The employees of PetRelocation love getting to know our clients' pets as we help them travel the world safely, and most of us have adorable pets of our own who we're happy to show off anytime.

In honor of the sweetest holiday, here's a look at some of the cute faces we come home to each night. Happy Valentine's Day, pet lovers!

Reba! This Muppet look-alike belongs to Sarah S.

Marissa's dog Rocky lives with her parents in England (where it's been snowing like crazy)

Claire has worked with the German Shepherd Rescue of Central Texas over the last few years, and here she is with her own two pups, Zuri And Banjo

Tucker is a Schnoodle and belongs to Daniel

Marissa also has a cat named Rhett

Keith & Sherlock

Vivian belongs to (and is adored by) Jeana

Maegan & Benni (and a giant squirrel)

Tucker belongs to Matt K.

Ashley has three pups in her crew: George, Riley & Aston

Bethany & Gilligan

Lenneke & Oakley

Rachel's boy Charlie

Mandy's doggie Jackson

Tyler & Alex

Sarah R.'s dogs, Jack & Duna

Kitty & Sasha are Lauren's two gals

Raef belongs to Caitlin

Ramesses is Tyler's #1 kitty

Amber & Copano

And these pups are actually just friends of Amber's, but this pic was too perfect not to share!

Thanks for getting to know our pets a little better, and feel free to share your own V-Day pet pictures with us on Facebook or Twitter!

Name: Louise
Number of Pets: 3
Pet Type: 1 dog & 2 cats
From: Shanghai, China
To: UK

Can you clarify the requirements for relocating pets from China to the UK?

Thanks,

Louise

Hi Louise,

Sure, we'd be happy to assist you. Here's a rundown of the pet import requirements for the UK. The good news is this will be an easier process than it used to be, however you'll still need to spend some time making sure your pets are up to date on their rabies vaccines, have all the correct paperwork in order, and are comfortable in their travel crates (among other things).

Pet travel can seem complicated at first glance, so please contact us if you have any more questions or if you'd like a quote for our services. Thanks, and good luck!

 

Name: Jamie
Number of Pets: 1
Pet Type: Dog
Pet Breed: Labrador
From: Atlanta, GA
To: London

Will my dog have to be quarantined in England for any period of time?

Thanks,

Jamie

Hi Jamie,

Though it used to be the case, pets coming to the UK from the US no longer face a six month quarantine. It's still necessary to meet a few requirements including a microchip and rabies vaccination, so do allow plenty of time to prepare for the trip.

Take a look at this link for more details about importing your dog to the United Kingdom, and please contact us if you have any questions.

Have a great trip!
 

Name: Shasanka
Pet’s Name: Fido
From: Houston, TX, USA
To: London, England

After going through the formalities needed to move pets to the UK, we were convinced that we needed professional help to relocate our Cavalier King Charles Spaniel (Fido) from Houston to London.

One of my colleagues who already moved his pet from Houston to Perth through PetRelocation recommended them to us, and approaching PetRelocation proved to be the best decision that we made for Fido's journey across the Atlantic. Initially we spoke to Lee, and later Tyler took over the responsiblilty of moving Fido.

Tyler was very supportive and assuring and was always available to answer any queries. The process was quite stressful in the sense that we had to cancel his flight booking once and postpone his travel by three weeks. But, the way PetRelocation handled the situation made the whole process smooth and easy.

Fido is finally in London with us and enjoying his stay to the fullest in his new home!! I would certainly go with them again and would highly recommend them to anyone else in a moving situation!

Name: DaNeil
Number of Pets: 1
Pet Type: Dog
Pet Breed: Dachshund/ Jack Russell cross
From: Lakenheath, Suffollk, England
To: St Louis, Missouri, U.S.A.

I plan on moving back to the States later on in the year and I want to take my dog with me. I have no idea of how to go about it. Any information you can give me, including an approximate cost, would be appreciated. Thank you,

DaNeil

Hi DaNeil,

Shipping dogs to the United States requires a bit of preparation, but ultimately it's not as complicated a process as going to many other countries would be. You'll need to follow a few basic procedures (here are the full pet import requirements for the United States), book a flight with a pet-friendly airline, and buy an airline-approved travel crate if you don't already have one.

