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!

 

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!

It's not easy being a high-end dog walker.

Priceline.com ranks the top cities for pet friendly travel.

Pet travel airline fees rounded up by Jaunted.com.

A memoir called Lost Cat explores life with pets (and life in general).

More book news: Frankenstein's Cat addresses biotech developments for pets.

Meet Philly, our pet move of the month!

Unexpected benefits of traveling with a dog, via Bay Woof.

Have a wonderful weekend, everyone.

Name: Michele
Number of Pets: One
Pet Type: Dog
Pet Breed: Cockapoo
From: Sweden
To: USA

We are moving back to the US from Sweden at the beginning of July. Before our dog came to us, she went through all of the requirements for Sweden. Eighteen months later, we are going back and have a few questions.

First, are there any requirements for the USA she needs to complete? Second, how can we best ship our dog in April in the most economical way? We have learned that she can't fly with us on the flights we arranged.

Thanks for your advice,

Michele

Hi Michele,

Thanks for your question, we're happy to assist. First, take a look at the pet import requirements for the United States. This is one of the less stringent countries when it comes to bringing pets in, so if you've traveled recently it sounds like you'll be in pretty good shape. Most importantly: You will need to secure a health certificate from your vet within 10 days of departure, and your rabies vaccine will need to be up to date (administered at least 30 days before departure).

As far as the flight, most of the time our clients are not on the same flight as their pet. As long as there is someone to deliver your dog to the airport and pick her up (this could be you, a friend, a delivery agent, etc.), she should be able to ride in the cargo area of the plane unaccompanied. We highly recommend doing some research to select a pet friendly airline (we often use KLM, United and Lufthansa).

Please contact us if you have questions about these logistics, and if you'd like to find out more about our services, here is our free quote form. Good luck with everything, and thanks again for checking in with us!

Name: Romy
Number of Pets: 1
Pet Type: Dog
Pet Breed: German Pointer
From: Malta, Europe
To: Adelaide, Australia

We will be relocating to Adelaide Australia in a few months and will bring our dog with us. I guess what I need to know is a step by step procedure of what I need to do to ensue a smooth import for our dog. Or if you can advise any pet relocation services in Malta that take care of all that, would be helpful.

Thanks,

Romy

 

Hi Romy,

Thank you for the question. Going to Australia with a dog does require several steps, as Australia is a rabies-free country that imposes a quarantine on arriving pets. Here's the full run-down of Australia pet import requirements. Please take a look and let us know if you have any questions.

If you're looking to hire some help in Malta, check out IPATA.org to locate a pet shipper in your area. You're also welcome to fill out our free quote form if you're interested in our door-to-door services.

Hopefully this helps, and please let us know if you have any more questions. Good luck with the move!

Name: Sonia
Number of Pets: 1
Pet Type: Dog
Pet Breed: Labrador
From: Houston, TX
To: Delhi, India

I am planning to take my pet to India for a period of three months and come back to the United States. Could you please let me know the documentation required and processing fees?

Thanks,

Sonia

Hi Sonia,

Thanks for contacting us. Traveling to India for three months means preparing your dog for the trip there and then meeting the necessary requirements for the return to the states. Here are the pet import requirements for India as well as the pet import requirements for the United States -- you'll need to formulate a schedule in order to secure all the documents at the proper time.

The fees will depend on how much of the process you handle yourself and how much you'd like to hire someone else to help with (drivers to or from the airport, for example). You can check out IPATA.org to contact individual pet shipping agents, or you can contact us if you're interested in our services. Finally, if you'd like to try to do it yourself, you can peruse our blog for more resources about traveling with pets to India.

No matter how you decide to do it, good luck with everything!

First thing's first: our pet travel advice for Justin Bieber.

Examining the plight of apartment seekers in New York and Austin as they navigate dog breed policies.

United Airlines has updated its pet policies regarding French Bulldogs.

Speaking of Frenchies, this little boy has a strong bond with his Bulldog best friend.

The most interesting cat facts from cattime.com.

WestJet's April Fools' joke is something many pet owners would probably like to see happen, actually.

Have a great weekend, pet lovers!

Name: Dilyana
Number of Pets: 1
Pet Type: Dog
Pet Breed: Husky
From: Bulgaria
To: USA

Hi,

My parents are bringing a dog with them from Bulgaria to Massachusetts, and I am wondering what will happen when the the plane lands at Logan Airport in Boston? Are they going to keep the dog under quarantine, or can we take him with us right away?

Thank you!

Hi Dilyana,

Thanks for your question, we'd be happy to offer some information. There is currently no quarantine for pets being imported into the United States, so as long as you have the proper paperwork (here are the complete pet import requirements for the United States), you will be able to leave the airport with your dog that day.

Please contact us if you have any more questions about pet air travel, and good luck with your trip!

 

Name: Brit
Number of Pets: 1
Pet Type: Dog
Pet Breed: Chihuahua
From: California
To: Oklahoma

What is required to move my dog from state to state?

