Are you moving abroad, but have a furry friend behind you can’t leave behind? I’ve got you covered as I recently went through this whole process moving from the USA to Sweden with my cat, Meadow. Like your own move abroad, there is a lot of research and preparation to do months ahead of time. So here are the essential steps for how to move abroad with a pet.
Pets are categorized in different groups, the most common group are dogs, cats, and ferrets and these pets have certain guidelines to follow. Then any other pet like birds, rabbits, reptiles, they have completely different requirements. So ensure you are looking at the correct type of pets requirements.
Research
Check what the requirements are for the country you are moving to. You can usually find these on their government websites.
Most countries will need the pet to be microchipped and you know the number on it to identify them.
Check to see if your pet is up to date on their shots and vaccines. Specifically the rabies vaccines and the booster shot usually needs to be 6 months before you leave.
Contact a Veterinarian
Work with a local veterinarian who is USDA licensed in international health certificates. You can find a list in the USA here. They will also ensure you have all the correct vaccinations and documents for your specific country.
- Work with them beforehand, although for the actual appointment to bring your pet in, usually has to be 10-14 days before you leave. Then within the two weeks before you leave, you go back to the vet to get the documents for travel.
- They will perform the steps needed for you. You can also have your vet prescribe anti-anxiety medicine for travel.
Book Pet Travel
Book an airline that allows pets and you need to call to confirm. They might also have additional rules about carrier size, fees and how early you need to come to the airport. Again, not all airlines allow pets, so make sure to call the airline beforehand.
If your animal is too big to be a carry on, work with a pet relocation service like International Pet and Animal Transportation Association (IPATA) or PetRelocation. Just make sure they are USDA certified. Do not put your pets in the cargo of a plane or ship, this can cause a lot of anxiety and fear.
Get Your Pet Adjusted and Pack Essentials
Get your pet adjusted to a carrier and small travel. Take them to the park or put them in a moving vehicle to get adjusted to motion and other people.
Pack their essentials with you on your carry on. See what to pack for them on this checklist
Make sure you have your documents in order and readily available as you board your flight to show the airline and customs.
Happy relocating!