Many pet owners choose to enlist help with arranging all of this, and if you're interested in our services we'd be happy to offer a price estimate. We look forward to hearing from you!

 

Name: Nancy
Pet's Name: Bandit
From: New York
To: Denmark
 

My pet cat, Bandit, has just arrived in Denmark, safe and sound! I'd like to share our story...

My fiance is Danish and lives in Denmark. After a couple of years of traveling back and forth, we decided that my cat Bandit and I would move to Denmark.

I was pretty overwhelmed when I started to look into ways to move pets abroad. The main obstacle was that Bandit simply weighed too much (17 lbs) to go in-cabin on the flight. The other option, flying as cargo, seemed unappealing and I had read a lot of horror stories.

A friend recommended that I look into a pet relocation service, as that was how she moved her dog from Australia to England. I did a web search and found PetRelocation.com, among others.

All of my interactions with PetRelocation.com were extremely positive. They really know the ins and outs of pet relocation. I initially spent about 30 minutes on the phone asking a lot of questions and learned about the process. I felt that PetRelocation.com had a lot of experience and connections with certain airlines that made me feel better about transporting my cat.

They also took care of all the details. All that I really needed to do was buy the crate and do a little crate training. I also had to bring the cat to the vet as well, but PetRelocation had already handled filling in the paperwork. My vet was really appreciative of this.

I opted for door-to-door service, which went flawlessly. Our move happened right after Hurricane Sandy, which was pretty nerve-wracking, but our relocation consultant monitored the situation closely and everything went on according to plan.

On the day of the move, I received constant email updates and also was able to track my cat all through the journey. The notifications were timely and extremely helpful. In Denmark, my fiance received calls when the plane landed and also right before the cat and agent arrived at his doorstep.

My cat took the trip pretty well. He explored the apartment and is all settled in. I arrived the next day and he came out to greet me. We are very pleased with the services from PetRelocation.com. It was everything that they said it would be and I would definitely recommend them or use them if we ever move again!

Name: Oliver
Number of Pets: 1
Pet Type: Dog
Pet Breed: Shar Pei
From: England
To: Miami, Florida

What do I need for my dog to move with me to Miami, Florida?

Thanks,

Oliver

Hello Oliver,

Thanks for contacting us. First, here are the pet import requirements for the United States. They're actually pretty straightforward compared to many other countries, but if you have any questions, you're welcome to get in touch with us. Right now you'll probably want to start planning your timeline and researching airlines to ensure you make the safest and pet-friendliest choices possible.

Again, let us know if you have any questions, and good luck with everything!
 

Name: Lauren
Pet's Name: Kelsey
From: New Hampshire
To: Panama
 

I'd like to offer a GIGANTIC thank you and shout out to PetRelocation.com for helping me move my 12-year-old best friend from her home in New Hampshire to sunny Panama.

I accepted a position in Panama City only after confirming Kelsey would be able to accompany me. It wasn't until after I set the ground work for my move that I realized how traumatic the experience would be for me and likely also for her. She has lived in New England her whole life, is skittish, and doesn't handle new situations very well. The concept of turning her over to someone else, putting her in a crate and on a plane, and acclimating her to a tropic city was insanely stressful.

PetRelocation helped me understand the process and maintained vigilant communication with me throughout her travel day. She arrived safely in Panama and this picture was taken the following morning! All of the PetRelocation agents were incredibly knowledgeable and patient with me!

About a year and a half ago we helped Boris and Mia move to the UK with their family, and when life beckoned everyone back to the United States recently, we once again assisted with the relocation. Both moves required careful attention to detail and time to adjust, but the pups did well and the whole family learned a lot from the experience.

The dogs' owner Adrian was kind enough to answer a few questions for us about their relocations, so read on to find some great information about moving pets.

Congrats to Boris and Mia, we're so glad they chose us to help them travel the world safely!

What were some of your concerns going into moving your dogs internationally? 

First and foremost our dog’s well being, there are stories floating around about the side effects of flying animals. For example, stress related to the entire moving process, risk of heat stroke (time of year, origin and destination applies), pressure variations within the cabin, and possible injuries due to handling. An additional concern was being able to meet the regulatory requirements (i.e., having all paperwork in order and certified upon arrival).

