Top 10 Things to Consider When Moving With a Pet

PetRelocation's marketing specialist, Christina Quezada, recently shared some pet travel tips in Worldwide ERC's May edition of Mobility Magazine. Read below to learn what to (and not to) do when preparing to travel or move successfully with a pet.

Pet owners are often surprised and overwhelmed by the time, cost and requirements involved in moving an animal. Here’s a top ten list of key things to know.

1. Do your research: The first step is to know what is required—or not allowed—in your destination. Countries vary greatly in preparation timelines, and not every country accepts the same breeds or species for import. Advanced prep work can take from 30 days to six months.
2. Understand and plan for the costs: Budgeting for a pet move must consider many fees beyond airfare, including an approved crate, quarantine (if applicable), veterinary work, and proximity to airline hubs, (Related post: How Much Does It Cost to Ship a Dog?)
3. Know your alternatives: For larger breeds, ground transportation may be better than air for domestic travel, due to some of the pet-friendly airlines no longer accepting larger crate sizes. Some have temperature restrictions too, which can increase costs and the possibility of several check-ins. Excess baggage and in-cabin travel require the pet to be connected to a passenger ticket, which means the passenger and pet must book, check-in, and clear customs together. In this case, the airline will hold the passenger as the responsible party and will not speak to a third-party provider, should there be last-minute changes (e.g., temperature restrictions, weather, or plane equipment size change) not allowing the pet to fly as planned.  
4. Purchase an International Air Transport Association (IATA)-approved travel crate, and acclimate early: The sooner your pet is acquainted with the crate, the better. A crate-acclimated pet will experience significantly reduced stress inside a familiar “safe space” during travel.
5. Check with your veterinarian: Incomplete paperwork can cause delays and rack up extra time—make sure your veterinarian understands all the requirements and has the proper accreditations to avoid having to repeat this process.
6. Consider special needs: If your pet is snub-nosed, strong-jawed or older, be prepared for things like heat sensitivity, stricter crate requirements, and physical limitations.

To read all ten pet relocation tips, check out the full article in Mobility Magazine!

Moving with pets soon and not sure where to start? Our experts are ready to help answer your questions and navigate the planning process with you. Sign up for a complimentary consultation today.