petrelocation guide to relocating your pet

Step-by-Step Guide to Relocating Your Pet

Why is a pet move so difficult?………….….…4 Planning the move ………………………………..5 Booking the flight ………………….…...............23 Day of the move ……….…………………………27 After the move …………………….……….…….32

TABLE OF CONTENTS:

Let’s face it. Moving is stressful. You are juggling a to-do list that’s longer than you anticipated with huge decisions to make. This could include finding a new home, selecting the items that you’ll be packing or putting into storage, and figuring out how to get it all there.

Then, you find out that moving your pet safety entails a process that is much more complicated than you thought. Add that to your growing to-do list, and you need a nap from just reading what you need to do. Follow these simple guidelines for every stage of your pet move to make it a smooth and safe ride for your pet.

Why is it so difficult?

You don’t know what you don’t know!

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Moving is a lot of work! PetRelocation client Nugget moved safely from the US to Australia.

Being prepared is 75 percent of the pet move equation. Have you asked yourself any of the following questions? •  How do I know what kind of crate to purchase? •  Will my pet be able to handle air travel? •  Are there veterinary requirements I don’t know about?

We’ll break it down in each of the major areas that you’ll need to address during the planning phase of the pet move.

PLANNING:

The hardest part of a move

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Planning can be challenging but it’s worth the effort when your pet arrives safely at your new

home, like Lily the Lab did in Shanghai!

This is one of the most important, yet commonly overlooked, aspects of preparation. Selecting the right style and sized travel crate will ensure that your pet will be accepted by your airline of choice, while keeping your pet comfortable and safe. Requirements for pet transport can vary across airlines, so be sure to research accordingly when you book your flight. With that in mind, there are standardized styles for your pet. If you already own a crate, that’s great! All you need to do is make sure it is airline-approved in the next section.

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The Crate


Clooney makes picking out the crate look easy at the PetRelocation headquarters in Austin!

Approved Crate Styles •  Hard-shelled plastic crate •  Ventilation holes on the

sides and rear of the crate •  Top and bottom half

connected by bolts

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Unapproved Crate Styles •  Wire-frame crates •  Collapsible carrier •  Fabric or soft-sided

carriers (unless traveling in-cabin)

•  Top-loading doors


Photo credit: Petco.com

Crate of Best Fit

The fit of your pet in its crate can make the difference between a smooth flight check-in versus being turned away at the airline counter. Making sure your pet has enough room to lay down, stand, and turn around is crucial to avoid any last minute surprises. A good measure of how much space to give your pet is to add four inches to the length and height of your pet while standing.

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A few things to keep in mind when selecting a crate size:

•  The crate should be tall enough for your pet to comfortably stand up straight without having to duck to see out of the crate.

•  It should also be wide enough for the pet to turn around without struggling.

•  The length of the crate should allow your pet to lie down with paws extended.


Now that you have the right materials for the move, how do you prepare your pet for a long flight? For pets that have never been crate-trained - be patient! It may take longer for some pets, especially older ones, to adapt to a crate. Don’t wait until the week before your move to start your training. The process should be started weeks or even months in advance.

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Training


Practice makes perfect: Milo tests out his new crate before moving to Ireland.

4 Steps to Training 1. Keep the crate in a common area. Make sure the crate is somewhere your pet will see it everyday. This will allow your pet to become more comfortable with the look and smell of it. Your pet may even start exploring the crate on its own.

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2. Create a daily routine using the crate. This will help your pet associate a positive understanding of the crate. Your pet may be afraid of the crate at first, so remove the door and top half. This will make it is less intimidating. You will eventually add the top half and door as your pet starts to get more comfortable with its presence.


Gido & Mochi are ready for their move from Dubai to Japan!

3. Keep toys and bedding in your pet’s crate. Make the crate feel like home to your pet. Start adding your pet’s favorite toys and reward your pets for good behavior with treats inside the crate. Your pet will feel more inclined to spend more time in the crate with its favorite toys and with the added incentive that it could also be treat time.


