Shipping Pets

 

If summer pet travel lies ahead, it's a good idea to start preparing by reviewing summer airline embargoes and basic rules for hydration and safety. We have lots of great info on our blog, but here's a quick list that will help to get you into safe summer pet shipping mode!

-Choose a pet-friendly airline that values pets' well-being, and be sure to research all restrictions, embargoes and requirements before you make a reservation.

-Make sure your pet's travel crate is large enough, and don't be afraid to err on the side of caution in terms of size. The bigger the crate, the more air ventilation can occur and the cooler your pet will stay.

-Prepare your pets for a smooth ride by keeping them in good shape and acclimating them to their crate in the months before travel. Fit pets that don't fear their crate will be more relaxed and are less likely to experience shallow breathing and stress.

-If your pet has particularly long or thick hair, consider visiting a groomer who can remove some of the undercoat. Shaving isn't necessarily for the best, as pet hair can provide important insulation and cooling effects.

-Provide your pets with the water they need, and if your journey will be a long one that includes car rides and/or plane rides, bring ice or freeze water in a water dish the night before.

 

Please contact PetRelocation.com if you have any more questions about safe pet transportation during the summer months or any other time of the year. Stay cool, pet travelers!

 

 

As temperatures rise, it's typical for airlines to adjust their pet travel policies. We've updated you about a few summer embargoes thus far from British Airways and United, and Delta has just announced a detailed summer pet program, as well.

Here's what they have to say:

"At Delta Cargo we take great pride in safely transporting live animals throughout the world.  We don’t just ship dogs and cats; we transport everything from hamsters to snakes to chinchillas.  We realize pets are considered family members and it is important for us to provide the same level of care and respect for them as we do their owners."

Beginning May 14, Delta Cargo will launch its 2012 Summer Live Animal Program, which entails allowing them to accept animals for transport even when temperatures exceed 85F/29C. At participating hubs, one or more air conditioned vehicles will be available to bring pets to and from the airplanes in support of their safety.

There are a few exceptions:

-If the station does not have air conditioned vehicles, animals cannot be transported if the temperature exceeds 85 degrees Fahrenheit.

-Regardless of whether or not a hub is part of the Summer Program, snub-nosed dogs and cats will not be transported if the the temperature is greater than 75 degrees Fahrenheit.

Check out the list below to find out which airports are participating in the program, and remember that things can always change, so be sure to check with the airline/airport ahead of time if you'll be traveling with your pet this summer.

As always, don't hesitate to contact PetRelocation.com if you have any pet travel questions.

 

 

Delta Cargo 2012 Summer Live Animal Program

Name: Beth
Number of Pets: 4
Pet Type: Hens
From: California, USA
To: UK

 

Is it possible to take our hens with us? What check ups/paperwork would we need to get?

Thank you,

Beth

 

Hi Beth,

Thanks for your question! The UK has recently changed their pet import process, but there are still a few specific restrictions in place when it comes to birds.

Here's a link to a DEFRA document addressing the import of captive birds to the UK that walks you through the process. Please take a look and contact us if you have any more questions. We also have a free quote form if you'd like to find out more about our services.

Good luck with everything!

Name: C.P.
Number of Pets: 2
Pet Type: Cat
From: Maine, USA
To: Sweden

 

I am confused with some paperwork requirements. To move to Sweden I have to have the EU Commercial document. In that document it states that I have to have an examination done 24 hours before dispatch. I also have to get the documents USDA endorsed. So my question is: Does the paperwork need to be filled, signed, and endorsed 24 hours before we leave? Or is the paperwork valid for a certain amount of days?

Thanks!

 

Hello,

Here's a run-down of the pet import requirements for Sweden -- hopefully this helps explain the process a bit more. It actually is necessary for all of the endorsements, etc... to take place in the 24 hours before flight, so you'll need to depart from a major airport with a vet on site.

Please contact PetRelocation.com if you have more questions... Our specialists would be happy to help and you can also obtain a free quote from our website if you're interested in our services.

Thanks for the question and good luck with your travels!

 

Name: Cecilia
Number of Pets: 5
Pet Type: Cats
Pet Breed: One British Short Hair, One Persian, Three Domestic Short Hair
From: Hong Kong
To: Bangkok, Thailand

 

Is there a quarantine for Thailand? Can my pets travel on the same aircraft as me?

