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Pet Travel Question: Moving With an Older Dog

Tuesday, March 26, 2013 by Pet Travel Center Questions

Name: Kathy
From: Austin, TX
To: Prague, Czech Republic
Pet: Emily, 11-year-old Great Dane, 130 lbs

I am looking at the possibility of relocating to Prague for school for a year. I know it is probably not the best idea for a large old dog to be relocated, but I cannot imagine leaving her behind so I need to know what my options are. Can this be accomplished safely?

I know there are no quarantine requirements in the Czech Republic, but need to know the best airline and the cost to transport her. It is a very long time to be traveling and caged. Are animals able to de-board and go potty?

She is healthy, but can get stressed at times. I do have a crate that will fit her. She has not used it since she was small, but I could get her used to it again.
 
Thanks,
Kathy
 
 
Hi Kathy,
 
Thanks for the questions! Your concerns mirror those that many pet travelers have, and we hope we can offer some guidance. While it is possible to move dogs in your situation (we have moved older dogs, larger dogs, and older larger dogs), it's important to first talk with your vet and consider doing an in-depth  health screening to properly assess whether or not your Great Dane is up for the trip.
 
If you decide to go forward, choose a pet-friendly airline. We often use KLM and Lufthansa for European flights, as they operate with well-established pet policies that make long journeys as comfortable as possible.
 
If she's prone to stress and hasn't been in her crate for awhile, you'll want to start re-acclimating her to the kennel as early as possible. If she has grown bigger since you first used that one, you'll also need to make sure the crate you  have is airline-approved and large enough for her to move around and enjoy good airflow. Here's more info about pet travel crates and custom crates.
 
Finally, here are the pet import requirements for the Czech Republic for your reference. If you have any more questions, please contact us or fill out our free quote form. Since you're in Austin, you're even welcome to stop by our office to talk to a Specialist if you'd like!
 
Good luck, and we hope to hear from you soon.
 
 
Oakley recently moved safely from Austin to Amsterdam. She required a custom crate.
 
 

 

Pet Travel Question: Moving Cats to Sri Lanka

Tuesday, March 19, 2013 by Pet Travel Center Questions

Name: Shimara
From: Dubai, United Arab Emirates
To: Colombo, Sri Lanka
Pet: Cat (Two years old)
 
 
I'm moving back to Sri Lanka and would like to take my cat with me. Can you please advise me about how to do this?
 
Thanks,
Shimara

 
Hi Shimara,
 
Thanks for the question, we'd be happy help. These are the pet import requirements for Sri Lanka. We've moved several pets there, and though it's a process that does require a bit of careful planning, it can be done safely. Here's the story of a few pets we recently moved to Sri Lanka.
 
Please contact us if you have any more questions or fill out our quote form if you're interested in an estimate. Thanks again, and good luck with everything!

 

Pet Travel Question: Moving Dogs to Dubai

Wednesday, February 20, 2013 by Pet Travel Center Questions

Name: Adri
From: Gauteng, South Africa
To: Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Pets: Keno, Dachshund, 6 years old & Mika, Yorkie, 4 years old

We are moving to Dubai at the end of July. Where do we start and who can assist me here in Gauteng, South Africa with the relocation and paperwork? What will the cost be to move them over?

I'm also wondering if the dogs be fine for an eight hour trip, and when they get to Dubai, can they come home immediately from the airport? Will they fit in with the very hot weather in Dubai?
 
Thanks,
Adri
 
 
Hi Adri,
 
Thank you for your question, we're happy to provide some information. First, these are the pet import requirements for Dubai. With a vet's help you'll need to make sure your vaccines are up-to-date, your pets have microchips, and you have international health certificates issued within 10 days of departure. Here's an additional source of information about moving pets to the UAE via ExpatArrivals.com.
 
If you'd like to find out more about our door-to-door pet relocation services, please fill out our free quote form at your convenience. Many people worry about how their pets will handle long flights, but with the right safety precautions, preparations, and by choosing a pet-friendly airline, thousands of pets have flown safely internationally.
 
