We hope to have the opportunity to move overseas with DH's job in the next few years, but the thought of bringing our dog with us really stresses me out. I worry that something will happen to him en route (he did survive life in a shelter, but he's sort of an anxious dog), and I also wonder what we would do about boarding him when we travel. DH insists that he's a family member so there's no question about bringing him, but while I generally feel that way, in this case I'm not sure. Have you moved overseas with your dog? Would you do it?
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I didn't cross any oceans but I moved to Mexico with my dog. She's small, though, so she can go in the cabin.
You can also pay a pet relocation service in case you don't bring your dog with you on the plane.
I would never have moved without my doggie and also never would have let her stand in the way of an amazing opportunity! So that's my $.02.
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A friend of mine relocated with a pet, there are country specific rules about how long you have had to have the dog, what kinds of vaxes they have to have, even what breeds are allowed, so check on those. You may also have to have them spayed or neutered and you might have to have a microchip implanted.
As for the physical move itself, my friend's dog went in the cargo hold of the plane, in a cage. They bought the cage well in advance and got him used to it before the trip and he did awesome.
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Two of my former roommates in SE Asia moved dogs that they acquired there to the US. They both used KLM because KLM was the only airline (at least the only one possible for the route they needed) that would let the dogs out of the cage in transit. Both dogs did totally fine; one of them continues to travel around the world since the owner is with the State Department. I wouldn't do it (at least not a halfway-round-the-world trip) to a really old dog (like one that has trouble getting around), but I think any dog in reasonably good health is totally good to go.
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Our dog has moved from Canada to the US and back. Fortunately crossing the border has never been an issue. She is suppose to be UTD on vaccines and such (she is of course), but they rarely look at her paperwork. She has crossed probably twenty times.
At one point we were debating a move to central america and the country that we were going to move to had VERY strict pet importation policies. Nola would have been quarantined for six months after arrival. yuck.
I'd definitely check your countries requirements closely. -
It really all depends on where you're going- policies are different for every country. If you're moving somewhere where policies aren't readily available online, try contacting the consular office of the US State Dept. in whatever country it is and ask if they have any recommendations- I know lots of people w/ the State Dept. (or USAID, or other agencies in-country) will either have experience moving with animals or will know someone who has, and can probably point you towards helpful advice/information.
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Thanks, everyone! My dog is 23 lbs, so too big to ride in the cabin. I just worry about him being in cargo with the long flight. I feel better hearing about other people's good experiences!
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