Thanks,

Cecelia

 

Hello Cecelia,

 

Here are the pet import requirements for Thailand (and you can also find more info here). If all requirements are met there shouldn't be a quarantine.

As far as air travel, we recommend choosing a pet-friendly airline and in that case it's not necessary to travel on the same flight. You may end up hiring someone to help with your cats' passage, but just know that it's typical for pet owners to take separate flights.

Please contact us if you'd like a free quote or if you have any more questions. We'd be happy to assist you with your upcoming pet move!

 

 

Pet transportation services aren't just limited to moving a dog or cat across the country when work or military duty calls the family to a new place. Along with technological advances and emerging international developments, transporting animals is a service in demand, leaving airlines and freight companies in the position of stepping up to the challenge or being left behind.

This recently published Bloomberg article goes into greater detail about Lufthansa, KLM, and the other companies who deal with shipping animals. It's pretty fascinating to see how trends have been changing recently and how these businesses are learning to handle exotic moves.

Want to know more? Here are a few details from the article, and you can read the whole thing here.

 

-Last year Lufthansa's Frankfurt facility handled 110 animals of various kinds (including 80 million tropical fish and 300 tons of worms).

-Lufthansa usually transports around 14,000 dogs and cats and 2,000 horses in a year.

-Animal freight makes up about one to two percent of Lufthansa's total cargo revenue.

-One of the most unconventional cargo shipments on record was a plane filled with dogs and cats evacuated from Lebanon following a missile strike.

-Before they fly out of Frankfurt, animals are inspected by up to 24 different vets.

-Some freighters are equipped with up to four different temperature zones, meaning that one flight can safely and comfortably carry warm-blooded and cold-blooded animals (think horses and penguins, for example).

-Large fish, dolphins and poisonous reptiles are not accepted for shipment by Lufthansa due to safety concerns.

 

 

Hannelore Foerster/Bloomberg

 

 

 

 

Alaska Airlines has announced a new partnership with Banfield Pet Hospital that will help travelers navigate the pet transport process more easily. Banfield, which has more than 800 facilities in over 40 states, will now give Alaska Airlines customers a free office visit, a travel consultation, and a $10 discount on the required health certificate.

Alaska Airlines flies pets in both the cargo and the cabin areas of the plane, and in the statement they issued Monday, professes a commitment to pet care and safety. Starting on May 1, they will be implementing new kennel standards for pets traveling in the cargo hold, and through June 9 will offer a 10% discount on PetStreak Animal Express shipments (the service for shipping pets via freight when the owners are not on the same flight).  Visit this website to find out how to redeem these offers.

This partnership shows that travel service providers are truly taking notice of the fact that more people are traveling with pets these days. It's a trend that's on the rise, so smart businesses will likely continue to innovate and expand in order to safely accommodate the needs that go along with shipping pets.

We can't wait to see who steps up next, and we'll certainly keep you informed as life becomes even more streamlined for pet travelers.

On that note, have you taken our pet travel survey yet? We're checking in with as many pet owners as possible so that we can get an idea of current and future trends. Let your voice be heard by taking the survey, too!

 

Since moving pets can be pretty complicated and will most likely coincide with a busy, stressful time in life, we're not surprised that we receive a lot of questions from overwhelmed pet owners about the logistics, the details and the costs of pet travel.

We've been shipping pets for a while now and have pretty much heard it all... Here are a few of the most frequently asked pet travel questions (along with our basic answers). Remember, no one is alone in this!

 

How do I know what the requirements are for the country I'm moving to?

Making sure that a pet's journey runs smoothly begins with research. Many countries have detailed import instructions on their own official websites; stringent countries like Australia outline almost everything while other places may not be so forthcoming, so you may need to check another source -- like IATA  or the country pages on the PetRelocation.com -- to find out about health documents, vaccines, and possible quarantines.

Which airline should I fly with?

This is perhaps the most important decision you can make related to pet travel. It's key that you choose an airline that has established pet policies and solid safety measures in place to ensure that your pet is properly cared for, not left to sit on the tarmac, and respectfully transported overall. We have a short list of trusted airlines that include KLM, Lufthansa, Qantas and United, but check with us if you have any questions about this.

How do I know my pet will be safe?