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4. Practice makes perfect. Allow your pet to spend at least 5-10 minutes a day in the crate the start. Reward your pet with attention and treats as the time spent within the crate increases. Most of all, be patient! Your pet may not warm up to the crate right away, but stay the course of training so your pet will have a comfortable and low-stress flight.

Elliott relaxes before his move from New York to Chicago!

Flight Preparation Checklist Check-in for your pet’s flight at the airport can also be headache if you’re not properly prepared. Before you go through security, there are airport officials and signage reminding you to take your laptops out of your bag, remove your belt and shoes, and empty your pockets. Unfortunately, that’s not the case with preparing your crate.

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Clementine works on preparing pets for flights at the PetRelocation offices.

What goes on the exterior of the crate? •  Copies of all health documents inside the airport-provided

plastic pouch and secured to the top of the crate. •  A label on the top of the crate with the following

information:


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•  Date of departure •  Flight number with any

connections •  Departure and

destination airports •  Airway bill number •  Owner contact

information

•  Pet’s name •  Pet’s breed, color, and age •  Time & date of last meal •  Food and water

instructions •  Signature and date

•  Place “LIVE ANIMALS” stickers on both sides and back of the crate.

•  Have a label with your pet’s name above the door on the front of the crate.

•  Secure all corners with the provided white cable ties. •  Attach the airline luggage tag to the front of the door of

the crate with your pet’s name, airway bill number, destination and contact information.

What goes on the interior of the crate? Your crate must have absorbent material on the bottom. You can use shredded newspaper, piddle / pee pads, or any type of crate bedding. *Make sure your pet still has at least 3-4 inches of clearance over its head when both the bedding and the pet are in the crate.*

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Make sure two water dishes are attached to the crate’s door. To make it last longer, fill at least one of the dishes with water and freeze it overnight – the night before your pet’s flight. Place funnels with zip ties facing outward from the kennel with the spouts pointing into the water dishes on the inside of the crate for water replenishment without needing to open the crate door.

Cool, calm & collected: Buford moved from the US to Singapore in his crate.

Peanut cozies up to his relocation from California to London!

Your pet needs documentation to fly just like you need a valid driver’s license or passport. This unique identifier for your pet comes in the form of a microchip. Make an appointment with your family veterinarian to get a consultation specific to your pet, and be prepared to discuss microchips, documentation, and health factors.

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Veterinary preparation


PetRelocation employees Rebecca and Molly take a PetRelocation client to the vet!

Required Documentation Before making arrangements for your pet’s transportation, it is important to understand any and all vet requirements for your pet’s travel arrangements. This will ensure your pet is eligible to travel when move day arrives.

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Health Certificate – This certificate provided by your veterinarian confirms that your pet is healthy and safe for travel. It will typically need to be issued between 7-10 days, depending upon destination. Rabies Certificate – This document shows proof that your pet is current on its rabies vaccination. Recommended vaccinations: •  Dogs – DHLP and Bordetella or “kennel cough” •  Cats - FVRCP Other requirements: •  Be sure to check your destination to determine

if any additional vaccines or blood tests are required.


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Microchips

Microchips are a permanent form of identification that can help your pet be returned to you if lost while moving or traveling. Moving within the US, your pet is not required to have a microchip to travel. However, because a microchip is the only permanent form of identification, it is recommended that you consider getting one prior to moving with your pet.

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What kind of microchip should I get? The best kind of microchip is an ISO-compatible microchip, which means it will be able to be scanned inside and outside the US. This is also helpful if you ever plan on traveling internationally with your pet.


PetRelocation can assist you with your pet’s veterinary preparation prior to the move.

