Name: Julia
Number of Pets: 1
Pet Type: Cat
Pet Breed: Norwegian
From: Dubai
To: New York

How do I bring my cat to New York? What is the overall process? Are there any forms I need to fill out? Should I seek assistance? How much will it cost? What shots does he need?

Thanks,

Julia

Hi Julia,

Yes, there are a few things you'll need to do to prepare your cat for the move from Dubai to New York, but the good news is that it's a pretty straightforward process. For your reference, here are the pet import requirements for the United States. An updated rabies vaccine and a health certificate issued by your vet within 10 days of departure are key, and you'll want to book a flight with a pet-friendly airline.

Many pet travelers who are pressed for time choose to hire professional assistance; if you're interested in our services, please fill out our free quote form and a relocation specialist will get back to you with an estimate.

Thanks for the question, Julia. We hope to hear from you soon, and either way have a great trip!

Before making pet travel plans, it's important to research your airline options and any restrictions that may exist in order to avoid getting into an inconvenient situation on your day of departure. Do you have the right travel crate? Do you have the correct paperwork from your vet? Wait, is your breed of pet even accepted by this airline?

These are all questions certainly worth looking into well in advance, and most can be answered by perusing the airline's website or giving them a call. Here at PetRelocation we do our best to stay on top of airline policy changes and announcements, too, so check with us if you have questions.

For example, here's a recent update from United, a pet-friendly airline we often book pet flights with. They are fine tuning their breed restrictions to help keep pets as safe as possible, so beginning April 15, United will begin including French Bulldogs and French Bulldog mixes in their year-round embargo policy.

Here's the announcement from United:

United Airlines DOES NOT accept English Bulldogs, Olde English Bulldogge, French Bulldogs or “mixed” varieties of this breed after they have reached 20lbs. or 6 months of age (whichever comes first) at any time of the year. The adults of this breed are completely embargoed.

Note that United is also expanding its pet services; they recently announced additional PetSafe routes and PetSafe Product enhancements. Their complete set of pet policies can be found here.

Please contact PetRelocation with any questions about air travel with pets, and fly safely, everyone!

Name: Romy
Number of Pets: 1
Pet Type: Dog
Pet Breed: German Pointer
From: Malta, Europe
To: Pau, France

Could you please advise what is required to relocate my dog from Malta to France? Is there a quarantine period necessary?

Thanks & Regards,
Romy

 

Hi Romy,

Thanks for the question. These are the pet import requirements for France; there is no quarantine, but you'll need to satisfy a few requirements, including having an updated rabies vaccine, getting a microchip if you don't have one, and you'll need to secure a vet health certificate.

Please contact us if you have any questions about choosing a pet-friendly airline, purchasing the right travel crate, or anything else related to pet travel. Thanks again, and good luck!

Congratulations to Lou, our Pet Move of the Month! You may recognize him from our Facebook page (where he won the "likes" of many of you), and he also has his very own blog that we urge you to take a look at -- especially if you're planning a pet move to China.

Right now, here are a few questions Lou's owner Sandi was kind enough to answer for us. Find out more about this French Bulldog's international move from Minnesota to Shanghai and learn what life is like in China for a such a cute and adventurous pup.

What were some of your concerns going into the move?

I was concerned about Lou being too stressed out.  He is a Frenchie and they are brachycephalic, prone to be intolerant to extreme temperature changes.

 Why did you decide to hire PetRelocation to bring Lou with you to China?

My husband travels a lot and I have Lou here for company!! He is really my furry doggie child and a huge comfort to me.

Did anything surprise you about the international pet moving process?

Yes---the fact that he did not have to be in quarantine :)  That made me very happy!!

How is Lou adjusting to the new location? 

He did not miss a beat!  Lou had a bit of jet lag, but is adjusting to life here in the city every well.  He loves his walks and meeting new people.  He is quite popular with the Chinese.

What is life like in Shanghai? Is it a pet-friendly place to be?

I am surprised that many (just about all) dog owners walk their dogs off leash, and they seem to have no problem. (I am afraid that they would dart out into traffic or get hit by a Vespa or bicycle as they do not obey any traffic signals...)  There are many pet friendly parks, however, and Lou has made many doggie friends :)  I feel very safe here and Lou and I are having fun!

