The Expat Advisor

If you decide to take your pet with you when you go abroad, you should check with the embassy of the destination country as to specific requirements that must be met before a pet may be brought into the country. Many countries have strict health, quarantine, agriculture, wildlife, and customs requirements and prohibitions.

Taking a Pet Overseas

Deciding whether or not to bring the family pet is a personal decision. However, before making your decision consider some of the following factors:

• Will having your pets with you help your family in your adjustment to life in the host country?
• How long will you be in the host country? If the period is less than one year, consider this as well as any quarantine periods that may be required for bringing your pets back to your home country. Quarantine is applicable in: England, Singapore, Australia, Malaysia, Hong Kong, Hawaii or New Zealand only. Most other countries don’t have quarantine requirements.
• Can the animal adjust to the new environment? Long-hair animals may have health complications in the hot, humid climate. It may be difficult to bring your cat and confine it to your home for years. Remote areas may not have access to good veterinarians and other pet services that you would be able to find in other major cities of most host countries.
• Can your pet be fostered out to a friend or family member and returned to you upon your return home? Or would you be worrying about your pet the entire time you were in the host country?

If you decide to bring your pet to your host country, you will have to comply with import requirements. Import documentation is usually required from the the host country’s Department of Agriculture. Ask your freight forwarder, moving company or airline to ensure that the necessary paperwork is completed to import your pet to your host country. Bring a veterinary assessment of your pet’s health and immunization records. Birth and pedigree certificates will be needed if you intend to breed your pure-bred animals during your stay.

Special Note: In a crisis in which chartered or military aircraft or ships are used to evacuate Americans from a danger area, pets will not normally be permitted on the carrier. The pet owner will need to make other arrangements to remove the pet from the area. (Service animals, such as guide dogs, are not considered pets and will be accommodated if possible.)