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: PC
Pets' Names: Jaja and Leia
From: San Jose, Costa Rica
To: London, UK


Jaja and Leia are sisters, both 10 years old, and of mixed shepherd dog breed originally from Turkey, the first country I lived in overseas with my husband. My husband brought them home when they were pups on the day they were about to be taken away from his factory grounds by the local municipal who were rounding up strays.

Since then, they've moved with us to Honduras, Hong Kong, Bangladesh, Costa Rica and now UK! Though they're seasoned travelers, we still dread the day when we have to pull out the carton boxes for packing.....the reckoning of what's coming and the resigned look in their eyes says it all.

The difference with this move is for the very first time, we're using the service of a door-to-door pet agent. For every single relocation in the past, I've personally handled all related paperwork, from the vaccinations to the relevant country's import and export documents, using agents only for certain route of the journey. The reason why we used PetRelocation.com this time was due to the trauma my husband and I experienced at Los Angeles airport when we had to fly with the doggies from Bangladesh to Costa Rica.

We were patting each other on the back after our first two flights went without a hitch, from Bangladesh to Hong Kong (overnight to rest the doggies), and then from Hong Kong to Los Angeles. During our last leg from Los Angeles to Costa Rica whilst we were on board, no one would tell us if our doggies were in the hold! After threatening to walk out of the plane, they finally told us that the doggies are still on the ground and have not been loaded due to missing paperwork! The airline then had to reopen the cabin door, remove our luggage and we then made a few frantic calls to try and retrieve our doggies from the cargo building. This all happened at 2 a.m. at the Los Angeles airport, us standing at the airport with two large dogs and crates, four suitcases, no taxis and no one in sight! To cut the long story short, after finding a taxi kind enough to accept the doggies we then hopped from hotel to hotel to search for a pet-friendly hotel. The following day was equally stressful because then we had to rebook all our flights and cargo space for the girls!

When we heard we were relocating to UK and knowing the quarantine laws have changed effective Jan 1, 2012, we both decided that we definitely cannot afford to have a repeat of our last experience and we wanted to make sure that everything goes smoothly this time. Not even the snow at Heathrow airport posed a problem....just unbelievable!

The girls went on their first walk in the woods today. We're introducing them to their walks slowly to acclimate them to the freezing weather in UK now. How I wished I could've read their mind when they saw snow since the last time they saw snow was almost 10 years ago in Turkey.

Everyone involved from Costa Rica to Houston to London were wonderfully attentive and professional. It makes such a huge difference not to worry about the "what ifs"! We'd like to thank Andreas and Dr Jose in Costa Rica and Jayne in London, and last but not least dear Ashley and Sarah. Your prompt replies by email and more importantly how you never hesitated to pick up the phone to call really makes all the difference. Thank you for bringing our girls home safe and sound.

Name: Wendy
Number of Pets: 1
Pet Type: Dog (puppy)
Pet Breed: Westie
From: London
To: Vancouver


I am trying to bring a three to four month old pup from London to Vancouver, Canada in the cabin with me. If I fly from London via Frankfurt or Paris, do I have to comply with their Pet Passport regulation? We would not be stopping, but as Air Canada will not fly London/Vancouver with a pet in the cabin we are having to take an alternate route so that we can do that. The other alternative is to come through the US. Any advice?




Hi Wendy,

Thanks for contacting us! In this situation you'll want to check out the pet import requirements for Canada and abide by those. In general it's not necessary to meet the import requirements for a country that you're just transiting through, but it's a good idea to consult the airline you end up choosing to find out about their specific policies. We also invite you to search our blog for any other topics you may be wondering about.

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

Hi Taylor,

Thanks for submitting a question to us. First of all, here are the pet import requirements for Norway. We definitely recommend starting the process well in advance of your date of departure, and it's very important to choose a pet-friendly airline. We often use KLM and Lufthansa for international pet travel.

Take a look at our blog for more information about cabin vs. cargo travel and common pet travel misconceptions (most people assume that cabin travel is better, but when orchestrated correctly cargo travel is actually safe and even preferable). Hopefully you find this information helpful!