As for the climate, it's a good idea to talk to your vet and also search for resources online that feature expat stories (again, ExpatArrivals.com is a good source). You may need to adjust the walking/exercise schedule that you're used to and pay even closer attention to hydration.
 
Hopefully this is helpful, Adri. Please contact us if you have any more questions, and good luck!

 
 

 

Pet Travel Question: Shipping Pets to Taiwan

Monday, February 4, 2013 by Pet Travel Center Questions

 
Name: Maya
From: Toronto, Ontario
To: Taipei, Taiwan
Pets: Jack - mixed breed, 5 years old; Joe - mixed breed, 2 years old

I'm having a hard time getting the exact details and prices for moving my cats from Canada to Taiwan. What do I need to bring my cats with me, and how much is this going to cost? Would going with a professional pet relocation company be too extravagant and unnecessary (could I arrange everything myself)? Or would it really be worth the money and make things more convenient for me and the kitties? I'm aware there is a 21 day quarantine, and I'm not sure how my cats will deal with that (or how I will deal with it!).

Thanks,

Maya

 

Hi Maya,

Thanks for contacting us, these are great questions. First, here are the pet import requirements for Taiwan. The costs will depend on a few factors, but if you're interested in finding out an estimate for our services, you can fill out our free quote form.

Many people decide to handle their pet moves themselves, however it does require a fair amount of research and logistics planning. Leaving it to the experts indeed costs more, however many pet owners find that it's well worth it (especially when moving to a country with complicated requirements and/or a quarantine). We'd be happy to discuss your options further, and for reference here is an overview of why people often choose to hire professionals to help with pet moves.

Please contact us if you have any more questions, and good luck with your upcoming pet move!

Pet Travel Question: Flying With Birds

Wednesday, December 12, 2012 by Pet Travel Center Questions

Name: Doris
Pet: Female, Quaker Parrot, weight: approx. 5 oz., 15 years old
From: New York
To: North Carolina


How do birds generally do on an airplane? Is there anything I should be aware of?

Thanks,
Doris
 
 
Hi Doris,
 
Thanks for the question! Bird travel is a bit more complicated than flying with most other pets, however with some careful planning it can run smoothly. Here's some information from our blog about flying with birds, as well as the pet requirements for the United States. It's also important to speak to the airline you'll be flying with to find out about any specific policies they may have.
 
Please contact us if you have any more questions or if you'd like a quote for our services. Thanks again, and good luck with the trip!

 

Pet Travel Question: Importing a Dog to Japan

Friday, November 16, 2012 by Pet Travel Center Questions

Name: Christian
From: San Francisco, CA, United States
To: Osaka, Osaka, Japan
Pet: Richie, Chihuahua mix, 8 years old, 12 lbs

What vaccinations, paperwork, and other miscellaneous things do I need to send the dog to Japan from San Francisco?
 
Thanks,
Christian
 
Hi Christian,
 
Thanks for your inquiry, we'd be happy to offer some advice. These are the pet import requirements for Japan (including instructions for shipping dogs unaccompanied), and we always recommend choosing a pet-friendly airline. Please take a look at this information and contact us if you have more questions or if you'd like to hire us to help handle your move.
 
Good luck with everything, Christian!


 
 

 

Pet Travel Question: Moving Pets to the UAE

Wednesday, October 10, 2012 by Pet Travel Center Questions

Name: Laurie
From: Florida, USA
To: Dubai, UAE


How many animals can I take to United Arab Emirates for one year? I have one dog and four cats. Can I take them on the plane?

Thanks,
Laurie
 
 
Hi Laurie,
 
Thanks for your question! Here are the pet import requirements for the United Arab Emirates. As you can see you'll need to take care of a few arrangements (vet visits, vaccines, paperwork), and at this time only two pets are allowed into the country per person. If you're traveling with someone else, they will be able to bring two of the pets, for example.
 
Here's another reference for you with information about moving to the UAE with pets. Please contact us if you have any more questions or if you're interested in finding out more about our services. Good luck!
 
