TAKING YOUR PET ABROAD
When taking your pet abroad either for a holiday or relocating to another country, there are strict regulations that govern their transport which varies depending on the country you are travelling to. We ensure our staff are continually educated about the most current regulations and policies for pets entering and leaving the UK. This means we’re able to give the most up to date expert advice regarding the relocation of your pet.
We can provide export services to the EU, India, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Canada, USA, Mexico, Bermuda, Asia and the UAE. We strongly advise you to contact us well in advance of your intended travel date, to ensure all necessary requirements for your pet are met. We ship cats, dogs, birds and most domestic animals (including the odd hedgehog!).
Click on more information on any of the maps to get an overview of some of the requirements for each country. Full information will be provided when quoted. If your specific location is not listed below, please contact us as we most likely can help you.
Please note that the information for each country was correct at the time of publishing and that governments can change their requirements without notice, so we recommend that you check with us prior to making any travel plans for your pet(s). Click here to obtain a free quote.
USA
The rules for the USA have changed from the 1st of August 2024 regarding Rabies and dogs from high risk countries. The UK is classed as a low risk country, which means the process has been simplified. You will only need one form, the CDC Dog Import Form. Your dog must have resided in the UK for at least 6 months, must be microchipped and be more than 6 months old at the time of import. For more information visit the CDC.
Click here to obtain a free quote.
AUSTRALIA
From close of business (COB) 28 February 2025 Australian Eastern Daylight Time (AEDT), DAFF will no longer give exemptions to Bengal cats that can show that they are 5 generations away from an Asian leopard cat. Any Bengal cat that has an exemption will be able to be imported provided they have arrived in Australia by COB 28 February 2026 AEDT.
Australia has a complex and lengthy process for the import of pets and there are a number of action items that must be undertaken within specified timelines. All dogs must have a Microchip implanted prior to their Rabies vaccine being given. They must have a valid Rabies Neutralising Antibody Titre Test completed 30 days after the Rabies vaccine, and this must be tested by an approved laboratory and a declaration completed by an official vet. Once this has been completed the import permit can be applied for. At least 180 days must lapse between the blood sample arriving into the testing laboratory and date of export. There are also a number of other tests and vaccinations that must be given at specific times prior to travel. Internal and external parasites must also be treated in accordance with Australian regulations.
The UK is classified as a group 3 country and all pets travelling from the UK must stay in quarantine in Melbourne for 10-30 days and sometimes longer if there are increased biosecurity risks. From November 4, 2024, The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (DAFF) in Australia, will allow pets to undergo just 10 days quarantine as long as the following ID Verification has been undertaken.
- There needs to be 2 separate verifications of the Microchip ID. These can only be carried out by OV66 certified vets (OV66 vet).
- The 1st OV66 vet must verify the microchip number and take a colour photo of the microchip being recorded on the chip reader alongside the pet. They must also complete an ID verification form. This information must be emailed by your vet directly to DAFF in Australia.
- A 2nd OV66 vet must carry out a 2nd microchip reading exactly as described above. This OV66 vet must not be connected to the 1st OV66 vet, They must also email the information directly to DAFF.
- The Rabies blood test can be completed at the 2nd ID verification appointment. It CANNOT be completed by the 1st OV66 vet.
- The final export health certificate MUST be completed by an OV66 vet that did not take the Rabies blood sample and/or the 2nd ID verification.
There are a number of airlines that will carry pets to Australia including Qatar, Emirates, Singapore and Sri Lankan Air. Emirates and Sri Lankan Air are the only airlines that will carry Brachycephalic breeds and strict regulations must be followed. Emirates will also only carry them during the UK Winter (1 November to 1 April). Given the time critical steps required to import a pet into Australia please contact us to speak with one of our specialists about your plans.
INDIA
Pets must be more than 3 months of age, have a microchip and a valid rabies vaccination. Dogs must also be fully vaccinated for DHPP / Leptospirosis and feline enteritis for cats within the time limit recommended by the manufacturer. Two (2) export health certificates are needed. One (1) completed 7 days before travel and the 2nd within 48 hours of the pet travelling.
An import agent is required on arrival in order to obtain the India No Objection Certificate (NOC). The owner has to be there on arrival to collect their animal and must have travelled to India within 30 days of the animal’s travel. Click here for a free quote.
CANADA
All pets travelling to Canada need to travel on DEFRA export papers which need to be completed by an Official Veterinarian within 72 hours prior to departure.
Although it isn’t a mandatory requirement, it is highly recommended for all pet’s travelling from the UK to Canada, to be vaccinated against rabies. Unlike many other countries there is not a 21 day wait before pets can travel. Click here to obtain a free quote.
EUROPE
All dogs must be Microchipped and have a rabies vaccination at least 21 days prior to export. An Export Health Certificate (EHC) is required for every pet and the requirements differ for each country. The EHC must be completed by an official vet and often within a short time before the pet’s travel. They will also require an Animal Health Certificate (AHC) issued within 10 days of travel.
There are many airlines that we can use to export to Europe, but some locations need you to accompany your pet when travelling and a clearance agent must be employed.
Click here to obtain a free quote.
