Pete from Pet’s Travel shares his insights into the interesting, challenging, and above all rewarding aspects of pet relocation services.
Coordination and precision are essential
There’s a lot of admin in pet relocation, especially if you’re crossing borders. Paperwork requirements are very strict and one small mistake, like the wrong dates on a vaccination certificate, can set the whole process back to the beginning. This happens most often in international air travel where the safety of all pets is paramount.
It’s important to coordinate pets’ and their guardians’ travel arrangements. If you can’t get pets on the same flight as their guardians, you need some clever maneuvering to minimise the delay. You don’t want an agility championship winning border collie on a flight that lands 18 hours before her pet parents.
This is just one reason relocation should be left to the professionals.
Relocation challenges
As you can see, the job has its challenges. Airline breed restrictions, flight delays, and layovers are only a sample of the challenges we face. Pet guardians are understandably anxious about leaving their animals in someone else’s hands. What a lot of them don’t know is that their anxiety transfers to their pets.
Anxious pets can be unpredictable, which makes travelling interesting to say the least. We have qualified animal behaviourists who work with pets to minimise stress and anxiety, so they are able to travel.
One of our biggest challenges is balancing cost and quality. Sometimes we have to change routes or methods of travel to keep pets safe and comfortable. This can push prices out of budget. It’s our responsibility to find a reasonable compromise that works for everyone.
Rewards outweigh challenges
Despite the logistics challenges, the stress of managing anxious, unpredictable pets, and long hours on the road, reuniting pets with their families is the most fulfilling aspect of the job. Nothing beats seeing a guardian’s unbridled joy when their pet emerges with their helicopter tail wagging hard enough for takeoff.
Cats can be less obvious in their happiness, but a curious cat exploring her new home is part of the thrill of the job.
We know we’ve done a good job when clients make us their first choice whenever their pets need transport. Their positive feedback, repeat business, and word-of-mouth recommendations are tremendously satisfying and motivate us to keep delivering excellent services.
Once we’ve earned their trust, it’s our mission to keep it.
Preparing pets for their journey
Guardians can do a lot to prepare their pets for travel. Starting crate training several weeks before the relocation date helps pets feel comfortable while confined. Calming collars and sprays that use natural pheromones can reduce anxiety, while familiar blankets and pillows provide a sense of comfort.
We also help guardians prepare themselves for the separation. We emphasise that a calm guardian leads to a calm (or calmer) pet. We also provide essential practical advice about hydration and feeding. We have all their needs in hand, especially for long journeys.
We ensure pets are properly fed and watered on trips. We monitor them for signs of motion sickness or discomfort and provide appropriate treatment.
Our goal is to provide a safe and reassuring environment from start to finish.
Industry knowledge keeps us ahead of our competitors
It’s not uncommon for industry regulations to change and it’s our job to stay up to date with organisations like IPATA (International Pet and Animal Transportation Association) and IATA (International Air Transport Association).
It’s also essential to stay updated on airline policies regarding pet relocation because there may be changes to breed restrictions. For example, some airlines won’t fly snub-nosed dogs (Boston terriers, Pugs, French bulldogs, etc.) due to the likelihood of respiratory problems.
Quarantine requirements vary depending on the destination. Australia has strict quarantine requirements, but the UK is more pet relocation-friendly. We’re always on top of changes and adapt our policies and practices accordingly.
Regular staff training is a priority, so the entire team is armed with the latest information and qualification requirements.
Choosing a specialist
Pet relocation is a complicated business. There’s red tape on all sides and not a lot of consistency. The process can be overwhelming for pet guardians who have enough on their plates managing their own relocation details.
Our team works with the precision, patience, and care necessary to manage national and international pet transport. Qualified behaviourists and handlers ensure your pets are safe and comfortable and ready to travel.
Given what’s at stake (literally life and death), pet relocation specialists are your best bet to navigate complex logistics and ensure there are no clerical errors that can derail the process.
Our mission is to ensure the safety of your pets and we’re pretty good at it. Trust us with your pets and you’ll be happily reunited on the other side.
