When Our Pets Fly

Common Concerns About Live Animal Transport

Moving everything you own can be very stressful. Moving with a pet family is emotionally exhausting.
We receive plenty of calls and emails with questions concerning safe pet travel for their loved ones. Here are a some of the most common frequently asked questions about pet relocation.

Where do I begin?

You will need to learn about the import rules for your pet’s destination country to make sure it’s possible to relocate your pet. Certain countries have complete species and breed emabrargos while other countries don’t don’t allow pets to arrive from specific countries.

Once you have determined your country destination import rules you can then start to build a pet travel plan. This will include the veterinary visits for health documents and applying for the country’s animal import permit. The next step is planning airline and routing options, choosing the appropriate kennel and also whether or not you will need assistance with any of the steps.

Can my pet fly with me inside the plane?

Pet owners prefer their pets right by their side when flying. Most airlines do permit small, tiny pets in the cabin if you are flying within the United States. All international pet travel requires pets to fly via manifest cargo, this rule excludes service dogs which ARE not comfort pets and working dogs traveling to natural disaster locations.

A member of our team would be happy to discuss the options in greater detail and explain how exactly manifest cargo is the safest and preferred method for pets traveling by air.

Is it safe for my pet to fly in cargo?

When you plan correctly and take all the necessary precautions, pet air travel is safe. Many airlines are pet friendly airline with established pet safe policies in place.

Before travelling we recommend talking with your vet about any pet health conditions, if needed target a healthy pet weight for air travel. Also before the move introduce your pet to the crate for familiarity training.

What is the cost?

Each and every pet move is unique. Pet transport estimates depend on following factors: how many pets, species, breed, pet’s weight, pet size, origin and destination city, flight kennel type, transit charges and departure date.

My pet is sensitive, emotionally challenging and has unique needs can my pet still travel?

Some pets are naturally more happy-go-lucky, relaxed and ready to travel than others. Rest assured that it’s not uncommon for pets with nervous temperaments to travel safely. Many parents of pets are more nervous than the pet could possibly be, remember animals have been managing stress longer than they have been sharing our homes.

Pet Travel in the U.S.

Traveling within the Unites States and even Hawaii it is possible to arrange your pet’s travel itinerary but making international reservations is another matter. United and Delta Airlines require pet travel reservations to made by a professional pet transport company to ensure that USDA and IATA regulations are followed when live animals are transported.

International Pet Travel

One of the most difficult destinations in the world to transport live animals to is New Zealand. They have the most stringent regulations a traveling pet parent will encounter.

The process for relocating pets to Auckland includes begins with a fifteen point checklist. There are three vet exams with coinciding USDA reviews of each exam, the pet’s microchip is scanned to confirm the digits match every document and finally a crate sealing procedure where the the kennel doors are fastened with tamper proof locks. This last procedure is to ensure no one has switched pets while the plane is in flight. Furthermore, Air New Zealand will not accept reservations for any flight unless the company has its Indirect Air Carrier endorsement from the TSA and Department of Homeland Security.

Southern California Pet Transport

We are a local pet relocation company located in Los Angeles.
We do not operate remotely from an office in another time zone.
We meet and greet every pet who travels through our city.

We work together with you and your veterinarian to prepare then finalize all documentation required to safely and successfully transport your pet.

Our handlers work closely with the USDA office vetinerarians, field officers and TSA agents on a daily basis. This means all of our pets in transit are well looked after.

Can I plan the move myself or do I have to hire someone?

In order to save time and reduce stress, most people prefer to hire a professional. A pet family of five relocating from Seattle to Mumbai a professional would handle the travel itinerary and customs clearance documents to make it easier. Remember one simple document error could result in unnecessary quarantine or in delayed customs import clearance.

For some people planning pet relocation the task is too complicated, cumbersome and time consuming to do on their own. They become overwhelmed with the amount of paperwork involved, from import permits to health certificates to customs documents.

Be aware their are airlines which discourage flying pet parents from tendering their pet to the airline cargo facility themselves as there are a host of regulations to be met; all pet travel kennels must be IATA approved, kennels must also be properly prepared for flight, pet’s health document compliance regarding both destination country and airline live animal regulations need to be met are only some of them.

We are here to help answer any of your questions.