Please contact us if you have any more questions, Taylor, and good luck with your trip!

Name: Charlotte
Number of Pets: 1
Pet Type: Cat
Pet Breed: Domestic Short Hair
From: Norfolk VA, USA
To: Turkey

What do I have to do to take my cat to Turkey in terms of shots, etc.? Can she travel with me in the plane as a carry on?

Thanks,
Charlotte



Hi Charlotte,

These are the pet import requirements for Turkey. It's a good idea to allow yourself plenty of time to complete these, and in terms of flying you'll want to contact the airline to find out about their pet-policies and most up-to-date rules regarding cabin travel. Remember that, with a pet-safe airline, flying your pet in the cargo area is a safe choice.

Check out these links to find out more, and please contact us if you have any further questions. Good luck!

Happy Friday, pet lovers! Enjoy a safe and fun weekend!


It turns out the Lunar New Year is a busy time for pet travel -- owners must be sure to make reservations nice and early.

When carrying cats in the airline cabin, be sure to make sure those latches are properly secured to avoid a cat escape like Ripples'.

Let's all take a moment to be jealous of Raja, the world-traveling Shih Tzu who visited Machu Picchu.

How pets are affected by domestic violence and its aftermath.

Remember those new year's resolutions? Oh yeah... well here are some ideas for winter dog workouts in case you need some motivation.

Stay on top of the latest travel rules: Bulldog restrictions on Continental.

The Super Bowl is coming up... and so is the Puppy Bowl! Check out the lineup of this year's all-stars.

Name: Maya
Number of Pets: 1
Pet Type: Dog
Pet Breed: English Lab
From: Miami
To: Costa Rica

Is the flight on American Airlines as checked baggage safe? The flight alone is 2.5 hours. My research shows that a certificate is needed from Costa Rica and the dogs vaccination papers must be kept with us. Will cabin pressure and temperature be comfortable for our dog? Costa Rica's high temperature this time of year is around 85 degrees, will the dog be allowed to travel now?

Thanks,
Maya



Hi Maya,


First of all, in case you need them, here are the pet import requirements for Costa Rica. Let us know if you have any questions about these rules.

There are many misconceptions about pet travel -- one being that cargo travel is somehow inherently risky. The most important thing is to choose a pet-friendly airline (we often use Continental) who will diligently see to all the details. When handled correctly, the cargo area is pressure and temperature controlled, and pet crates are secured and kept apart from the luggage. Animals shuold not be left on the tarmac (thus weather doesn't play as big a role because your pet is not subjected to the outdoors for more than a few moments). Finding a pet-friendly airline who follows these conventions is vital.

The bottom line is to investigate the airline you plan to use to find out about their most up-to-date pet policies -- the last thing you need is to encounter surprises on travel day. Please contact us if you have any more questions, and good luck with everything!

Name: Silvia
Number of Pets: 2
Pet Type: Cat
From: Dublin
To: Canary Islands

I am considering moving for eight months  to a year from Dublin, Ireland to Fuerteventura, Canary Islands, Spain. Aerlingus does not accept any pets in cabin, nor in cargo. I was thinking about taking a longer route and going through Germany with two or three stops, but that sounds too long for the cats to be comfortable. What would be my options? Also, they are Irish cats, would they suffer too much in the hot weather?


Thanks,
Silvia


Hi Silvia,

Thanks for your question! First, there are a few pet travel misconceptions it may be helpful to address. It's easy to assume that cabin travel is always preferable to cargo travel, but in fact this isn't the case. Cabin travel can be noisy and stressful for pets, while being placed in the temperature-controlled cargo area run by a pet-friendly airline tends to offer a less confusing experience. Also, it's often assumed that direct flights are best, but in fact we often schedule a few shorter flights so that pets have a chance to take breaks at pet-relief areas.

In terms of the climate in the Canary Islands, that's an issue that's best to discuss with your vet.

Good luck with whatever decisions you make, Silvia! You're certainly welcome to contact us with more questions, and we also have a free quote form if you're interested in finding out more about the cost of our services.

