How to move abroad with your pet

This article is proudly sponsored by WorldCare Pet, the unrivaled global leader in international and domestic pet relocations.

Moving to a new country is challenging enough without worrying about relocating your pets safely and comfortably. They’re important family members and deserve the same care and attention. Ensuring a smooth journey for them is a top priority.

That’s why we’ve written this guide—to help you navigate pet relocation. We’ll cover how to choose the right pet transport company and steps to make the process easier.

WorldCare Pet goes beyond service, redefining compassionate care and expertise. Specializing in door-to-door relocation, they ensure every journey is safe, stress-free, and tailored to each pet’s needs. Whether by air, ground, or their exclusive Pet Nanny Service, they offer flexible, personalized solutions for every budget.

As the gold standard in pet relocation, WorldCare Pet boasts a 4.9-star Google rating and over 25 years of award-winning experience. Their work with Fortune 500 companies further cements their elite reputation.

Committed to safety and comfort, WorldCare Pet creates “Emotional Magical Moments” for pet parents, sharing photos, videos, and postcards via WhatsApp throughout the journey.

If you’re ready to move with your pets, we can help. WorldCare Pet’s expert team understands how to relocate all pets with the care they deserve. Fill out the quote form on their Request A Quote page to get a bespoke pet relocation quote.

Research your destination

First things first, take some time to research the regulations of your destination country. Some countries, such as Australia, require a lot of complicated criteria to be met before you can even think of moving there with your pets.

Even countries not as strict as Australia will still need your pet to meet certain criteria, such as:

• Government endorsement: An Animal Health Certificate (AHC) or an Export Health Certificate (EHC), is an essential document your pet will need to confirm they meet a country’s specific health requirements.

• Quarantine: Some countries require that your pets spend time in quarantine to ensure they’re not carrying a disease or illness that could harm the local wildlife. You’ll need to prepare for the possibility that your pet will be quarantined for several weeks or potentially months.

• Restrictions on breeds: Certain breeds of pets, generally dogs, can be restricted by some countries.

You don’t want to settle on a destination, finalize all the other moving details and then find out your pets won’t be able to join you.

If this sounds like a lot of work, you can rest assured that if you pick WorldCare Pet to help you move your animals, most of this will be taken care of. WorldCare Pet will give you a dedicated Senior Pet Relocation Counselor to manage factors such as government endorsements and pet health documentation.

Get your pet ready to move

It’s essential to get your pet ready to move in plenty of time, so you’re not chasing your tail at the last minute. Here are a few steps to keep in mind when preparing your pet for an international relocation:

Vaccinations

Make sure any vaccinations and health certificates are up-to-date before you start the moving process. Both vaccinations and health certificates can take several weeks to arrange, so this is definitely not something to leave to the last minute.

WorldCare Pet can coordinate your pet’s veterinary appointments (with your pet’s preferred veterinarian) for you, or arrange on your behalf, meaning you can focus your energy on the other aspects of the move. All other medical considerations, such as microchipping and other health exams, will be handled by WorldCare Pet too.

Pet training

It’s easy to underestimate just how important pet training and socialization are in relocating your pets overseas –you’ll want them to be well behaved in their new environment.

Try to make sure your pet has simple obedience skills (okay, we appreciate this probably won’t work on cats!) and that dogs are capable of following commands such as “sit” and “stay”. The professionals handling your pet during the relocation process will sometimes need to use these commands to keep them calm and safe.

You should also start familiarizing your pet with its transport crate as they’ll potentially be spending 10 hours or more in it during the flight (or flights) to your new home. Start this process a few weeks before the move, getting your pet comfortable spending time in it. They’ll be grateful for the now-familiar environment when moving day arrives.

With WorldCare Pet, you’ll get an airline-approved travel carrier with cozy bedding and secure fastenings. Find out more about WorldCare Pet’s door-to-door pet transportation services.

What essentials to pack for your pet

Having your pet be as comfortable and at ease as they can be is very important when relocating them abroad. Give them a helping paw and make sure to include plenty of food, their favorite treats and any bedding items or toys they’ll find calming.

Make sure you’ve also supplied any medication they’ll need to be given during the journey. WorldCare Pet can arrange to have your pet’s medication attached to the travel carrier, and ask for it to be administered by airport personnel when required.