Did anything surprise you about the international pet moving process?

The most surprising part of the pet move was the genuine help and positive coaching we received from Scotty. We did our homework and researched what it was going to be like for our dogs. However, the constant questions we had and quick response from Scotty helped ease our apprehensions.

How have your dogs adjusted to moving to a new place each time?

When they arrived in England (a year and a half ago), they were very sleepy and could barely keep their eyes open. Their internal clocks were off so it took them a couple of days to adjust to the new feeding, walking, and sleeping schedule.  They also had to get used to new food. Upon their return to Texas this last month they once again had to adjust to the time zone. Thus far, we encountered some minor issues with Mia’s breathing as it was heavier than normal and Boris was salivating more than prior to the move. Of course the vast temperature changes may have played a major roll considering they were used to a much cooler temperature. It took a few days to work out but they are back to their normal barking selves.    

What is life like in the US compared to the UK? What adjustments have you made, if any?

The original relocation to the UK took more adjusting from our part (vs. from Mia and Boris).  For Mia and Boris the climate changed from three digit summer temperatures to a below freezing wet winter. This meant more indoor living for them, which they did not mind at all due to the extra attention. For us, because dog owners are common in the UK, and they like to frequently walk their dogs without a leash, we had to constantly coach Mia and Boris not to mind free roaming dogs approaching them. It was a learning curve for all of us. Eventually they got used to seeing other dogs walking by and in one occasion Boris happened to lean in and give a big kiss to another dog passing on a walk.

Additionally, in Chester where they lived, there were many dog parks. This meant that most of the residents were comfortable around dogs. We would have a few people stopping us to pet the dogs and learn about them. Eventually they had a few people in the neighborhood asking for them if we were spotted walking without them.

There were several veterinarians and plenty of pet stores. A charming aspect of living in the UK is that some of the pubs allow you to bring your dog in. So when the bitter cold air is creeping around and the fire is crackling away in a pub, you don’t have to feel guilty for leaving the dogs at home. Some would even provide a doggy bowl of fresh water for them.

The move back to the USA has taken a little bit more time for the dogs to acclimate. They were provided with plenty of fresh water, shade, exercise and rest to help allow them to adjust faster. After a few days they were back to their normal trotting, fence protecting, happy-go-lucky ways. It is obvious they missed being able bask in the sun and run freely in a big yard.

What advice do you have for people who might be planning a move?

Find out what regulatory agencies come into play and their requirements. Understand lead times for the required paperwork to be processed in order to follow the sequence of requirements carefully. Ensure crates/kennels are large enough for the breed to have room to move freely. Do not feed pets prior to move and exercise them prior to move. Groom them according to destination. Lastly, relax as pets can “pick-up” the emotional state of their owner. That being said, I would like to leave you with a somewhat comical story.

The Sunday before the dogs’ big move back to the States we woke up to what could have been a disaster. We had meticulously put together a packet to include all necessary documentation for their arrival. That packet was laid down on the kitchen table along with several other miscellaneous items (some of which contained food). Not to mention it was placed under some of those items as well. I am sure you guessed it, the only packet that was found on the floor, torn apart and with bite marks all over was their relocation packet.  The food and rest of items were unscathed. Of course neither Mia nor Boris confessed to the mishap (although Boris is our prime suspect). In some way I think this was their way of saying “We know what is going on!” Dogs are smart heart warming creatures and sensitive to their surroundings. The best ending to this story, they didn’t ruin their pet passports.

--

Excellent stuff! Please contact PetRelocation.com if you have any questions about moving your own pets, and keep in touch for more great pet travel stories.
 

Name: Devon
Number of Pets: 1
Pet Type: Dog
Pet Breed: Brussels Griffon
From: Boston, USA
To: London, England

I have a Brussels Griffon and have heard that sometimes pug-like dogs are not allowed to fly due to their nose and possible problems getting enough oxygen. I was just wondering if this is true and if there is any way I can bring my Brussels with me? I can't bear to leave him behind. Thank you!
 

Hi Devon,

Thanks for contacting us! Flying with snub-nosed breeds can be a little tricky, so there are a few things to keep in mind. First, double check with the airline you'll be using to make sure they accept these breeds, and ask about any possible temperature restrictions that may limit when you can fly.

