Relocating with your pet, although exciting it can be… a little overwhelming.
With over 30 years of experience, Worldwide Animal Travel has helped 65,000+ pets relocate safely around the world, making the process smooth, secure, and stress-free for both pets and their people.
Before we walk through how to prepare your pet, there’s one important decision that will shape everything – choosing the right pet relocation company. Although there are many pet relocation companies available today, not all of them are created equal.
When it comes to your pet’s safety, experience and infrastructure matter more than price. Which is why at Worldwide Animal Travel we provide:
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- Walk-in locations in Vancouver and Toronto — dedicated facilities, not home-based or informal setups
- Our own dedicated airport-based facilities
- Our full-time team of pet relocation specialists
- A global network for complex international moves
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Why More Pet Owners Choose Worldwide Animal Travel
Proven When It Matters Most
When borders shut down during the COVID-19 pandemic, Worldwide Animal Travel:
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- organized international charter flights (including Australia & New Zealand)
- safely reunited hundreds of pets with their families
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While many providers paused operations, Worldwide delivered.
Real Facilities. Real Support.
As not all pet relocation companies have offices or even facilities at the airport, it’s important to check out if you’ll be handing your pet off to someone working from home or a company with actual offices. Consider the emotional toll and importance of leaving your beloved pet with an online service vs. a company like Worldwide Animal travel who not only has 35 staff but have two physical walk-in offices in Vancouver & Toronto as well as airport-based handling facilities.
Measuring up the Competition – Worldwide Animal Travel vs Other Pet Relocation Providers
| Worldwide Animal Travel | Other Pet Relocation Providers | |
| Experience | 65,000+ pets relocated worldwide | Not publicly specified |
| Team Size | 35 dedicated specialists | Not always publicly specified |
| Locations | Walk-in offices in Vancouver & Toronto + airport facilities | May vary (some operate remotely) |
| Global Relocations | Extensive experience in complex international relocations | Varies |
| Crisis Proven | Coordinated international charter flights during COVID | None listed |
| Certifications | IPATA, ATA, BOAS (snub-nose expertise),BBB | Varies |
| Languages | 15 language support | Varies |
Step-by-Step: How to Prepare Your Pet for Travel
1. Documentation & Health Requirements
A professional pet relocation company will take care of and guide you through:
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- health certificates from a licensed veterinarian
- rabies vaccination certificates
- import permits based on destination country
- timing requirements for documentation
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International travel from Canada must meet standards set by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA),
Important:
Some countries like Australia and New Zealand have extremely strict entry requirements. Mistakes can result in delays or denied entry.
2. Choosing the Right Travel Carrier
All airlines require your carrier must meet the IATA’s Live Animals Regulations Container Requirements.
If you don’t have an IATA-approved carrier, don’t worry, we can help. Through our Pet Travel Shop, we carry a full-line of IATA-approved carriers in various sizes as well as airline approved bedding and several other comfort accessories for your pet’s travel. Check out our carrier inventory.
3. Flight Booking & Route Planning
Book with a reputable pet relocation company like Worldwide Animal Travel who:
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- select pet-safe airlines
- plan optimal routes (especially for long-haul destinations like Australia or Hong Kong)
- minimize stress and transit risks
- have successfully moved over 65,000 pets
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4. Final Vet Checks & CFIA Endorsement
Make sure your pet relocation company takes care of the following before departure:
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- your pet must receive a final health check
- documentation must be endorsed (for international travel)
- all timing windows must be met precisely
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5. Drop-Off & Airport Handling
Your pet relocation company can arrange pick-up of your pet for you, or you can drop your pet off with them at their office or airport facility. Confirm they have an office.
From there, trained pet relocation professionals prepare your pet for departure and manage airline check-in. If they have a pet comfort stop or pet port type of facility at the airport, you will hand over your furry friend to them.
6. Comfort Stops (For Long-Haul Travel)
For longer journeys (such as Canada to Australia or Hong Kong), routes are carefully planned to ensure safe connections and comfort stops, if needed, to minimalize their stress. At Worldwide Animal Travel we own and operate our own comfort stops.
Make sure to ask your pet relocation company if they have comfort stops. If they do, ask them if they are owned by them or shared with other companies.
7. Arrival, Customs & Quarantine (If required)
Upon arrival, your pet goes through customs clearance, document verification and any required inspections.
Depending on the destination country, this process may involve agencies similar to the Canadian Border Services Agency (CBSA), which manages entry requirements and inspections in Canada.
Some destinations (like Australia or the UK) may also require quarantine or post-arrival checks, which are arranged by Worldwide Animal Travel in advance.
FAQs: Preparing Your Pet for Travel
How far in advance should I start planning?
Ideally 2–6 months in advance, depending on your destination.
Is pet travel safe?
Yes — when managed by experienced professionals following international standards.
Can I handle this myself?
For simple domestic moves, possibly. For international relocations, the complexity and risk make professional support strongly recommended.
Ready to Move Your Pet Safely?
Relocating your beloved pet isn’t something you want to leave to chance.
With decades of experience, real infrastructure, and a proven global track record, Worldwide Animal Travel is trusted by pet owners across Canada for safe, seamless international relocations.
From Vancouver to the UK, Europe, Australia, Hong Kong and more — we handle every detail.
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