Name: Vicky
Number of Pets: Two
Pet Type: Cat and Bird
Pet Breed: Domestic Short Hair and Cockatiel
From: USA
To: Ecuador



What are the requirements for importation into Ecuador of a cockatiel? Is there quarantine and can the quarantine be at home? I have asked AA if they will carry pet bird and they have stated "No". Is there an airline which will transport a pet bird in the cabin with the passenger or will it have to travel in the cargo hold?


Thanks,
Vicky



Hi Vicky,

Thank you for contacting us! Shipping birds certainly requires a lot of careful planning, but we've successfully transported many feathered pets and can hopefully steer you in the right direction. Here are the pet import requirements for Ecuador as well as some tips for relocating birds and a first-hand account from someone who moved her African Grey Parrot from South Africa to the UK.

In terms of airlines, it's best to check with them individually as rules can change periodically. Let us know if you'd like any help handling the move or if you have any more questions -- you can always give our office a call to speak directly to a specialist. Good luck with everything!

Name: Sundii
Number of Pets: 1
Pet Type: Dog
Pet Breed: Chihuahua
From: Las Vegas
To: Abu Dhabi

I have multiple concerns because of the length of flights, my dog's very small size, her lack of tolerance for cold and the fact that she must arrive as 'manifest cargo' in the UAE. She has always traveled in the cabin with me when we fly. How would you suggest handling this problem so she arrives safely?

Thanks,
Sundii



Hi Sundii,

Thanks for contacting us! It's understandable to have concerns about international pet travel, but we're here to help.

It's very important to start preparing for your move well in advance and to choose a pet-friendly airline. Take a look at our website and blog to find more information about pet travel to the UAE, and please don't hesitate to contact us if you have any questions. Also, if you're interested in finding out more about our door-to-door services you can fill out our free quote form.

Remember that Abu Dhabi may be far away, but many pets have moved there safely. Good luck with your move, and we hope to hear from you soon!

Name: Rebeca
Number of Pets: 1
Pet Type: Dog
Pet Breed: Shih Tzu
From: Washington, DC
To: Panama City, Panama



Hi I'm a Panamanian citizen and I want to buy a puppy in Washington and bring her with me in the airplane cabin with me. I would like to know if you can help me with the health certificate authentication from a Panamanian consul in the United States. (I'll be using Copa Airlines.)


Thank You,
Rebeca





Hi Rebeca,

Thanks for getting in touch with us. These are the import requirements for Panama, and we'd be happy to help you take care of the details. Please fill out our free quote form or give us a call at your convenience. Good luck and hope to hear from you soon!

Wondering how many people are flying with their pets these days? Let these statistics recently released by Virgin Atlantic give you an idea. Since 2003, this British airline has seen a 1500% increase in the number of dogs flying out of the UK and a 325% increase in the  number of cats doing the same.

This is just one airline, but clearly these numbers are worth noting and this growth trend can most likely be reflected by the industry as a whole. More and more people are traveling with their pets, and air carriers are taking notice. We look forward to watching the industry develop even further, and will report the inevitable exciting changes to you as they emerge.

For example, a smaller airline that you may or may not have reason to do business with, Air Malta, has just announced that it will be implementing a new pet policy beginning Jan. 1, 2012.

Air Malta  has been allowing guide dogs to ride in the airplane cabin for the last two years, but beginning in January, small pets (cats and dogs) will also be allowed to travel with their owners in the cabin. These new policies are based on customer and employee suggestions, and include the following:

-Small pets will be allowed in the cabin during all Air Malta flights, with the exception of those flying to and from the UK.

-Pets should be in a carrier no larger than 55cm x 40cm x 20cm. The carrier should meet all air travel requirements (it should have a leak-proof bottom, allow proper ventilation, etc.).

-The pet and the carrier cannot exceed a combined weight of 10 kg.

-Only three pets, including guide dogs, can fly on one airplane.

-Pets must remain in their carrier throughout the flight, and the carrier must remain stowed beneath the seat throughout the flight.

-Pets must be at least eight weeks old to fly.

-Pets must still meet all import requirements for the destination country and must have a valid health certificate and should have seen a vet within three days before the flight.