Thanks,

Brit

Hi Brit,

Thanks for contacting us with your question, we're happy to offer some guidance. For domestic pet moves, you'll want to make sure your pet has an up-to-date rabies vaccine. If traveling by air, you'll also need a health certificate from your vet stating that your dog is fit to fly and issued within ten days of departure. Though not required, we recommend a microchip, as well. Here's a rundown of the pet requirements for Oklahoma.

Be sure to double check with the airline you'll be using to find out about any specific policies they have that may affect you, and don't hesitate to let us know if you have any more questions. Good luck with your trip, and be sure to check out our blog and Facebook page for more pet stories and advice.

Thanks again!

Name: Laura
Number of Pets: 2
Pet Type: 1 Dog and 1 Cat
Pet Breed: Pug/Shepherd mix (male) and short-haired ginger (female)
From: Toronto, Canada
To: Dubai, UAE

Hello,

I am wondering if you move pets from Canada to Dubai. If so, how much of the process is taken care of by your company?

Thank you for your time,

Laura
 

Hi Laura,

Thanks for the question. Yes, we have moved several pets to Dubai and would be happy to assist you. For your information, here are the pet import requirements for the UAE. If you're interested in our door-to-door services, you're welcome to fill out our free quote form here.

To cut back on costs, some pet owners choose to handle parts of the move themselves (the pick-up and/or delivery, for example), but we can take care of as much of the process as you need. Pet owners pressed for time are often happy to hand over most, if not all, of the planning, but either way we're happy to help make your move as smooth as possible.

Please contact us if you have any questions. We hope to hear from you soon!

Name: Gabriella
Number of Pets: 1
Pet Type: Dog
Pet Breed: Miniature Poodle
From: Malaysia
To: Australia

Hi,

I was wondering if there is any way for my pet to avoid quarantine in Australia?

Thanks,

Gabriella

 

Hi Gabriella,

Thanks for the question, we'd be happy to discuss the issue of Australia pet quarantine with you. The short answer to your question is "no, you can't avoid quarantine" -- your dog will have to follow the standard rules and fulfill a 30-day quarantine upon arrival. As a rabies-free country, Australia imposes specific procedures upon pets imported there.

Though the idea of quarantine sounds scary to many pet owners, in reality it's a safe part of the relocation process that thousands of pets have completed without incident. We've moved many pets to Australia and have experience with quarantine facilities in cities like Melbourne and Sydney (we even have photos and videos of pets happily hanging out during this interlude).

Here is more information about moving pets from Malaysia to Australia. Please contact us if you'd like some assistance with your move (here's our free quote form), and if you  have any other questions you're welcome to contact us and peruse our blog and Facebook page to find out more about other pet owners' experiences.

Good luck, Gabriella!

Here's Bear in quarantine in Melbourne

Name: Diane
Pet's Name: Abby
From: South Florida
To: San Francisco
 

When we looked ahead to our move from South Florida to San Francisco, the most daunting thing about it was moving our dog, Abby.

We had rescued her only a couple months earlier and we thought the trip would be traumatic for her. We were referred to PetRelocation from our relocation company. From their first phone call to me, I was made to feel confident that Abby's trip would be safe and smooth.

They took care of all details, picked her up from our vet's office, advised me on her travel crate, and contacted me throughout the whole process to assure me that every detail was taken care of. When Abby met us in San Francisco, she came out of her travel crate wagging her tail, happy and calm as can be!

Thank you, Claire, Cara, Matt and Craig, as well as the team who cared for Abby from door to door.

Name: Romy
Number of Pets: 1
Pet Type: Dog
Pet Breed: German Pointer
From: Malta, Europe
To: Pau, France

Could you please advise what is required to relocate my dog from Malta to France? Is there a quarantine period necessary?

Thanks & Regards,
Romy

 

Hi Romy,

Thanks for the question. These are the pet import requirements for France; there is no quarantine, but you'll need to satisfy a few requirements, including having an updated rabies vaccine, getting a microchip if you don't have one, and you'll need to secure a vet health certificate.

Please contact us if you have any questions about choosing a pet-friendly airline, purchasing the right travel crate, or anything else related to pet travel. Thanks again, and good luck!

Congratulations to Lou, our Pet Move of the Month! You may recognize him from our Facebook page (where he won the "likes" of many of you), and he also has his very own blog that we urge you to take a look at -- especially if you're planning a pet move to China.

Right now, here are a few questions Lou's owner Sandi was kind enough to answer for us. Find out more about this French Bulldog's international move from Minnesota to Shanghai and learn what life is like in China for a such a cute and adventurous pup.

What were some of your concerns going into the move?

I was concerned about Lou being too stressed out.  He is a Frenchie and they are brachycephalic, prone to be intolerant to extreme temperature changes.

 Why did you decide to hire PetRelocation to bring Lou with you to China?

My husband travels a lot and I have Lou here for company!! He is really my furry doggie child and a huge comfort to me.

Did anything surprise you about the international pet moving process?

Yes---the fact that he did not have to be in quarantine :)  That made me very happy!!

