How long before travel should I start preparing my pet?
Written by
John Williams
Reviewed by
Prof. Edward Clarke, Ph.D.Beginning preparations early ensures smoother and safer international pet relocation. I suggest 3-4 months before travel. This gives time for vaccination schedules and documentation processing. Last-minute efforts often inevitably result in quarantine or denied boarding situations. I've seen this happen repeatedly!
12-16 Weeks Pre-Travel
- Schedule comprehensive veterinary examination
- Begin rabies vaccination series if incomplete
- Research destination country entry requirements
- Select IPATA-certified relocation service
8-12 Weeks Pre-Travel
- Complete rabies titer tests requiring 30-day windows
- Start crate acclimatization with daily sessions
- Apply for import permits and CITES documentation
- Order IATA-approved travel crate
4-8 Weeks Pre-Travel
- Administer parasite treatments per regulations
- Increase crate confinement to 4+ hours
- Obtain health certificates from accredited vet
- Finalize airline bookings with pet specialists
Medical procedures determine the minimum period. The rabies titer test requires that blood be drawn 30 days after the vaccination date, and allow processing time. Some countries (e/g, Japan) require waiting periods of 180 days due to vaccinations. When starting late, you need to pay significantly more to expedite the services involved.
Breed-specific considerations take away additional time. Snub-nosed breeds require extra health checks. There are seasonal travel embargoes from airlines that may affect the timing of your travel. Exotic pets will require specific containers to be made. My team always adds buffer weeks to allow for all of these things.
Work with your relocation specialist to develop a customized checklist. The specialist will find items that are only required at the destination, such as Australia's parasite treatments. Record every item in a shared digital folder. This organizational strategy helped me avoid delays for the 37 pets I relocated last quarter.
Read the full article: Comprehensive Pet Relocation Services Explained
