Although hard you have to think of your pets best interests when relocating overseas
Whether you’re heading away for your Overseas Experience, or looking at relocating to a new country permanently, many of you will find yourselves faced with the difficult decision of whether to take your beloved pet with you. There are many factors to consider when deciding whether this is best for you and your pet, and potentially regretful consequences of failing to take them all into account.
Costs of taking your pets overseas
One of the first things pet owners will find themselves considering is whether they can afford – and justify – the price tag attached to bringing along their furry or feathered friend. There is no avoiding the fact that it is a costly process, and it is important to set aside a bit extra than your basic budget to plan for any unforeseen emergencies.
The cost of moving your pet overseas will vary depending on where you are coming from, where you are going, what animal you are transporting, the nature of your travel arrangements, and whether you use a pet relocation company or attempt to make all the arrangements yourself.
Restrictions to taking pets overseas
All countries have rules and regulations affecting what animals you can bring across their borders, and how easy it is to do it. Most pets exported from New Zealand – an officially rabies free country – will not have to go through quarantine at their destination. However, like New Zealand, certain countries have different laws, and quarantine may still be necessary. If importing a cat or dog into New Zealand from anywhere other than Australia, they will need to spend a period of time in quarantine.
Also important to check is whether your pet is allowed across the borders at all, as some countries have restrictions on what animals you can import.
Many countries now require pets to travel with an implanted destination-specific microchip, and in most countries certain blood tests, treatments, vaccinations and health certificates are a prerequisite of importing your pet. Check with the consulate of your destination country before making travel arrangements to find out the specific requirements affecting your circumstances. These details can often be found online.
The welfare of your pet overseas
Arguably the most important consideration you will have is whether overseas travel is the right thing for your pet. If you are travelling abroad for only a short time, especially if it is a year or under, you might decide it is kinder to leave your pet with a trusted friend or relative for the duration of your trip. But if you are relocating for a long time or permanently, and your pet has developed a strong bond with you, you may well conclude that it would be less stressful overall for your pet to travel and meet you on the other side.
Consider the age, temperament and health of your pet, and ask yourself how they would likely respond to a long journey. Look into how pet friendly your airline carrier is, which is always a good indicator of how your pet will be handled.
Lastly, consider the new environment your pet will be moving to. What is the climate like? What are the local attitudes towards this kind of animal? Do pets tend to be accepted by rental landlords? Are any diseases like rabies prevalent in the country you are moving to? What are veterinary services like in the region?
Professional pet relocation services, such as those offered by Aero Pets Ltd, can take the stress and difficulty out of coordinating all of the above considerations, and give you the peace of mind of knowing your pet is in the best hands. Call us now.
