Puppy

Name: Krysta
Number of Pets: 5
Pet Type: Dogs
From: Puerto Rico
To: Northern Virginia/DC

 

My friend, who lives in Puerto Rico, has a dog that surprised her with puppies and I am working with a Rescue Organization trying to get them brought over to the US. What are the regulations and cost for bringing them over? Thank you!!!!

Krysta

 

Hi Krysta,

Wow, sounds like you have quite a situation on your hands. Well here are the pet import requirements for the United States (luckily it's not the toughest country when it comes to importing pets). As for costs, it will vary depending on a few factors.

For a free quote for our services you can fill out our online form, and if you'd like to speak to a Specialist you're welcome to give our office a call. Note that we recommend puppies be at least 12 weeks old before they fly.

Good luck with everything, Krysta! Just let us know if you need anything else...

 

Name: Nathan
Number of Pets: 1
Pet Type: Dog
Pet Breed: Labrador Retriever
From: Buenos Aires, Argentina
To: Denver, Colorado

 

My puppy is three months and two weeks old. She is just now able to have her rabies vaccination. Will she be able to fly in two weeks if I get her vaccinated? What else needs to be done to bring her home with me?

Thanks,

Nathan

 

Hi Nathan,

Thanks for the question! These are the pet import requirements for the United States. In addition to the rabies vaccine you'll need a health certificate, and other than that we advise that you spend some time choosing a pet-friendly airline that places a priority on pet safety. (United has a PetSafe program, for example.) Four months should be a reasonable age to fly a dog if everything is handled correctly.

Feel free to contact us if you have questions about any of this, and good luck with your trip!

 

Relocating pets is a team effort, and we employ the help of agents and drivers all around the world to help transport your furry family members safe and sound.

Last month we introduced you to John Kernan of Pawsitively Dogs in our first Driver Spotlight, and today we'd like you to meet another trusted collaborator: Rebeca Berni of Dog Gone Taxi based near Seattle, WA.

We've worked with Rebeca many times and now we're taking a moment to shine the spotlight on her. Read on to find out more about one of our top pet agents!

 

How long have been in the pet transportation business?

I've been in this business since 2005.
 
How did you get started? 

I was the owner/operator of a physical therapy center for dogs (doing warm water hydrotherapy).  Many clients had difficulty getting their pets to and from their appointments, as the dogs were disabled or had injuries that made it difficult for them to walk. 

That's when I started Dog Gone Taxi.  Soon after that - about six months later - a dog transportation company in Seattle that did daycare & boarding drop-off and pickups went out of business. They kept their website but changed their phone number to our number without letting me know. We grew our local business rapidly after that. A year later we got a call from a pet broker service to do an airport delivery. They helped educate us on the industry and told us how to get fully licensed with USDA. 

Year after year we have added more pet brokers and gotten more experience in the industry. In 2010 we started providing private (one families' pets at a time) cross-country pet relocation. As the pet transportation business grew, I became unable to do the water therapy clients and changed that business into pet boarding and daycare. We now offer pet boarding (dogs & cats) and doggie daycare in our Seattle office, as well as the transportation business in WA, OR, and CA, and we now have several employees.

 

Rebeca Berni (and dog pals) on a cross-country trip.

 

What’s your average day like? 

There is no average day. Some days we have check-ins at 4 a.m. and pickups at 11 p.m. Typically in the AM we have our local business daycare/boarding drop-offs and again for a few hours in the afternoon. The airport check-ins and drop-offs are fit in between.
 
What’s your most memorable pet move experience?

We recently moved 12 roosters & chickens from Victoria, BC to Fargo, ND. They were family pets, kept in the home and in a coop. Fresh eggs in the AM meant that the chickens were happy!

 Do you have pets of your own? 

Yes, I have two dogs. A Bichon and 17-year-old blind Beagle.
 
What’s your favorite part of this job?

Seeing the happy owners face when their pet has been delivered all safe and sound. And of course, playing with the puppies!!
 
Do people find what you do unusual?

Yes, but once I explain what it is we do, they usually say, '"Oh, I wondered how people moved with their pets, I just never thought about it."
 

---

Stay tuned for another Driver Spotlight to appear on the blog soon... There are many more interesting pet agents to meet!

