Shipping Your Pets Abroad

How to go about shipping your dog, cat or other furry friends abroad when you move to live overseas as an expat and want to take your pets

Whilst the Disney film “Homeward Bound: The incredible Journey,” about 2 dogs and a cat who travel overland by themselves from Oregon to California may be a fine example of the cheapest way to transport your pets long distances, it does have some inherent flaws and is not to be recommended for real animal lovers.

If you’re moving overseas, or even just moving long distances, there are other, safer methods of pet transportation, but obviously they won’t be making a film about it.

In this article we’ll be looking at shipping your pets abroad for all those expat pet lovers out there, (like us), who cannot and will not be parted from their furry and cute loved ones when they move abroad.

There are a number of ways to transport your pet by air.  Every airline has different policies but some allow small pets to be carried on board in the cabin in “carry on kennels” which fit under the seats.  You need to ensure your pet has no odour, so lay off the bones before the flight.  What’s more, it shouldn’t disturb other passengers and must remain in the kennel throughout the duration of the flight. 

If you’re traveling with your pet, it can travel as “accompanied baggage” in the cargo hold of the plane with your luggage, preferably without being put through the luggage wrapper first.  Otherwise, Fido gets to travel as “live cargo” through the cargo system, where he’ll travel in the same pressurized holds as those travelling in “checked in baggage” class.

Pet transportation needs to be planned well in advance to organise all travel documentation, vaccinations, inoculations, import permits and quarantine requirements for your new home.  Can we just reiterate that point – make sure you start looking into how you will ship your animal overseas well in advance of your departure date.  We recommend you start looking into it at least 6 months in advance…

As vaccination rules as well as quarantine requirements vary country to country, it’s best to contact the embassy of the country you’re moving to for current regulations or use a pet transportation company to organise everything for you. 

In most cases you’ll need to have your pet fitted with a microchip identity, and it should have at least one rabies inoculation and antibody test.  These sometimes need to be carried out up to 6 months before travelling you see – which is why we said you need to start looking into the practicalities of shipping animals abroad as soon as possible.  You will also need a health certificate from your vet carried out 7-10 days before departure.

Preparing your pet for his journey is important too.  While tranquilizers are available it’s generally considered better to avoid them, save them for the kids of course!  There are a couple of ways you can reduce the stress levels for your pet during his flight.  Firstly, buy his travel kennel a few months before his trip and familiarise him with it.  Let him sleep in it, or take him out in it if you’re going out for the day.  If he’s used to being in his travel kennel at home he’ll be a lot more relaxed during his journey.  The other important consideration during your pet transportation is to book a non-stop flight if there is one available and you can afford it.  If your pet doesn’t have to be shuttled between planes down 2 miles of conveyor belt or shunted around on a baggage trolley he’ll be a lot happier.

Make sure your pet’s kennel has your name and destination address and telephone number marked clearly, and ensure to have ‘this way up’ labels clearly marked, you won’t believe what baggage handlers can do!  Make sure there’s absorbent bedding in the kennel as well as a food and water bowl and any feeding schedule if necessary.  After that, just get ready to catch Fido at the other end as he comes barreling down the baggage shoot!

We have shipped a dog overseas (he is pictured above lying upside down), and he lived very happily to tell the tail – sorry, tale, and has showed no adverse effects from the experience (he’s always liked lying upside down) – so rest assured it can be done!