What advice do you have for people who might be planning a move?  Use Pet Relocation!!!!  They are fabulous.  All my fears and anxious moments were handled in an extremely professional manner.  I was assured of his safety, kept updated frequently, given exact and precise direction in how to prepare him for his journey and comforted that he would be loved and safe on each leg of his travel.

Join us in wishing Lou and his "parents" good luck in Shanghai, and please contact PetRelocation if you have any questions about pet travel or the services we provide.

United Airlines announced improvements to its PetSafe Program.

PetRelocation was featured in the Austin American-Statesman!

This photo bombing dog helped his owners rent their apartment. #Cute

Funny dog pictures of pets who just cannot handle it right now.

Just a cool travel thing: Airports photographed from above can be strangely beautiful.

If you were a dog, what breed would you be?

Take notice of this recent pet food recall.

Vacationing with pets in Martha's Vineyard.

Do you think the employees of PetRelocation have dogglegangers?

Name: Courtney
Number of Pets: 1
Pet Type: Dog
Pet Breed: Weimaraner
From: California
To: Texas

What airlines allow dogs to fly in the cargo area? When looking online many only outline rules for pets traveling in the cabin, but my 100lb dog is obviously too big. How do I find out if/what airlines will fly a dog that size?

Thanks,

Courtney

Hi Courtney,

Thanks for your question, it's a great one -- deciding on the right airline is one of the most important parts of planning a safe journey for your pet.

Some airlines are definitely  more pet-friendly than others, and we have a few that we regularly book flights with. United is who we typically choose when flying domestically (for international flights we often go with KLM and Lufthansa). United's PetSafe program entails certain procedures, such as making sure pets are the last to board the plane and the first to be removed. And, contrary to what many people assume, the cargo area is pressure and temperature controlled and pets are not simply "treated like luggage."

Because not all airplanes are equipped to hold large pet crates (which your dog will need), it's important to call the airline and check ahead of time to make sure you'll be accommodated. We have flown large dogs with United, but again, check with them before booking your flight because it all depends on the size of the plane they're using for your chosen route.

It's worth mentioning that you don't necessarily need to be on the same flight as your dog. Most of our customers end up flying separately from their pets, which just means you might need to enlist some help on one or both ends of your trip. (If you're interested in our services, here's a link to our free quote form.)

Please contact us if you have any questions about choosing a pet-friendly airline, crate-training your dog, or anything else related to pet travel. Good luck!

Name: Laurie Anne

Pets: Ruby & Bea Lilly

To: Florida

From: California

"Two Female Dogs Bonded in Friendship"

My two female dogs, Ruby the Corgi  (5 years old) and Bea Lilly the Sky (15 years old), bonded in travel.

My uncle died recently and left me his dog, who was very spoiled and has trouble walking and doesn't like other dogs.  I had my dog, a Corgi, who does not like other dogs and is very jealous. They would get in fights before, but after traveling for five days together side by side, they are now friends and travel buddies.

I would recommended this company; the people were great and very dependable. I love the fact I could go online anytime and see where the van was, and it was very exciting to see my puppies coming to our new home. 

My dogs were tired from the trip but in good health and good doggie spirits. It was great not to have to worry about my dogs doing a cross country move.  I can honestly say this was the easiest move for me. I was originally going to drive with the dogs but decided to fly down and set up the new home and have the dogs transported. That was one of the best decisions I made. 

Worth every penny for the peace of mind and the ease of moving, and my dogs really liked the driver -- she was great too.

Thanks so much,

Laurie Anne

Happy Friday, everyone! Here's all the latest pet news, rounded up for your convenience.

The EU will ease pet travel rules during times of emergency.

Take a look at this cat show in Madrid.

Looking for ways to make traveling with dogs a little easier.

For road trippers: Ten pet-friendly cars.

But remember, letting dogs roam freely in the car can be dangerous (and costly).

Are you on Vine? Be sure to follow us!

Name: McCarthy
Number of Pets: 1
Pet Type: Dog
Pet Breed: Mixed
From: Hong Kong
To: Singapore

Hi There,

We are relocating in May, and for various reasons, we prefer that our dog relocate two to three months after we arrive in Singapore. Is it possible for him to join us later?

