Moving Internationally with Pets? How to Keep Your Pet Safe While Moving Abroad

moving internationally with pets

When tackling an international move with pets, and already at-times complicated process can become even more so, and you need to have the right planning in place to not only make sure that your pet is comfortable and taken care of throughout the entire process but to make sure that they have everything they need to make their move to a new country with you. 

 

Moving internationally with pets means not only navigating how to keep them secure and healthy during your long flight but having to take into account all of the laws and regulations in place for traveling internationally with animals. However, if you do your research and plan your move with your pet responsibility, you’ll be able to have a successful move and enjoy your new life abroad with your pet. 

 

What Do I Need to Move Abroad with My Pet? 

So how do you move internationally with a pet? Moving with a pet out of the country involves a lot more paperwork and planning than moving domestically with your animals, but it can still be done with enough time allotted and the right research done. 

 

Keep in mind that a lot will depend on the individual country that you’re headed to. We’ll provide you with a lot of general rules and regulations for international traveling with pets, but make sure to do research into any specific ones that have to do with your specific destination. 

 

Timing

Before you get started with your international move with your pet, make sure you’ve allotted enough time to plan and carry out your entire process. 

 

This isn’t something that can be done last minute, and needs to not only account for the transition itself, but needs to give you enough time to get your pet’s vaccines, approval from foreign governments, and even quarantine periods for your pet before you leave. To enter some countries with your pet, you can be looking at a waiting process of up to 6 months, so make sure you’ve started planning and gathering paperwork well ahead of time. 

 

Vaccinations

Make sure your pet has all of its vaccinations and boosters, and that you have physical and digital documentation of each. Additionally, research to see if the country you’re headed to has any extra vaccines they require imported animals to have in order to come into the country. 

 

Microchips
Always make sure that your pets are microchipped and registered. A lot of countries require an ISO microchip, which can be read internationally, so make sure your pet has the right microchip in place before travel.

 

Quarantine

Quarantine rules for animals differ from country to country, so make sure you look up what things will entail for your pet upon your arrival in your new home. Some countries in Europe require an EU Health Certificate instead of quarantining animals. In Japan, animals are quarantined for the first 12 hours after their arrival, and Australia requires animals to be quarantined for 10 days. See what’s in store for your pet and how to possibly prepare for their quarantine. 

 

Restrictions

From species to breed and age restrictions, every country has different restrictions in play when it comes to animal import laws. Make sure your animal is allowed, or look to see any restrictions your country might have in place that could apply to them. 

 

Whenever moving abroad with a pet, start as early as possible and do exhaustive research into the laws your new country has in place for accepting animals. This can save you a lot of headaches and even being turned away at customs or at the airport. 

Also Read: Benefits of Moving Abroad

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