How To Prepare My Pet for Travel

For almost 25 years, Worldwide Animal Travel (WAT) has made it our number one priority to provide a stress-free travel experience for your pet with our goal to make your journey easier and enjoyable.

Whether you are relocating to another city, province/state, or country, there’s a huge checklist of specific things you’ll need to get done in preparation for the flight, so make sure you allow yourself enough time.  If you are unsure of how to prepare or just want a bit of guidance, here are some important items we always recommend.

1. A professional pet-relocation company (e.g. WAT) will assist you in taking care of all of the details for your pet including getting the required documents for your pet’s travel, permits for animal travel (following the destination country’s guidelines) certificates of vaccinations and good health from a licensed veterinarian. Your airline will also require a rabies vaccination certificate issued and signed by a licensed veterinarian. Your pet’s health certificate must typically be signed and dated within

a certain number of days prior to your dog’s flight. Keep in mind that puppies must be at least 12 weeks old to get the rabies vaccine. If your dog has never had a rabies shot before, waiting periods before traveling will apply.

1. 1. Note:  There are very strict guidelines for documentation for specific countries (e.g. Australia, New Zealand, etc.) Only WAT has the expertise and contacts to competently complete the required documentation.
2. Part of your booking process with a pet relocation service will include complying with crating requirements.  Picking the right-sized crate is vital to the health and safety of your furry friend and the International Air Travel Association has set a number of rules to determine the most suitable crate for each pet.   Generally speaking, the dimensions of the crate should allow your pet to stand, sit, lay down and turn around comfortably.  Watch this video for more details.  At WAT, we will provide you with the crate you need once we have the details.

Note:  It is a good idea to collect your pet’s crate approximately a month before your pet’s flight, to get your dog used to its pet travel crate. Keep the travel crate in a well-trafficked part of your home with the door open, and encourage your dog to relax, sleep, and play in the crate during the day. The more comfortable your dog is in the crate at home, the more relaxed they’ll be in there when flying in the hold of the plane.

1. Book a flight for your furry friend (in cargo) WAT will take care of the flight booking with reputable airlines.
2. With a clear bill of health (Health certificate) from your private vet, all the permits and documentation endorsed by the CFIA for international journeys, as well as the flight/s confirmed, you can drop off your pet or expect the pet relocation service to arrange for pick-up of your pet and prepare for the flight.
3. Your furry buddy will then be checked in and cleared for take-off by airline staff.
4. If it is a long-haul flight with a stopover, your pet will be taken to the airline’s hub pet hotel for a comfort stop. The comfort stop allows your pet to get out of their crate, have a nice stretch, a few cuddles, a walk, and clean-up before getting back on the plane for the final leg of their journey to your new home.
5. Once they land in your new location, they will go through a government inspection and import customs clearance that can take a few hours. Some destinations such as New Zealand, Australia and Singapore have a few days quarantine before being released into your arms.

When you’re ready to fly with your furry friend, make sure you deal with the oldest and largest pet-relocation company in Canada – the experts at Worldwide Animal Travel to assist you!  Get a free quote today.