Name: Nathan
Number of Pets: 1
Pet Type: Dog
Pet Breed: American Bulldog
From: China
To: San Francisco, USA

Do you know if it would be okay to fly via Air China from Beijing to San Francisco in June? They have no breed restrictions, but many airlines don't fly American Bulldogs during summer months. Does the temperature really fluctuate that much on a trans-pacific flight during summer or winter?

Thanks,

Nathan

 

Hi Nathan,

Bulldogs and other snub-nosed breeds are more susceptible to having stress and breathing problems when flying, so many airlines try to minimize risks by imposing restrictions and embargoes. Before deciding if you should fly with a Bulldog, you should have an honest conversation with your vet and have your dog undergo a health screening to identify any underlying issues that may come into play.

If you decide to go forward, choose an extra-large travel crate that will allow plenty of good airflow and -- most importantly -- choose a pet-friendly airline. We generally select United, KLM, Lufthansa and a few others for the pets we relocate, as it's well worth it to go with a carrier with established pet policies in place. With United, for example, they use temperature-controlled vehicles to transport pets out to the plane, so temperatures outside shouldn't really be a factor. That being said, with breeds susceptible to stress, extra caution is never a bad idea.

Please contact us if you'd like to speak to a specialist about your move. We're well-practiced in finding the best routes for pets and can advise you about your options. Thanks for the questions!
 

Name: Dawn
Number of Pets: 2
Pet Type: Dog
Pet Breed: Lab mix
From: Orlando, FL
To: London

We are a year plus from possibly moving from Orlando to London. We currently have two dogs, both weighing 50 lbs each. The good news is that they are crate-trained. The bad news is that we keep them in the same crate. Do the pets need to travel in individual crates? What time of year is best to consider for travel to London? Which airlines do you use? Any particular UK rules that we need to consider other than what is on your resource page? I am trying to do some research well in advance. Thanks for your help.

Thanks,

Dawn

 

Hi Dawn,

It's great to hear from you; it's very smart to start researching a pet travel endeavor well in advance. Here is the rundown of pet import requirements for the UK, and yes, you will need to have an airline-approved travel crate for each of your dogs. Here's more info about choosing the right dog travel crate.

We highly recommend choosing a pet-friendly airline (we often use United) that operates with careful pet policies. If you choose a carrier that places a high priority on a pet's safety the weather won't really be a factor, however since many airlines operate with embargoes during the summer you should research options ahead of time to avoid surprises.

Please contact us if you have any more questions about  your trip or if you're interested in our services. We'd be happy to be of further help, and wish you a great trip!
 

It's hard work moving pets around the world, but it's what we love to do. What makes it all especially worthwhile is hearing from our happy clients after they've been reunited with their four-legged friends and seeing pictures of smiling faces settling into a new home, so we encourage the pet families we've served to share their stories with us.

Not only can globetrotters recount their experiences on our blog, we also enjoy connecting on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and all the other fun social media available today. We have so many outlets to choose from, so don't be shy about saying hello!

If you need further inspiration, meet "Stone" and Toby. We helped get Toby the cat to his new home in Ohio a few months ago, and his family has been great about sending us photos and updates. Check out the latest message below, and whether you moved last week or last year, feel free to follow their example as well as that of the other social pet owners we've told you about before.

As always, please contact us if you have questions about pet travel or simply want to check in. Talk soon, pet lovers!

 

@petrelocation Just wanted to remind y'all that y'all... #AbsolutelyROCK and Toby says HEYA! twitter.com/metalodyssey/s…

— Stone (@metalodyssey) May 16, 2013

 

Name: Michael
Number of Pets: 1
Pet Type: Cat
Pet Breed: Tortoise-shell short-hair
From: London, United Kingdom
To: Delhi, India

Do you have an adequate international network to coordinate this move?

Thanks,

Michael

 

Hi Michael,

Yes, we've arranged several moves to India and would be happy to discuss your options and a relocation plan with you. We've noticed an upward trend when it comes to moving pets to India -- it seems like an ever more pet friendly place to be.

To start, take a look at the pet import requirements for India. Your cat will need a microchip and a few health documents, and you'll want to make sure she's familiar and comfortable with her travel crate.

Please fill out our free quote form if you'd like to find out more about our door-to-door services, or you can give our office a call. We look forward to hearing from you!

 

Name: Sujin
Number of Pets: 1
Pet Type: Dog
Pet Breed: Yorkshire
From: Kuwait
To: Canada

Please tell me all the formalities which I need to fulfill before taking my pet to Canada. He is fully vaccinated and up-to date but has not been embedded with the chip which bears the owner's information.

I'm permanently moving to Canada and am scheduled to move out of Kuwait by August 10-15.

Waiting for your response.