 

 

Pet Travel Question: Worries About Flying Safely with a Pug

Tuesday, October 9, 2012 by Pet Travel Center Questions

Name: Vasantha
From: New Delhi, India
To: Johannesburg, South Africa
Pet: Mr Jones, Pug, 4 years old

I will be relocating to South Africa and would like to take my four-year-old pug with me, but I am very worried about him making the journey safely. I will be taking him to a vet for a full medical check-up tomorrow but I would like to hear about other experiences of flying pugs on a journey of roughly the same journey duration. Also, could he fly on the same flight as me?

Hi Vasantha,
 
Thanks for your question, we'd be happy to provide some information. First, while flying with snub-nosed breeds can be more challenging, that doesn't mean it's impossible. Take a look at the customer experiences on our blog when you have the chance, as we've flown many such dogs safely.
 
It's important to talk to your vet about your pet's health and fitness to fly -- some pets simply aren't up for the stress of the experience. If you decide to go forward, there are several things you can do to reduce the risks associated with flying with a snub-nosed breed, including choosing a large, well-ventilated crate and selecting a pet-friendly airline. That's another thing -- you'll want to contact the airline you choose to find out about their most up-to-date pet policies. Many international moves (here are the import requirements for South Africa, by the way) necessitate that you hire an agent to help you through customs, and many (if not most) people don't end up flying on the same flight as their pet (and everything goes fine).
 
Please contact us if you have any more questions about moving your dog, and good luck!
 
 

 

Pet Travel Question: Flying With A Service Dog to the United States

Tuesday, September 25, 2012 by Pet Travel Center Questions

Name: Benjamin
Estimated Move Date: October 1
From: Bocas del Toro, Panama
To: Las Vegas, NV
Pet: His name is Waffle. He is a Jack Russel/Chihuahua, a year and a half old, and he weighs 6 pounds.

I am flying to Las Vegas one way with my service dog and was wondering what I need to do that properly? Flying him in here was a pain with the health certificate and all but that was four months ago. I was just wondering do I need to go through the same headache? Waffle needs to come, too! What do I do?

Thanks,
Benjamin
 
 
Hi Benjamin,
 
Thank you for contacting us with your pet travel question. The pet import requirements for the United States are a little less strict than the rules for Panama. Take a look to make sure you're ready to go (basically you need an up-to-date rabies vaccine and health certificate), double check with your airline about their procedures, and please contact us with any further questions.
 
Good luck! We hope you and Waffles enjoy Las Vegas!
 

 

Pet Travel Question: Do Rottweilers Need to be Quarantined During US Imports?

Tuesday, May 22, 2012 by Pet Travel Center Questions

Name: Christy
From: Hungary
To: Boston MA, United States
Pet: Rottweiler, 3 months
 
Is there a quarantine period I need to be aware of?
 
Thanks,
Christy

 
 

Hi Christy,

No, when relocating to the United States with a pet (as long as you meet all the requirements), there is no quarantine stipulation. Please take a look at this information as well as our blog, where we talk about choosing a pet-friendly airline.

Thanks for the question, please contact us if you'd like to find out more about our door-to-door services, and good luck with everything!

 

Pet Travel Question: Dog Transport to the UK

Monday, May 21, 2012 by Pet Travel Center Questions

Name: Alina
From: Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
To: Edinburgh, Scotland, UK
Pet: Shandy, Maltese/Bichon, 3 years old

What documents do I need to relocate with my dog, and is there any quarantine involved? I understand that from 1st January 2012 there is no quarantine for EU countries.
 
Thanks,
Alina
 
 
Hello Alina,
 
Thanks for contacting us!  You're right, beginning last January, the pet import rules for the UK were relaxed to meet regular EU standards. Take a look at the new rules and please contact us if you have any more questions about transporting your dog to the United Kingdom.
 
Good luck with everything!
 

 

Pet Travel Question: Cat Import Requirements for Australia

Tuesday, May 15, 2012 by Pet Travel Center Questions

Name: Brian
From: Glasgow, UK
To: Sydney, Australia
Pet: Domestic cat

Does an utterly domesticated cat from the UK require a RNATT for Australia?

Thanks,
Brian
 

Hi Brian,

Thanks for submitting a question to us. Here are the pet import requirements for Australia. You'll see that you do need to complete a variety of steps, including a rabies vaccination and RNATT. Australia is one of the more strict countries when it comes to importing pets.

