Adding a Pet to Your Life? Keep Future Travel Plans in Mind

Pet Shipping Tips: Plan Ahead for Future Travels When Adopting a New Pet

It's a new year, so many of us are in full-blown planning mode with intentions towards better health, a career change, traveling adventures, and maybe even a new pet.

If you've decided that 2017 is the year to make a furry addition to your family, here are a few things to keep in mind as you go about choosing the right pet for you.

Adopt!

Even if you've always imagined your "perfect puppy" to look a certain way, going to a breeder or pet store only perpetuates the problems faced by the pet community (overbreeding, overpopulation, etc.).

Try visiting your local shelter (we love Austin Pets Alive! and Austin Animal Center) when you're ready, and don't be surprised if you fall in love with one of the many lovable and deserving pets in need of a forever home.

Consider Age/Breed/Size

Again, bringing home a tiny perfect puppy may be what we unconsciously feel is the "right" way to do it, but it's important to consider what you can give.

Do you have the time and energy to train a young pet? And in terms of later on, do you have a yard fit for a high-energy dog or a work schedule that allows for plenty of walks?

After some thought, you may find that it's a good idea to adopt an older pet, a mixed breed that's the right size and temperament for you, or a cat that can be a little more self-sufficient.

Future Travel Plans

Is there a possibility that your job will ask you to relocate in a year or two? Are you currently saving for a year abroad, or do you simply like to leave town a lot?

Ask yourself where you would leave your pet when you went on vacation, or if you could afford to move them along with you (it's for good reason, but pet relocation costs aren't exactly cheap).

Are you going to adopt a Pit Bull or a Staffordshire Terrier? Excellent! Just know that some breeds face travel restrictions, so don't set yourself up for future heartbreak if you can help it. Are you going to adopt a bird or another more exotic breed? Know that many countries don't allow other animals, or if they do they have strict and expensive regulations in place.

Being a pet owner can be incredibly rewarding (yes, we're a bunch of pet-adorers here at PetRelocation), but remember it's about responsibility as much as fun, especially if you're planning a future move.

Let us know if you'd like to chat further about this topic, and here's wishing everyone the best as they find their own perfect matches this year and in the years to come!

Have questions about pet travel? Contact us to discuss your pet shipping options. 

Editor's Note: This post was originally published in January 2013 and has been updated with new information.