Moving abroad with pets

[Grace Bones]

Has anyone ever moved abroad with pets? I got accepted into grad school in the UK and want to take my cat with me. I've moved between countries before so that's not really a problem, but I've never moved any sort of distance with pets.

My parents don't want to take care of her while I'm gone so they would probably be a good resource for help too.

[khigh]

The UK required a six month quarantine. They are a rabies free island country. 

[E-P]

I was looking into moving to the UK as well, and the answer is a little more complicated than just a quarantine.

Basically, you can do a quarantine (which sucks, and you have to pay them for), OR:

 

1. Get a rabies vaccine

2. Wait a while (I don't remember how long is required)

3. Get a rabies titer test (basically, to make sure the vaccine is active in the pet

4. Get a microchip that is 15 digits long.

 

For the microchip, I recommend finding a vet who uses PetLink.  They're the only common one I've found in the US.

Here's the link: https://www.gov.uk/take-pet-abroad

 

I would suggest calling around to a few different veterinarians and ask if any of them have experience helping a pet prepare for UK migration.

 

Finally, I would consider the age of your cat.  In my household, I have one 15 year old cat, and two 2-year old cats.  I wouldn't move with the 15 year old, simply because I don't think he'd be physically up to such a long trip.

[kristine22]

Good advice above on the rabies vaccine. Definitely something to look into and probably should be your first point of research. The vaccine and titer test is absolutely preferable to a quarantine, which would cause a lot of stress on you and your cat. 

 

I need regards to the actual trip, I am moving across the country (not abroad, but it's a long way) with my cat (7 years old). To me, she is my family and I would rather subject her to a day and a half of stress than have her be without me for two years. Assuming you feel the same way, I feel is worth it to move the cat unless they are very old. Decide if you want them in the cabin or in the cargo, and keep in mind that during peak summer and winter months most airlines require they be in the cabin with you due to it being very hot or very cold in cargo. I plan to purchase a soft sided, airline approved carrier (a small sized SHERPA carrier is a safe bet) and have a chat with the vet about sedation as my cat is high strung- if you don't feel comfortable with sedation, which I'm not sure if I do, there are calming sprays you can use in the kennel. As I understand it you will need to remove your cat from the carrier during security so have them in a harness and leash. Your vet will have information on feeding and watering during the trip, but generally cats under stress won't eat or use the litter box anyways so even for 8-12 hours they should be ok. More money for more direct flights is always worth it with a pet. Make sure they are used to the carrier before the trip by placing them in it and NOT going to the vet. 

Another thing to think about is finding a place that allows pets. Make sure if you're sharing a house or apartment your roommate(s) are ok with your pet and the responsibilities (I.e. Not leaving doors and windows open) with it. I personally will splurge for a bachelor apartment so we can have our own space. It may be a little more expensive or difficult to find a pet friendly place but in my mind, it will all be worth it when I'm settled into a new place with a familiar friend.

good luck!

[bumbleblu]

I moved with my two cats to France two years ago, and will be returning with them to the U.S. this summer. I moved here for work, and leaving them behind was never an option. I found this website and this blog post to be very helpful, while I was trying to figure this out. Definitely start talking to your vet, so they can be prepared and can get your cat chipped (if they aren't already).

In preparation for moving, I'd suggest two things: first, start giving your cat bottled distilled water -- the tap water in the U.K. might taste different, so it would be good to be able to transition them from distilled to tap slowly once you get there. Also, look and see what brands of cat food are available over there, and try to find something that's also available in the U.S. and start feeding that now. For example, I switched my cats to Royal Canin, as it was one of the few decent brands available both in the U.S. and France. International travel is enough of a stress without forcing your cat to adapt to strange water/food right away.

For the actual travel, I got both my cats the TSA Fast Pass harness/leash (they need to be metal-free, obviously), and the Sleepypod Air carrier. My older cat is very strong, and I was worried that he would panic and tear through the Sherpa carriers. The Sleepypod is pricey ($150 two years ago), but I'm really glad I went for it. Both my boys will sleep in them even now. 