Microchips (continued)

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Who administers the microchip? Is it safe? Does it hurt? Your veterinarian can implant the microchip in your pet. It is a very quick procedure that does not require anesthesia or stitches. Most microchips are no bigger than a grain of rice and are injected with a syringe between the shoulder blades, just like getting a vaccine. How long do microchips last? Microchips are designed to last the lifetime of a pet. A chip typically lasts at least 25 years and does not need replacing. Once the microchip is implanted, it should remain there and active for the life of the pet. If my pet has a microchip, does my pet also need an identification tag? Pets should wear identification tags at all times, but especially when they are traveling. Proper identification tags are your pet's first ticket home if lost. Tags should include a primary and secondary contact number of a friend or relative. Providing your pet with both tags and a microchip will ensure that your pet will be returned safely to you in the event that your pet is misplaced.


Many pet owners believe sedation will be the answer to their pet’s travel anxieties. However, sedation is very dangerous and prohibited by the airlines. According to the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), air transport of sedated pets may be fatal. Over-sedation is the most frequent cause of animal deaths during airline transport and accounts for more than half of all deaths when flying. Except in unusual circumstances, veterinarians should not dispense sedatives for animals that are to be transported by air. Some animals react abnormally to sedatives during the transportation process but are especially at risk to experiencing sedative-related side effects when flying. The change in altitude can cause unpredictable side effects and limit a pet’s ability to regulate breathing and body temperature. Airlines are aware of these health risks and will not accept your pet if they see it is sedated.

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Sedation


Elderly pets and certain breeds of dogs and cats can be at a higher risk of having health problems when traveling. Making sure your pet is in good health in advance can reduce risk of injury or death.

Elderly Pets For pets older than eight years, we recommend that your vet performs an extensive / geriatric health exam on all vital organs (heart, liver, and kidneys). This may require a full blood profile, which can take up to 14 days for results. There should be no record of liver or kidney damage.

An elderly pet’s hydration levels need to be able to remain normal without the use of medication. Many animals will not drink the water provided while in transit, so your pet should be able to handle long periods with sub-par hydration.

Consider purchasing a kennel larger than the minimum size required and make sure there are ventilation holes in the back. This will allow more air to flow through the crate. Acclimate the pet as much as possible to the travel crate environment. This may be the pet’s home for up to 12 hours at a time (depending on the length of the flight). Stress levels have proven to drop dramatically for pets accustomed to their travel crates ahead of time.

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Elderly Pets / High-Risk Breeds


Snub-Nosed Breeds Extra care is required when the following breeds are traveling because they often have hereditary respiratory problems. These animals are susceptible to an increased risk of heat stroke and breathing problems when exposed to high levels of stress or extreme heat:

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The following steps will reduce stress and heat exposure when shipping the above mentioned breeds: •  Use one size larger kennel than is normally required. •  Use a kennel with ventilation on four sides. If the kennel

does not have ventilation on four sides, modify the kennel by drilling seven holes in the rear top and seven holes in the rear bottom of the kennel using a 3/4 inch keyhole bit.

•  Spend plenty of time crate training and getting your pet acclimated to the crate environment.

•  Do not place food in the kennel during the flight, only water. Food can become a choking hazard.

•  Provide plenty of water to your pet. Fill a water dish with water the night before departure, and place it in your freezer for the evening so that it melts slowly during travel.

•  Boston Terrier •  Boxer •  Brussels Griffin •  Bull Terrier •  Dutch Pug •  English Bulldog

•  English Toy Spaniel •  French Bulldog •  Japanese Chin •  Japanese Pug •  Pekinese •  Shih Tzu

Some airlines have restrictions on snub-nosed breeds. Make sure to check your airline for restrictions before booking!


Collars and Identification It is recommended to purchase a sturdy collar for your pet with two identification tags. On one tag, write your pet’s name, your name, home address and home phone number. On the other tag, write your destination address and phone number. Make sure the collar and tags cannot get hooked on metal grates or other parts of the kennel during flight. Veterinarians recommend breakaway collars for cats.

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Undercoat Grooming Removing dead undercoat will help keep your pet cooler. Bring your double-coated breed to the salon or vet for professional undercoat removal prior to departure to help them feel more comfortable, especially in the summer months. Shaving double coated breeds does NOT keep them cooler.

