Pet Travel Question: Moving a Cat To The United States
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?
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!