“We’re Moving Soon. Should We Wait to Get a Dog?”
Name: Nirupa
From: Hong Kong
To: Toronto Ontario
Pet: TBD
From: Hong Kong
To: Toronto Ontario
Pet: TBD
Dear PetRelocation,
I currently reside in Hong Kong. I am considering adopting a puppy around 6 months in age. My husband and I will relocate to Canada next year and I want to know the best way to relocate the dog without causing any trauma.
The flight is direct, 16hrs with Air Canada. I know the have a pet policy and most likely the dog will be bigger which will entail going in cargo. How do I prepare, and is the length of trip advisable for relocation? (If you think I should just hold off and wait to adopt until after we've relocated due to length of trip, I will.)
Thanks,
Thanks,
Nirupa
Hi Nirupa,
Great question; it's very smart to think ahead when it comes to being a responsible pet owner. (Also congratulations on your future dog!)
When the right choices are made, it's possible to move pets very safely, so this is mostly a matter of how much time and money you're willing to spend on a possible relocation. For your reference, here are a few basic pet travel questions and answers that may help you understand the process a little better.
Here are a few more things to know: the pet import requirements for Canada state that you need to secure specific vaccines and paperwork. You also need to buy a crate that is airline approved and the correct size, and you would need to help your dog feel comfortable spending time in the crate (this cuts down on his/her stress level immensely).
It's important to choose a pet-friendly airline and, if you're not traveling on the same plane as your dog (which is common when it comes to pet cargo travel), you'll need to arrange transportation to/from the airport and customs clearance assistance.
If you're interested in speaking to one of our specialists, please contact us via phone or by filling out our free quote form. The price for us to handle a relocation like this would begin at around $2,500 USD, but we can give you a more accurate quote once we have a few more details. If you're interested in keeping costs lower, we recommend locating local agents through IPATA.org.
Hopefully this helps to get you started! As you can see, it would take a considerable amount of time and money to arrange a dog move from Hong Kong to Canada, so it's up to you to decide if you're willing to do that or if you'd rather wait. Again, when handled correctly the move can be very safe, but it's best to enlist the help of experts and/or allow yourself plenty of planning time.
Please let us know if you have more questions, and good luck with your decision!