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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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!

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: Darcy
Number of Pets: 1
Pet Type: Cat
From: New York City, NY
To: Fortaleza, Brazil

How long would my cat have to be in quarantine? She is a very nervous cat and I'm worried about this.

Thank you,

Darcy

 

Hi Darcy,

Thanks for the question. A few countries do require a quarantine period for entering pets, but Brazil is not one of them. Take a look at the Brazil pet import requirements to see the list of steps you'll need to take to bring your cat into the country.

In addition to these basic vaccine and health certificate requirements, we also advise choosing a pet-friendly airline and working to help your cat get used to her travel crate. Nervous pets are often ones that have never had the chance to grow accustomed to their crates, so leaving the kennel out in the open, placing toys and treats in it, and generally helping her to see it as "no big deal" will help her be less stressed on travel day.

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

 

 

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!

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

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!

 

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Name: Mahmooda
Number of Pets: 1
Pet Type: Cat
From: Bangalore, India
To: Dammam, Saudi Arabia

What are the requirements for taking a pet cat abroad? Kindly list me all the formalities and the process required.

Thanks,

Mahmooda

 

Hi Mahmooda,

Sure, we're happy to offer some information. Here are the pet import requirements for Saudi Arabia, along with some tips for how to crate train a cat.

As you can see, you'll need to follow Saudi Arabia's rules (which include a microchip, vaccines, and the international health certificate: Aphis 7001). You'll also want to choose a pet-friendly airline and find out what their particular procedures are for bringing your cat along.

Please contact us if you have any more questions, and good luck with everything!

 

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!

Name: Kerry
Number of Pets: 1
Pet Type: Dog
Pet Breed:  Labrador Mix
From: Spain
To: USA

What injections and tests does my dog need to enter the United States?

Thanks,

Kerry

 

Hi Kerry,

Thanks for contacting us, we'd be happy to help. These are the pet import requirements for the United States. Though not strictly required, we recommend a microchip for your dog. Aside from that, you'll need an up to date rabies vaccine as well as the correct documentation (including an international health certificate issued within 10 days of departure).

Please let us know if you have more questions about choosing the right travel crate, picking a pet-friendly airline, or anything else involved with pet travel. We're also happy to tell you more about our door-to-door services if you're interested.

Good luck!

 

Name: Jo
Number of Pets: 1
Pet Type: Cat
Pet Breed: Domestic Short hair
From: Virginia
To: London

Do I have to wait six months if I am in the process of getting my cats shots etc.? What is the United States to United Kingdom pet import process?

Thanks,

Jo

 

Hi Jo,

Thank you for the question. Please take a look at the pet import procedures for the UK. As you'll see, the six month quarantine period is not longer in place (here's more about the updated EU pet import requirements), but you still need to follow the given timeline regarding the microchip implantation and the rabies vaccine, etc.

Please contact us if you have any questions about moving your cat to London, and if you're interested in our door-to-door services, you can fill out our free quote form. Good luck with everything!

 

 

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

 

 

Name: Nicola
Number of Pets: 1
Pet Type: Dog
Pet Breed: Miniature King Charles
From: Glasgow, UK
To: Snowtown, South Australia

Hi,

I have no idea how to start or where to start collecting all the documents to transport my dog. I'm looking forward to hearing your advice and expertise.

Regards and thanks,

Nicola
 

Hi Nicola,

We've moved many pets to Australia and would be happy to guide you with some information. Here are the pet import requirements for Australia. Your dog will need to follow a specific timeline in order to prepare for the trip, as Australia is a rabies-free country.

If your dog doesn't have a microchip, you'll want to start with that and then follow the steps as outlined. Also, you'll want to work on crate-training if your dog isn't comfortable in a travel crate yet.

Please contact us if you have any questions or if you're interested in our door-to-door services.

Good luck!

Name: Miguel
Pet's Name: Elvis
From: Caracas, Venezuela
To: Sydney, Australia

We are from Venezuela and the story begins in Caracas in mid 2012, when our Visa to live in Australia was finally approved. That was when the process to bring our pet to Australia started.

Venezuela is a country from which it's not allowed by the Australian Government to export animals directly, and as a primary requirement the animal must live at least six consecutive months in a country from which it can be exported. After many difficulties, sleepless nights, and complicated procedures, we achieved the first step: Elvis traveled from Caracas to Houston in September 2012 to begin what would be his export process before the final destination.

Austin, Texas, was the city where we decided to live the experience of what would be a transition for all of us, and there we contacted the PetRelocation agents. From the first contact via email, we were well-treated and they recommended some guidelines for what would be the preparation process for exporting our pet. We decided to visit them at their offices in Downtown Austin to meet in person and have everything made clearer. We were well-received and after that moment, the team of specialists took Elvis' case with a continuous monitoring of the whole process and guided  all veterinary checks, documents and legal procedures, quarantine, and travel plans.

Today we can say that our French Bulldog arrived healthy and without any complications from his Houston / Los Angeles / Sydney trip, and just had to fulfill the a minimum quarantine period in Australia of thirty days.

For us it is a happy ending, and as a family we are extremely grateful to the team of professionals for the excellent service. Thanks, PetRelocation!!!

-Miguel, Gabriela, Camila and Elvis!

 

 

 

 

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.