Name: Cathie
Company: The Leona Group LLC
Pets' Names: Fritz, Sophie and MacGregor
From: Dearborn, MI
To: Gilbert, AZ
 

 

Fritz (7-month-old puppy), Sophie (11-year-old calico) and MacGregor (11-year-old tabby) traveled from our home in Michigan to our new home in Arizona. During their 2000 mile journey, I was contacted regularly on the status of their travel and those involved in taking care of my little ones did a great job.

We are all now adjusting to our new home.

 

 

It's Friday, once again! Before you unplug and unwind, enjoy these pet news links...

 

Cutting-Edge Pet Products via @CNBC (we especially like Slide 11!).

United has a new pet travel rule that's not making military members very happy.

A new survey of dog travelers reveals that yes, this is an important market niche.

Forget the Oscars. Dog News Daily held the first ever Golden Collar Awards in LA this week.

Is this the oldest cat video of all time?

For our compatriots: Pet-Friendly Places in Texas.

Presidents and their pets.

And yes, just for fun, Is Ryan Gosling Cuter Than a Puppy? Tough decisions!

 

George & Riley enjoy water sports on the weekends. What do you like to do with your pets?

Name: Wendy
Number of Pets: 1
Pet Type: Dog (puppy)
Pet Breed: Westie
From: London
To: Vancouver


I am trying to bring a three to four month old pup from London to Vancouver, Canada in the cabin with me. If I fly from London via Frankfurt or Paris, do I have to comply with their Pet Passport regulation? We would not be stopping, but as Air Canada will not fly London/Vancouver with a pet in the cabin we are having to take an alternate route so that we can do that. The other alternative is to come through the US. Any advice?




Hi Wendy,

Thanks for contacting us! In this situation you'll want to check out the pet import requirements for Canada and abide by those. In general it's not necessary to meet the import requirements for a country that you're just transiting through, but it's a good idea to consult the airline you end up choosing to find out about their specific policies. We also invite you to search our blog for any other topics you may be wondering about.

Good luck with your trip, and please contact us if you have any more questions!

Did you watch the Superbowl yesterday, or are you more of a Puppy Bowl kind of football (non) fan? Either way, you probably saw at least a few pets trotting across the television screen this weekend, as the entertainment value of cute dogs and cats certainly isn't lost on the advertising teams tasked with the job of stirring up interest in their brands.

From a pet travel industry perspective we couldn't help but notice all the dogs in cars that were featured, but there were several companies that put our furry friends to work. Volkswagen followed up last year's popular Vader Kid ad with barking Star Wars dogs and a spot featuring an overweight pup working to get into car-chasing shape, and Chevy also featured man's best friend in it's apocalypse-themed commercial. A French Bulldog named Mr. Quiggly reportedly replaced Kim Kardashian in its Skechers commercial, Doritos presented a non-cat-friendly vignette, and Subaru showed off a "Dog Friendly, Dog Approved" line of vehicles in its fun contribution to the lineup (check it out below, along with a few others).

How many pet-themed Super Bowl ads did you catch? Which ones were your favorites? Feel free to chime in, and in case you missed the other show, here are a few highlights from this year's Puppy Bowl, too.

We (specifically Pet Relocation Specialist Sarah) recently moved Dexter, a lab/retriever mix, from Canada to Shanghai. It always takes pets a little while to adjust to their new surroundings, but Dexter encountered an extra surprise upon arrival: his owner found and adopted a new pup shortly after relocating, so Dexter found himself with a new  home and a new sister, Lotte. We wish this sweet family lots of luck!

Here's what the dogs' owner had to say:

Dexter and Lotte are doing great --  after a week of little fights they are too cute together ;) My boy is not a baby anymore, he is so big now... he still thinks he is a little puppy and sits on mommy's lap.

Happy Friday, pet lovers! Enjoy a safe and fun weekend!


It turns out the Lunar New Year is a busy time for pet travel -- owners must be sure to make reservations nice and early.

When carrying cats in the airline cabin, be sure to make sure those latches are properly secured to avoid a cat escape like Ripples'.

Let's all take a moment to be jealous of Raja, the world-traveling Shih Tzu who visited Machu Picchu.

How pets are affected by domestic violence and its aftermath.

Remember those new year's resolutions? Oh yeah... well here are some ideas for winter dog workouts in case you need some motivation.