How is Lou adjusting to the new location? 

He did not miss a beat!  Lou had a bit of jet lag, but is adjusting to life here in the city every well.  He loves his walks and meeting new people.  He is quite popular with the Chinese.

What is life like in Shanghai? Is it a pet-friendly place to be?

I am surprised that many (just about all) dog owners walk their dogs off leash, and they seem to have no problem. (I am afraid that they would dart out into traffic or get hit by a Vespa or bicycle as they do not obey any traffic signals...)  There are many pet friendly parks, however, and Lou has made many doggie friends :)  I feel very safe here and Lou and I are having fun!

What advice do you have for people who might be planning a move?  Use Pet Relocation!!!!  They are fabulous.  All my fears and anxious moments were handled in an extremely professional manner.  I was assured of his safety, kept updated frequently, given exact and precise direction in how to prepare him for his journey and comforted that he would be loved and safe on each leg of his travel.

Join us in wishing Lou and his "parents" good luck in Shanghai, and please contact PetRelocation if you have any questions about pet travel or the services we provide.

United Airlines announced improvements to its PetSafe Program.

PetRelocation was featured in the Austin American-Statesman!

This photo bombing dog helped his owners rent their apartment. #Cute

Funny dog pictures of pets who just cannot handle it right now.

Just a cool travel thing: Airports photographed from above can be strangely beautiful.

If you were a dog, what breed would you be?

Take notice of this recent pet food recall.

Vacationing with pets in Martha's Vineyard.

Do you think the employees of PetRelocation have dogglegangers?

Name: Courtney
Number of Pets: 1
Pet Type: Dog
Pet Breed: Weimaraner
From: California
To: Texas

What airlines allow dogs to fly in the cargo area? When looking online many only outline rules for pets traveling in the cabin, but my 100lb dog is obviously too big. How do I find out if/what airlines will fly a dog that size?

Thanks,

Courtney

Hi Courtney,

Thanks for your question, it's a great one -- deciding on the right airline is one of the most important parts of planning a safe journey for your pet.

Some airlines are definitely  more pet-friendly than others, and we have a few that we regularly book flights with. United is who we typically choose when flying domestically (for international flights we often go with KLM and Lufthansa). United's PetSafe program entails certain procedures, such as making sure pets are the last to board the plane and the first to be removed. And, contrary to what many people assume, the cargo area is pressure and temperature controlled and pets are not simply "treated like luggage."

Because not all airplanes are equipped to hold large pet crates (which your dog will need), it's important to call the airline and check ahead of time to make sure you'll be accommodated. We have flown large dogs with United, but again, check with them before booking your flight because it all depends on the size of the plane they're using for your chosen route.

It's worth mentioning that you don't necessarily need to be on the same flight as your dog. Most of our customers end up flying separately from their pets, which just means you might need to enlist some help on one or both ends of your trip. (If you're interested in our services, here's a link to our free quote form.)

Please contact us if you have any questions about choosing a pet-friendly airline, crate-training your dog, or anything else related to pet travel. Good luck!

Name: April
Number of Pets: Two
Pet Type: Dogs
Pet Breed: Labs
From: Austin, Texas
To: Maui, HI

I have heard that the restrictions for dogs are very difficult in Maui. Do you take dogs there? What are all the costs involved? Is the flight cost included in your price?

Thanks,

April

 

Hi April,

Thanks for the question, we're glad you checked in with us. Flying pets to Hawaii is more complicated than just going to any other state in the US, and it helps to start the planning process early to minimize the quarantine requirements and ensure a smooth transition.

Here is more information about how to move dogs to Hawaii using the 5-day-or-less program, as well as the link to the official Hawaii website discussing pet imports.

Hopefully this is helpful, and you're welcome to contact us with any further questions you may have. If you decide to hire us to manage your move, the flight would be included in the price. For an estimate, please fill out our free quote form.

Thanks again, and we hope to hear from you soon!

Name: Laurie Anne

Pets: Ruby & Bea Lilly

To: Florida

From: California

"Two Female Dogs Bonded in Friendship"

My two female dogs, Ruby the Corgi  (5 years old) and Bea Lilly the Sky (15 years old), bonded in travel.

My uncle died recently and left me his dog, who was very spoiled and has trouble walking and doesn't like other dogs.  I had my dog, a Corgi, who does not like other dogs and is very jealous. They would get in fights before, but after traveling for five days together side by side, they are now friends and travel buddies.

I would recommended this company; the people were great and very dependable. I love the fact I could go online anytime and see where the van was, and it was very exciting to see my puppies coming to our new home. 

My dogs were tired from the trip but in good health and good doggie spirits. It was great not to have to worry about my dogs doing a cross country move.  I can honestly say this was the easiest move for me. I was originally going to drive with the dogs but decided to fly down and set up the new home and have the dogs transported. That was one of the best decisions I made. 

Worth every penny for the peace of mind and the ease of moving, and my dogs really liked the driver -- she was great too.

Thanks so much,

Laurie Anne