Regards,

Sujin

 

Hi Sujin,

Canada does not require that pets have a microchip, however we do recommend them. In our experience they offer pet owners peace of mind (even if microchips are never needed it's nice to know they're there -- just in case).

Here are the complete pet import requirements for Canada. Take a look and then please let us know if you have any questions. There are many decisions to make when planning a pet move (choosing an airline, picking out the right travel crate, etc), and we're happy to help if you find you need assistance.

Thanks for the question, and good luck with everything!

 

Name: Jody
Number of Pets: 1
Pet Type: Dog
Pet Breed: Small Chinese dog, 10 to 12 pounds
From: Nanning, China
To: Houston, Texas

Can you assist me with getting my dog from China to Houston, Texas? I will need assistance with the regulations and paperwork. My wife is currently in China until the end of June and we would like to bring the dog with her back to the United States.

Regards,

Jody

 

Hi Jody,

Sure, we'd be happy to help you move your pet. For quicker service you can call our office: +001-512-362-6100, or you can fill out our free quote form which will allow a specialist to look over the details of your move and offer you an estimate and overview of our services.

For your information, here are the pet import requirements for the United States. Your dog will need an international health certificate issued within 10 days of departure as well as an updated rabies vaccine. We recommend choosing a pet-friendly airline and making sure your dog is comfortable spending time in the travel crate, as well.

We look forward to hearing from  you -- please let us know if you have any questions!

 

Name: Kartik
Number of Pets: 1
Pet Type: Dog
Pet Breed: Labrador
From: Delhi, India
To: Toronto, Canada

My 8-year-old Labrador has never traveled by air and I am hesitating to fly with her. I am planning to relocate to Canada, preferably Toronto. I am little afraid and would like to understand the whole procedure, as its a very long journey.

Is it possible that I can travel with my pet? My decision to relocate hinges on this.

Thanks,

Kartik

 

Hi Kartik,

Thanks for the question, we'd be happy to walk you through the steps of a pet move. First, you'll want to take a look at the pet import requirements for Canada for an idea of what you'll need to do to bring your dog to Canada.

As far as your air travel concerns, the most important things to do include talking with your vet about the health of your dog (identify any possible risk factors, etc.) and also choose a pet-friendly airline. Airlines with established pet procedures who make sure pets are carefully loaded on and off the plane in a timely way are the ones to look for (we often fly with United, Lufthansa and KLM). Here are a few frequently asked pet travel questions that may help you, as well.

It's not necessary for you to be on the same flight as your dog, in fact most of our clients fly separately while we handle the details of their pet move.

Please let us know if you have more questions or if you'd like a free quote for our services. We'd be happy to help you find a solution and bring your dog to Canada safely!

Pets by the numbers from CNN.

The states with the healthiest, happiest pets.

Safe pet car travel.

Dog video: take a look at what Sydney pet quarantine is like.

Our Pet Move of the Month is Mahalo, a former show cat from Japan who can sit and shake.

Flying with a pet this summer? Time to start thinking about airline embargoes.

Tips for going to the beach with your dog.

 

Name: Kathryn

Pet's Name: Lucy

Moved From: Placentia, CA

Moved To: Shanghai, China

 

A friend of ours recommended PetRelocation when they heard we were moving to China, as they had used their services and were quite pleased. 

I was so nervous about transporting my yellow lab Lucy, and I called and emailed PetRelocation to ask questions for almost a year. Both Sarah and Tyler were very patient and were great about addressing each and every concern that I had. They provided great support and guidance as we worked through the details of Lucy's trip.

I felt very confident that Lucy was in the best possible hands to get her safely to Shanghai. Lucy is doing quite well. We established a great routine after she was delivered to us -- regular walks and play time have helped her settle in her new surroundings. She has even made friends with the doorman of our building!

 

 

Meeting the pet import requirements for Australia means fulfilling a minimum 30-day quarantine, a prospect that initially sounds less-than-ideal to many pet owners but in the long run ends up being not such a big deal. We receive plenty of photos, feedback, and even videos from clients that show us what the quarantine stay is all about, and we're happy to share that information with people thinking about a pet move.

Here's a great example below. Tilly the Labradoodle arrived in Sydney a few days ago after traveling from the United States, and she'll be ready to go home on June 1. As you can see, she looks good and her owners are able to visit her (a fact she's tail-waggingly happy about, of course).

Please contact PetRelocation with your questions about moving pets to Australia, and stay in touch for more pet travel updates from our clients!

 

Name: Dora
Number of Pets: 1
Pet Type: Dog
Pet Breed: Pug
From: Sydney
To: Singapore

Hi There,

My husband, my kids and I are relocating to Singapore in the next couple of months and we are taking our beloved pug with us. I wanted to know what the procedure and the costs involved are. Do pets need to be in quarantine once in Singapore? If so, for how long?