When getting ready to fly, be sure to choose a travel crate that's nice and large so that good air flow is possible. Helping your dog to stay cool and calm (making sure the dog is comfortable with the crate is also important) is one of the best ways to prepare for a safe flight.

For your information, here are a few tips for achieving safe pet travel as well as the pet import requirements for the UK.

Please let us know if you have any more questions, and good luck!

Name: Brad
Number of Pets: 1
Pet Type: Dog
Pet Breed: Bichon/Poodle
From: Southern California, USA
To: Cornwall

Is there a quarantine period for dogs coming from the US to England with the appropriate documentation, microchip, and vaccinations?

Thank you,

Brad
 

Hi Brad,

Thanks for your question. There is currently no quarantine for England, as the rules have recently changed to bring the UK in line with the rest of the European Union.

You'll find the pet import requirements for the UK here. Please contact us with any questions, and good luck with the trip!

Name: Denise
Pet's Name: Dude
From: Texas
To: England
 

We placed one of our puppies with the perfect forever family in England and we had a fantastic experience. Bethany, our contact person at PetRelocation.com, was wonderful. She was there every step of the way and helped to allay any fears we had. There are so many rules and regulations going into Great Britain (or I'm sure for any international travel), and they seem to change on a regular basis.

Bethany was up to date on the rules and she guided us through the maze of paperwork required for the trip. She made sure we had exactly what we needed to get our boy ready for travel. For each leg of his trip, she notified us where he was and how he was doing. I highly recommend this service and would not hesitate to use them again in the future.

Name: Barb
Number of Pets: Two
Pet Type: Dogs
Pet Breed: Golden Retrievers
From: Frisco, TX (Dallas suburb)
To: London, England

Hi! We may be moving overseas ( we will know in about 30 days). We know the rules have changed. Question is: Our one golden is 10 years old and hyper and in great shape. Is she too old to travel nine hours? (Our other golden is only 5 years old.) Thanks!

Will keep you informed....

Barb
 

Hi Barb,

Thanks for your question. You're right, the UK pet import rules have recently changed, but of course it's normal to still have questions about how to move your pets overseas.

Here at PetRelocation.com we have flown dogs that were ten years old and older. There may be greater risks associated with older pets, so it's great news that your pup is in good shape. The best you can do is keep her fit and healthy in the weeks before the flight, choose a large crate that will allow for plenty of airflow, and finally, talk to your vet about the trip to see what she/he advises.

Please contact us if you have any more questions, Barb. We'd be happy to help you with your move if you do end up going overseas!

Congratulations to Marshmallow for being named our Pet Move of the Month! This Dalmatian mix traveled from Maryland to the UK when her owners were called overseas, and we were happy to help them navigate the process during the hectic time that military families must so often face.

This was the family's first pet move and they had all the typical concerns (safety, paperwork, costs), but in the end everything turned out well and Marshmallow is enjoying life in the UK with all her favorite people. Her owner Tarnna, was kind enough to share the full story with us below. Read on to find out more about Marshmallow's military move!

What were some of your concerns going into the move?

We didn't want to put Marshmallow through the stress of a long flight only to arrive and have to be quarantined, that would have been devastating for her and our family.

Another big concern for me was how much is was going to cost. Moving internationally is not cheap, even if the military pays for some of it, so adding in this cost was a worry.

Did anything surprise you about the pet moving process?

I was shocked by the price to move a pet. Not just with this company, but every company I contacted and even trying to do it on my own. It is not an inexpensive thing to do and it made me change my thought process about military members who move around.

Most of the time military families will just give up their pets when they PCS, and I could never understand why until now. Luckily for us we had saved for emergencies and this seemed like a good time to use it.

Another thing that surprised me was how dismissive of my concerns some companies were -- luckily not this one -- but many that I contacted were and even the airlines directly. Getting these types of responses from other places is another reason I went with PetRelocation.com, everyone seemed genuine and like they actually cared that our animal got to us safe and sound.

How is Marshmallow adjusting to her new home?

Marshmallow loves our new home, just like we do! When she first arrived she was a bit scared and confused but she quickly settled in. The only thing that has changed is she has a bigger back yard to run around in, which keeps her happy. She has actually lost some weight from all the extra playtime she is getting. She was always a pretty laid back, good dog and nothing has seemed to change that.

