It wasn’t difficult to get your own passport. How hard can it be to get travel documents for your pet? A lot more time-consuming and confusing than you might think. For one thing, there is no single answer to this question, because the rules change depending on where your pet is going. Travel from Chicago to Singapore will be quite different than going from Houston to the UAE. Or London.
Your pet’s documentation is critical.
Without the proper paperwork in hand (or should we say, in paw), your beloved cat or dog could be refused transport at their point of departure or quarantined or deported at her destination. Some countries threaten to euthanize pets who don’t meet their import requirements. Needless to say, you want to get this right.
At the very least, your pet will need an international health certificate signed by an accredited veterinarian, a microchip and rabies vaccination. Your pet may also need additional vaccinations or health-related treatments and tests. Your destination country might also require special import permits and/or USDA endorsement of your pet’s documents.
Every one of these things has a specific window of time for completion, and getting everything done in the right order can get tricky.
Documentation is just the beginning.
In order for your pet to become an international jet-setter, they will need more than a paw-full of paperwork.
Although it’s sometimes possible to carry a small dog or cat on board with you when traveling to some international destinations, it’s likely your precious pet will ride as cargo. Their environment will be pressurized, oxygenated and temperature-controlled, but they must have a specific type of kennel that meets air transport safety and security guidelines. It has to be the right size for comfort, not overly large but roomy enough for them to stand, turn around and lie down normally.
Do your pet a huge favor and get their kennel early, so they can become well acclimated and comfortable before they have to fly in it. This is the most important thing you can to do help ease their anxiety.
And speaking of anxiety, one of the most common questions we hear from pet parents is "should I sedate my pet?" The answer to that is always NO. Starwood will not ship pets that have been tranquilized. The American Veterinary Medical Association also recommends strongly against sedating animals for air travel, because it can cause serious problems instead of helping.
What can go wrong?
Pet-friendly airlines take care to move animals to and from planes as quickly as possible, often in climate-controlled vehicles. Nonetheless, when the weather is very hot or cold – typically over 85oF or under 45oF – they won’t allow pets to fly. You love that they’re looking out for your pet’s welfare, but this can wreak havoc with your own plans. Likewise, a canceled flight can become a last-minute problem. This is rare, but it’s another “what if” to consider.
If your pet cannot fly as planned, what will you do? What if you get separated? This is one of several excellent reasons to get professional assistance. Your pet’s travel is their one and only priority.
So, to recap, for your pet to travel internationally, you’ll need to:
- Learn the specific requirements of your destination country and airline.
- Obtain all the appropriate documentation.
- Make pet-friendly flight arrangements.
- Obtain the proper travel crate.
- Transport your pet and their kennel to the airport and retrieve them at the other end.
- Clear your pet through customs as well as yourself when you reach your destination.
The process is relatively straight-forward in some ways, but amazingly complicated in others.
Starwood Animal Transport has rebranded to Starwood Pet Travel. We are still the same great company with the best team, just now with a slightly different name.