Planning an international move in the new year? Congratulations—what an exciting chapter! But as you start organizing passports, housing, and travel logistics, one major question often feels overwhelming: How do you safely and smoothly move your pet overseas?
Whether you’re relocating with a dog, cat, or another beloved companion, international pet travel can be complicated. Every country has its own import rules, health requirements, airline restrictions, and timelines. Making sure every detail is correct is essential for your pet’s safety and for a stress-free relocation.
The good news? You don’t have to figure it out alone.
Below are key tips to help you prepare for your pet’s international move.
Pets pick up on our energy. As you prepare for your move, try to stay calm, positive, and organized. When you’re relaxed, your pet stays more relaxed too—making their journey safer and smoother.
Our guide and downloadable checklists can help you stay on track and keep stress levels low for both you and your four-legged traveler.
One of the biggest challenges in overseas pet relocation is managing all the paperwork and veterinary requirements. Every destination country has different rules—including vaccinations, microchips, blood tests, health certificates, and strict timelines.
Navigating country-specific pet import requirements
Scheduling and coordinating veterinary appointments
Ensuring all paperwork is accurate and completed on time
Recommending and sourcing airline-approved travel kennels
Planning the safest and fastest flight routes for your pet
Coordinating customs clearance and destination services
Because flight options, airline rules, and routing vary widely, your pet’s itinerary may not match yours—especially for long-distance, multi-leg journeys. Our team knows which airlines are most pet-friendly, and which routes minimize stress and travel time.
Whether you need help with individual tasks or prefer full door-to-door pet transport, we’re here to make the process seamless.
It’s easy to forget one crucial detail:
What happens if there’s a travel delay when you’re already in transit or unavailable?
Weather embargoes, last-minute airline changes, or documentation issues can quickly derail plans. When you work with Starwood, a dedicated team member monitors your pet’s journey from start to finish—ready to step in if anything unexpected occurs.
This kind of support brings priceless peace of mind, especially during an international move.
Even the best-planned moves can run into surprises. Travel insurance can help cover costs or delays related to:
Emergency itinerary changes
Family emergencies that affect travel plans
Unexpected pet illness during transit
While serious issues are rare, pet travel insurance adds an extra layer of protection during an already stressful time.
A common misconception is that dogs and cats should be sedated for air travel. In reality, medications that cause drowsiness or loss of balance can make flying dangerous.
For safety reasons:
Airlines do not accept sedated pets
Professional pet transport companies—including Starwood—do not allow sedation
A calm, alert pet travels more safely.
The sooner you begin planning your pet’s overseas relocation, the smoother everything will go. Reaching out early ensures:
You meet all country-specific deadlines
You secure ideal flight routes
You have time to prepare your pet for crate training and travel day
You stay calm knowing experts are guiding the process
By contacting us now, you’re already taking the most important step: prioritizing your pet’s safety and comfort.
We’ll treat your pet like part of our Starwood family—almost as lovingly as you do.
Once their journey is planned, you can focus on the rest of your move and look forward to exploring your new home together.