If you are planning on moving to another country then it can be a difficult process with a lot to prepare.
But this can be complicated even further if you have a family pet that you want to make the move with you. Moving overseas with pets is often a process that not many people have been through. You might be wondering whether you can bring your pet with you at all. Of course, it is possible to take your pet with you to join you in your new overseas destination, but there are certain hoops you’ll need to jump through first. To assist you, we have put together a guide to moving abroad with your pet and detailed exactly what you will need for the move.
Consider What’s Best For Your Pet
Although this might seem like a strange first step, you should decide whether your pet would be better staying put than coming with you abroad. Of course, you don’t want to part with your pet and you might think that it is always best that they stay with you, but this may not always be the case.
If your pet is particularly old or sensitive then they might not fare well with a long trip to another country. Changes in climate and environment can be extremely stressful for your pet so you should think about leaving them with a relative, or friend, or even giving them up if you are unsure how they will handle the trip.
Have You Got a Pet Passport?
If you have never been abroad with your pet before then you might not know that you need the relevant documentation for them to travel. Just like people, your pet will need its very own passport to be able to travel. This documentation is required to certify that the animal is both fit to travel and free from illness and disease.
To be eligible for a pet passport your animal must be microchipped and needs to have a rabies vaccination at least 30 days before you depart. Your vet will then award you with a fit-to-fly certificate and pet passport so that your animal is ready to travel without any issues.
What About Pet Transportation Services?
You may not be able to rely on a pet passport alone when moving abroad with your pet. When researching your destination, you may find that there is additional paperwork that you need to sort out beforehand. This may include proof of certain vaccinations if travelling to a country that is more prone to certain diseases that animals may be carriers of.
Making sure that you have every piece of paperwork can be stressful, and the additional admin at the airport may lead you to miss your flight. But there are ways that you can avoid stress, such as hiring a pet transportation service to help make sure you don’t run into any issues. Not only can they help with the actual end-to-end transportation but they can also provide more information about special requirements in the country you are travelling to.
Keeping Your Pet Calm in Transport
Even after all of the relevant documents are in place you might still be concerned about how well your pet will handle travelling if they often get quite stressed. But there are some natural remedies that can help relax your pet for the journey. This is different for each animal but your vet should be able to recommend some natural remedies that can help as a relaxant to calm down your pet. Get in touch with them and see what they have to say if you are worried about your pet flying.
Tips for Travelling with Different Animals
You might also be looking for tips to travel with specific animals as each animal has a different temperament and can be quite different from one another when travelling. We have put together some tips for travelling with these animals below;
Dogs: Crates can be a great way to travel with your dog but some dogs don’t like being closed in too tightly. Make sure you get a crate with enough space when moving abroad with your dog so that they have enough room and are not panicked when travelling.
Cats: They can be somewhat easier than dogs and cats don’t mind travelling in smaller spaces usually. Make sure you leave your cat something to play with when travelling so that they don’t get too frustrated on the long journey.
Reptiles: If you plan on travelling a long way with reptiles then the biggest challenge you are likely to face is keeping the right temperature for your reptiles. This can be a challenge over long distances if they do not have a heat source so you might need to seek the help of specialists.
Birds: If you are travelling with a bird then you should also make sure that they are kept at the right temperature during the trip. Birds can get particularly stressed so it is important you consult with a vet before moving. Make sure that they have some toys and things to keep them entertained.
By following these tips you should be able to make sure that your pet is safe and comfortable when travelling abroad. If you are looking to move abroad and want to take your pets with you, get in touch with our international team today.
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