5 Tips for Moving Overseas with Pets

Moving overseas is a difficult, yet exciting process that takes a lot of careful thought and consideration. What should you bring, and what should stay? This process is sometimes made even more difficult if there is a treasured pet in the picture that you wish to bring overseas with you. As a pet owner, your number one priority is your pet’s safety and wellbeing. Therefore, sending them on a plane ride without you by their side can be terrifying to think about. To make the process a little easier, we’ve outlined out 5 tips for moving overseas with pets below.

Check with the Consulate

The most important first step is to check whether the country you’re moving to will actually allow you to bring your pet with you. As always, the rules are going to vary with each country in regards to importing animals, however, this will also depend on the country your animal is moving from. It is vital that you do detailed research on this as some countries will discriminate not only based on the species, but on the breed of animal. For example, your friend’s Labrador puppy might be approved, while your Pug could be denied access in the country you’re moving to.

Visit the Vet

As an international removalist with more than 40 years of experience, one of the most important tips we can offer, and the first steps you should take in the overseas pet moving process is to visit your vet. Your vet will be able to provide professional advice to see if the move is going to raise any health concerns for your pet, or if they’re well enough to handle the move. This is especially important because often, your pet will not be able to travel in the cabin with you unless their cage is able to fit under the seat. If their cage doesn’t fit under your set, they will have to be shipped as checked baggage, which involves their cage being put in the cargo bay of the airplane. Because the air pressure and temperature in this area of the plane is different, it might mean that this mode of travel is not suitable for your pet. In addition, it will depend on the country you’re moving to, but most countries require proof of a rabies vaccination or even a blood test to ensure your pet isn’t carrying the disease. Your vet giving you the all clear to move your pet overseas with you is a vital first step in the process.

Plan a Timeline

Now that you know your pet is safe to move overseas with you, it’s time to line this up with your own moving plans so that you and your animal can take on the moving journey together. As discussed in the points above, your pet is more than likely to have to get vaccinations and medical tests before they have approval to enter the country. However, this is not a fast process, with some of the entry requirements taking up to six months to satisfy. On top of this, some countries have a 180-day waiting period after blood tests have been taken before your pet is allowed to enter the country without quarantining.

Get in touch with airlines

Each airline has different regulations for transporting animals internationally, so it’s important to check with your chosen airline to ensure a smooth travelling process for your pet. This is really important, especially in the event of stopovers where there are different rules in place for each country. For example, there might be a set of rules in place for flying your cat from Australia to Dubai, but another set of rules for the flight from Dubai to London. Contacting your airline is also really helpful for settling any feelings of concern you might have about your pet flying alone, with staff being available to answer any questions before it comes time to move.

Find the right pet carrier

Now that you’re almost ready to move, it’s time to find a carrier that your pet is going to travel in for their journey overseas. The carrier you choose needs to be both comfortable for your pet to stay in for the entire flight, but it also needs to meet International Air Transport Association standards. If you’re unsure, contact your airline representative who can provide you with exact carrier dimensions based on the size and species of your animal. You should also expect to pay considerable costs for the carrier, however, some airlines and international moving companies offer rental carriers, helping you cut costs.

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