scenario!  Due to the fact that the Philippines already has most animal diseases (specifically rabies), they have no need to quarantine incoming pets.

However, an import permit is required prior to shipping pets to the Philippines.  This needs to be obtained from the Philippines Department of Agriculture. 

Finally, regarding arrival and delivery, this depends on whether you work with a service like ours, which provides door-to-door pet moving services, or move your pet on your own.  When using our services, we can clear customs and then deliver your pet directly to your front door upon arrival in the Philippines.

Hi. I have two indoor, declawed cats aged 10 & 11. They have traveled from the US to Melbourne, Australia (lived there for 18 months) and from Melbourne to Tokyo, Japan (have been here for 18 months). In Melbourne they spent 48 days in quarantine, they were allowed to come directly to our house in Tokyo because they were moving from and island country to another island country. There is a great possibility that we will be moved to either Paris or Madrid in the beginning on 2010.

Can you tell me what the requirements would be for them to enter into France or Spain? I am trying to avoid quarantine at all costs! We will be looking forward to using your company as our pet transporter, we do not move the cats ourselves, to much stress for all of us. I look forward to hearing from you. Sincerely, Terri

Hi Terri!  Wow - your pets are quite the world travelers!  Here's the good news:  For your cats to travel to France or Spain from Tokyo, they will not have to undergo quarantine upon arrival in either country.

The reason you have run into so many quarnatine issues before is because you have been moving to islands which are rabies-free.  As Spain and France are not considered rabies-free, just rabies-controlled, a pet traveling to either of those countries from a rabies-free country will never have to undergo quarantine.  If you were traveling from a country which is not seen as rabies-controlled, like Thailand, for example, then they would need to have blood tests done and then wait for 120 days in order to avoid quarantine in France or Spain.

They will still need health certificates and the usual vaccination requirements will need to be up to date.  We would love to assist with preparing your cats' export documentation when the time comes for you and your cats to move.  We hope this has cleared up some of your concerns for now, and look forward to working with you!

What exactly is the 6 month wait? I may be moving a dog from US to England. Thanks, Betsy.

Whenever discussing pet travel or pet transportation to England or any other rabies-free country (like Japan or Australia), a lot of people will mention the "six month wait."

What this means is that instead of putting your dog or cat in quarantine for six months upon arrival in England, you can do the following in order to avoid quarantine:

Step 1:  Microchip implantation

Step 2:  Rabies shot #1 (must be done after the microchip)

Step 3:  Rabies FAVN Test (sometimes referred to as "the blood test" or a "titre test")

From the date of the Rabies FAVN blood draw, the "six month wait" begins.  This means that 180 days after the blood has been drawn, assuming that the test results show that your pets have the minimum amount of rabies antibody in their bloodstream, you can fly with your pets to England and not have to quarantine them upon arrival!

 

(Austin, Texas)  The professionals at PetRelocation.com provide efficient and compassionate pet moving services for the four-legged members of the family.  Comprehensive national and international services include cat relocation, dog transport, horse transportation, and custom animal shipping plans for every kind of domestic or exotic creature.

This established pet services company specializes in developing relations with corporations to handle all aspects of transferring their employee's pets.  PetRelocation.com has an impressive retention rate of over 90% of their corporate clients.  Their many long-term customers rely on PetRelocation.com to handle their employees' pet transportation needs in a consistent, caring, and capable manner.  The website at www.PetRelocation.com is rich with in-depth testimonials from satisfied customers.

PetRelocation.com is not limited to large corporate clients alone.  They are pleased to handle door-to-door cross-country and international pet travel needs for individuals who want their best friends to receive the very best of care. The complexities of moving with a cat or traveling with a dog can become overwhelming, especially when schedules are tight or when the regulations for animal transport are complex.  PetRelocation.com will handle every aspect of pet airline travel or ground transportation, always ensuring your pet's comfort and safety.  PetRelocation.com will be your cat concierge and dog's best friend arranging every detail of pet transport and even the arrangements and payment of necessary vaccinations, permits, and documentation.

International pet travel regulations vary from country to country. PetRelocation.com has extensive knowledge and contacts in just about every region on Earth. Import permits, health certificates, micro chipping, and country specific vaccinations are all handled by these pet transportation experts. Beyond their dog shipping, cat relocation, and horse transportation services, the company has exotic animal experience shipping Dart Frogs from Switzerland, Cougars to Belgium, and Koi Fish to Japan.

All-inclusive pet transportation services include:

• Consultation and full Preparation for the pet relocation experience
• Arrangement and Payment of airline, grooming, vet, and kennel facilities
• Assist in obtaining Health, Rabies and Travel Documents
• All Airport Handling and Supervision of Pets.
• Assist with required travel kennel & its flight preparation
• Handling of arrival & departure procedures 
• Compliance with all Animal Welfare Regulations & TSA Security measures.
• A Single Point of Contact for all your pet relocation needs.

PetRelocation.com services comprise an integrated solution, handling complete pet relocation needs to any destination on the globe.  Relationships with pet friendly airlines and animal agents all over the world create seamless pet moving experiences for all.  The company has also teamed with a domestic horse transportation service offering the only air-conditioned, rear-facing, platform loading, six horse trailer in existence in the United States today. An array of pet travel products is featured on their website to make the journey more comfortable.  Pet travel crates of all sizes are available and custom dog and cat crates can be built upon request.  Pet travel bedding, pet dishes, and other accessories are available directly from PetRelocation.com at reasonable prices.

Pet transportation services from PetRelocation.com are an excellent option for those looking for the very best safety and comfort for the animals they love.  High quality cat transportation, dog shipping, and every kind of pet moving service will be carried out with compassion and integrity.  To consult with the experts on national and international pet transport, give PetRelocation.com a call or visit the website at www.PetRelocation.com.

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It seems that Japan Airlines is now banning the Bulldog breed from flying on its planes! This comes as no surprise, as many airlines and pet moving companies like ours are taking the steps to protect the sensitivity of the breed rather than trying to make money off of it! Please read our last post here about bulldogs.

Tokyo - Japan Airlines has banned bulldogs from all its flights, saying on Friday the stress of flying can prove fatal for the sensitive breed.

Following advice from veterinarians, JAL will not allow passengers take to any bulldogs on any international or domestic flights starting later this month, airline spokesperson Hirokazu Inoue said.

A number of bulldogs have not lasted the entire trip on JAL, Inoue said, without specifying the toll.

Because of their flat noses, bulldogs have difficulty adapting to the unstable temperature on an aircraft, Inoue said, adding that vibration and noise are also a destabilizing factor for the dogs.

Pets are not allowed in the cabin and must be checked in as special baggage and stored in an air-conditioned compartment at a fee.

The decision comes just before the summer traveling season when many Japanese vacationers are expected to travel with their furry companions amid a nationwide pet boom.

About 60,000 pets, mostly dogs and cats, flew on JAL's domestic flights last year, up nearly 10 percent from a year earlier, according to airline statistics. No international figures were available, Inoue said. - Sapa-AP

- Wow, 60,000 pets in just one year on one airline!