Start Planning Now

There is a lot that goes into shipping a dog abroad and the last thing you want to do is wait until the last minute to start getting things in order. If you’ll be shipping your dog on your own, it’s best to start as soon as you decide to move overseas. You’ll want to familiarize yourself with the rules and regulations of shipping a dog to another country. This will include getting the required vaccinations and certifications, and purchasing a safe and comfortable travel container for your pet as approved by the International Air Transport Association (IATA) as well as your chosen airline. You may also want to visit the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) to access information for shipping your pet.   

Find a Good Vet Before the Move

You will want to find a good veterinarian (if you don’t already have one) who is familiar with the dog shipping process. Moving abroad means you’ll first want to make sure your dog is healthy enough for international travel. Meeting with your vet can help you determine:

• Any required vaccinations for travel.
• If any blood work is needed.
• Prescriptions for your dog that you will need for the trip.
• Steps you can take to prepare them for their journey.
• If microchips are needed for identification.

Your vet can also provide you with the necessary paperwork and certifications that airlines and countries require for dogs.

Do Your Research

You’ll want to know every detail about shipping your dog overseas so that there are no surprises that come up in the days and weeks before your move. The last thing you want is to have your move delayed because you didn’t have a solid understanding of every aspect of the dog shipping process. First, you will want to visit Animals Away to view our process for shipping a dog. This could help you determine whether or not a using a dog shipping service is the most efficient way to transport your pup. Next, check out the pet travel resources on the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) site to access airlines and other resources. Then, you will want to research a few different airlines to learn about their prices and guidelines for transporting a dog. Each airline has different requirements, so this is important to research.

Check With the Consulate

Because pet regulations vary country to country, you’ll want to familiarize yourself with the rules of your destination country. First and foremost, check to make sure you can even bring your pet into the country, as some locations have strict guidelines about what dog species can enter their country from overseas. Referring to a country’s consulate is the best way to access these rules and requirements.

Evaluate Your New Living Environment

You care about your dog, their comfort, and their wellbeing, which is why you’ll want to determine if your new location and home will have the right amenities to maintain your dog’s quality of life. Here are some things to consider before relocating:

• Research vets and animal hospitals located in the area where you’re moving.
• Check out groomers, doggy daycares, and pet sitters in the area.
• Investigate the availability of healthy dog food brands, as well as the cost.
• Research your new digs to assess if there’s a yard for your dog, and how you will work around it if there isn’t one.
• Are there parks, open spaces, trails, and dog parks nearby?

Call Animals Away

The best thing you can do when planning a pet relocation is to contact Animals Away to speak with our friendly and knowledgeable dog shipping coordinators, as we can guide you through the entire process. We will handle all of the details of shipping a dog so that you can focus on the other aspects of moving. When you work with our dog shipping team, we will take care of each and every detail and provide you with the necessary information so that you have a crystal clear understanding of the entire process. If you want to make your international move much easier, let us take care of transporting your dog. Call us today!