NEW ZEALAND
New Zealand has strict import requirements. All dogs must have a microchip implanted prior to their Rabies vaccine.
- If this is your dog’s primary (first) rabies vaccination, the vaccine must be administered no less than 6 months and no more than 12 months prior to travel. You must provide the primary rabies vaccination certificate.
- If your dog is receiving a booster vaccination, then it must be administered before the previous rabies vaccination has expired and no more than 12 months prior to travel. You must provide a record of the most recent and previous vaccination.
If the previous vaccination has expired, the next vaccination will be considered a primary vaccination and your pet
They must have a valid Rabies Neutralising Antibody Titre Test (RNATT) completed at least 30 days after the Rabies vaccine, and this must be tested by an approved laboratory and a declaration completed by an official vet. Once this has been completed the import permit can be applied for. At least 90 days must lapse between the blood sample arriving at the testing laboratory and date of export.
There are also a number of other tests and vaccinations that must be given at specific times prior to travel. Internal and external parasites must also be treated in accordance with New Zealand regulations. Within 16 days of departure blood tests for Babesia Gibsoni and Brucella Canis must be completed and sent to the APHA at Weybridge for testing. A Defra export certificate must be completed within 48 hours of the export date.
Animals must spend at least 10 days quarantine upon arrival into Auckland or Christchurch and quarantine must be booked directly by the owner prior to applying for the import permit. All pets travelling from the UK must have their box sealed by an Official Veterinarian at check in and at this time only London Heathrow have this facility. Singapore Air and Qatar Air currently fly from London Heathrow. Click here to obtain a free quote.
SOUTH AFRICA
There is no Quarantine requirement for pets from the UK and all pets must be Microchipped.
Dogs must have a Rabies vaccine that was administered more than 30 days but not more than 12 months before export. They also require a 5 in 1 vaccine and must be tested for and shown to be free of the following 5 diseases:
- Babesia Gibsoni
- Brucella Canis
- Dirofilaria Immitis
- Trypanosoma Evansi
- Leishmania
Dogs must have a valid Rabies Neutralising Antibody Titre Test (RNATT). The dog’s blood can be tested in the UK or samples may be sent to South Africa for testing. Alternatively, the blood samples may be tested in any country, on condition that the laboratory is a government approved laboratory and accredited for the specific tests required in that specific country. The tests are valid for 30 days only. Dogs also require an Animal Improvement Permit which has a 30 day lead time and requires proof that the dog has been sterilised. Without proof the permit will not be issued.
Cats – cats require a 3 in 1 vaccine. There are no blood test requirements for cats.
All animals require an Import Permit which has a 2 week lead time to obtain and completion of a Health certificate 10 days before export. Click here to obtain a free quote.
ASIA
All dogs must be microchipped before their rabies vaccination, have up to date general vaccines, an Import Permit & Defra Export Health Certificate (EHC). Internal & external parasite treatments must be given and a valid Rabies Neutralising Antibody Titre Test (RNATT). The specific requirements, schedules and timelines for the above vary by country so it is best to contact us for exact details.
A number of airlines will carry pets including Singapore Airlines, Thai Airways, JAL, British Airways, Korean Air, Malaysian Air and Cathay Pacific. We can only arrange on the ground transport to central area hubs. Any rural hubs may need to be reached by road transport arranged by owner. A clearance agent must be employed. Click here to obtain a free quote.
BERMUDA
Pets traveling to Bermuda will need a Defra health certificate which must be issued within 5 days of travel. When a vet has completed the health certificate, we can then apply for the import permit. Dogs that have been in the UK for at least 6 months don’t need a rabies vaccination. If you have a restricted breed, please let us know and we will guide you through the process to obtain the restricted breed licence. Click here to obtain a free quote.
MIDDLE EAST/UAE
All dogs must be microchipped before their rabies vaccination, have up to date general vaccines, an Import Permit & Defra Export Health Certificate (EHC) completed 24hrs prior to travel. Internal & external parasite treatments must be given and a valid Rabies Neutralising Antibody Titre Test (RNATT) must be undertaken. The specific requirements, schedules and timelines for the above vary by country so it is best to contact us for exact details. You will need to employ a clearance agent which can be costly in this part of the world.
Both Emirates & Etihad Airways fly pets to the UAE and we arrange travel to most countries within the Middle East, e.g. Qatar to Doha, MEA to Beirut. Click here for a free quote.
SOUTH AMERICA
South America is made up of a group of countries with differing regulations. In general all dogs must be microchipped before their rabies vaccination, have up to date general vaccines and an International Veterinary Certificate/Passport. Internal & external parasite treatments must be given and a valid Rabies Neutralising Antibody Titre Test (RNATT).
An Import Permit & Defra Export Health Certificate (EHC) may be required by some countries. The specific requirements, schedules and timelines vary by country, so it is best to contact us for exact details. Click here to obtain a free quote.
OTHER LOCATIONS
No matter where you want to take your pet we can most likely help. We have shipped pets to over 350 locations around the world and have a global network of partners we work with. If your country is not listed above and you would like more information, then please click here to contact us.
No1 for pet travel in and out of the UK
