For example, Japan makes you wait at least 180 days before your dog can enter the country. You have to have a veterinarian give your dog the appropriate rabies test first. If you aren’t fully prepared, your dog could end up in quarantine or even get sent back home. It’s stressful for your dog, but you also end up having to pay for the new arrangements.
If the temperature is less than 44 °F (7 °C), you will have to get a letter of acclimation from a veterinarian. It states that the dog can safely be in the cold for up to 45 minutes. If the temperature is less than 20 °F (−7 °C) or above 85 °F (29 °C), your dog won’t be able to travel at all. For example, services like Hawaiian Air, United Airlines, and others have stricter requirements about when you can send a dog. For safety, they won’t take dogs at all in the summer sometimes.
Contact the country’s embassy or consulate as well. They will have a branch in your country that you can call or email for more information. Remember to figure out the rules for the country you’re going to, not your home country.
Remember to also find out where your dog will end up when the plane lands. The airline can tell you where they take pets until someone comes to pick them up. The airline has to know that you’re bringing a dog. Keep in mind that they charge an extra fee for transporting an animal, usually $200 USD or more. Work closely with the airline! You may still have to look up a country’s specific rules, but airlines have rules about things like maximum cage size that are very important to your plans. Many regional airlines do a good job of transporting pets safely. Mid-level ones like Alaskan Airlines have a good record. The biggest airlines, like Air Canada and Lufthansa, can also be pet-friendly. If you’re looking to save money, budget airlines like JetBlue and Allegiant handle pets. Many of them let you bring multiple animals as well.
Search online for pet relocation or relocation services. Read about the services they offer and advice on how you can move your dog safely. The consultation fee for a relocation service can be a little expensive. It’s often $425 or more. However, you probably have a lot on your plate already, and these services make things much easier.
The maximum carrier size allowed in an airplane cabin is around 18. 5 in (47 cm), long, 8. 5 in (22 cm) wide, and 13. 5 in (34 cm) tall. If you’re sending the dog on its own, then it will have to be in the cargo hold. If you’re transporting your dog in the cargo hold, the major international airlines have the most experience. Delta Airlines, will handle large dogs. Other services like American and United Airlines also take pets to a wide variety of destinations. For cabin travel, a lot of smaller and regional airlines are great. JetBlue has a program called JetPaws that makes the process easier. Frontier, Spirit, and Allegiant airlines only accept dogs that fit in the cabin and may not have as many international options as bigger airlines.
Remember that airlines won’t let just anyone pick up your dog when the plane lands. If they don’t know someone else is supposed to pick it up, then they may hold it in quarantine until you clear up the misunderstanding or even send it back. If you will have to use connecting flights to get the dog to its destination, clear it with the airline. Confirm it with the initial airline 48 hours before you are scheduled to send the dog. Make plenty of backup plans in case something goes wrong. If the dog gets sent back, you may have to ask someone to pick it up. If it gets put in quarantine when it arrives in the other country, make sure you have extra money and contact information to get it out.
You should get in touch with a vet at least 6 months in advance of your travel date. For some countries, the preparations won’t take a full 6 months, but it’s better to be safe than sorry. Flying is relatively safe, but your dog could still be in danger if it isn’t in good health. Very young and old dogs, or those with existing health conditions, may not be able to fly. Snub-nosed dogs, such as pugs, bulldogs, and boxers, have a harder time on flights. Some airlines have even banned them.
Generally, the rabies vaccine is all your dog needs, but some places have additional requirements. For example, if you’re coming from a place where screwworm is a problem, the vet has to make sure your dog is free of screwworm. [10] X Research source If you have a young dog, be sure to get their usual immunizations. Things like the distemper and parvovirus vaccines are good to have done no matter what, but some countries require it.
The form is only valid for 10 days. Your dog won’t be able to travel if the certificate is out of date, so be absolutely sure you have time to get it close to your travel date!
Even if you find out that a microchip isn’t required, you should get one. If your pet ever gets lost, it is a massive help.
If you live in the U. K. or a European Union country, then you have to get a passport. In the U. S. , a pet passport just means the regular health and immunization records you usually need to send a dog. There is no extra fee for the passport besides what you pay for the vet visit.
Contact the airline or relocation service you are using. Many of them rent out carriers. If they don’t, they can at least guide you to one that meets all the requirements. If you’re able to bring your dog into the cabin with you on a flight, fabric carriers are okay. You can’t have one if your dog will be in the plane’s cargo hold.
For example, if your dog is 6 in (15 cm) tall, then the carrier should be about 10 in (25 cm) tall. To determine the carrier’s length, take your dog’s length and add half of the elbow joint measurement you took. For instance, 12 + (0. 5 x 3) = 13. 5 inches long. To figure out the carrier’s width, add 1 to your dog’s width and multiply it by 2. For instance, (6+1) x 2 = 14 inches wide. Snub-nosed dog breeds like pit bulls require bigger cages. Always choose the next size up for these breeds.
Having a good carrier helps you, too. You will have to move your dog to and from your destination. You’re probably going to be juggling a lot of other things, so make the process easier on yourself by getting a good carrier. Don’t get a carrier with wheels. If yours has wheels, remove or tape them so they can’t roll. If your dog weighs over 132 lb (60 kg), make sure the carrier also has forklift spacers on the bottom.
If you have a hard time accessing the bowls without opening the door, then the carrier isn’t a good travel choice.
Also, write your dog’s name on the side of the carrier in permanent marker, if possible. You could also include a picture of your dog so that other people can more easily identify it.
You can buy sticker packs online and from many pet stores. Most sticker kits also include an ID sticker where you can write down your name and contact information, too.
Another option is to keep your dog in the carrier when you’re away from home. If your dog is able to adjust to the carrier, it will be less stressed during the trip.
You can’t have anything messy in the carrier. That means no shredded paper, straw, hay, wood shavings, or anything like that. [20] X Research source
The airline may ask you to provide written instructions on how to provide food and water for your dog throughout the trip. Remember to include these instructions on the carrier with the food. If you will be bringing the dog with you into the plane’s cabin, you can pack the food in a carry-on bag instead.
Absorbent pee pads are always great to have. At the airport, take your dog out or go to the nearest bathroom. If you’re able to while on the plane, take your dog into the bathroom to use a pad. Most airlines restrict you from taking your dog out of the carrier while it’s on the plane, so line the carrier with plenty of pads instead. Bring some extra plastic bags in case you need to clean up with your dog, especially if you’re dealing with a puppy.
Traveling can make your dog sick, so don’t feed them too late. If you’re able to keep your dog with you, such as inside a plane’s cabin, you can give it little chunks of food then to help keep it calm.
The airline may ask you to sign a paper stating that you gave your dog food and water within 4 hours of the flight.
If you have a small dog or a service dog, you get to keep them with you.
Don’t worry, your dog won’t be put through an x-ray machine. The process is very simple and won’t take longer than usual in most cases. If your dog is anxious, ask security for a private inspection. They will take you to a separate room where your dog can relax as they finish examining the carrier.
If you were able to bring the dog onto the plane with you, then you won’t have to do anything other than get your bags and leave. Dogs can be sent alone. When they are sent alone, they end up in the cargo area. Go there yourself or tell the airport who is supposed to pick up your dog.