Stay on top of the latest travel rules: Bulldog restrictions on Continental.

The Super Bowl is coming up... and so is the Puppy Bowl! Check out the lineup of this year's all-stars.

Name: Beth
Pet Type: Dog
Pet Breed: German Shepherd
From: United States
To: United Kingdom

Hi, I'm thinking about purchasing a 10-12 week old puppy from the US and I need to know what I need to do to bring the puppy into the UK without quarantine.

Thanks,
Beth




Hi Beth,

The pet import requirements for the UK have recently changed (it's easier to move there now), so if you meet the basic conditions you will not face a quarantine. Note that we here at PetRelocation.com do not recommend moving dogs before they've reached the age of four months old so that they can get all their vaccines and will be strong enough to handle the stresses of travel.

Please contact us if you'd like a free quote for our services or if you have any more questions. Good luck!

Hi April,

First of all, congrats on the new (future) puppy! It's definitely a smart idea to start planning your travels well in advance, and we're happy to help. These are the pet import requirements for Hong Kong, and for your return trip, the pet import requirements for Canada. As you can see there are a few documents, vaccines, etc. to take care of.

It's important to talk to your vet about flying your puppy, as well, but generally we recommend that you wait until dogs are at least four months old. At this point they can be vaccinated against rabies and are also physically better equipped to withstand the rigors of travel.

Please contact us if you have any questions, read more about Hong Kong pet travel on our blog, and fill out our free quote form if you're interested in hiring us to help with your move.

Good luck, and we hope to hear from you soon!

Name: Rebeca
Number of Pets: 1
Pet Type: Dog
Pet Breed: Shih Tzu
From: Washington, DC
To: Panama City, Panama



Hi I'm a Panamanian citizen and I want to buy a puppy in Washington and bring her with me in the airplane cabin with me. I would like to know if you can help me with the health certificate authentication from a Panamanian consul in the United States. (I'll be using Copa Airlines.)


Thank You,
Rebeca





Hi Rebeca,

Thanks for getting in touch with us. These are the import requirements for Panama, and we'd be happy to help you take care of the details. Please fill out our free quote form or give us a call at your convenience. Good luck and hope to hear from you soon!

Many of us will be loading our pets into the car and hitting the road within the next few days, so in addition to the holiday pet tips we've already offered, we thought we'd throw a few more gift ideas and travel advice your way (because when it comes to your pets' well-being, you can never be too prepared).

-Avoid decorations that are tempting, hazardous and possibly in reach of your pet (tinsel, for example, can be very dangerous if ingested). Breakable ornaments are also risky, so make sure they're up high if you have any at all.

-If you have a Christmas tree, be sure it can't be toppled over easily by anchoring it down. Hide all electrical cords away, too, as they can be very attractive to cats and puppies who like to chew.

-If you bring your pets with you to visit friends or family, remember the importance of identification. Tags, microchips, up-to-date pictures and copies of health records are all good to have.

-If you decide to leave your pets behind when you travel (let's face it, most cats and many dogs would prefer not to have to hit the road at all), be sure to check out the kennel facility carefully or leave plenty of detailed information for your pet sitters.

-Travel safely! Pets that roam loose through the car can be a dangerous distraction. Whether you put up a gate or buy a harness, be sure to restrain your furry friend while you drive.

-Do you have a worrier on your hands? Thundershirts can supposedly help calm a pet's nerves, and we recently heard about these CDs that help dogs get over their fear of loud noises. Might be worth checking into!

Name: Una
Number of Pets: 1
Pet Type: Dog
Pet Breed: German Wirehaired Pointer
From: Germany
To: UK

Hi, I plan to import a puppy next year around May 2012. I'm fully aware of what is required by law for travel, but not sure how many airports accept the import of domestic pets. I can't seem to find a list. Your help is much appreciated.

Thanks,
Una



Hi Una,

We've been following the topic of pet travel to the UK pretty closely lately because they're set to relax their import requirements beginning Jan. 1, 2012. Take a look at our latest blog post regarding this issue (clarifying the new pet import rules to the UK), where we outline the UK airports to which you can import pets (hint: LHR, LGW, MAN, BRS and DSA).

Thanks for the question, and feel free to contact us if you need anything else!