These rules seem pretty standard but can make all the difference to pet travelers, so hopefully more airlines out there will soon be following suit. At any rate, we'll keep you updated!

Happy Friday! The holidays are inching nearer, but there's always time for a pet travel news break...

-In case it pertains to you, Air Malta will begin allowing small pets in the passenger cabin in 2012.

-Here's an in-depth look at breed-specific legislation in Australia.

-The biggest animal headlines of the year, according to People Magazine.

-Cool pet gifts that give something back.

-More gifts for pets and pet lovers, particularly for those that like to travel.

-Meet Cole, the PetRelocation.com Pet Move of the Month! He's also a pro at demonstrating how to choose the right pet travel carrier.

-Around the world, people love celebrating the holidays with pets.

It's easy to become stressed out when planning the logistics of an international relocation, and every day we talk to pet owners who are worried about how their pets will handle the experience of flying.

Depending on the airline you choose, where you're going, and the size of your furry family member, you may end up discovering that, to make it from Point A to Point B, your pet will need to be placed in the cargo area of the plane. For many pet owners, the thought of flying with their pets out of reach and out of sight sounds a little scary, and in this situation, it's also easy for pet travel misconceptions and unfounded fears to overshadow the facts.

What exactly does it mean to fly pets via "cargo"? Where is the cargo area, and what's it like inside? Here are a few facts that should help clear up the confusion surrounding this issue.


-The cargo area on most standard narrow body planes (Boeing 737s, etc.) is the large area in the belly of the plane and is essentially divided in half by the engine and wings (so there's a forward "bin" and a rear "bin").

-Luggage, assorted cargo and pet crates may be packed in the same bin, and the plane has to be balanced as well as possible.

-Pet crates are secured during flight using netting and straps, so in case of turbulence, pets will be kept safe and stationary. While the crates are in the same general area as luggage and other cargo, these items are kept as far from the pets as possible so that pets' air flow will not be compromised.

-Basically, good airlines know what they're doing, so though baggage and pets are in the same part of the plane, they certainly aren't treated the same way.

-According to Continental Airlines, stress is the most taxing part of the travel process for animals, and keeping them away from the hectic vibe of the cabin (think strange smells, crowds of people, various noises, etc.), makes for a better experience overall.

So, though you won't have access to them during the flight, when you choose a pet-friendly airline with a good pet safety record (in addition to Continental, KLM and Lufthansa are a couple of our preferred airlines), flying pets in the cargo area is often the best choice.

Please contact us if you have more questions about flying with pets in cargo. Remember, it's normal to feel nervous about pet travel, but the more you know, the more you'll realize how safe it can really be.

(Image courtesy of United Airlines)

Name: Cecelia
Number of Pets: 1
Pet Type: Dog
Pet Breed: Yorkie
From: Carrollton, TX
To: Okpo, South Korea


My husband and I are relocating; can you give me some direction on taking my little dog to South Korea? I am flying American Airlines and I can't carry her on, but they say they have a controlled temperature pet cabin in the cargo, however I feel uncomfortable with this.

Can you advise me or tell me how much it would cost to do this with you and also tell me about the time frame of her travel and the procedures you follow to care for her?

Thanks,
Cecelia


Hello Cecelia,

Thanks for the question! It sounds like your best bet is to contact us for a free quote; with a few more details one of our Pet Relocation Specialists will be able to outline the move for you and offer you a price estimate.

To get yourself started, however, take a look at the pet import requirements for South Korea and find more information about pets traveling in the cargo area of the plane. Most people feel nervous about the prospect of sitting in the cabin while their pets fly cargo, but in fact pets fly safely this way all the time. 

We look forward to speaking more with you about your move. Good luck with everything!

Name: Kristin
Pet's Name: Mac
From: Kalamazoo, MI, USA
To: Monterrey, NL, Mexico



When Fiance decided he was going to take the Mexico position and I decided to go with him, there was no point when I wondered if Mac - our Doberman mix and all around big dog - and our cat, Bubba, were also coming along. Of course they were!

The HOW was a little more tricky. There were a couple of factors that lead me to not tackle moving Mac all by myself.

