When we first began our expat adventures, our two older German Shepherds (9 and 10 at the time) came along. We were incredibly nervous, as it was their first time on a plane and they had to navigate two long flights and a long layover, all without us being with them. Thankfully, they came through the experience with flying colors, in large part because of the skill and care of the pet transport service employed by the company I worked for at the time. Without their help, navigating all of the rules and regulations would have been a nightmare.
We touched briefly on this subject in a previous post, but we answer questions on the topic often enough that we felt it deserved a post of its own. Relocating around the world with pets can be an ocean of paperwork and vet visits, and the requirements are always based on the countries involved. An expat relocating from the US to South Africa will have different requirements than an expat moving from Russia to South Africa, so it is critical that you work with people who understand the differences and can help your pet arrive safely.
Our first recommendation is to partner with a pet export company that is authorized in the country you are leaving, and a pet import company that is authorized in your destination country. Some pet moving companies have partners based around the world, and that does make it easier when it comes to communication and logistics. Many, though, specialize in their home country and it is up to you to find a pet importer that you trust to manage your pet's arrival. We will warn you now that it can be very expensive, and if your company does not offer pet relocation as part of your expat package, you'll have to pay for these services out of pocket. They add up quickly, between vet visits, required vaccinations, blood tests, and anything else that is required on top of the relocation itself.
Our last relocation did not offer the pet transport. By this time, our Shepherds had passed from old age, and we now had a young Cane Corso female. We were relocating from Switzerland to Mauritius, and learned that we had an entire list of additional requirements due to her breed. Mauritius includes Cane Corsos on their dangerous breeds list, so we had several documents and procedures to complete before she'd be allowed into the country. Having the pet exporter in Switzerland and the importer in Mauritius meant that, while it was stressful to chase down all of the additional paperwork, we had advisors on both sides helping us navigate each rule. As a result, our pup spent the minimum number of days in quarantine (5) before being reunited with us. Other expats we've talked to were not so lucky, even without their pet being classified as dangerous, and in some cases their dogs spent two months in quarantine because they were missing a vaccination or a required document.
The second recommendation is to remember that every experience is different. Just because another expat had a particular challenge does not mean that you will have the same challenge. It's great to talk to other expats who have relocated pets, as it can help set your expectations and ease your worries, but it can also escalate your stress if the person you're talking with had a bad experience. Seek feedback, absolutely, but do your own research as well. Read reviews, interview potential pet relocation partners carefully, and make sure that you feel comfortable with the people to whom you are entrusting your pets' care.
A final recommendation is around adopting pets in your new country. Do not do so unless you are fully prepared to take them with you when you leave. We see posts from so many expats talking about how they adopted this dog or this cat, and now have to find it a home because they're moving back to their home country or relocating to another country. Your heart might be in the right place, but so many countries already have so many animals in shelters and rescues, and some of these pets end up on the streets where they are not prepared to survive. Don't adopt a street animal and get it used to being cared for by humans only to put it back on the street when you leave. Don't assume that someone will adopt your animal, as there could already be hundreds in shelters looking for homes. If you aren't 100% certain that you are willing to navigate the legalities of bringing it with you, don't put the animal through that heartache. Rather, work with NGOs or rescues. Donate your time, your money, supplies, anything you can manage.
Relocating with your pets can be stressful and feel overwhelming. With the right partners, though, you'll get through all of the hoops and soon be busy exploring your new country together with your furry friend.
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