PetRelocation Blog Has Moved!

The PetRelocation Blog has been redesigned and now is hosted on our website at PetRelocation.com. All of our blog archives (as well as our website content) can now be found and searched our website.

Please click here to be redirected to the new PetRelocation Blog --- and thanks for stopping by! Don't forget to update your bookmarks!

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Here are some of our most popular posts over the years, which are also now at our new website:
The Leonberger Dog
Moving Pets to Dubai
Avid Microchips - ISO Compatible or Not?
Moving Your Dog to the UK
Sembawang Animal Quarantine Station in Singapore

Guest Blog: Transit Times and Travel Crates

Below is a guest blog from Marcus, our Domestic specialist:

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We have all heard of the flux capacitor, if you haven't go out and rent Back to the Future (they made two sequels). The flux capacitor is what makes time travel possible...when it works. However, the only way to assign any validity as to the authenticity of a flux capacitor is to ensure that it isn't working. "Hey Marcus, my flux capacitor works. What are you talking about?" Well my friend, I am sorry to to tell you that you don't have a real flux capacitor and you can't travel through time with a fake one. You can't travel through time with a busted one either; even though its real, its busted. The point is time travel is not possible. In the meantime we have to rely on traditional modes of transportation like the automobile or air travel.

We pride ourselves on providing the safest possible transport of live animals, and yet as hard as we try, the safest way and the fastest way are not always mutually exclusive. Nobody likes the idea of having their animals crated any longer than need be. However, it still takes a certain amount of time to cross the country, the Atlantic, or the Pacific. Whenever we can utilize a direct flight with a "pet safe" airline we do, but not every destination offers direct flights with these airlines. For my clients, I prefer to provide the routing that will provide the highest level of safety and comfort for their pet rather than to have the animal subjected to varying temperatures, strange and scary wait times outside on the ramp, or handled like luggage in order to shave off an hour of transit.

"If it's good enough for Momma..."

We first met Courtney and Burkly Deluxe over on her blog, In(side) the Loop, moving her dog rom Houston, TX to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Courtney was experiencing typical petmove-itis: confusion, expense, and not able to get any firm answers. Well, we fixed that right up (check out her comments section) and ever since then, we've been assisting her with Burkly Deluxe's relocation.

Part of our door-to-door service included building and shipping a custom-built travel crate for this "deluxe" St. Bernard. We recieved this email from Courtney today, along with a few great photos:

Hey Guys --
Guess what we got in today :) She loves it! Hopefully we can get her in there a few hours a day, but once she saw me crawl inside...it was a sure thing! If it's good enough for Momma....
Thanks a million,
Courtney

Green Potato!

Potato with his green bow!

Many of our regular blog readers are probably familiar with the ongoing saga of Potato the Pug’s adventures in Greece. For the uninitiated, Potato is a pug that we relocated from Houston, TX to Nafplio, Greece in November, 2008. He’s had quite the adventure and is now living the high life in style. We recently received an update regarding Potato and the recent St. Patrick’s Day festivities, and as you can see in the below photos, she is at the height of holiday couture!

Guest Blog: How to Exercise Your Pet For Travel

Below is a guest post from Scotty, our UK Specialist!

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Whenever you are moving with your pet, be it across the country or across the world, your pet is going to need to spend a good bit of time in their kennel, and if they haven’t had a good bit of exercise before they are loading in to the kennel, it is going to seem like a lot longer trip than it really is. On any given day your pets need a fair amount of play time to burn off their excess energy, and on normal days they aren’t cooped up in a travel kennel all day. If your pet is going to be traveling on a long flight it is always best to exercise them for at least 30 minutes or so before they are loaded in to their kennel. By exercising your pet before they travel you are making sure they will not be restless before the flight, and they will also have had the opportunity to do their business as well, so they won’t be crossing their legs the last hour of the flight. Depending on the type of pet you have and their breed the type and length of time you exercise them will vary greatly. You just want to make sure they don’t just get loaded up in to the kennel with out so much as a walk.

When your pet arrives at their destination they are going to need to be given the same chance to exercise just as before the departed. Keep a close watch on their hydration as many pets can become slightly dehydrated on long flights. Keep the post flight workout to a decent length walk; giving your pet the chance to stretch their legs and get the blood flowing after a long flight. Just think about how you feel when you walk off a red-eye. Your pet will much happier and have a much easier time on their flight if they get the right amount of exercise before and after their trip.

