Pets usually understand a series of words for which they are trained, but they cannot understand what it means to change their home or country.

This is why many times the relocation process is usually more stressful for those who have a pet in the family.

The first thing to take into account in the transfer of the pet is the cost of it, in most cases the transfer of your best friend will cost more than the price of a personal ticket. The vast majority of transportation costs are determined by the weight of the pet, but costs such as veterinarians, export certificates and other fees must also be taken into account.

Most animals feel happy in a familiar environment, can adapt very quickly to new environments and lose their fear of the unknown. However, experts recommend careful planning that helps minimize the impact the relocation can bring.

Among the main recommendations are the following:

• Pack with time

When starting the transfer planning, it is recommended to start packing several days in advance and not all the same day, as this will only cause the pet to experience anxiety. The fact of carrying out this process with time can allow the pet to continue with its normal routine and will let them know that, although their surroundings are changing they will have some stability.

• Regulations of the country of destination 

As the move of household furniture, the transfer of a pet implies a series of regulations both in the country of origin and destination, some will even involve licenses or fees. Therefore, it is advisable to inform or contact a professional in order to investigate the minimum requirements.

• Vaccines and certificates 

Making a visit to the veterinarian will probably be mandatory, as most countries of destination will require a certificate stating that the pet is free of infectious diseases.

Likewise, it will be important to have a record of all the vaccines that have been made throughout the life of the pet.

• Identification

At the time of the transfer it is important that the pet has an identification on the collar, that is, a label that contains the name of the pet, address of destination, and name and contact number in cases of emergency (it is also important to include an additional contact in case the family cannot be contacted).

The route through which the journey will be made must also be taken into consideration, as this factor greatly influences the type of regulation and management to be taken into consideration.

It is very important to start adapting the animal to travel in a transport carrier. So you could start using it for short periods around the house, drive around the neighborhood and then use it for longer trips. This will make the impact and trauma on the actual trip less.

• Air transfer

In case of moving the pet by air it is advisable to contact the airline with which it will travel, to solve all the doubts, since each one has special regulations with the handling of animals. It is recommended to make the reservation as soon as possible, in order to secure a place for the pet.

The day of the trip, it is advised not to feed it, at least five hours before the flight and not to give water two hours before takeoff.

It is very important to indicate that you will be traveling with a pet when buying air tickets.

• Transfer by car

To move a pet by car you must start by buying the appropriate transport, packing a first aid kit, food, bottled water, dishes and containers, as well as some toys and prizes. In case the pet is not accustomed to car trips, it is recommended to take short trips in order to get used to the sound of the motor and movements. It is also advisable to make several short stops on the way to take a short walk, and feed and drink.

Once in the new home:

Within the adaptation process in the new home, it is recommended to create family environments. So once the transfer is made it is advisable not to change the type of food, use the same dishes and containers to serve food and water, as well as the same bed and toys so that the pet can feel like at home. It is suggested to place the things in the same place that they used to be in the previous house, that is, not to change the feeding place, or where the sandbox is placed (in case of being a cat).

There are many concerns that come at the time of a relocation, and more for those who have pets. Most expatriates would not be willing to accept a transfer that implies leaving behind these beloved ones, and that is why for us it implies a challenge and satisfaction.

By: Sonia Feliz – Global Relocation Consultant – Expat Advisors