When planning relocation, whether locally or internationally, you have a lot of things to do, and you might forget certain essential things like your pet. A pet move can be confusing because you need to do several things, such as working on the paperwork, considering the safety of your pet, and the cost of transporting your pet. While you may want to deal with the pet move on your own without professional help, pet transportation services are vital, and most pet owners realize that they cannot handle everything on their own. Professional pet transport services will relieve you the pressure of moving your pet.

Expertise with paperwork

An experienced and established pet transport company has worked with several airlines across the globe, transporting pets to and from various destinations. Therefore, the transportation company can give you insider guidelines, advice, and answer the questions you might have concerning transporting your pet. The companies cut through the confusion that most pet owners have and ensure that they offer them accurate and updated facts about the entire process. Besides, pet transportation laws change and you might not be aware of the changes, but pet transportation companies are always updated. You do not want to jeopardize your pet travel plans due to miscommunication or confusion. Pet transportation companies usually handle all details on your behalf including proper identification, boarding reservations where necessary, making efficient flight arrangements, pickup or delivery to and from the airports, and boarding reservations.

Customized services

As an owner of a larger dog who wants to transport the pet to another country or state, one of the most significant concerns would be how the pet will fit in the airline crate. Fortunately, pet transportation companies have personalized services that meet the needs of every pet owner; thus, they will ensure that your pet will fit in the crate. They have solutions to exotic, fragile or other pets that are challenging to transport. Additionally, since the companies are trustworthy, you are assured that they will be comfortable throughout the journey.

Less stress for the pet

Besides reducing stress for you, using a reliable pet transportation company to ship your pet reduces the stress that the pet can experience. If moving can be exhausting for human beings, imagine how pets feel during long flights. As such, pet transportation companies ensure that they take the necessary steps and precautions to reduce risks factors and stress in animals while keeping them comfortable and safe. For instance, they offer pets a secure and well-ventilated crate that meets the guidelines of airlines and ensure that pets feed and get proper medication.

Relocating to a new residence can pose extra safety concerns especially for people who own pets. There have been numerous horror stories on the Internet where people share unpleasant experiences they’ve had with various pet transport services. The good news is that most of these shortcomings can be eliminated by proper prior planning and by working with reputable pet transport firms. This guide provides readers will all the information necessary for both domestic and international pet transport services.

Work with reputable pet handlers

It is important that you do some background research on potential pet carriers to ensure you know what to expect from them in advance. The carrier’s website will provide insights on the full range of services offered by the pet transporter. If that’s not enough, you are at liberty to browse through hundreds of consumer reviews to single out the best pet handlers in your region.

Domestic vs international relocation

As its name suggests, domestic relocation entails movement within a country’s jurisdiction. Domestic pet transport can be carried out by both local and multinational firms and does not involve a lot of documentation. International pet transport entails moving pets from one country or state to another foreign jurisdiction. Crossing borders requires the transporters to comply with all the official requirements for both countries involved.

Documents required during international animal transport

Before your pets are shipped off, you will be required to submit a report from your veterinary officer detailing the state of health of the pets involved. Apart from disclosing the health condition of your animals, this report will also specify the age and breed of the pet in question. For pets such as dogs, you might be required to also submit a rabies vaccination certificate issued from a certified vet doctor.

Planning for your animal’s transportation

Planning is an exercise that should be performed by both the owner and the agent. Depending on the nature of the trip and the animals involved, owners can opt or either ground or air transport. Air transport, though more expensive, takes less time and is less stressful for your pets compared to ground transport.

For smaller pets such as cats and dogs, you should consider getting a kennel that is spacious to comfortably house your animal during transit. For large animals such as horses, your agent should be able to figure out a solution. You should ensure your animals have adequate food, water, and beddings for lengthy trips. Finally, it is always important to provide contact details of your preferred veterinary doctor in case your animals develop any complications while in transit.