Best regards,
McCarthy

 

Greetings,

Yes, this is possible. We often move pets after a family has already moved, and in fact we often recommend it. If your pet can stay with a friend or at a trusted boarding facility for a few days or weeks, you'll have time to deal with your own move and settle in to your new place without worrying about more than you need to. Welcoming your pet into a home that's been unpacked when you're feeling more relaxed will make the move transition much smoother.

Here are the import requirements for Singapore in case you'd like to take a look. We recommend starting the process early, and if you're interested in our door-to-door services, you can fill out our free quote form. Hope this helps! Good luck with everything, and we hope to hear from you soon.

It's a busy day at the office today (we're hosting a Yappy Hour this afternoon, will you be there?), but we always have time to round up the top pet news of the week. Whether you're heading to SXSW or just taking it easy, have a great weekend!

Pet travel in China, where pets are becoming more commonplace but safety rules are still catching up.

A program called My Pets On Time helps pet owners keep track of their pets' busy schedules.

These could be the three best apps for pet owners.

A passenger trying to smuggle her dog onto a flight is thrown off. #followtherules

Cats who have no idea how they ended up where they did. (We did not move any of these guys, by the way).

General travel item: is this the future of airplane seating?

And finally, here's the link to our Get & Give Yappy Hour, happening Friday March 8 at 3:30. Come on over if you're in the Austin area!

Name: Taw
Number of Pets: 1
Pet Type: Cat
Pet Breed: Female
From: Malaysia
To: Buffalo, New York

I want to take my cat from Malaysia to the United States. What do I have to do?

Thanks,

Taw

Hi Taw,

Thanks for your question, we'd be happy to provide some information. To start, here are the pet import requirements for the United States.

Your cat will need an up-to-date rabies vaccine, a microchip, health certificate, and we recommend choosing a pet-friendly airline. (We often use United, KLM and Lufthansa, for example.) In case your cat has never traveled or been in a travel crate before, here are some cat crate-training tips.

Please contact us if you have any questions about moving, and have a great trip!
 

Headed to Downtown Austin for SXSW? Get your tail moving -- you're invited to a paw-ty!

PetRelocation is partnering with Petmate to host our first yappy hour on Friday, March 8th for all pet lovers! Pick up a pet toy to take home to your favorite feline or precious pup, check out super-new pet products from Petmate, learn about PetRelocation's pet travel services, and help a good cause all in one tail-waggingly-fun happy hour!

Here's the scoop:

First,

- Check-in at PetRelocation's offices on Yelp!, Facebook or Foursquare to get in the door at our new state of the art offices in downtown Austin at the corner of 7th and Brazos.

Then,

- Make a $1 donation to Austin Pets Alive!, which works to make Austin a "no-kill" city, and receive a FREE Petmate chew treat for your dog or nip toy for your cat! We have piles of pet swag, so bring a dollar for every four-legged member of your family!

- Check out the new PetRelocation Experience Room at the corner of 7th and Brazos, designed by the amazing Austin ad agency, Tilted Chair Creative, and learn more about safely traveling with pets from PetRelocation experts.

- Chat with Ann Hanson (@annyhanny), Director of Marketing and Innovation at Petmate, to learn about what innovative new products are hitting the pet market.

Finally,

- Grab a drink (yes, free beer!) or a bite to eat, relax, and network with other pet-friendly guests!

Just the Facts:

What: Petmate + PetRelocation Yappy Hour

When: Friday, March 8, 2013 - 3:30 PM - 5:30 PM CST

Where: PetRelocation Downtown HQ - 612 Brazos Street, Austin, TX 78701 (on the corner of 7th and Brazos St., next door to the Driskill Hotel)

View Larger Map

Choosing a pet-friendly airline is one of the most important parts of planning a safe and efficient pet relocation. Due to their PetSafe program, we often use United when moving pets, and we're happy to see that they'll be adding to their existing array of options.

Here are a few updates, and hopefully we'll have many more to come as the skies become increasingly friendly to four-legged travelers.

More Flights to Latin America

Beginning April 13, weekly year-round service between Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD) and Guatemala City, Guatemala and San Jose, Costa Rica will be available (subject to government approval). Also starting April 13, United will fly weekly year-round service from Chicago O'Hare to San Jose. Flights from IAD to San Salvador have been running since December 2012, and currently United has existing service to Guatemala City and San Jose from hubs in New York and Houston.

