In the past, emigrating often meant leaving your fur family behind. Luckily, things have changed, and it’s now easier than ever to emigrate with your beloved household companion. However, moving with furry friends can be a very stressful and confusing time for owners and pets alike. Knowing the ins and outs of international pet travel will not only ease your anxiety but more importantly, potentially save your pet’s life as well. While each country has different regulations, let’s look at general pet emigration advice that can be applied across the board.
Here are five tips for dealing with travel rules, regulations and restrictions:
Plan ahead
The sooner you start planning your move abroad and your pet’s requirements to enter your new home country, the easier the transition will be. Book your fur child’s blood tests, vaccinations and microchipping procedure well in advance to avoid disappointment. The last thing you want is to have to leave your pet behind because of time constraints. A country like Australia requires blood tests to be done six months before entry.
Finding a pet relocation specialist is important to ensure you have the correct information regarding specific regulations and requirements. Don’t rely on your vet or the internet as your only sources of emigration information.
Microchip your pet
The importance of microchipping your pet can’t be stressed enough. Not only is it a prerequisite for emigration, but it can also save you hours of snot en trane if your precious disappears the day of your big move or escapes during transit.
Whoever finds the animal will be able to locate the owner from the microchip, making your journey less stressful.
Get the correct vaccinations, blood tests and health certificates
Every international destination requires valid rabies vaccinations that were given no more than one year ago, and many regions also stipulate these vaccinations are given no less than 30 days before the travel date. Different blood tests are needed, depending on your destination – some require a Rabies Neutralising Antibody Titre Test (RNATT) for dogs or cats, while other countries demand that you test your pet for other diseases within a specific period of entry.
Often, within ten days of a pet’s entry, a licensed vet will need to complete a ‘veterinary certificate’ for the animal. Your pet travel expert can confirm whether the governing authorities of your destination require official health certificates or not and can help you attain them.
Find the best airline and flight route
Correct travel practice is of the utmost importance when it comes to flying with your precious cargo. A travel crate will serve as your pet’s home for the duration of the flight, so it’s crucial to invest in one that is safe, comfortable and customised to suit your pet’s needs.
Consult your pet relocation specialist to recommend airlines with fantastic animal handling procedures and convenient flight routes. Choosing a pet-friendly travel partner that you know will get your pooch or kitty back to you in one piece, makes all the difference.
Consider quarantine periods
Pet quarantine is no longer a big deal, and very few countries still require pets to be quarantined upon arrival. The longest quarantine period is 30 days (Mauritius), and places like Australia and New Zealand only keep pets in quarantine for ten days. China, the United Kingdom and Europe have all done away with their quarantine regulations, and pets are welcome immediately if they’ve had their blood tests and vaccinations and have the correct paperwork.
While the above may seem daunting, there’s no reason to worry. Professional associations like IPATA and animal relocation specialists are there to help you make sense of this tricky ordeal to protect both your pets and your pockets.
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PETport is a registered pet travel and relocation specialist service, affiliated with major international animal governing body, IPATA (International Pet Animal Transport Association) and ATA (Animal Transportation Association). With international training and hands-on experience passed down from one generation to the next, PETport is the best choice to transport fur babies, fluff babies and feather babies.
PETport| [email protected] | 0867 227 678
