Pet Relocation Guide

Before you do anything else, your pet must meet standard international health requirements.

• ISO-Compliant Microchip: Most countries require a 15-digit ISO 11784/11785 compliant microchip. The microchip must be implanted before any rabies vaccinations are administered.
• Rabies Vaccination: A valid rabies vaccination is almost universally required. Many countries require a waiting period of 21 to 30 days after the primary shot before the pet can enter.
• Rabies Titer Test (FAVN): If you are moving to a "rabies-free" country (like Japan, Australia, or the UK) from a "high-risk" country, your pet will need a blood test to prove they have adequate rabies antibodies. This test often has a mandatory 3-to-6 month waiting period before travel.

Airlines have strict rules on how pets can travel.

• In-Cabin: Only small dogs and cats (usually under 8kg including the soft-sided carrier) can fly in the cabin. They must remain under the seat in front of you.
• Checked Baggage: Medium pets can sometimes travel as checked baggage on the same flight as you, though many airlines have paused this service post-COVID.
• Manifest Cargo: Large dogs, or pets flying to countries that require it (like the UK or Australia), must fly as manifest cargo. This is highly expensive and often requires a professional pet relocation agent.

Within 10 days of your flight, you will need a USDA-APHIS (or your home country's equivalent) endorsed international health certificate signed by an accredited veterinarian.

If you fail to provide the correct paperwork, your pet will be placed in a state-run quarantine facility at your expense, or worse, deported back to your home country.

Pet relocation requires long-term planning, so start early by consulting our Moving Abroad Checklist.

You may also want to research pet-friendly airlines when booking your own flights, and read up on finding pet-friendly short-term housing in our First Month Abroad Guide.

Will my pet have to go into quarantine?

It depends on the destination country and where you are moving from. Strict island nations like Australia and New Zealand almost always require quarantine, while moving between EU countries or the US usually does not, provided vaccinations are up to date.

Can my pet fly in the cabin with me?

Only small pets (usually under 8kg including the carrier) are allowed in the cabin on participating airlines. Larger pets must fly as checked baggage or manifest cargo in a temperature-controlled hold.

What is a pet passport?

A pet passport is a document that records your pet's microchip, rabies vaccination, and other health treatments. It is heavily used in the EU to allow seamless travel between member states.