Name: Julie
Number of Pets: 1
Pet Type: Dog
Pet Breed: Puggle
From: US
To: Canada

Over Christmas we are going to visit family for a week with our puppy. How can we go about bringing him with us?

Thanks,
Julie



Hi Julie,

Thanks for submitting your question to us. To give you an idea about the health documents you'll need, etc, here are the pet import requirements for Canada.

In terms of traveling with a puppy, it's our policy to wait until they're at least four months old so that they can get their rabies shots and are physically sturdy enough to handle the experience of flying.

Take a look at all of this information, and please let us know if you need anything else! We'd be happy to offer more advice or a free quote for our services. Good luck!

Name: Karen
Pets Names: Oliver and Dudley
From: Baltimore, Maryland
To: Doha, Qatar


I saw another poster say Doha isn't a good place for a dog. I don't know that I agree with that. I moved over here in May with my cat and papillon, and I haven't found it too bad. There is a pretty active community of animal lovers here, and I'm happy with our vet, QVC.

I think it's easier with a smaller dog because they don't require as much walking. Doha is not a particularly pedestrian friendly city, so it's not like in the States where you can set out for a variety of hour-long walks. A lot depends on where you are. We initially lived in a compound that was very dog friendly, so we were able to circle the compound when I took him out (which came out to be about a 20-30 minute walk depending on how much sniffing was going on). We just moved out to The Pearl and there are some great walking paths here. Our exercise sessions now run more like 45-60 minutes. The main challenge is getting to them, as there is a fair amount of car traffic here (especially at night) and you either have to walk across four lanes to get over to the path, or walk behind a valet parking stand with a lot of people milling around.

Still, the other poster is right that people from the region are often unfamiliar with the idea of dogs as pets. Yet, I haven't had any trouble, really. I've found people to be curious more than anything. People have literally stopped their cars and asked to take my dog's picture, and I've had a lot of children come running up and ask to pet him. Usually the parents are okay with that and have even asked me questions about where I got the dog (they're usually disappointed to learn I brought him from the States).

You do need to keep in mind that many people from the Middle East and Asia are quite afraid of dogs--even my five pound papillon (he's a puppy in the pic I uploaded, but he's not much bigger than that even now). The woman who is the concierge in my building asked me the other day if Oliver, my dog, was a husky. I could only respond, "No, he's not a sled dog." She'd assumed he was a puppy and would get significantly bigger. I assured her that wasn't the case. Regardless, she's rather terrified of him, which is a shame because every time she sees us going out and says hello, Oliver tries to go over to her to return the greeting. But I need to hold him back; I can see it would make her uncomfortable.


 

Name: Namrata
Number of Pets: 1
Pet Type: Dog (Puppy)
Pet Breed: Beagle
From: Boston
To: Mumbai



Hi,

I am relocating to India (Mumbai) and would like to take my 4-month-old puppy with me. He has just completed his first set of vaccines. He is not neutered. Is there a quarantine for pets in India? What are the costs I can expect and what documents are required by the Indian Government?

Thanks,
Namrata



Hi Namrata,

To prepare for your upcoming trip, take a look at these pet import requirements for India. If you have any questions regarding the paperwork or vaccines you'll need to secure, please contact PetRelocation.com. If you're interested in our services, you can also go here for a free quote.

Thanks for contacting us, and good luck with everything!

Name: Cathy
Number of Pets: 2
Pet Type: Two Cocker Spaniel puppies, 3 months
From: Georgia
To: Saudi Arabia

Can you give me a list of requirements and tell me what forms I would need to move these puppies?

Thanks,
Cathy



Hi Cathy,

Thanks for the question! These are the pet import requirements for Saudi Arabia. Generally we advise that you wait until puppies are at least four months old before you move them so that they can be properly vaccinated against rabies and withstand the experience of flying.

Be advised that Saudi Arabia is not the most pet-friendly country, and dogs must be classified as "working dogs" before they're allowed to enter. Please contact us if you have any questions about what this means!

Hi Breanne,

Importing pets to New Zealand is definitely a little bit tricky, and according to the New Zealand Ministry of Agriculture, at this time rabbits may only be imported from Australia. You may want to peruse this website and double check with the relevant authorities, but from what we can see it doesn't appear you'll be able to move your bunnies directly to New Zealand. 

Thanks for checking in with us, and please contact us if you have any more questions!