Homes & Relocation Detail
Don’t leave me behind
Relocating to the USA should not be the reason to give away your family pet. Pets are happy to live wherever their owners are.
It may seem a daunting prospect, with health checks and a long haul flight but more than a million pets fly safely world-wide each year. America is one of the most popular destinations for people emigrating and it's necessary to plan ahead when considering taking your family pet as space in the livestock hold is limited.
American Flight & Destination Information - Pets travel comfortably in the livestock hold of direct passenger flights, are checked and watered at stopovers and may be collected after clearing customs. Note that some destinations in the USA are affected by temperature restrictions during warm and colder months of the year. These tend to be the smaller airports serviced by non-direct flights. It may be possible to move your pet to these destinations but the choice of airlines will be reduced.
American import regulations: - Rabies vaccination is still optional as the UK is rabies free. Yet it's advisable for this to be done at least 30 days before export so your pet is immediately protected from the day of arrival. A health certificate / "Fit to Fly" certificate to be issued by a vet within 5 days of export. An "Acclimatisation Certificate" is only required if pets are traveling with an American airline during temperature restrictive periods. e.g. Delta, United, Northwest. It's best to seek advice for an update on requirements as they can change periodically.
Air Kennels - Pets travel in IATA approved air kennels, large enough for the animal to stand, lie and turn around. Familiar bedding will help them to settle down to their long journey. Ask your vet for a natural pheromone spray called DAP for dogs and FELIWAY for cats. Spray this around the inside of the air kennel to help them remain calm. You could also add Bachs Rescue Remedy (Original Flower Remedy) to their drinking water for a few days before travel.
Together with your vet, employing the services of a recognised pet travel agent such as Airpets can help with all of the above and where possible could organise a specialist pet agent in the USA to clear your pet through customs and deliver them to your new home. As you'll have enough to do with just getting ready for the big move and if you'd rather pay someone to do the work, a company like Airpets has 40 years experience and excellent facilities to make it easy for you to move your pet from the UK to the USA. Being based at Heathrow their spacious heated kennels and 5* cattery is an ideal base for pets to rest before embarking on a long haul flight or dealing on the spot with any problems that may arise. Pet travel consultants are based on-site allowing them to have personal contact with the pets they are helping to move. Daily veterinary visits and minimum check-in time to Heathrow are just part of the special service they offer.
For many people pets are part of the family and only natural that they should come along too!
For more information go to www.airpets.com