Some pet travelers will see new air travel rates beginning June 15, United Cargo has announced, so travelers planning to use PetSafe animal transportation services (United's specialized pet program) should check with the airline ahead of time to find out how much they should expect to pay.

Rates for some routes (including those going from the United States to Japan and other Pacific destinations) will decrease, while routes from the U.S. to Guam and Micronesia will increase. According to United, the changes are a result of "recent market evaluations" and the desire to offer competitive pricing.

Says United: "A key benefit of United Cargo's PetSafe is the use of climate-controlled vans to transport our four-legged customers between their flight and our facility safely and comfortably. United Cargo employs more of these specially-designed vans than any other carrier. Also, we recently opened our newest on-site PetSafe kennel facility at O'Hare International Airport in Chicago. United operates similar kennels at our airport facilities in Houston and Newark, and these kennels provide the ultimate in care and comfort for animals traveling on United Airlines."

Visit United.com for more information about PetSafe routes and fees, feel free to contact PetRelocation with any questions about pet travel, and keep in touch for more pet travel updates.

 

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Keeping up to date on summer air pet travel schedules and embargoes.

 

 

Happy Friday, y'all.

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

 

Continuing our coverage of summer pet air travel embargoes and restrictions, today we have news that Delta Cargo has begun its Summer Live Animal Program. This means that during the summer months (specifically May 13 through Sept. 29, 2013) select stations will provide "additional care and protection" for pets and will fly certain breeds during warmer temperatures. Normally Delta will not fly pets if the temperature exceeds 85F/29C.

Please contact us to find out about the qualifying airports, and note that Delta Cargo will not accept any snub-nosed dog or cat if the temperature exceeds 75F/24C for any city. To qualify for these special summer allowances, all cities the pet is being routed through must qualify.

Delta may end up being the best choice for some people, but based on our experience, it's preferable to fly with an airline that operates with pet safe procedures all year (United Airlines drives pets out to the airplane in a temperature-controlled vehicle, for example, so the weather outside is not as big a factor). That being said, because English Bulldogs, Olde English Bulldogs, French Bulldogs and mixed varieties of these breeds are especially susceptible to the stress of travel, United has released some breed-specific adjustments recently. See the full Bulldog update here.

Also regarding United, Boston Terrier puppies, American Bulldog puppies and Pug puppies may fly any time of the year without restriction, but adults of these breeds are completely embargoed from May 15 to Sept. 15. To provide extra safety, snub-nosed breeds should use travel kennels that are one size larger than normally required.

All these rules can certainly sound confusing and this is just a quick overview, so don't hesitate to contact us if you have questions about the specifics of these summer regulations for pet travel. It's our job to see pets transported safely, and our team of specialists is happy to discuss your options and concerns.

Please stay in touch for more summer pet travel news, and travel safely everyone!

 

 

 

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Tips for going to the beach with your dog.

 

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!

 

As summer approaches it's once again time to keep our ears and ears open for news of summer airline embargoes and altered operations that may affect pet travel.

Take a look at last year's summer embargo information for an idea of what to expect, and remember to talk to a pet relocation specialist or do plenty of careful research ahead of time if you're planning to travel with a pet this summer.

We'll keep you updated as we go forward, but here it is: your first official summer pet travel news flash from United Airlines.

 

-Phoenix (PHX) will only accept pet arrivals before 9 a.m. and after 9 p.m. (this is the same procedure they followed last year).

-Palm Springs (PSP) will have an embargo in place through Sept. 15.

-Dubai (DXB) will have restrictions on brachycephalic breeds all year long.

-The new on-site kennel facility at O'Hare is in development and more news of it should be announced soon.

 

Keep in touch, pet travelers!

 

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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.

 

PetRelocation belongs to an international network of pet shipping specialists called IPATA (the International Pet and Animal Transportation Association), which means we are able to meet and share information with some of the world's best service providers in our field. 

Last week we attended a regional IPATA meeting in Dallas, TX (that's just a few hours away from our Austin headquarters), and there we were able to get to know a few of our colleagues a little bit better. In fact, a few of them were so interested in what we do that they decided to prolong their time in Texas and come down to our office for a visit. Today Manuel Leunda from Las Lunas in Argentina and Simon Jackson from Dogtainers in Australia were kind enough to spend some time with us for a "Lunch & Learn."

Manuel is actually the current president of IPATA, and he updated us on all the latest pet shipping news and plans for expansion in South America. Simon is the IPATA Treasurer, and he answered our questions about Australia import rules and how they may be changing in the coming years. The world of pet travel is busy, complex and dynamic, so we were happy to have the chance to catch up with these friendly experts. It's always beneficial to have face-to-face meetings with people we normally do business with by phone and email, and we love showing off the great city of Austin to out of town guests, as well.

Thanks to Manuel and Simon for stopping by and giving us great overviews of the important work they do. Thanks also to Kyle Freeman from VIP Sitters in Canada, who stopped by last Friday to say hello. Come back anytime, y'all!

 

Lunch & Learn with fellow IPATA members

 

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What kinds of pets relocate the most? Here's a breakdown of the pets we moved last year.

 

As we've discussed in the past, sometimes the process of moving gets a little tricky and pet owners find it easier to move ahead of their cat or dog (or horse or chinchilla). This means that pets must be cared for during the transition, and most likely they're boarded at a local pet hotel.

Pet boarding facilities can be found all over they world, and we've found that the savviest ones are embracing technology by offering their customers photos and video updates to help ease the separation.