This is probably the  most common question requiring the most nuanced answer. Again, safety primarily depends on selecting trustworthy airlines and transport agents, but you can also do your best to prepare your pet physically by keeping them in good shape, acclimating them to their travel crates and setting a good example for them by remaining calm and upbeat in the days before the trip.

Remember that sedatives are strongly discouraged (and generally not even permitted). With so many moving parts it's impossible to guarantee a journey 100% free of hiccups, but by following these basic guidelines you're putting your pet in the best position possible.

Why does it cost so much to ship a pet?

We've addressed the question of pet moving costs in greater depth in the past, but essentially it comes down to the details. By the time you add up import permits, health certificates, customs clearance, delivery fees, plane tickets and a few other considerations, it simply isn't going to be a cheap endeavor. Does it end up being worth it, though? Most pet owners would say "of course".

Should I move my pet at all?

This is a tough one, and for certain people it's a question that must be asked. Air travel is taxing for humans and for animals, and older pets or those in delicate health simply may not be up for it. Also, many people don't realize how much is involved with air travel and crossing borders, so if this is just a vacation (rather than a permanent move), it will probably be better to find a trusted pet sitter rather than jump through so many hoops unnecessarily.

Ultimately it is the safety of the pet that's the most important thing to consider, so often a conversation with your vet, your family, and your pet relocation specialist will help you figure this one out.

 

 

Still have questions? We're happy to help! Give our office a call and be sure to check out our Facebook page to connect with other pet travelers who probably have the same questions as you. Happy traveling, everyone!

 

 

 

Name: John
Number of Pets: Two
Pet Type: Dogs
Pet Breed: Westie and Schnauzer
From: New Jersey, USA
To: Bogota, Colombia

What's the best way to ship my dogs overseas?

Thanks,

John

 

Hi John,

The best way to relocate dogs from the United States to Colombia is to check out the Colombia pet import requirements, plan out your vet visits (vaccines and health documents are required), find out about travel crates and choose one that's airline approved, and look into selecting a pet-friendly airline with established pet policies.

If you have any quesitons or if you'd like to find out more about our services, please contact PetRelocation.com. Thanks for the question, and good luck!

 

 

Enjoy one last pet travel update before the weekend begins. Have a good one, pet lovers!

 

Here's a step-by-step account of a pet move to Papua New Guinea.

DogVacay.com, which just launched in San Francisco and Los Angeles, matches private pet sitters with discerning pet owners on the go.

But if you're going to Vail, CO, consider bringing your dog along -- looks like it's a very pet-friendly place to be!

Did you watch the Oscars last week? How about the Golden Collar Awards? Director Martin Scorsese took issue with the fact that Blackie, the dog featured in his film Hugo, was overlooked.

A dog taught this little boy how to read.

In not too surprising news, Labrador retrievers were named the most popular dog breed of 2011.

Meet Jake and Eddie and find out more about our March Pet Move of the Month.

Ever wonder what it's like to be a pet shipper? One of our new employees takes us behind the scenes.

 

Oh, you know, just hanging out.

Hope everyone has a great weekend planned. Hopefully these news links can help you push through all the way to today's quitting-time finish-line!

Are you into gadgets, gizmos and toys? Check out these fun pet-related smartphone apps.

United announced a few changes to their pet-shipping rates, military pet owners voiced their unhappiness, and so now the airline has made a few changes to the policy.

Rescue dogs from Afghanistan.

We discussed Pets in Advertising a couple of weeks ago, but here's another fun commercial from Purina.

Travelers flying out of Denver will soon have better pet boarding options.

Here's a longer read about an Irish Setter who helped get his family through the Bosnian War.

And here's a general travel article from ABC about the Five F's of Travel.

 

No doubt Jake & Eddie know how to have fun on the weekends...

 

Owning multiple pets already means living a life filled with a little more adventure than the average person, so imagine if, on top of that, you were traveling the world with a menagerie in tow.

That's the story behind February's Pet Move of the Month -- with three cats (Tom, Pom and Mobster) and two dogs (Felice and Worsie), Cindy and her husband Luigi have relocated more than once and haven't yet settled anywhere for good. Read more about their recent move to Sri Lanka, and join us in wishing them all the best as they continue their world travels!