Bringing a Yorkie to US from Brazil

Name: Judy

Subject: Re: Bringing new Yorkie to USA from Brazil

Question: My husband has bought a Yorkshire Terrier (tea cup)from breeder in Brazil. We are in Brazil and will be going to US in 2 weeks. I can't find out what papers the USA and Delta airlines will need for us to bring Cleo back to Tennessee. She was born January 7, 2009 and she is 3 months old. We bought her from a breeder in Sau Paulo, Brazil. So I need to make sure I have the proper paper work I need in English and Portuguese before I leave . Could you tell me or give me a web site I can go to for the answers to my questions.

Best regards,

Judy

Answer: Hi Judy,

Congrats on your new pet. A list of US import requirements can be found here.

Have a great trip!

Moving Pets to Italy - USDA Requirements

Name: Steven

Subject: Pet travel to Italy

Question: Dear Madam,

I am a Sergeant stationed with the 173rd in Vicenza, Italy. I have been trying for several months to get my pets over here from my parents to my wife and i here in Italy. We thought that we had it all set up for them before we left, but the vets around that area are not helping my mother. I need to know exactly what is needed for me to ship my pets over here. Any information you can provide would help. Also i need to know how I go about getting a USDA endorsed health certificate. I appreciate your time and hope to hear from you very soon.

Sincerely,



SGT Steven Lewis

U.S. Army

Answer: Hi Sgt. Lewis,

I'm sorry you are having difficulties. You don't mention where in the US your pets currently are, but I recommend working with a vet familiar in export procedures if possible. The vet needs to be "USDA accredited" as they are the ones who will issue the health certificate. Then it will need to be endorsed by the state USDA office.

Here is a checklist for the Italy pet import requirements.

Regarding getting the USDA endorsement, you will need to contact your USDA office directly. A listing of those offices can be found here.

Good luck!

Taking Pet Dogs from India to France

Name: Jaya

Subject: Taking my pet dogs from India to France

Question: Hi,

I was wondering if you could help me with information on how to take my pet dogs(2) from India to France,and also if they have to be in Quarantine like in certain other countries after entering the country.

So far all i know is that they have to be tattooed/inserted with a microchip,vaccinated against Rabies and have to get a letter from a Vet certifying that they are healthy and vaccinated before the trip.

Thank you

Regards,

Jaya

Answer: Hi Jaya,

Thanks for your inquiry. You are correct in the import requirements, however those are more for pets coming from rabies-controlled areas. India is not considered rabies controlled and so for entry into the EU (France), your cats will need to have a blood test done after their rabies shot. This blood test needs to be sent to one of the EU approved labs. You can find a list of these labs here.

They will then need to wait for three months before they can enter the country without having a quarantine.

We can assist you with these services, if you'd like. Feel free to email me directly for more information.

Cheers!

Traveling with a Dog to Thailand then Hong Kong

Name: Daniel

Subject: Traveling with dog to Thailand then Hong Kong

Question: Hello I live in Hong Kong and am planning a month vacation in Thailand. Can you tell me if I can get my dog into Thailand and back into Hong Kong without her having to be in quarantine .. she has all of the necessary vaccinations and health certificates and is micro chipped. I'm worried the problem will be more bringing her home again to Hong Kong without quarantine more than it will be getting her into Thailand.

Thank you

Daniel

Answer: Hi Daniel,

Thanks for your inquiry. You do not want to take your pet into Thailand for such a short trip as it will be quarantined upon re-entry to Hong Kong for four (4) months. Your best bet is to leave your dog with a friend or boarding facility in Hong Kong. There is no way around the quarantine.

Best regards.

Confinement Certificate for Rabies Vaccination - When does it get signed?

Name: Nathalie

Subject: Confinement Certificate for Rabies Vaccination

Question: Hi,

I'm bringing a street dog back from Chile to give it a chance. The rabies vacine will only be 2 weeks old when I travel so I'll need a confinement agreement/certificate.

Do I need to fill this out & get it signed by an official before I fly, or can I just fill it out and get it signed by a government official at the US port of entry?

Thank you,

Nat

Answer: Hi Nat,

That's very nice of you to bring back a stray from Chile. The confinement certificate will be presented to you by customs upon arrival in the US, so you won't need to sign it until the.

Have a great flight!