1. I was nervous for Mac to fly - I've heard not great things about how dogs that aren't carry-on size are poorly treated by baggage handlers.

2. We were scheduled to move in August, the month where heat is its absolute closest to approximating the temperature of the devil's left big toe. Air conditioned opportunities needed to be capitalized upon, and I simply do not know what those opportunities are.

3. Going to another country with critters requires some serious paperwork. I've got my own paperwork to worry about, it would help me out bundles if someone else would worry about theirs.

4. I'd reached my maximum capacity for being scared/ worried/ stressed in this deal. This was an area that someone else can take something off my plate, and do it much more safely than I could. Know when to hold 'em, and when to fold 'em folks.


One Google search later and I found PetRelocation.com - a company that does nothing but arrange for pets to move with their owners. There were encouraging testimonials, and a mass of reassuring information about how to move your pet comfortably all listed out on the site. Bing-o.

Sarah (our assigned agent) was more than awesome; patient with listening to my all my worries about moving Mac, and on a few occasions when it was getting closer to crunch time, she was kind enough to offer a comforting ear about move-related issues that were not at all Mac-related (it took a ridiculous amount of time to get our all Earthly possessions through Mexican customs). That's not a service listed in the contract, you know. I like to think it was just a little perk thrown in for my own benefit.

She also helped coach me a bit on what to do with our cat - little as he is, he could fly with me in the cabin, once we had the proper paperwork.

A quick FYI for anyone who may be going through Detroit Metro with a cat - that Whale-song art installation tunnel thing you have to pass through? That got some pretty loud and terrified caterwauling out of poor Bubba. But he survived the minor trauma of colorful lights and harmonious sounds just fine and dandy, and upon arrival got right to work hunting the little geckos that are so common down here.




Like I said before, Mac's not a little dog. I didn't know he'd get quite SO big (he's about 100 lbs) but he loves me, he loves the cat (he tries to purr sometimes, it's ridiculous), he loves Fiance, and he loves little kids. Right now we're sitting on the couch as I type, and he's next to me with his nose stuffed into my thigh because the A/C is cranked up and he's cold.

With Sarah's very specific guidance and with the help of my future in-laws, who watched Mac until it was time to fly, last week Mac had his vet appointment and got his official paperwork. He and his giant crate were loaded with care onto a plane, and made an epic three-day journey to Monterrey.

A connection in Houston, a connection in Mexico City... and then remember that part where I said he was big? He's too big to fly directly into Monterrey, so PetRelocation.com DROVE HIM from Mexico City to Monterrey. That's a 10 hour drive, which I'm sure was just about the best thing to ever happen to my car-happy puppy, but on PetRelocation's part, well, that's just pure dedication to service right there.

Mac hopped out of that car Friday afternoon and bowled me over, tail wagging, tongue making up for lost face-kissing time. I have a bruise on my chin to prove it. Then he checked out the whole house, said hi to his gato brother-from-another-mother, peed on the concrete patio (paying no mind to the astro-turf I bought expressly so he could pee on grass and not feel weird about doing business on concrete), and then hopped up on the couch with me and a chewie to settle in like he'd never missed a beat. About fifteen minutes later he was snoring so loud you'd swear we had a pet bear.

I was worried he was going to be mad at me for stuffing him in a box and putting him on a plane. He was just happy to come along for the adventure.

And of course, he was elated to resume his official job title of "Warm-Spot-in-the-Bed Thief" (see photo - Worth noting he's pretending to be asleep so I don't make him move. Too bad his eyes are open).

Thank you to Sarah and PetRelocation.com for keeping our wonderfully big dog 'gainfully employed' with us.

Hello Nadine,

First, take a look at the pet import requirements for Dubai for an idea of the steps you'll need to take to get move your dog safely to the UAE. As far as whether or not you can bring your dog in the cabin, it depends on the rules of the airline you're flying with (we recommend being selective and choosing a pet-friendly airline). Be aware, also, that though many travelers are nervous about flying their pets in the cargo area, pets often have a better traveling experience when they're not subjected to the noise and commotion of the cabin.

Please contact us if you have any more questions or concerns, and good luck to you!