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Moving With Pets

A Complete Guide – Requirements and Costs

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Whether you are moving across country with pets or moving internationally with pets, there are some things you must know. We’ve created a comprehensive guide that includes valuable information about costs, vaccinations, documents, and more. Keep reading and make your relocation easier!

Moving Abroad With Pets

It’s very important to know what you need to prepare before moving to another country with pets. You need to take into consideration aspects such as pet vaccines, microchipping, and health certificates.

Step 1: Microchip your pet

You must do this before the rabies vaccine. It is required in most countries, especially in the EU, Australia, and the UK. The microchip must meet the ISO standards 11784 and 11785. In case your pet already has a microchip implanted that does not meet these standards, you will need to implant a second microchip.

Step 2: Get your pet vaccinated against rabies

The vaccination should take place after implanting the microchip. Your pet must be at least 12 weeks old when having the first rabies vaccination. After the vaccine, you must wait 21 days before departing for your new destination.

Step 3: Obtain a Certificate of Health for pet travel

You have to request a health certificate from a Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) accredited veterinarian. It must be endorsed by a CFIA vet office after revision no later than 10 days before departure. You must book an appointment for this act.

Step 4: Check the official government page

Look up the official government page of the country you are moving to, in case other regulations might apply. Some countries may require extra pet vaccines such as the DHP Vaccines (Distemper, Hepatitis, and Parvovirus).

Step 5: Have all documentation prepared

You must provide proof of all the vaccines and the microchipping. It is best to prepare them early and store them in a safe place until you start your moving process.

The Cost of Moving Overseas With a Pet

The average cost of moving your pet abroad is somewhere between $1,500 and $2,500 CAD.

The cost of relocating your pet outside of Canada depends on various factors, such as your destination, vaccines and microchip costs, and much more.

Have a look at the table below to get an overview with estimated costs:

Item Estimated Cost (CAD)
Microchip + Rabies Vaccine $80 – $160
Health Certificate (CFIA-endorsed) $100 – $250+
Pet Crate (IATA Approved) $75 – $400
Airline Cargo Fee $500 – $3,000
Pet Relocation Service (optional) $1,500 – $5,000+

Disclaimer: These are mere estimates.

How Much Does Moving Abroad With a Cat Cost?

The average cost of moving a cat abroad is between $350 and $1,560 CAD.

The cost of moving overseas with a cat can be cheaper than moving abroad with a dog. This is because of the weight difference, as cats are lighter and occupy less space.

How Much Does Moving Abroad With a Dog Cost?

The average cost of moving a dog abroad is between $1,130 and $3,810 CAD.

Due to the size of the dogs, which are usually heavier and larger than cats, the transportation costs are higher.

How to Move Abroad With Pets

The best way to move with pets overseas is to transport them through air travel. If your pet is of small size, you may be allowed to carry it in the cabin. If not, they will travel in the cargo area.

Follow these steps to have a smooth transition:

  1. Buy a IATA–approved pet crate and start introducing it to your pet to get accustomed to it.
  2. Add a spill-free water bowl in the crate. Freeze the water the night before so your pet stays hydrated.
  3. Add an item that smells like you to reduce your pet’s stress during the transit.
  4. Consider calming medication for your pet. Nutri Paw offers a good range of products.

Pet Moving Companies

If you prefer hiring a professional moving company to take care of the transportation of your pets, we’ve gathered some of the best international moving companies best suited for your situation.

  1. Cargolution
  1. Compass Relocation
  1. Bekins World Wide Moving
  1. Nordic Shipping Canada Ltd

Most Pet-Friendly Countries

Mexico allows pets in many places, including malls and markets

Spain is known for being pet-friendly. Most people own a pet.

Portugal welcomes pets, especially in outdoor settings.

Moving Pets Checklist

  1. Take care of the matter of microchipping, vaccinating, and obtaining the required documents for your pet/s.
  2. Look into the financial side of this process and create a budget.
  3. Contact the pet moving company of your choice and receive quotes.
  4. Prepare the IATA-approved pet crate and prepare the supplies for your pet.

Are You Ready?

Thank you for reading our article. We truly hope the information we provided helped you to better understand the process of moving internationally with pets. We wish you a great new experience!

Frequently asked questions

Does pet insurance cover vaccination?

How long is a pet health certificate valid for?