Relocating Pets Overseas: What You Should Know

 

USEFUL LINKS:

IATA:

https://www.iata.org/en/youandiata/travelers/traveling-with-pets/

https://www.iata.org/en/programs/cargo/live-animals/pets/

HONG KONG REQUIREMENTS FOR EXPORT:

https://www.afcd.gov.hk/english/quarantine/qua_ie/qua_ie_eapao/qua_ie_eapao_ioahc/qua_ie_eapao_ioahc.html

COUNTRY OF DESTINATION:

BRITAIN:

https://www.gov.uk/bring-pet-to-great-britain

EU:

https://ec.europa.eu/food/animals/movement-pets/eu-legislation/non-commercial-movement-non-eu-countries_en

CANADA:

https://inspection.canada.ca/importing-food-plants-or-animals/pets/eng/1326600389775/1326600500578

SINGAPORE:

https://www.nparks.gov.sg/avs/pets/bringing-animals-into-singapore-and-exporting/bringing-in-and-transshipping-dogs-and-cats/preparing-to-bring-dogs-and-cats-into-singapore

USA:

https://www.aphis.usda.gov/aphis/pet-travel/

AUSTRALIA:

https://www.awe.gov.au/biosecurity-trade/cats-dogs

Relocation is always stressful – and it’s even more stressful when it includes an international move and your beloved pet! This is a brief checklist to try to get you and your pet to your new country with a minimum amount of stress.

  1. Decide if you are using a pet travel agent or doing it by yourself

    • Pet relocation experts are experts in pet relocation

    • Travel agents increase costs but may decrease stress

    • Travel agents help you avoid missteps that may delay your pet travel

    • You do not HAVE to have a travel agent to travel with your pet

    • Given the current situation in Hong Kong pet travel agents may have a very long waiting list and may have increased prices

  2. Research requirements for the destination country

    • SEE LINKS ABOVE

    • Some countries do not allow certain species (ferrets), breeds, or dogs that have had certain diseases (tick fever)

    • Some countries require a long isolation period in a government facility to prove that your pet is not carrying any diseases

    • All countries require vaccination against rabies and microchip

    • The timing for the rabies vaccination and type of microchip may vary

    • Some countries require rabies titers, which can take up to a month to get back from the lab (since we must send them out of the country in Hong Kong) and may need to be performed 30 days after vaccination

  3. Book flights

    • Airlines have their own requirements as to when they will fly pets, where they will fly pets, and paperwork you need to fill out

    • Pets can fly as cargo, excess baggage, or in the cabin with you

    • Talk to an airline representative if possible!

    • Certain breeds cannot be flown at certain times of year (for example, short nosed breeds will not be flown during the hot months of the year)

    • Time the flight correctly so that you have time to fulfill all the requirements of the destination country

    • Most airlines require that an owner or responsible agent is on the flight with your pet

    • Consider whether a longer direct flight will be better than two shorter flights with a layover

      • Depending on the layover and the airline, you may be able to visit your pet during the time between flights

  4. Bring your pet to the vet to fulfill rabies requirements and microchip and to make sure that they are healthy for the flight

    • This may need to be done 1-3 months prior to travel, since you may need rabies antibody titers

  5. Purchase the proper crate (IATA guidelines) and have your pet used to the crate beforehand

    • Feed your pet and have them sleep in their crate

    • Make the crate a pleasant place

      • Spray with pheromones

    • Do not use it as a place of punishment

  6. Get pets used to motion and loud noises beforehand

    • You can play airplane noises and take pets on car rides to stimulate motion

  7. We do not recommend sedatives prior to a flight, but if you are going to use an anti-anxiety medication such as CBD oil or gabapentin, try it a few weeks before departure

  8. Have the vet fill out the proper health certificates 7-10 days prior to travel

    • It is your responsibility to bring the health certificate to the vet and have it filled out

    • Once the health certificate is filled out, bring it to AFCD in Hong Kong for a signature

      • Hours may vary due to COVID

      • You do not have to bring your pet

      • This process takes 2-3 days

  9. Travel with your pet

  10. Make sure to have backups available and to have contingency plans

  11. Make sure that your pet has a water bottle attached to their crate, so they don’t become dehydrated

    • Consider teaching them to drink from a water dropper (hamster bottle)

    • If you have to use a bowl, consider filling with ice beforehand so that it can melt over time and make sure that the bowl is attached to the door so that it can be refilled easily without opening the door

  12. The day of the flight

    • Take your dog for a long walk as close to the time of departure as possible

    • Feed them a small meal about 4-6 hours beforehand

    • If your pet does not typically wear a collar, don’t put one on them the day of travel

    • Make sure that the crate is clearly labelled

    • Give the pet something safe to bring with them, such as one of your old t-shirts

Nicholas Yoon