Is this the first time you’ve ever moved your pets?
No, we’ve relocated quite a bit actually. The first time was from the Netherlands to Italy and the last time (before moving to Sri Lanka) was from Scotland to Namibia.

What were some of your concerns going into the move?
Our relocation from Scotland to Namibia did not go well at all, so we were actually concerned about everything! In particular about Felice, as the blood tests in Scotland went wrong as a result of which he could not travel with the rest and even had to make an additional stopover in Zimbabwe, as the results were not available on time.

So, all in all we were very, very concerned. But this gradually all disappeared as Christina really knew what she was doing and really seemed to have it all under control. I must admit that we were worried about the time frame -- in particular the blood samples that had to be shipped to South Africa, as the testing could not be done in Namibia. We had just seven days from drawing the blood to receiving the test results, but it all went very well and everybody involved was really great!

Did anything surprise you about the international pet moving process?
Well, not particularly about the international pet moving process itself, as we’ve become quite familiar with it, but the approach of PetRelocation.com was definitely refreshing!

How are your pets adjusting to the new location?
Very well!! The temperatures are somewhat lower than in Namibia and the humidity is many times higher, but they don’t seem to be bothered by it. The dogs love the garden and the cats love running around the house.

At night (we live “on top of a hill” as the last house of this “street”), thousands of bats fly past our house, and this is something our cats love! They have actually already become accustomed to this and they wait for it to happen (and then Pom starts climbing the window bars hoping to catch one)!



What is life like in Sri Lanka? Is it a pet-friendly place to be?
I would not describe it as pet-friendly actually. There are so many dogs living on the street, which is something I find hard to accept. It’s difficult to take the dogs for a walk, as street dogs might attack them. Fortunately we have lots of land around the house where they can run about.

We do live close to the Veterinary Medicine Faculty of the University of Peradeniya, and vet services are said to be good around here. So far I haven’t seen any pet stores yet. I do know of a specialized K-9 store in Colombo (the capital of Sri Lanka), but here in the Kandy region there's nothing so far!

Supermarkets generally sell cat and dog food (Whiskas, Pedigree, etc.), but nothing really fancy. Litter boxes and litter box sand is nowhere to be found, so we had to improvise. We now use large plastic washing bowls with wood fluff in it as litter boxes, and the cats don’t really seem to mind.




Luigi created a scratch pole from pieces of wood and coconut rope, which they appreciate very much. We normally cook for all the guys twice a day, and they do appreciate the fresh fish that is abundantly available over here.

What advice do you have for people who might be planning a move?
Start early if you know you’re about to relocate! We contacted PetRelocation.com about 10 months in advance, and this might seem ridiculous, but in the end it really worked in our favor as we were able to think of a Plan B or even a Plan C if Plan A would not appear to be feasible. And it also gave Christina lots of time to organize all the people involved and find the best agents throughout the route.


--

Please contact PetRelocation.com if you have any questions about moving pets to Sri Lanka (or anywhere else). Who knows, maybe you'll be our next Pet Move of the Month!

Name: Linda
Company: US Department of State
Pets' Names: Snowy and Sheila
From: Arlington, Virginia
To: Hong Kong



My name is Linda and I am a traveling spouse with the US State Department. We are a traveling family and we take our senior dogs, Snowy (13) and Sheila (14), everywhere we go - no matter the country. I am fully aware of the details of shipping our pets, as I had prepared all the paperwork, vaccinations, etc. for shipping, as excess baggage, our two large dogs to Chennai, India and back.

However our next post, Hong Kong, proved to be more than I could handle alone. The regulations are much stricter and our dogs would have to be cargo shipped -- something I was not prepared to handle by myself. I had read information from other people, blogs and ex-pat communities and all of them advised using a pet shipping company.

I chose PetRelocation.com and I must say it was a great choice! I worked with Jon, who informed me every step of the way of all the details, vaccinations, paperwork and items I had to prepare. He calmed my nerves when at the last moment our chosen airline decided to cease processing pets on the weekends. He rejoiced with me when the airlines said yes to arranging a shot of insulin for my diabetic dog, Snowy, on the Frankfurt stopover. He was thorough and informative and did not seem to mind my long emails and phone calls with many many questions.