Many thanks,

Dora

 

Hi Dora,

Thanks for the question -- we certainly understand that you'd like some advice for such a long-distance move. Here are the pet import requirements for Singapore for your reference. Singapore does impose specific rabies vaccine regulations and a quarantine (often 10 days long), so you'll want to tend to those arrangements well in advance of your departure to make sure you can find space somewhere.

Take a look at our blog for more pet stories about moving to Singapore -- we've helped many dogs and cats go there, and we'd be happy to offer you some information or a quote for our services. Good luck, and we look forward to hearing from you.

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: Lisa
Pet Type: Dog
Pet Breed: German Shepherd
From: Virginia, USA
To: Abuja, Nigeria

I am thinking about relocating to Nigeria for my job, but I am very worried about safely transporting my dog.

My dog is about 75 lbs and is 12 years old. Provided the vet gives her a clean bill of health to travel, is it safe? How would PetRelocation assure her safety?

Thanks,

Lisa

 

Hi Lisa,

Your concerns are certainly understandable. Moving a dog to faraway Africa isn't exactly a common occurrence, but the good news is that we've handled a few such moves and would be happy to talk to you about the procedure and the details.

Here are the pet import requirements for Nigeria, as well as a few tips for moving an older dog. If you and your vet decide to go forward with the relocation, you'll want to choose a pet-friendly airline and make sure your dog is well-acclimated to the travel crate if she isn't already.

To find out more about what we do and how we do it, please give our office a call or fill out our free quote form. Also, take a look at couple of customer stories that may help put your mind at ease. We moved Bear to Kenya and Hugo to South Africa recently -- in these instances the pet owners were a little nervous to start, but as you can see the moves went well. Every relocation is different, but it's our job to work towards the best arrangement possible and move pets safely.

Good luck with your decision and your plans, Lisa. We hope to hear from you soon!

 

Name: Joyce
Number of Pets: 1
Pet Type: Dog
Pet Breed: Pomeranian
From: Dublin, UK
To: Brazil

Hi,

I'm moving to Brazil next month (June), but I'm doing an eight-hour connection in Switzerland. Do I need a passport or just a Health Certificate (APHIS 7001) and the vaccines?

Thank You,

Joyce

 

Hello Joyce,

Thanks for your questions; here are the pet import requirements for Brazil. Unless you are planning to leave the airport or switch airlines, you will not need to complete any additional steps for your time in Switzerland. You will need the APHIS 7001 issued within 10 days of departure as well as the required vaccines.

Please contact us if you have any more questions or if you're interested in our door-to-door services. We'd be happy to assist with your move.

Good luck!

Here's an email recently sent to our CEO by some very happy clients. We thank them for sharing their thoughts (and for sharing their move with us, of course)!

 

Dear Sir,

I contacted your company when it was decided that my wife and I were returning to Scotland and our two dogs would be coming with us. The logistics of packing the house for shipment coupled with getting the dogs to Scotland was a very daunting prospect.

Our first contact was with Joe Fraser and a little further down the line we worked with Dan Guyder.

I must congratulate you on having such professional and courteous staff members. From the very outset they both acted with complete professionalism that instilled in us the confidence that we only had to take care of packing and shipping the household goods to Scotland.

Working with Joe and Dan was a total pleasure, and they not only relieved us of all our concerns by taking care of every aspect of the move, but the level of their concern gave us the impression that they acted in a manner which could only be achieved if they were relocating their own pets - not ours.

The relocation went as smoothly as we expected, despise a slight hiccup with Glasgow Airport which was handled by Dan to our complete satisfaction, and the dogs are now settled into our new home.

We can only reiterate that working with your company through Joe and Dan was a pleasure, and that their professionalism, confidence and courtesy was an asset in promoting your company image.  We would have no qualms about recommending PetRelocation to anyone considering a move that requires relocating their pets.


Our very sincere thanks,

Rob and Fiona

 

Celine & Shari, two lucky dogs now living in Scotland.

Name: Crystal
Pets' Names: Rocco and Miss Kitty
From: Orlando, FL
To: Malvern, PA

I recently relocated to Malvern, PA (right outside of Philly) as a transfer with my company. PetRelocation was recommended to me by my relocation company.

First, I have never lived outside of the state of Florida; and second, I was moving all by myself. My first contact with PetRelocation was with Maegan, who made me feel so comfortable with the the transfer of Miss Kitty and Rocco. She walked me through the entire process, emailed me a video of what actually happens at the airport, and reassured me that both kitties would be ok.

Daniel then helped walk me through preparation for the big move, tracked their travel the day of the move, and even emailed me to update me on their progress. The two handlers that worked with me on pick-up and drop-off were fantastic and total pet lovers, which made me feel more comfortable with the move.