We're helping a dog and a cat, Theo and Rosie, move from Italy to the United States, and their Milan pet hotel sent us a few videos (see below). Places like Pensione Allevamento Vertragus set themselves apart by offering this extra touch, and we love that we're seeing more and more pet businesses follow the trend.

Does your doggie daycare or favorite pet hotel update you via email or social media? Let us know in the comments!

 

 

Cats, dogs, guinea pigs, and horses. Those are just a few kinds of the pets we've moved here at PetRelocation, and we love that we're able to assist such a diverse group of customers.

Though the procedures can vary based on country-specific import requirements and the sizes and needs of the animals themselves, every day we talk to people who can't imagine leaving their pets behind when something like a new job throws a big change into the mix. Big or small, furry or feathered, the pets we end up assisting do tend to have one thing in common: they're well-loved and treated as part of the family.

In case you're curious to find out more, here's a breakdown of the top breeds we moved last year.

 

Pet Moves by PetRelocation (2012)

1. Domestic Short Hair Cat: 377

2. Labrador Retriever: 125

3. Tabby Cat: 53

4. Domestic Longhair Cat: 51

5. German Shepherd: 40

6. Golden Retriever: 29

7. Chihuahua: 28

8. & 9. (tie) Dachshund / Boxer: 25

10. Australian Shepherd: 20

 

We also moved over 10 each of the following: Pugs, Goldendoodles, Maltese, Shih Tzu, Beagles, Yorkies, Border Collies, Persian cats, and a few more. Of course there were several mixed and specialty breeds as well, along with a couple ferrets, rabbits, and even a chinchilla.

No day is ever the same here at PetRelocation, and we can't wait to see what the rest of 2013 brings. Please contact us if you have questions about moving your own pet -- even if you have a special case, it's probably nothing we haven't heard before. Happy traveling, everyone!

 

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Here's how to help the pets and the people of West, TX.

 

The full extent of Wednesday evening's explosion in West, TX is still being measured, but one thing is for sure: this small town just north of Waco needs assistance. As surrounding communities leap to aid those affected by the unimaginable event, we're heartened to see the outpourings of support that include the pets of West, as well.

If you're nearby and want to help, here's what you can do:

-To help the community of West in general, they are taking blood donations and volunteer lists are being organized. Here's a rundown of how to help West.

-Follow the Humane Society of Central Texas on Facebook for pet updates and calls for assistance.

-The Facebook group West, Texas Explosion Animals Lost & Found is another one to check if you're looking for a lost pet or just looking to help.

-People with missing livestock or horses can file their lost reports here.

 

Our hearts our with everyone in West, and we wish the best for all people and pets involved.

 

 

Basing their rankings on pet friendly hotels, off leash dog parks and overall walkability, Priceline.com has come up with a list of top 10 U.S. cities for people traveling with pets. "We've created this list as a guide to help travelers find the best experiences no matter who's along for the ride," says Priceline's Chief Marketing Officer Brett Keller.

Take a look at the list below to see if you agree. Have you traveled to any of these cities with your pet? Did you find them to be welcoming to both you and your four-legged companion?

 

1. Albuquerque, NM
2. Portland, OR
3. Tucson, AZ
4. Tampa, FL
5. Indianapolis, IN
6. Salt Lake City, UT
7. Austin, TX
8. Tulsa, OK
9. Louisville,KY
10. San Francisco, CA

 

 

"What's the largest pet you've moved?"  That's a question we often receive from people who are curious about our business or worried that we won't be able to help them with their oversized precious cargo. Well, horses are pretty big, and we've moved several of those!

For example, we're getting ready to move an American Saddlebred named Darla (also known as Lookin' Ready when she's in show mode) from Kentucky to Ohio. As is the case for the typical pet owner who contacts us, Darla is a member of her family, and they feel that bringing her along with them when they relocate in a few weeks is an absolute must.

Take a look at the stunning picture below, and find out more information about transporting  horses. Remember, we're happy to assist pets of many shapes and sizes, so if you have a horse, a bird, a rabbit or another pet that's not a dog or cat, don't hesitate to contact us with your questions.

 

Darla, also know as Lookin' Ready, & owner Kaitlin at a show last year

 

Choosing a pet friendly airline is one of the most important components of planning a safe and smooth pet move. We have a few carriers that we primarily use for the relocations we handle, and among them is German airline Lufthansa.

In addition to transporting thousands of human passengers each year, Lufthansa is also known for its Frankfurt Animal Lounge. This 4,000 square meter facility allows traveling animals to transit and board (if necessary) under the care of expert professionals. Lufthansa Cargo is recognizing the fifth anniversary of the Animal Lounge and celebrating over 30 years of experience transporting animals. Though clearly a standout service provider in the realm of pet travel, we're glad to hear that Lufthansa plans to continue to improve and innovate in the future.

Here's an excerpt from a recent Lufthansa Cargo announcement regarding specific horse travel updates as well as an overall goal to keep expanding their pet offerings:

"But we are not resting on our laurels, of course. Instead, we continue to work on getting better and better for you and your animals. We have just introduced a new horse container that offers 20 centimeter more space on the side. Rather than aluminum, the containers are made of special plastic materials to better protect your horses from heat and cold. This is yet another contribution to making sure your animals are in good hands with Live/td - today and in the future."

We'll keep you updated as Lufthansa and other airlines improve and add pet services and pet friendly routes (United recently made a couple of pet travel expansion announcements). Such news is always welcome to us, and we're guessing you feel the same way.

Happy pet traveling, everyone!

 

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Have a wonderful weekend, everyone.

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Have a great weekend, pet lovers!