New Flights to Canada

Pets going to Canada will soon have more options as well. Flights between Newark Liberty International Airport and Edmonton, Alberta will begin running on May 1, 2013, operating six times per week. Service between IAD and Vancouver will begin June 8, and year-round service to Vancouver from Chicago, Denver, Houston and San Francisco are already available. United currently offers more flights to various Canada locations than any other U.S. airline.

New Domestic Pet Flights

Finally, pet travelers will soon be able to take advantage of more routes within the United States. On March 2, a new daily service between San Francisco and Fort Lauderdale will begin. Service to Raleigh-Durham from SFO began late in 2012, and additional international flights from SFO are slated to be added soon.

Daily flights between Chicago and Fairbanks, Alaska will begin on June 6, and service between Chicago and Sarasota, FL has also been in effect since 2012.

Please contact PetRelocation with any questions about pet-friendly routes and pet air travel in general, and happy traveling, everyone!

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

Pampered pets in Singapore.

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

Something just plain cool: the future of airport architecture.

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

Top 10: Pet Travel Gear.

A Chicago hospital allows visiting hours for pets.

A news update for pets moving to Perth.

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

Name: Betty
Number of Pets: Two
Pet Type: Dogs
Pet Breed: Bulldog, Mixed Breed
From: Charlottesville, VA, USA
To: Auckland, NZ

I'm very worried about flying our Bulldog because of temperature extremes, etc. for the exceptionally long flights and layovers to New Zealand. Are there any options? Cruise ships? Please help!

Thanks,

Betty

Hi Betty,

Thanks for your questions, and please know that your concerns are totally understandable. Flying internationally with pets, particularly snub-nosed breeds, can be stressful, but starting the process early and doing some research will help ease your anxiety.

We've moved many Bulldogs long-distance, and there are a few important things to do to help the trip go well. First, talk to your vet and consider doing a full health-diagnostic on your dog to reveal any underlying issues. If you decide to proceed from there, choose a travel crate that's nice and big so as to promote good air flow, and be sure your dog is comfortable spending time in the crate (you may need to start training several weeks in advance of the trip). Another crucial element is the airline you choose. Be sure to go with a pet-friendly airline, one that has established pet policies and well-trained employees so that temperature issues do not come into play.

This is just a quick overview (here's another link with some smart pet travel tips), and we'd be happy to talk with you further. Feel free to give our office a call or fill out our free quote form if you're interested in finding out more about our services. Either way, we hope this helps and wish you a great trip!

 

Name: Jaimie
Number of Pets: 1
Pet Type: Dog
Pet Breed: Labrador
From: USA Washington, DC
To: Nairobi, Kenya

I am just trying to find the most affordable and safest way to ship my dog to me in July 2013, or information about airlines that would allow her to fly as cargo with me.

Thank you,

Jaimie

 

Hi Jaimie,

Thanks for your question. Kenya isn't the most common place to move pets, but believe it or not we've done it a few times. Here is the story of a dog named Bear who we recently relocated there, as well as a rundown of the pet import requirements.

As far as airlines, we have used KLM to go to Kenya and would recommend checking out their services. They are a pet-friendly airline and we often use them for our international pet flights.

Please contact us if you have any more questions, and if you're interested in finding out more about our door-to-door services, please fill out our free quote form.

Thanks again, and we hope to hear from you soon!

Our travel-loving friends over at HomeAway.com have created a fun pet travel infographic (made with a little help from our very own Summer Pet Travel Survey).

Take a look (just click on the image to view it a little larger), and if you're planning to bring your pet along on your next trip, be sure to explore all the pet-friendly vacation rentals available.

Travel Ideas infographic from HomeAway

Happy Friday! Here's a round-up of all the latest pet news to help keep you in the know.

The top five resort chains for pets.

Did you keep up with the Westminster Dog Show?

Bringing a pet to Costa Rica.

A book review of Sheron Long's Dog Trots Globe.

We love that moment when a pet is reunited with their owners after traveling. Here's a cute dog video that captures a great one!

People spend lots of money on their pets on Valentine's Day.

Meet the pets of PetRelocation!

Have a great weekend, everyone!