Relocating Overseas… With Your Pet

If you have pets, you’ll know that they are definitely part of your family. So what happens if your employer offers you an international relocation?

In many cases, it is absolutely ok to take your pet with you. Different countries have their own requirements, however you should find that your pets could relocate with you.

4 Tips for Moving Abroad With Your Pets:

1. Check the requirements of your destination country before travelling

2. Your pet’s health

You will need to obtain a health certificate for your pet, approved up to ten days prior to travelling. Also, please consider the age, disposition and general health of your animal prior to deciding to ship him/her abroad. In addition, how will; the living conditions in your new destination compare to what your animal is used to?

3. Shipping your pet

To ensure that your pet endures minimal stress whilst travelling overseas you should:

• Buy a suitable carrier

• Get your per used to the carrier before travelling – from sleeping and feeding to taking them on short journeys. This ensures that the crate that they travel in is familiar and confortable to them.
• Access to water is essential, so fix a bottle securely to the crate and ensure that your pet is used to drinking from it before he/she travels.
• Provide adequate food (usual brand) and feeding instructions with the carrier. Plus, if you are transporting your dog, provide a collar and lead so that they can walked between flights or during delays prior to boarding.
• Mark your crate with your destination and contact details plus your pet’s name.

4. Returning home

Art the end of your internal assignment, you must meet UK border control requirements when return home with your pet. These include making sure that your pet:

• has been microchipped
• has a pet passport or third-country official veterinary certificate
• has been vaccinated against rabies – it will also need a blood test if you’re travelling from an ‘unlisted country’
• has a tapeworm treatment, (dogs only).

Your pet may be put into quarantine for up to 4 months if you don’t follow these rules – or refused entry if you travelled by sea. You’re responsible for any fees or charges.

“Many assignees want to take their pets with them when they relocate overseas,” says Louise Chilcott, Global Move Specialist at BTR International. “It’s important that every detail to taken care of to ensure that animals are looked after properly during transit and reunited with their owners safely.”