How is life in the UK? Is it a dog-friendly place to be?

The UK seems to be a pretty dog-friendly place to be. We haven't searched out any dog parks yet, but we have taken her hiking, where she was loved on by everyone that passed us. Other than that we have only been here a little over a month so there aren't too many stories.

What advice do you have for people who might be planning a move?

To other people who are moving I would say that they need to understand that if they want their pet to arrive in good condition it will cost them, but in the end it is so worth it. I would also say to people to go with their gut feeling about a company who is moving their pet; if you get a not-so-good feeling there is probably a reason. They are your pet and they are a part of your family and they deserve to be as comfortable through the moving process as you do!

Anything else you'd care to share?

At first I was put off by the cost, but after dealing with other companies and the airlines I realized that I could not do this on my own and saw that PetRelocation.com was actually the best company to go with. Like I said earlier, everyone I dealt with from my first call to the gentlemen who brought her to our home in England seemed like they really cared about her and animals in general, and they didn't put my concerns on the back burner. There are good people working for this company!

Once I decided to hire Pet Relocation.com it was like a huge stress filled ball was lifted off me. I had enough stress just trying to get me, my daughters and my house ready all while worrying about my husband, who was still gone. I felt defeated for awhile in the process and was feeling I could not get her here, but once I hired this company I knew it would be okay.

That may sound dramatic but this was the most stressful move I have had during my husband's military career, and we have moved a lot. Nothing was working out and everything seemed to be happening to hinder our move, so when the things with the dog worked out it brought some much needed sunshine. I enjoyed all the people who helped us through the process, everyone had their part, and they did it well. We are planning on using PetRelocation.com for our next move and I have referred my sister and brother-in-law to PetRelocation.com to move their dogs during their next move. They are also in the military and coming to the UK in November. 

Hopefully I didn't get too mushy, but we are very grateful for everything this company has done. We really feel like everyone went above and beyond and worked with us and their team to get us our dog!

The prospect of moving can be both exciting and overwhelming -- that's according to Stacy, the owner of our featured Pet Move of the Month. That seems to be how most of our customers feel about pet moves, which is why PetRelocation.com is happy to step in and help move treasured dogs like Neely when the family is called overseas (it was for military reasons in this case).

Military moves can be especially daunting, but Neely made the trip just fine and is doing well in her new place. Read on to find out the whole story (you can also check our blog for even more info about this pet move). Congrats, Neely! We're so glad we could help you in your journey across the pond!

Is this the first time you’ve ever moved a pet?
Yes it was.

What were some of your concerns going into the move?
The two major concerns that I had when it came to Neely’s move were her safety and the possibility of her needing to be quarantined.

Why did you decide to use PetRelocation.com to help out with your move?
I decided to hire your services because it took the work out of trying to figure everything out. Also, after reading all the great testimonials I knew Neely would be in great hands and would arrive home safely.

Did anything surprise you about the international pet moving process?
It wasn't that I found anything surprising, but I would say that some of the steps that were required in order for Neely to travel were a bit confusing at times. We were traveling to the UK during a time where a majority of the rules were changing rather quickly, thus making it difficult to keep up. That is why I am SO glad that we had the people at PetRelocation.com there to help us. With all the things that you have to remember to do in order to prepare for moving, it was a relief to know that I didn’t have to worry about keeping track of all the rule changes and requirements for Neely's travels.

How is Neely adjusting to the new location?
Neely is loving England! On her first day here she just slept the day away in an attempt to recover from doggy jet lag. It has taken her about a week or so to settle in and adapt to all the new sights and smells, but now its like she’s been here forever!

What is life like in the UK? Is it a pet-friendly place to be?
The town where we are living at in the UK is in the Lakes District and is very pet friendly. Many of the dogs here are very socialized and are often off leash. Some of the pubs and stores even allow pets in, just as long as they are well behaved. There are plenty of footpaths where we can go on walks and there is a very nice park in our area as well. On weekends we often go out for long hikes, which Neely loves!