I carried some jerky cat treats to give them while we were in the air, to help with their ears popping. (Maybe it helped, who knows.) 

I don't know if you will find a vet who will let you sedate your cat, as the altitude/air pressure (?) makes reactions to sedatives unpredictable. You can try some kind of calming spray. I just put a t-shirt I had slept in for about a week in the carrier, and that seemed to work okay. 

My older cat has always been a pretty good traveller, while my younger cat always used to scream the moment he was near a car. I am still amazed at how well they managed flying (three separate flights, and two decent layovers, and they were calm and quiet almost the whole time), and I can only hope they'll do as well going back. Obviously the process depends on the country you're coming from/going to, so I can't give you specific advice about moving to the U.K., but if you have any questions about the process, or need some tips, I'm happy to help! 

[phdthoughts]

I moved abroad from the States to a Caribbean island with my dog. Like previous posters stated, it required a a series of rabies titers and a health check 24 hours before travel. Your destination country will have detailed requirements, and as long as you follow them you should be fine. I will say that you should check the airline carrier you will be traveling on. Some carriers have requirements as to landing with animals in a certain climate (heat/cold) but this may be for animals in the hold, and not in the cabin. I will admit it was one of the more stressful parts of my overseas move, but it was mostly because I couldn't travel in the cabin with my corgi and had to put her with the cargo. 

Edited February 4, 2018 by phdthoughts

[Yanaka]

On 2/4/2018 at 3:43 PM, bumbleblu said:

I moved with my two cats to France two years ago, and will be returning with them to the U.S. this summer. I moved here for work, and leaving them behind was never an option. I found this website and this blog post to be very helpful, while I was trying to figure this out. Definitely start talking to your vet, so they can be prepared and can get your cat chipped (if they aren't already).

In preparation for moving, I'd suggest two things: first, start giving your cat bottled distilled water -- the tap water in the U.K. might taste different, so it would be good to be able to transition them from distilled to tap slowly once you get there. Also, look and see what brands of cat food are available over there, and try to find something that's also available in the U.S. and start feeding that now. For example, I switched my cats to Royal Canin, as it was one of the few decent brands available both in the U.S. and France. International travel is enough of a stress without forcing your cat to adapt to strange water/food right away.

For the actual travel, I got both my cats the TSA Fast Pass harness/leash (they need to be metal-free, obviously), and the Sleepypod Air carrier. My older cat is very strong, and I was worried that he would panic and tear through the Sherpa carriers. The Sleepypod is pricey ($150 two years ago), but I'm really glad I went for it. Both my boys will sleep in them even now. 

I carried some jerky cat treats to give them while we were in the air, to help with their ears popping. (Maybe it helped, who knows.) 

I don't know if you will find a vet who will let you sedate your cat, as the altitude/air pressure (?) makes reactions to sedatives unpredictable. You can try some kind of calming spray. I just put a t-shirt I had slept in for about a week in the carrier, and that seemed to work okay. 

My older cat has always been a pretty good traveller, while my younger cat always used to scream the moment he was near a car. I am still amazed at how well they managed flying (three separate flights, and two decent layovers, and they were calm and quiet almost the whole time), and I can only hope they'll do as well going back. Obviously the process depends on the country you're coming from/going to, so I can't give you specific advice about moving to the U.K., but if you have any questions about the process, or need some tips, I'm happy to help! 

Hey! How did you travel with them In the cabin? You had someone flying with you, right?

Edited February 8, 2018 by Yanaka

[bumbleblu]

@Yanaka, yeah, I was traveling with my partner, so we were at the ideal human-to-cat ratio. 

[Yanaka]

6 hours ago, bumbleblu said:

@Yanaka, yeah, I was traveling with my partner, so we were at the ideal human-to-cat ratio. 

