Many of us genuinely enjoy winter - the soft, fluffy snow (especially when someone else is doing the shoveling), the skiing and ice skating, and another chance to wear that beautiful coat you bought last year. But winter can also bring some serious challenges. If you and your family are planning a long-distance move during the colder months, those seasonal factors suddenly become very important - especially if you’re traveling with a pet.
Relocating cats and dogs across the country or overseas is complex in any season. It may be the most complicated part of your entire move, and you’ll need to allow enough time to organize every detail of your furry companion’s travel. Your cat or dog will at the least need a microchip, vaccinations, a health certificate, an IATA-compliant crate, and a pet-appropriate travel plan on a pet-friendly carrier.
Every country has its own regulations, which may include quarantine. Tracking down accurate information and navigating each step can feel overwhelming—especially when you layer on the added uncertainty of winter weather. With so many other moving tasks on your plate, it’s far easier and far less stressful to work with a professional pet transport company to manage your pet's travel as part of your family’s relocation.
So how do you identify the right travel partner for your pet? We’ll walk you through what to ask. First, though, let’s look more closely at how winter can affect your plans.
When temperatures drop below 45°F, airlines around the world generally will not accept pets for travel. Even a brief wait on the tarmac during loading or unloading can be dangerously cold. Because weather changes day by day, you may not know in advance if a weather embargo will disrupt your pet's itinerary.
Severe winter weather also causes operational issues at airports, delaying or canceling flights. Your pet could be stranded in transit, or you might struggle to get them to the airport safely and on time.
On top of that, winter holidays are among the busiest travel periods of the year. Crowded terminals and hectic conditions can increase anxiety for many pets, and your pet could even be at risk of being bumped from a flight, just like human passengers.
Ask your professional pet relocation expert how they will handle these potential winter complications if something goes wrong.
You’ll also want to ask broader questions about the company itself and how they handle issues specific to your situation. Below we've outlined some other questions to get you started.
Are you a member of the International Pet and Animal Transportation Association (IPATA)? (Membership in the leading industry association indicates a commitment to high professional standards.)
What experience do you have with pets like mine?
What experience do you have transporting pets to and from my departure and destination cities? What happens if we don’t live near a major airport?
I’ve read that snub-nosed dogs and cats can’t fly. What does that mean for us?
What documents will we need for our destination?
What if I have multiple pets?
What happens if my pet has to stay overnight somewhere along the way?
What can I do ahead of time to help my pet get ready for the move?
Do you offer any kind of pet travel insurance or protection plan?
Will I receive updates and progress reports once my pet is on the way?
Can you help if I need assistance getting my pet to or from the airport?
Ask as many questions as you need. Expect clear, complete, and patient answers. If a company seems reluctant to explain their process or how they work, consider that a red flag. Keep asking until you feel confident you understand every step. You’re choosing someone to act as your pet's concierge and advocate throughout their journey—there’s nothing more important than that.
Once you make your choice, you’ll be joining thousands of other pet parents who have done the same. You’ll be able to feel calm and confident, knowing your precious pet and their travel plans are in experienced, reliable hands. With that settled, you can turn your attention to what to pack and what to leave behind. Unfortunately, we can’t help you decide that part.