How Can I Take My Pet Abroad?
If you're moving to Europe - or further afield - you may be wondering how to get your four-legged friend with you.
Luckily, we're here to help.
Travelling abroad can be an incredible adventure: new sites, tastes and cultures to explore, as well as fantastic opportunities to take the next step in your career.
Unfortunately, it can also be stressful. You can’t just hop to a new country without planning how long you are staying for, what you will be doing once there and what you need to take with you, or you could encounter serious difficulties once you arrive - especially if you want to take any pets with you
Going without your furry friends is unthinkable, so how do you take your pet abroad?
You will need to take the time to ensure they are fit for travel, with all of the necessary paperwork and vaccinations, along with safe transportation for the journey itself.
When it comes to travelling abroad, you can’t leave anything to chance (we have a handy moving abroad checklist here). Here’s what you’ll need to take into account when taking moving house with pets to a new country.
Travelling with pets from the UK
As friendly as your pet might be, a cute face won’t be enough to get it through customs. While planning your trip, it is crucial to investigate exactly what hoops your pet will need to jump through in order to be allowed to enter your destination country.
Start by speaking with your vet. They should be familiar with the requirements for your pet based on your destination. They should also be able to arrange any necessary vaccinations on your behalf, as well as microchipping.
If your destination is outside of your vet’s expertise, it is a good idea to contact the nearest embassy for your destination country.
You should be able to find contact information online, and you may even have a location nearby to drop in on. Make clear when you are travelling, for what purpose and what type of pet you want to bring with you, then ask them to clarify the requirements.
It is also a good idea to check the exact regulations for your chosen travel company. Rules can vary significantly between different airlines, ferry providers, railway services and so on, so do not take any chances!
Travelling abroad with dogs or cats
With regulations in place, you must give yourself enough time to organise everything before moving day.
Start by familiarising yourself with the Pet Travel Scheme (PETS). Administered by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA), it allows pet owners from the UK to move home with dogs - or with cats - to specific countries without putting them in quarantine. Doing so can make the trip far less stressful for you and your furry friend, though you must ensure it applies to your destination country first. You can do this by getting in touch with DEFRA.
Equally, consider how you intend to travel with your pet. With dogs and cats, the most convenient way of travelling is usually by car. You can even do this when going via ferry or train. However, when using a ferry company or Eurostar, you may have to pay extra costs for taking a pet. Certain companies may also require you to muzzle your pet, keep them in designated areas or even keep them locked in your car (in which case you may need to stay with them to ensure they are safe and comfortable).
Travelling by air will easily be the most convenient option for you. However, airlines also have strict rules about transporting pets. Ensure you use an appropriate container, and check to see if any specific vaccinations or paperwork will be required on the day. Again, the rules can vary significantly - some airlines even refuse to transport pets, though they sometimes make exceptions for service animals.
Take your Pet Abroad to the USA or Canada
The UK is classed as a rabies-free country by the United States and Canada. As such, you should be okay with bringing your pet along for your trip.
There will still be prep work, however. First, your pet needs microchipping with an ISO 11784-compliant 15-digit pet model. Then, you will need to arrange a rabies vaccination. You must do this at least 30 days before the pet arrives at your destination.
Suppose your pet arrives in America without the correct vaccinations. In that case, you will be asked to sign a ‘confinement agreement’ to keep your pet away from other animals until at least 30 days after the vaccination.
Canada will not require any quarantine for your pet unless they show any obvious signs of illness.
Remember that rules can also vary between states and locales within the USA and Canada, so be sure to check this ahead of time!
Take your Pet Abroad to Europe
Travelling with pets to Europe can be surprisingly simple. It's almost as easy for pets to travel in Europe as it is for people, even following Brexit changes.
The first step is to apply for a European Pet Passport. Your pet will require an ISO 11784-compliant 15-digit pet microchip. The unique microchip number should appear on the Pet Passport, as well as any vaccination certificates.
Once the microchip is installed, you must arrange an up-to-date rabies vaccination and tapeworm vaccination if your pet is a dog.
Once the rabies vaccination is administered, you must wait at least 21 days before travelling.
You're in luck if you want to move more than just your pet to Europe. At AnyVan, we're the best option for moving from the UK to mainland Europe.
With instant quotes, live driver tracking and the option to move at a time and date that suits you, AnyVan is here to take you to the continent.
Our European removals prices start from just £79.
Take your Pet Abroad to Australia
Sadly, Australia has had several instances where foreign animal and plant species caused havoc with the local environment. As such, the country carefully decides when - and what - pets you can bring into the country.
For example, dogs and cats need rabies vaccinations at least eight months before travelling to Australia. They will also require a Rabies Neutralising Antibody Titre Test (RNATT), after which they must wait 180 days before entering the country.
In addition to an updated microchip, moving with dogs will also require tick checks and treatments against Ehrlichia, Leishmaniosis, Brucellosis, and more.
Once they are disease free, you must apply for an Australian Import Permit for your pet. Finally, they will need to be placed in quarantine once they arrive.
It's important to note that the only pet quarantine facility is in Melbourne, so if you are planning to move to Sydney, Perth or another city, you will need to arrange a way for your pet to enter via Melbourne - and then be picked up.
In short, travelling with pets to Australia can require tremendous planning. So, it's best to start arranging everything well in advance.
Book your move to Europe with AnyVan
Now we've established how to get your furry friend abroad - it's time to think about how you're getting there too. If you need a hand moving to the continent, why not get an instant quote now?