Toe Nails Clipped Make sure your pet’s toenails are clipped. You don’t want them to get hooked on the carrier door or other openings.

Use masking tape to make a temporary ID tag. If you are not sure of your new permanent address, use a piece of masking tape placed around your pet’s collar to mark his name and your contact phone numbers. Once you’re settled in, you can invest in a permanent tag.


Legos shows off his new hairstyle before his trip!

There are a number of decisions to make when choosing an airline, and it’s crucial to determine what is most important to you and your pet. The most common concern is the safety of your pet, so how can you vet the airline properly? Let’s take a look at some common myths, pet-friendly airlines and airport options to consider.

BOOKING THE FLIGHT:

Choosing a pet-friendly airline requires some research and planning.

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Common Myths Ground vs. Air Travel

Myth: I should hire a company that is willing to make a cross-country drive if I cannot drive my pet myself. Reality: These companies typically pick up multiple pets to make the cross-country drive, so your pet will likely spend on average of 3-7 days with strangers and other animals. Air travel is much faster, which is a huge factor in reducing your pet’s stress.

Cargo vs. Carry-on Myth: Flying my pet as cargo is more dangerous that flying my pet in a carry-on. Reality: A carry-on can be more stressful for pets due to loud noises, smells and other people. There’s an added level of stress for you, if your pet becomes disruptive because they are stressed by factors in the airplane cabin. In fact, some airlines do not allow pets in carry-ons.

Weather and In-Flight Temperature Myth: Airlines treat pets as any other cargo and do not accommodate animals. Reality: Pet-friendly airlines (including United, KLM Royal-Dutch, Lufthansa and British Airways) have climate-controlled areas before, during, and after transit. There are dedicated staff to check on the pet’s health between flights in addition to prioritized transfer from the plane to the pick-up area at the destination.


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Airlines to Consider Picking the best airline for your pet might mean taking a different flight or having a layover at a pet-friendly airport. Keep your pet’s best interest in mind when looking at your pet’s flight options.

Travel Options In-Cabin – Pets travel under the seat in front of you in the passenger cabin Excess Baggage – Pets travel checked as luggage underneath the plane in the cargo hold; owner must travel on the same flight as the pet Manifest Cargo – Pets travel underneath the plane in the cargo hold; owner does not have to travel with pets; must be consigned to a person on the destination end who will pick up the pet.


The pet relief station at John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York.

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Remember: 1. Guidelines change. Be sure to call the airline you plan to use at least a month in advance to find out their most up-to-date policy information. 2. Only small pets can travel in cabin. Small dogs (Chihuahuas, Pomeranians, Yorkies, etc.) and very small cats will generally fit under the seat in front of you. Pets must be able to stand up comfortably in their carrier in order to travel in cabin. 3. Most pocket pets are not allowed in cabin. Check with the airline you’d like to fly for policies on pockets pets (guinea pigs, hamsters, turtles, etc.).

Pet-Friendly Airports Houston International Airport (IAH) and Newark Liberty Airport (EWR) have pet hotels located at the airport, which United uses to take care of pets in transit. These are ideal for comfort stops during layovers or if you need to board your pet for a night in between connecting flights.


Most major US airports now have designated, fenced-in pet relief stations

like this one at Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport.

At this point, you have thoroughly researched, planned and secured your pet’s flight. What could go wrong? Murphy’s Law can throw a wrench in the best of plans, but do not panic. Your pet can sense stress, so you want to remain calm and composed. Remember the following when driving your pet down the road to the airport or a longer distance. The flight is not the only mode of transportation for your pet.

DAY OF THE MOVE:

Your pet will only be as calm as you.

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Elvis on the day of his move from Los Angeles to Sydney.