Yes, pet shipping can be expensive, but just look at all the information that must be acquired, the phone calls, agents to arrange, pet pick up, pet drop off, USDA certifications, etc... PetRelocation.com agents are pros at all of this, and it was wonderful! I highly recommend them!

We are now in Hong Kong (see picture) and Sheila loves looking out at the city, while Snowy just sleeps the day away. Thanks again, PetRelocation.com, for all your help. You made a difficult task easy!!!

Name: Vicky
Number of Pets: Two
Pet Type: Cat and Bird
Pet Breed: Domestic Short Hair and Cockatiel
From: USA
To: Ecuador



What are the requirements for importation into Ecuador of a cockatiel? Is there quarantine and can the quarantine be at home? I have asked AA if they will carry pet bird and they have stated "No". Is there an airline which will transport a pet bird in the cabin with the passenger or will it have to travel in the cargo hold?


Thanks,
Vicky



Hi Vicky,

Thank you for contacting us! Shipping birds certainly requires a lot of careful planning, but we've successfully transported many feathered pets and can hopefully steer you in the right direction. Here are the pet import requirements for Ecuador as well as some tips for relocating birds and a first-hand account from someone who moved her African Grey Parrot from South Africa to the UK.

In terms of airlines, it's best to check with them individually as rules can change periodically. Let us know if you'd like any help handling the move or if you have any more questions -- you can always give our office a call to speak directly to a specialist. Good luck with everything!

Name: P.
Number of Pets: 1
Pet Type: Dog
Pet Breed: Xoloitzcuintle
From: Seattle
To: Oslo

Please tell me what airlines carry dogs to Oslo from Seattle, I'd like to ship my dog as cargo.

Thank you,
P.



Hello,

Thanks for the question! It's definitely important to choose a pet-friendly airline for your trip. We often fly with Lufthansa, KLM and Continental, as they're dedicated to making pet safety a priority.

Please contact us if you'd like more advice or if you need a free quote for our services. We'd be happy to help you plan your move!

Name: K.
Number of Pets: 2
Pet Type: Rat
Pet Breed: Dumbo Rat
From: Japan
To: Maryland (though Washington, Dulles airport)

I am leaving Japan in the summer (expecting to leave in the last week of July) and want to take my two fancy rats home to the US with me. I have contacted the CDC in both countries and they have said there are no specific regulations for pet rats, however I am having a difficult time just getting a list together of everything that I am going to need at the airport. As time starts to run out I am getting very stressed that there will be some sort of last minute thing that I forget!

Also, as I have never shipped a pet before, I am a little confused about how the whole process works. Do I just walk in the airport with the carrier and hand them over when I check my bags? I worry that with the stigma most people have of rats that they won't be treated as well as a larger companion animal would, but I haven't been able to find any airline that will let me take them as carry on (I'd even be willing to buy a second seat!).

I guess what I am asking is just for some idea of what to expect and what forms/ vet information I will need to have for them. Using a service such as your own also isn't out of the question. More than cost, I am just concerned about my (clearly very spoiled) rats getting home safely.

Thank you so much for your informative site. Any information that you can give me will be most appreciated.

Thanks,
K



Hello,

Thanks for your question about traveling with your rats; your concerns are certainly understandable! First of all, you're right that it's important to start the process early in order to avoid being surprised about anything.

Here is some information from our site about obtaining customized rodent crates as well as how to travel with an exotic pet, and we also recommend contacting your airline directly in order to find out about their most up-to-date regulations. The good news is that the United States allows rats to be imported without much fanfare (here's a document from the Official U.S. Customs and Border Protection site that may be helpful).

Hopefully this information is helpful to you, and please let us know if you have any more questions or if you'd like a free quote for our services. Good luck with the move!

The new year is fast approaching, which means that Pet Imports to the UK are (almost) set to be handled much differently.

Review the new UK pet import rules if you're planning a big move, and for further clarification, check out the details below:

-Effective Jan. 1, 2012, pets can be shipped from any country in the world into any UK airport with PETS facilities - LHR (London Heathrow), LGW (Gatwick), MAN (Manchester), BRS (Bristol) and DSA (Doncaster).

-The current Veterinarian Certificate will still be accepted until June 30, 2012 if it was issued before Feb. 29, 2012, and a new certificate will soon be available.


Please contact PetRelocation.com if you have any questions about moving pets to the UK.