Find more information on the official AQIS site, contact us if you have any more questions, and good luck with everything!

Pet Travel Question: Importing a Dog to the UK

Wednesday, May 2, 2012 by Pet Travel Center Questions

Name: Deborah
From: Tunisia
To: UK
Pet: Dog

I am living in Tunisia and want to go back to the UK and take my dog with me. Can you provide me with details of taking him back to UK?

Thanks,
Deborah
 
 
Hello Deborah,
 
Luckily the UK is a country that pretty clearly outlines its pet import requirements, and they recently made a few changes to make the whole process easier. Take a look at the pet import requirements for the UK, and please contact us if you have any more concerns.
 
Thanks for the question, and good luck!
 
 

 

Pet Travel Question: Bringing A Dog To Germany

Monday, April 30, 2012 by Pet Travel Center Questions

Name: Jeannine
From: San Francisco, California, USA
To: Munich, Germany
Pet: Willow, Chihuahua, 6 years, 8 pounds

Hello, I was wondering what I need to get for my dog to travel with me to Germany? We are going only to visit for 10 days. I hear conflicting information as to what she needs. She has a microchip already that has 15 digits, does she need an additional chip? She received a rabies shot exactly 30 days prior to travel, and when does the form ANNEX II form need to be filled out? I hear a lot of conflicting information and I'm trying to get everything in place for a safe, easy travel.

Thanks,
Jeannine
 
 
Hi Jeannine,
 
Thanks for the question! To get started, take a look at the pet import requirements for Germany. You'll see here that, among other things, you need an internationally recognized microchip and the International Health Certificate does need to be filled out within 10 days of departure. While we often move pets from the US to Germany, many people in your position may decide that the cost and stress of pet travel simply isn't worth it if it's just for a quick vacation and not a permanent move. Often pets are much happier when they're left with a trusted pet sitter, but of course the decision is up to you and we're happy to offer our advice.
 
Hopefully this information is helpful! Please contact us if you need further assistance or if you'd like to get a free quote for our services. Good luck!

 
 

 

Pet Travel Question: Importing Birds to Canada

Wednesday, April 25, 2012 by Pet Travel Center Questions

Name: Andre
From: Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa
To: Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Pets: Cockatiels

We are relocating to Toronto from South Africa in about September 2012 and would like to take our talking cockatiels with us. Do you know what the requirements are?
 
 
 
Hi Andre,
 
Thanks for submitting a question to us! It seems that bringing birds to Canada is not the easiest thing to do but it is possible. Take a look at the guidelines outlined by IATA, and please contact us if you have any more questions.
 
Thanks again, and good luck!
 
 
 

 

Pet Travel Question: Transporting Dogs to France

Monday, April 23, 2012 by Pet Travel Center Questions

Name: Heather
From: Toronto, Ontario, Canada
To: Provence, France
Pet: Riley, Dog, Golden Doodle

Are there alternatives to traveling by air with my dog to France? If not, do any airlines exist which would allow me to bring my 65 pound dog on board with me rather than stow her in the luggage compartment? I am moving to do my doctorate in France. My golden doodle is very sensitive and gets anxious easily. For this reason, I am wondering whether it is possible to travel with her on board with me or via ship? I've heard horror stories about air travel and would prefer to forego this opportunity than to put her through anything that would be traumatic for her.

Thanks,
Heather
 

 
Hi Heather,
 
Thanks for your question! Pet travel can definitely be stressful, especially when you're starting out and don't know much about the process. We move pets safely all the time, however, and would be happy to shed some light on how things work.
 
A dog of your size will not be able to fly in the cabin with you, but when you choose a pet-friendly airline, flying your pet in the cargo area is a safe option. We often fly pets this way and, though it seems surprising from a human perspective, dogs probably prefer the less chaotic atmosphere of the temperature-controlled, pressure-controlled cargo area.
 
 
Hopefully this information helps to put your mind at ease, and we're happy to talk to you about your move if you have more questions or if you'd like a free quote (you can contact us here).  Good luck with everything!
 
