Moving house is stressful enough, but adding a pet to the mix makes it even more complicated. Whether you’re relocating to Canada or Australia or somewhere in between, the big question on every pet owner’s mind is the same:
Is pet relocation safe?
This article discusses what pet relocation actually involves, what makes it safe and how to make sure your pet’s move is as smooth as possible.
Is Pet Relocation Safe?
Yes, it is. When done properly, with a professional team that knows how to handle animals and understands the logistics, relocating a pet is a safe and manageable process. There’s planning involved, of course, but pets fly and move around the world every day and arrive just fine. The main thing is to ensure the basics are covered, such as health checks, travel documents, a carrier your pet is used to and a plan that prioritises their comfort.
Here’s what makes the difference:
Experienced handling
Working with a pet travel company that knows how to move animals safely is key to a stress-free relocation. Professionals understand the process inside out, from airline requirements to how to keep a pet calm on travel day.
Health checks and paperwork
A trip starts well when your pet is fit to travel. That means vet checks, vaccinations and any import or export documents sorted ahead of time.
The right travel crate
A properly sized, IATA-compliant carrier helps your pet feel secure and gives them space to turn around and lie down. Crate training ahead of time can make a big difference, especially if you have a nervous pet.
Flight planning and stopover care
Direct flights are ideal, but when they’re not possible, a good relocation team ensures your pet is well cared for during layovers. That might mean a pet lounge, a comfort break or temperature-controlled holding areas.
A focus on comfort and welfare
Small things go a long way, like familiar bedding, travel-safe food portions, avoiding sedatives and timing travel to avoid extreme heat or cold. Doing this reduces stress, keeping your pet settled.
Ready to explore...
Common Pet Relocation Risks and How to Avoid Them
Here are some of the most common issues and how to stay ahead of them:
1. Stress and anxiety
Travel can be unsettling, especially if your pet has never been in a crate or flown before. Crate training ahead of time really helps and keeping their routine as normal as possible before and after the move also makes a difference.
2. Delays or missed connections
Weather, cargo handling or paperwork problems can cause hold-ups. What’s the solution? Work with a pet relocation company that understands airline logistics and can rebook quickly if needed – ideally, one with direct airline contacts.
3. Improper paperwork
Missing documents, expired vaccines or the wrong crate size can lead to travel refusals or quarantines. Triple-check the entry requirements for your destination and don’t leave paperwork to the last minute; otherwise, you risk causing unnecessary distress to your pet. Again, working with a professional team can reduce the possibility of this happening.
4. Temperature extremes
Pets are sensitive to heat and cold, and some airlines have weather restrictions for good reason. So, travel should be timed with that in mind, and in some cases, alternative routes or ground transportation might be safer.
5. Inexperienced handling
Not all couriers or airlines treat animals the same way. Always choose a team with solid experience in pet travel, ideally one that is IPATA-registered, so your pet receives proper care every step of the way.
Ways to Make Sure Your Pet’s Overseas Relocation Is Safe
The right prep can make a huge difference to how smoothly your pet’s relocation goes.
Here’s a simple checklist to help you cover the important stuff:
✓ Choose the right relocation partner – Look for an animal relocation company that specialises in pet travel, not just general shipping. Experience matters when it comes to airline rules, animal welfare and dealing with the unexpected.
✓ Book a vet check well in advance – Make sure your pet is up to date on any vaccines or treatments needed for your destination. Some countries have strict entry rules, so timing really matters here.
✓ Get your pet carrier sorted early – Your pet will travel in it, so it needs to be airline-approved and the right size. Let your pet get familiar with it well before the move and think of it as their safe zone; don’t make it a last-minute surprise before departure.
✓ Keep your pet’s routine as normal as possible – In the lead-up to the move, stick to regular feeding, walks and playtime. A calm pet at departure usually means a calm pet on arrival.
✓ Double-check all documents – Make sure you’ve got health certificates, import permits, microchip info and anything else required for your destination. If your relocation company is handling this, confirm that everything is in place early.
Professional Pet Relocation is the Safest Option
As you can see, pet relocation is a safe process when handled properly by an experienced team that knows what they’re doing, making it a well-established and secure procedure. It’s not without its challenges, but pets travel successfully every day, and with the right prep, they can cope well, with most animals settling into their new surroundings faster than expected.
Ready to explore...