When it comes to pets, most people would consider theirs to be a part of the family. This is why every year hundreds of pets are flown across the world to different countries because their owners can’t bear the thought of leaving them behind when they move. The decision to take your pet is not one to take lightly however; you must remember to keep the animals best interests at heart, consider its age, health and the quality of life it will have in the new country. For example if you have an old cat or dog who doesn’t like heat, taking it to Australia might not be the kindest thing to do. Likewise if you have a pet that needs a lot of exercise, are you moving to a place with lots of open fields or were you planning on moving to a large city where there is a greater risk from traffic? Elderly pets would be better to say in the UK, perhaps given to a friend or relative, this way they do not have to endure the stress of the flight, and then the worry of getting used to a completely new climate and surroundings.

The type of pet you are legally allowed to take with you will also vary depending on where you are moving to. Whilst dogs in general are permitted most places, there may be certain breeds which are banned, perhaps due to their temperament or breeding history. There are also restrictions on smaller animals, such as hamsters and rats, as well as exotic animals such as snakes and spiders. Birds may only be imported into Australia if they are coming from New Zealand, so if you plan on taking your pet parrot, think again.

Wherever you are planning on moving to, your pet will have to be subjected to a length of quarantine before and after the move, especially if they are moving as far away as Australia, New Zealand or America. There will also be medical bills for vetting certificates and blood tests to ensure that your pet is not carrying any unwanted diseases, so be prepared to pay quite a lot to move your pet. The average cost of moving a cat abroad is between £500 and £1000 and for a dog, (dependant on size) anything between £1000 and £4000. Obviously the cost of taking them to France will be a lot less than taking them to America, and the transport method will also play a determining role in price. It is important to get quotes for moving your pet so that you have time to put that money aside.

New rules coming into effect on 1st January 2012 will make it easier and cheaper to move your pets abroad. The UK will be joining the rest of the EU in its ‘pet movement’ rules, however it will continue to maintain its high standards of protection against animal diseases. Under the EU regulations, pets will no longer have to spend up to 6 months in quarantine, and pets moving to Australia and the US will no longer be required to have blood tests.