I would highly recommend PetRelocation for any pet moving needs. Thanks again Maegan and Daniel for handling this situation, as I'm sure you do all of them, with total care. Thanks for making this big move for me, Miss Kitty, and Rocco an easy one :)

Though our focus is helping families to bring their pets with them when they move, we like to keep an eye on general pet travel trends, too.

The pet industry has seemed pretty recession proof over these last few years, and we've noticed that more and more hotels and travel services have come to embrace four-legged customers along with their owners. Something from today's news caught our eye, however: It seems that a new development could be emerging in the UK.

According to the Daily Mail and free pet-sitting service Petaround.com, thousands of British citizens will skip taking a vacation or cut theirs short because of inadequate or expensive boarding options for their pets. Kennel and pet sitting costs are on the rise here, making the financial demands of a holiday just too much for many families to justify. According the study cited, many pet owners are also "too embarrassed" to ask family or friends to help out with pet-sitting.

Here in the United States, many pet owners traveling for fun or business without their pets are turning to the dogsitting site Dogvacay.com, which lets dog sitters list their services and dog owners choose and contact individuals they're interested in checking out. In the UK Petaround.com functions similarly, but here pet owners are able to locate people to take care of their pets very cheaply, on an exchange basis, or even free of charge.

Dedicated pet owners are strong in number, so it's no surprise to see creative solutions to pet-sitting conundrums pop up in places where prices for services are rising in general. Will developments like Petaround.com reverse the trend of Britons ditching their holidays? We'll be following the news to find out.

Please contact PetRelocation if you have questions about pet travel, and keep in touch with us for all the latest pet news updates.

 

Name: Samantha
Number of Pets: 1
Pet Type: Dog
Pet Breed: Rat Terrier
From: North Carolina, USA
To: Masterton, New Zealand

How long before my move do I need to start the relocation process for my dog, Roxie? Is it expensive?

Thanks,

Samantha

 

Hi Samantha,

Great questions! Moving pets to New Zealand certainly requires a bit of careful planning, so it's wise to start the process several weeks in advance of your desired departure. Here's a rundown of the pet import requirements for New Zealand to give you an idea of what to expect. As a rabies-free country that requires a titer test, you can quickly start to see why a relocation here can't be rushed.

Here's more discussion about when you should start planning a pet move. Please don't hesitate to contact us if you have any questions, and if you'd like a quote for our services, you can fill out this form. International pet moves aren't cheap, but we'd be happy to explain the costs to you if you're interested in discussing Roxie's move with a pet relocation specialist.

Thanks for getting in touch with us, and we hope to hear from you soon!

 

Name: Leah
Number of Pets: 1
Pet Type: Dog
Pet Breed: Border Collie Mix
From: Denver, USA
To: Singapore

How can I transport my dog from the US to Singapore in July?

Thanks,

Leah

 

Hi Leah,

The steps for moving your dog to Singapore from the United States are outlined here. You'll need to have your dog microchipped if not already, update the required vaccines (paying close attention to the rabies vaccine procedure in particular), and secure a vet health certificate within 10 days of departure. Since Singapore imposes a quarantine, you'll also need to make those arrangements well in advance.

International pet travel can be confusing, so be sure to allow plenty of time to plan and don't hesitate to seek assistance. Many people decide to enlist professional help when moving a pet, and we'd be happy to tell you more about our door-to-door services if you're interested. Here is a link to our free quote form if you'd like a cost estimate.

Contact us if you have more questions, check out our Facebook page to meet some of the pets we've moved, and good luck with everything!

Name: Christie
Number of Pets: 1
Pet Type: Cat
Pet Breed: Moggie
From: London
To: Los Angeles

My cat is 19, and although she's in good health she does get stressed. I am very worried about moving her on an 11-hour flight to Los Angeles. Do you have any suggestions? She has been with me for 19 years and I cannot leave her behind.

Also, what paperwork does California want?

Thanks,

Christie

 

Hi Christie,

Thanks so much for the question, your concerns are certainly natural. Before moving older pets, we do advise talking to your veterinarian to discuss the possible risk factors. When moving internationally, we understand that it's never a great option to leave a pet behind, so it's important to talk to a trusted doctor about how you might be able to prepare your cat.

Take a look at our blog for a few ideas about how to minimize the risks of pet travel, how to travel safely with an older pet, and how to crate train a cat. For cats who tend to get stressed during travel, helping them get as comfortable as possible with the travel crate can make a huge difference.

Finally, if/when you decide to go forward, here are the pet import requirements for the United States. You'll need updated vaccines and an International Health Certificate issued within 10 days of departure. Please contact us if you have any more questions, and good luck with your travels!