Travel // Relocating With Your Animal Companion

Relocating With Your Animal Companion

You’ve reserved the moving van, registered the kids for school, forwarded your mail, and are about to embark on a new chapter of your life. But is your dog or cat all set for the journey?

For a trouble-free trip, plan out safety measures and gather information well in advance of your departure, especially if you will be moving abroad or flying. Note that in the guidelines below, although we include tips for flying with animals, we absolutely discourage doing so. Modes of transport other than an automobile should be a last resort.

Researching Requirements for Your Move

Does your new locale ban any dog breeds or limit the number of animals one household can have? What are the licensing requirements? Research this information on your new community’s Web site well in advance of your move to avoid surprises.

Moving to Another State

Most states require you to obtain and carry interstate health certificates for dogs and horses before entering.
All states require dogs and cats to be current on their rabies vaccinations.
Hawaii quarantines cats and dogs for 120 days.
You may need to secure an entry permit from your destination state’s regulatory agency.
A few states carry out border inspection of all animals being transported; others inspect randomly.

Contact the state veterinarian, State Department of Animal Husbandry, or other appropriate authority for information on requirements particular to your location.

Relocating Internationally

Most governments have quarantine and health requirements such as proof of a neutralizing antibody titration test for rabies performed more than six months before the date of importation for arriving animals, so it is essential to research this and plan for the expenses that you will likely incur. Contact the consulate several months before your move for animal importation requirements. Triple-check all requirements; don’t lose your animal because of oversight.

Questions to Ask the Consulate

According to PetRelocation.com, you should ask the following questions of the consulate for the country that you will be traveling to:

What restrictions are there for importing companion animals into your country?
Which documents will I be required to furnish?
Are there age restrictions?
Are any special vaccinations or tests required?
Are there specific country restrictions?
Are there any country/local holidays during or around the time of my planned trip?
Are there special quarantine requirements?
Are quarantine facilities available on the planned arrival date and station?
How will my animal clear customs?
Do I need to be present in order for my animal to clear customs?

Country-Specific Information

The European Union is revising health requirements so that regulations across individual countries are standardized. For the most up-to-date information, search europa.eu.int/news/index_en.htm.

Australia (www.affa.gov.au)
Canada (www.inspection.gc.ca)
Hawaii (www.hawaiiag.org/hdoa/ai_aqs_info.htm)
Israel (www.mof.gov.il/customs/eng/pets.htm)
Italy (www.italyemb.org/)
Japan (www.maff-aqs.go.jp/english/index.htm)
New Zealand (www.maf.govt.nz)
Spain (www.mapausa.org/Viaje)
United Kingdom (www.defra.gov.uk; click on the Animal Health and Welfare link).

The U.K. is expanding its PETS (the Pets Travel Scheme) to the United States and Canada. When it comes into effect, companion animals will no longer be subjected to the mandatory six-month quarantine, provided that they test negative for rabies and obtain an import license.