 
 
 

 

Pet Travel Question: Moving a Cat To The United States

Friday, April 20, 2012 by Pet Travel Center Questions

Name: Gloria
From: Manila, Philippines
To: Topeka, Kansas, USA
Pet: Domestic Short Hair Cat

Question: What are the requirements for moving my cat from the Philippines to the US? For long flights, is it better for the cat to be in the cabin with me or in baggage? Also, there are sometimes no direct flights to the US. Do I need papers/requirements for every stopover country?


 
Hi Gloria,
 
These are great questions! First, take a look at the pet import requirements for the US. Compared to other countries, this isn't as tough a place to bring your pets, actually.
 
You'll need to check with the airline regarding pet policies, and we definitely recommend choosing a pet-friendly carrier with established pet safety policies (we often use United, KLM, and Lufthansa, for example). Pet owners often worry about flying their pets in the cargo area, but when handled correctly it's a safe method of transport that we here at PetRelocation.com are comfortable with. You can find more information about cabin and cargo pet flights on our blog.
 
If you end up transiting through one or more different airports, you will not need to meet the import requirements for those countries.
 
Please contact us if you have any more questions, and good luck with your trip!

 

Pet Travel Question: Importing A Dog to England

Friday, April 20, 2012 by Pet Travel Center Questions

Name: Joanne
From: Tunisia
To: England
Pet: Belgium Shepherd

What documents do I need to travel from Tunisia to England? Will my dog need to go into quarantine?
 
Thanks,
Joanne
 
 
 
Hi Joanne,
 
Thanks for your question. The UK recently relaxed their pet import rules, so there is no longer a quarantine. Take a look at the full requirements here and please contact us if you have any more questions about your upcoming pet move. Good luck!
 
 
 

 

Pet Travel Question: Pet Flights to Manchester

Wednesday, April 18, 2012 by Pet Travel Center Questions

Name: Denise
From: Orlando, Florida
To: Manchester, England
Pet: Hershey (Three-year-old Chihuahua/Dachshund Mix)

Which airlines have direct flights to Manchester, England? Which airlines are trustworthy and are familiar with pet travel? Hershey, has been vaccinated , microchipped, and has had a complete medical 'overhaul' by the vet!
 
 
Hi Denise,
 
Great question! We do have a few particular airlines that we prefer to travel with based on their pet-friendly policies, and it just so happens that, beginning on May 1, United will be adding a flight from Dulles to Manchester that accommodates pets as well.
 
Hopefully this will work for you... Please take a look at all the UK pet import requirements and give us a call (or contact us for a free quote) if you have any more questions.
 
Good luck, and thanks for checking in!
 

 

Pet Travel Question: Ferrets and Cats to Canada

Monday, April 16, 2012 by Pet Travel Center Questions

Name: Ewan
From: Melbourne, Australia
To: Vancouver, BC
Pets: Chimaira (ferret, 3yrs),  Kublai (ferret, 2yrs), Pirate (ferret, 3.5yrs), Nightwish (cat, domestic longhair)

Just to make things complicated we want to bring most of our pets with us when we move to Canada in about 18 months (planning way way ahead). Are you able to tell me how much this is likely to cost us? Also, it is my understanding that while cats are fairly easy to import, ferrets need an import certificate - is this correct? If we use a pet travel service do they organise the import permits? Could the ferrets all travel in one container to lower the associated costs and to limit stress on them? They are all friendly with each other apart from the occasional overzealous play fight. We love them :)
 
 
Hi Ewan,
 
Thanks for contacting us with your question. Of course you want to bring your pets with you when you move... totally understandable! These are the pet import requirements for Canada -- specifically here's what the official website says about cats and ferrets.
 
As far as costs, it will depend on a few factors. If you decide to hire some help (you can fill out our free quote form to see about that, for example), it will be more than if you handle it yourself, but there will still be vet visits, paperwork, plane tickets, etc. to take care of. Generally multiple pets are not allowed to travel in the same crate, but you can contact the airline to find out about any specific policies they may have.
 
Please don't hesitate to call us if you'd like to speak to a Pet Relocation Specialist. Hope this helps get you off to a good start, and good luck with everything!