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Tricks to Keep Your Pet Happy on the Road

•  Try to take your pet in the car as often as possible before the move. This will help reduce its anxiety on the big trip. Purchase a travel crate for your pet to ride in and work on crate training your pet in advance. Crate training your pet can assist with anxiety levels during the drive as well as those at your new home.

•  If your pet is crate-trained, the crate is the best place for him to travel. However, a seatbelt harness can also restrain your pet, keeping him – and you – safe.


Special delivery! Kratos being delivered to his pet parent in Rome.

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•  Make sure you have proper identification for your pet during your move. Have a cell phone number listed on his/her tags or an emergency contact who is not making the trip with you.

•  Try not to feed your pet for a few of hours before the trip as it can upset its stomach.

•  Hydration is very important so be sure to always offer your pet plenty of water before and during your drive. Spill-proof water bowls will allow your pet plenty of access to water without getting your vehicle wet.


Hydration during travel is extremely important, especially for snub-nosed breeds like Vince, who

moved to Australia.


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•  For long distance drives, don’t forget to pack a bag for your pet! Food, water, brushes, treats, plastic bags, a scoop, and even a bed for the hotel room floor can help make carrying everything to your new home smoother. The bag won’t be able to fly with your pet, so plan to bring that with you.

•  It is never considered safe to leave pets in the car unattended. Not only can it get very hot in cars and cause heat stroke, but pets can also be stolen or escape from partially open car windows.

Lucca on her way to London!

You have been planning for this day for weeks, if not months, so make it easier on yourself with this checklist of everything you will need before driving your pet to the airport. q  Labels and bedding for the travel crate (pages 13-14) q  Two bowls of frozen water facing inward q  Small clear bag of food attached to the top of the crate

(1-2 meals will be sufficient in case there are delays) q  Veterinarian documentation (1 original and 1 copy each

of the health certification and rabies vaccination) q  Flight information, departure and destination addresses q  Familiar items inside the crate – owner’s clothing or

pet’s blanket q  A leash for pick-up that you won’t mind getting lost

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Day of Travel Checklist

After your pet’s flight, you’ll want to keep an eye on his general health for a few days and make sure it is adjusting to your new home. Take note of your pet’s behavior and make the new space as familiar as possible for your pet.

AFTER THE MOVE: You’re not truly home until your pet is.

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Tigger relaxes after his big move from Chicago to New Zealand. What a view!

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•  After your pet arrives at his new home, you’ll want to make sure he or she is hydrated. Sometimes during travel, your pet may choose not to drink water even if there is access to it. Take the time to do a quick check of your pet’s health to make sure nothing is wrong.

•  Look for visible signs of poor health. These symptoms include sunken eyes, exhaustion or dry mouth. Test your dog or cat’s skin elasticity. Gently pull the skin near the middle of your pet’s back. The skin won’t have its usual elasticity and will stay pulled up if dehydrated. If the skin immediately sinks back into place, your pet is probably well-hydrated. Check your pet’s gums. Expose the gums and press them gently and briefly with your thumb. Blood is forced through the gum and should return to its normal color within 2 seconds. If it does not, then it could be a symptom of dehydration.

•  Feed your pet and check for loss of appetite. It is a sign of dehydration. Arrange a visit with a veterinarian to do a blood test to check for dehydration if you are concerned.

Post-Flight Checklist


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•  Let your pet stretch his legs. A long walk will not only help your pet release nervous energy, but can also reduce any swelling of the joints that might have occurred during travel.

•  Refuel and refresh. Easy access to both food and water is important after a flight. A long flight can be tiring for you and your pet, so make sure to eat and relax.

Exercise and Sustenance


Another happy reunion: Lexi checks out the beautiful new countryside in Germany!

Need more assistance with your pet move? Click here to have a free consultation with the experienced professionals at PetRelocation. (Or type into your browser: http://move.petrelocation.com/pet-move-consultation)

PetRelocation Consultant Heather and her dogs Moe and Harley are ready to answer all of your questions!

http://move.petrelocation.com/pet-move-consultation

petrelocation guide to relocating your pet

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