When we first arrived here I had set up a vet appointment for Neely to make sure that there were no other vaccines that she needed, especially because there is so much livestock around where we are. I also wanted to make sure that her current heartworm prevention and flea and tick treatments were appropriate for the region. The vet we took her to was extremely helpful and thorough. We had copies of Neely’s vaccination records from the states which definitely helped the vet figure out what she had already been vaccinated for and what she needed boosters for in the future.

There are plenty of small locally owned pet shops in our town as well as some chain pet stores in some of the larger towns (which are not that far away) for pet food, toys, etc. One thing I would advise pet owners to do before moving is to make sure that the local pet stores carry the brand of food that your pet is currently eating. When we came over here we found out that the brand of dog food that Neely was currently eating was not supplied here at the local or chain pet stores. As a result, we had to switch her food over to something else, which was kind of a pain because Neely is a fussy eater. The only un-pet friendly thing we found about the UK was trying to find a rental property that allowed pets.

What advice do you have for people who might be planning a move?
The advice that I would give for anyone who might be planning a move is to prepare as far in advanced as possible, educated yourself on the process, and ask TONS of questions. This will greatly help in reducing the amount of stress that is involved with moving because you won’t find yourself running around trying to do things at the last minute. Also, make sure you have copies of your pet’s full vaccination record as well as any records in regards to illnesses or procedures that he or she may have had.

And just out of curiosity, where does the name “Neely” come from?
Neely was a rescue dog that my mom had found for me through Petfinder.com. When I had adopted her that was the name that she had came with. I was thinking about changing it when I brought her home, but she already new her name at that point. However, she does have a nickname of “Bean” that I call her very frequently. She earned that nickname because she was only a tiny eight pound pup when I got her.

Name: Stacy
Pet's Name: Neely
From: Connecticut
To: England

When I found out we were moving to England I was so excited and overwhelmed all at the same time! My biggest concern with the move was being able to bring my dog with me. The thought of leaving Neely behind was not an option, and the thought of transporting her overseas terrified me. At first, I was determined to get all of Neely's travel documentation and flight plans in order myself. However, with all the other stresses of moving and the possibility of me not being able to fly out with her, my husband decided it was time that I get some help.

My husband's employer had given me Cara's contact information so that I could talk to her to see what PetRelocation.com could do to help me. After the first phone conversation I instantly felt comfortable. Cara and Ashley had both walked me through every single step that I needed to take in order to get my dog over to England. They checked and double checked every piece of paperwork and answered any questions that I may have had. They kept on top of all the changes that were being made by DEFRA, and notified me immediately as to what those changes were. They made sure that Neely's crate was appropriate for travel, and even mailed us out a welcome pack!

When I found out that I needed to go over to England before I could get Neely out there, Ashley worked with my father to complete her travel requirements. On the day of Neely's travel, she was picked up at my parent's home and brought to the airport. Ashley had notified me when Neely was up in the air and gave me a confirmation number so that I could track her. They also kept in touch with my father to let him know the same. During her travel they made sure she had a pre and post- flight potty break as well as water and clean bedding. Once Neely cleared customs they called me to let me know that she would be delivered to me shortly.

When Neely arrived she acted as though she had been on one big adventure! She was so excited to be at her new home, and most importantly she arrived safely, clean, and happy!

It's now been close to three weeks since she arrived and she has settled in without a hitch! PetRelocation.com has made this moving experience stress and worry free. Cara and Ashley always took the extra step to make sure that everything was done right and that Neely would arrive home safely. I would absolutely recommend them to anyone who has to transport a beloved pet and I would certainly use their services again in the future!

Thanks again Cara and Ashley!!!

Name: Willow
Number of Pets: Two
Pet Type: Cats
Pet Breed: DSH
From: Indiana, USA
To: Ruswarp, UK

Having a hard time finding answers on how to move my cats to England. I have everything except blood tests. May I take them and have them quarantined there in a vets office? And what airlines are pet friendly?

Thanks,

Willow

Hi Willow,

Thanks for contacting us! These are the pet import import requirements for the UK. They became more relaxed beginning Jan. 1, 2012 -- good news for you! Basically the old quarantine rules are no longer in effect, but you will still have to secure the basic travel paperwork (health certificates, etc...).

As far as airlines, look for one with established pet-friendly policies (we often use Continental, KLM and Lufthansa).

Please let us know if you have any more questions or if you need a free quote. Good luck!