Pet Travel FAQs

There are a number of frequently asked questions that we have received over the last 40 years. Hopefully the answers on this page will give you peace of mind. The questions have been designed with pet owners in mind.

Special note:  The UK left the EU on 31 October 2019 and became a third country. This means if you are importing your pet to an EU destination they are required to meet certain rules. Pets must be Microchipped, be vaccinated against Rabies and get an Animal Health Certificate (AHC). They may also need to be treated for Tapeworm depending on where they are travelling.

What type of animals do you transport?

We transport cats, dogs, birds, and most domestic pets (including the odd Hedgehog!). If you’re not sure, give us a call or send us an email.

Do I still require a pet passport after Brexit?

Pet Passports no longer apply in Europe, but you will need one of the following certificates for your pet’s travel.

Animal Health Certificate (AHC) – required if you are travelling within 5 days of your pet travelling (non-commercial shipments). The AHC needs to be completed by an Official Veterinarian (OV) within 10 days of your pet’s travel. Contact us for a list of OV’s.

Export Health Certificate (EHC) – required if you are travelling outside of 5 days of your pet’s travel (commercial shipments). Ladyhaye will apply for the export certificate; this will then be sent directly to the appropriate vet. The EHC needs to LVI/OV vet within 48 hours prior to departure. For commercial certificates, the exporter will need to apply a BALAI number, this is applied for from DEFRA – please ask a member of Ladyhaye for more information.

What documentation is required when I export my pet to a non-EU country?

Regulations vary, we can advise you of each country’s requirements. DEFRA will then be able to provide your licensed veterinary officer with an export health certificate to enable your pet to travel. We will complete all other paperwork, including airline booking forms and any HM Customs and Excise documentation.

What type of container will my pet travel in?

We provide bespoke Wooden Travel boxes (made to measure for your pet) which means your pet travels in the most appropriately sized box to, and it also means accurate freight charges. Your pet will have sufficient room to travel comfortably, and will be able to lie down, sit up, and turn around. Alternatively, we provide standard sized IATA approved plastic travel boxes. You can also provide your own travel box, but it must meet International Air Transport Association (IATA) regulations.

How do I get my pet used to the travel box (crate)?

Crate training helps your pet cope with long-distance trips, especially when travelling by plane. It helps to teach your pet to feel comfortable and secure in a crate, reducing their anxiety and ensuring a safe journey. Here are 6 tips we would like to share with you. By following these tips, you can help your pet feel comfortable and secure during their journey and as stress-free as possible.

1. Get the size of the crate right: Measure your pet as recommended and ensure that the crate size if right for your pet. This means there is enough room for them to stand up, turn around and lie down comfortably. The create should also be well-ventilated and easy to clean. It must be IATA approved.
2. Make the crate a safe place: Place a familiar blanket and toy in the crate to provide a sense of security and comfort. Leave the door open on the crate when you first start training. You can also use a pheromone spray or calming music to help reduce your pet’s stress levels.
3. Introduce the crate gradually: Place the create in a room where your pet spends most of their time and place treats and their toys inside the crate to make it an inviting place to go. Encourage the pets to enter the crate on their own and reward them with treats and praise while they are inside it.
4. Increase the create time: Gradually increase the amount of time your pet spends in the crate with the door closed. Start with short periods and then increase the duration over time.
5. Practice crate training: Practice crate training with your pet regularly so they become familiar and comfortable with it. You can also place the crate in your car and take them on a drive, so they get used to movement whilst being in the crate. Ideally take them to noisy locations so they are also used to loud sounds. This will help enable them to feel safe while they are travelling and in transit.
6. Travel day preparation: On the day of travel make sure you and your pet are relaxed and that your pet is comfortable in their crate with their familiar blanket and water. For safety reasons your pet cannot travel with any toys or food in their crate.

How do I measure my pet?

It is extremely important that the measurements you provide for your pet are as accurate as possible. All measurements need to be in centimetres. If your container is deemed to be too small, your pet could be refused travel at the airport. If your container is too large, this could cost you extra unnecessary expense.

The most easy and accurate method that we at Ladyhaye have found to measure pets is:

Have two people to measure:

Length: Stand your pet against a wall, make a mark where their nose is and a mark where the base of their tail is, do not include the tail. Measure across in a straight line from nose to base of tail. Do not measure down the back of the neck and along the body.

Width: Measure across the widest part of your pet. This is usually the shoulders.

Height: Measure from the top of your pet’s head to the floor when standing and then again when your pet is sitting. Most pets are taller when sitting. We will require the tallest measurement of the two. If your pet has erect ears measure from the top of the ears to the floor for both measurements.

Can I use my own travel container?

You may supply your own container, but it is your responsibility to ensure it is IATA approved. Many plastic containers on sale in the UK do not always conform to the current IATA regulations, so most airlines will not allow them. We will be happy to advise you if your own container is suitable. If supplying your own container, we will still require you to provide your pets measurements as well as the dimensions of the container. This is to ensure that your pet is travelling in the correct size. Even if your pet travelled to the UK in the container you provided, it does not necessarily mean that your pet will be able to leave the UK in the same container. The rules regarding the sizing of containers are strictly adhered to in the UK and unfortunately this is not always the case in other countries. There are many instances of pets arriving in the UK in containers that are too small and they would NOT be allowed to leave the UK in the same one.

What happens on the day of travel?

We can arrange to collect your pet on the day of travel or meet you and your pet at the airport cargo centre, full instructions and directions will be provided prior to departure.

Where will my pet be located in the aircraft?

Your pet(s) will travel in the aircraft’s manifested cargo hold. This is temperature regulated, air pressurised and dimly lit with low level noise pollution much like travelling within the passenger cabins. These conditions help to keep your pet safe and calm. Most animals sleep once the aircraft is airborne.

Do I have access to my pet during the flight?

Neither the passengers nor the crew are allowed to access to the cargo hold during the flight. You will not have access during any refuelling point.

Can my pet travel on the same flight as me?

If you provide us with details of your flight, we will be able to advise you if this is possible. With the welfare of your pet in mind, we arrange the most suitable flights for your pet to minimize stress and discomfort. To avoid you incurring unnecessary costs, it is advisable for us to check availability for pets before you book your own flight if you wish to travel at the same time.

What happens when my pet arrives at its destination?

You will receive full instructions and details of overseas handling agent.

Should I feed and water my pet before travelling?

We advise that you only feed your pet lightly the evening prior to travel. Do not feed it at all on the day of the flight. Animals are not fed during the flight, but they do have access to water. The airline will provide water immediately before pets are loaded onto the aircraft. All travel containers are fitted with water containers, which are refilled during transits. International airports are well equipped to handle all types of animals and may transfer them to specialised animal holding units on long stopovers.

Should my pet be sedated?

No. For the complete safety of your pet, airlines will refuse any animal that appears to be sedated. The hold of the aircraft is pressurised, and this lowers the blood pressure. Because sedatives generally work by lowering blood pressure, the combined effect could harm the animal.

If your pet is nervous, you may use Adaptil for dogs or Feliway for cats to spray the inside of the container.

These are natural pheromone sprays and are permitted by the airlines. They are readily available online or from your vet.

If we haven’t answered your question above, please feel free to contact us, we are only too happy to help.