Arranging for your pet’s arrival

Your pet’s journey doesn’t end when the plane lands! They’ll need to get to your front door, then there’s the post-arrival necessities to sort out. These include:

• Registering with local authorities: You’ll need to notify local authorities about your pet and ask about any registration and licensing requirements.
• Securing veterinary care: It’s also important to ensure your pet has access to local veterinary care in case anything goes wrong. It’s worth finding out if there’s an emergency facility near you as well, in case you need help out of hours.
• Temporary pet accommodation: There’s a chance your new home won’t yet be suitable for your pet’s arrival. If so, make sure you arrange suitable pet accommodation in advance. Many cities and towns have pet-friendly hotels.

Top tips for after the flight

When your pet arrives at your new home, they’ll most likely be very nervous from the flight and the unfamiliar surroundings. Here’s a few things you can do to help ease them into their new home:

• Exercise: Going for a short walk outside (dogs) can help calm them down, or a play session with their favorite toys inside (dogs and cats).
• Routines: Pets thrive on routine and a return to familiar times for feeding, watering and exercise will make them feel more relaxed.
• Don’t wash familiar beds and blankets: Dogs and cats are very sensitive to smell changes, so keeping a recognizable scent on beds and blankets can help settle them.

You should also monitor your pet for the first 24 hours or so, in case they start to show signs of discomfort or abnormal behavior.

Choosing the right pet relocation service

Moving with a pet overseas is a challenging process, which is why selecting a reliable pet relocation service is essential. That’s why we’ve partnered with WorldCare Pet—the trusted global leader in pet transportation—offering a complete, end-to-end service designed to make every pet’s journey as safe, smooth, and stress-free as possible.

With 25 years of experience and more than 28,000 successful relocations, WorldCare Pet has expertise in moving not just dogs and cats, but also hamsters, rabbits, snakes, horses, ferrets, and guinea pigs. Recognized by Fortune 500 companies and adhering strictly to IATA and USDA regulations, they ensure the highest safety standards for your pet’s journey.

When you choose WorldCare Pet, you’ll be assigned a Senior Pet Relocation Counselor, who will manage every detail of your pet’s move while keeping you informed every step of the way. Their services include:

• Full Door-to-Door Service – Picking up your pet from your residence and delivering them safely to your new home, whether internationally or within the USA and Canada.
• Document Preparation – Managing all import/export documents, health certificates, vaccinations, and government endorsements.
• Travel Carrier Provision – Supplying airline-approved pet carriers to ensure a comfortable journey.
• Airline Reservations – Securing the best pet-friendly flights with the safest routing options.
• Customs Clearance – Handling all customs requirements upon arrival.
• Quarantine Arrangements – Coordinating mandatory quarantine stays when necessary.
• Boarding and Grooming Arrangements – Organizing pet accommodations worldwide.
• Worldwide Destination Guides – Providing valuable insights on veterinarians, boarding facilities, pet stores, dog parks, and more in your new country.

For added peace of mind, WorldCare Pet offers a complimentary pet protection plan, covering up to $1,000 in emergency veterinary fees. They also provide reimbursements for lost collars or leads ($40) and post-travel grooming ($50), ensuring your pet arrives comfortable and cared for.

With an impressive 4.9-star Google rating, WorldCare Pet has built a reputation for excellence, consistently delivering outstanding experiences. Their mission goes beyond logistics—they create “Emotional Magical Moments” for pet parents by sharing pictures, videos, and postcards from their fur babies throughout the journey.

When it comes to pet relocation, trust the company that understands pets aren’t just cargo—they’re family. Let WorldCare Pet take care of the details so you and your pet can focus on the excitement of your new adventure.

Next steps

Now that you know how to move your pet abroad, you’re ready to start the process—and that’s where we can help. Simply visit WorldCare Pet and fill in the easy-to-understand quote form with a few details about your pet’s upcoming journey.

WorldCare Pet will provide an obligation-free quote for its stress-free pet relocation services, ensuring a seamless and worry-free experience. Every journey becomes a heartwarming story of exceptional care. Your pet deserves the best, and WorldCare Pet ensures they travel as safely, comfortably, and joyfully as possible.

Let WorldCare Pet guide you every step of the way. Get started today by requesting your personalized relocation plan!