Immigrating With Pets – All you need to know

You’re taking the plunge to move to a new place. Whether you’re leaving for work or to fulfill a dream, you want to bring your furry friends with you. After all, they may seem like pets to the rest of the world, but they are more like your kids.

Of course, immigration is possible with all kinds of animals, not just dogs and cats. It is not unheard of for people to immigrate with parrots, ferrets or any other animal with a decently long life span. There are rules and regulations for each kind of pet.

Immigrating with pets will undoubtedly require a bit more research and can be more expensive but having your friend with you when you get to the other side will make everything worth it. It is important to consider your pet’s age and health before going, especially when flying. Weighing that against the enormous benefits of having them with you can be hard, but should be prioritized.

It is important that you check with the embassy of the country you are immigrating to as the rules and procedures change from country to country. These regulations are often dependent on the country you currently reside in. Some countries, and even specific cities, go as far as to restrict specific breeds of animals, typically large dog breeds.

Create A Pet Passport

This is among the most helpful things you can do for your travels. Creating a pet passport will make it so that all your pets information is in one place and undoubtedly make a stressful travel much easier.

A pet passport consists of all the necessary documentation that your pet will require for the move. This should be individualized based on the country you are departing from and the country you are traveling to. Documents should include a description of your animal including their name, breed type, and a description. Extra pieces of information should be stored with the pet passport as well. This includes proof of rabies vaccination and immunization information. Treat this document as if you would a human’s own passport.

Vaccines

There are many different kinds of shots and medication you can get your pets. These help your animal’s health when travelling to a different country. Some are more important than others. Just like humans, animal diseases range from country to country. This is why regulations on importing animals is so strict. Rules are made to keep your animal safe and healthy. Talk with your veterinarian before you leave to see if there is anything further you can do to make the transition easier for your animal.

• Immunization is your pet’s first line of defence. Just how your immune system will need some added help, your pets does too. This is especially important for inside animals, such as cats, as they haven’t had a ton of exposure to external pathogens.

• Rabies vaccinations are the most important and needed by almost every country, regardless of if your specific country is deemed rabies free. Proof of vaccination should be kept in your pet passport.

• Ticks and fleas are another set of issues when travelling. Certain places have a higher population of these little pests. Spend some time researching the country and city you are travelling to and make sure this is not a widespread problem there.

• Your pet should be properly spayed or neutered before moving. This is difficult when traveling with older dogs but should not be overlooked. Younger dogs and cats will handle this procedure better and prolong their life. Most countries will carry regulations on this.

Get In Contact With A Veterinarian In Your New Country

It may be easy to find one once you arrive in your new country but the vet handles pets in your new neighbourhood every day. They will be the best suited to tell you what types of immunizations or precautions to take before you travel and once you are situated. It is also recommended that you get your pet checked over by a veterinarian if you suspect any injury occurred from a long flight.

Get The Inside Scoop On Your New County

With internet access, this is easier than ever before. Sure you love your pet and would do just about anything for them, but that may not be the attitude in your new country. Some cultures may fear black cats for example. Places like Thailand have an incredibly high stray dog and cat population. It is important to consider how your pet will be living in its new environments.

Prepare Your Pet For The Trip

No matter how you plan to transport your pet it is important to ensure that they are prepared for the trip. Luckily, we have compiled lists of how you can prepare your pet for a long drive or scary flight.

Microchipping pets is an overlooked but very important preparation. Even the best-behaved pets will be spooked by all the change and in the chaos of a big move. If you are separated from your pet this is the most reliable and convenient way to get reunited as soon as possible. For birds consider tagging them around their ankle. For some countries, this may be a requirement but we recommend it be done even if it isn’t.

Just as you have done everything you can to prepare yourself for your trip it is important you do the same for your pet. They will be nervous as soon as you start packing your home so we recommend giving them extra love and treats to make them feel more comfortable. This is a big change for them and they should not be overlooked. Set aside some more money for this move just in case unexpected fees arise. Make duplicates of all paperwork and carry them in two separate places in case you lose one.

Immigrating, or thinking of immigrating with pets? Let us know how you are doing it. Already immigrated with them? Let us know how the trip was in the comment section below.