Ha! I need a partner just for that reason. I'm just so worried about having them travel in the cargo.

[bumbleblu]

21 minutes ago, Yanaka said:

Ha! I need a partner just for that reason. I'm just so worried about having them travel in the cargo.

I would be too! Perhaps you can bribe someone to travel with you?? 

[strawberrykat]

Has anyone else had experience traveling with a dog abroad? Particularly with regards to cargo transport? I have a large 70 lb dog, there's no way he could fit in the cabin. Thinking about the UK. It's a long flight so I'm a little concerned. 

[sheriberi]

I'm so glad to see other animal lovers who can't imagine leaving their pets behind! Some family/friends have told me to leave my cat behind when I go to grad school so it's easier to find an apartment and to avoid all the travel costs and stress. @kristine22 Like you, I simply tell them he's family and leaving him behind is what would actually stress me out. With so many things changing, it'll be a comfort (for both of us) to have him with me. I also hope to get a studio so I don't have to deal with a roommate who has a problem with cats.

I'm currently living in Egypt, so I first need to bring the cat to California for the summer and then Boston in the fall. Any tips on this whole process are much appreciated! Also, what are the rules for bringing cats into the U.S.?

[sheriberi]

@bumbleblu I also bought the TSA fast pass harness and leash but haven't used it yet. I've been worried that the plastic might snap if he gets scared or tries to run. Did you feel it was strong enough?

[bumbleblu]

@sheriberi I wasn't too worried about the plastic snapping, and one of my cats is very strong. Also, I don't think there was ever a time where I was really relying on that bit of plastic -- we carried them through security, and the rest of the time they stayed in their carriers. (Though of course we kept the leashes attached, just in case either of them decided to do a runner.) 

 

[sheriberi]

@bumbleblu I guess I'm nervous because my cat is skittish and has never gone further than a trip to the vet. I hope the crowds and security scanners don't freak him out too much.

[E-P]

On 3/10/2018 at 12:33 PM, sheriberi said:

I'm currently living in Egypt, so I first need to bring the cat to California for the summer and then Boston in the fall. Any tips on this whole process are much appreciated! Also, what are the rules for bringing cats into the U.S.?

As near as I can tell, the process for bringing a cat into the US from Egypt is way easier than bringing a cat into the EU from the US.  Here's a link:

 

https://eg.usembassy.gov/u-s-citizen-services/local-resources-of-u-s-citizens/traveling-with-pets/

 

Basically, it sounds like you have to make sure your kitty is vaccinated and in good health, and get a document to that effect in English.  Then talk to your airline about their rules and regulations.  If possible, get an airline that will let your cat fly with you IN the airplane, rather than in luggage.

 

In terms of flying from California to Boston, you just have to call the airline in advance and pay a fee (last time I checked, it was $75 USD).  Again, you should be able to fly with your cat in the airplane.

Give your kitty a pet for us.  Or at least for those of us who have kitties too. :-)

[E-P]

You also might consider doing some practice runs to see how he is.  If you can, take him to a shopping center or something in his carrier, or some other type of place with a lot of people.  Your doctor may also be able to give him calming medicine (I give my cat tiny doses of Xanax!) to keep him calm and relaxed.  Also, start feeding him exclusively in his carrier.  I do that with mine, and they're considerably less stressed out when it's time to shut the carrier door than they were before I started doing that.

[bumbleblu]

I understand, @sheriberi! Traveling with cats is so stressful (but worth it!). Whenever you need to have your cat out of the carrier, just be sure to keep the leash around your wrist and have a good hold on your cat. 

Have you tried putting the harness on your cat yet? With my younger cat it works as a 'calming vest' by which I mean he basically stops moving until we take it off again. 

[sheriberi]

@E-P @bumbleblu Thank you both so much! Lots of great tips! I'm definitely gonna try feeding him in his carrier and getting him used to the travel harness. I also bought the Feliway calming spray but haven't tried it yet.

I'll give him an extra pet/cuddle