For Employees: Planning Your Pet’s Move

Whether you’re moving domestically or relocating internationally, focus on three basics: your pet’s health, destination requirements, and a flexible travel plan. Domestic moves are usually simpler, but airlines and some locations still have rules. International moves typically involve more paperwork and tighter timing.

• Know what rules apply to your move: for domestic relocations, confirm airline requirements and local rules; for international relocations, confirm entry requirements for dogs and cats, required health certificates, and whether quarantine or a waiting period may apply
• Talk to your veterinarian early, especially if your pet has health issues or takes medication. Ask about fitness to travel, prescription refills, and what records or medications you should keep with you during travel
• *Note: for international travel – a specific registered Vet may be required
• Decide on the travel approach: in-cabin when available, ground travel, or a professional pet relocation provider
• Plan timing realistically: build in extra lead time for international paperwork and appointments, and account for any required waiting period or quarantine so your move dates stay realistic. Note: planning may need to begin several months in advance of your move
• Confirm pet-friendly housing early: check pet policies for temporary living and your long-term home, including deposits or monthly pet fees, limits on the number of pets, weight limits, and any breed or building restrictions. If you will stay in temporary housing first, confirm pet rules at check-in
• Investigate options for a potential return to your home country: Some countries require an extremely long lead time, up to one year, and complex process to return pets to their home location. Ie Australia. Fully investigate this at the time of departures, to be prepared in case it affects your decision to relocate them
  

How WHR helps:
Your WHR Relocation Counsellor can help you understand what’s covered, set a realistic timeline, and coordinate approved partners, so pet planning stays connected to the rest of your move.

Furthermore, our team has personally moved their pets internationally and has first-hand experience with the relocation process and options.

The takeaway:
Start early; minimum 90days before the move, ideally longer. Your WHR Relocation Counselor can help you keep pet requirements and move timing in sync

Quick resource tip: If you’re relocating internationally and want a simple way to double-check destination rules and timing, destination guide sites (for example, PetRelocation.com’s country pages) can help you understand typical steps, required documents, and estimated lead times before you start booking flights and vet appointments. 

Real-world example (UK entry rules):

The United Kingdom has stricter arrival rules than many destinations. Often, pets cannot arrive in the passenger cabin on UK-bound flights (service dogs are an exception) and must follow an approved route and process as manifest cargo. Because of that, some assignees choose to fly into a nearby EU city (for example, Paris or Brussels), where in-cabin travel may be permitted by the airline, and then continue into the UK by car or an approved pet shuttle/ground transport option. 

Airline pet policies and handling standards vary by carrier and route. When air travel is necessary, ask early about options (in-cabin vs. hold vs. cargo), seasonal restrictions, and how animals are handled during connections.

Depending on the season and destination, especially during summer, an evening flight may be a more comfortable option when you’re using a pet-friendly airline because cabin temperatures are often lower than they are on mid-day or afternoon departures. That can be especially helpful for pets that are sensitive to heat or weather changes. Some airlines also have specialized live-animal handling facilities (for example, Lufthansa Cargo’s Animal Lounge in Frankfurt), which can be one factor families consider when selecting routings. 

Once you’ve confirmed destination rules and flight options, the checklist below helps you keep the remaining details organized, from packing through arrival. If this feels like one more thing on an already-full list, you’re not alone; a simple plan early on can make everything go more smoothly.

Pet Move Checklist

Use the steps below as a guide to keep pet planning on track alongside the rest of your move:

• Book a vet appointment early: make sure your pet is healthy enough to travel, confirm vaccines, refill prescriptions, and find out if you’ll need a health certificate for your route or destination. For international moves, ask whether your destination requires a specific vaccine, blood test, or treatment sequence and whether a waiting period applies before travel is allowed.
• Confirm the rules and pick your travel approach: for moves within the U.S., double-check airline and state/local requirements. For international moves, confirm entry requirements, documents, and any waiting periods or quarantine rules. Then choose what makes the most sense for your family (in-cabin when available, ground travel, or a professional pet relocation provider).
• Get your pet used to the carrier or crate early: leave it out at home and make it comfortable, so it feels familiar by travel day.
• Keep routines as steady while you pack: try to stick with normal feeding, walks, and playtime, and keep favorite toys or bedding out until the end.
• Have a moving-day safety plan: moving day can be loud and unpredictable. If possible, have your pet stay with a friend or relative. If not, set up one closed, quiet room with food, water, and a litter box (if needed), and post a clear note on the door for movers.
• Confirm pet-friendly housing early: check policies for temporary housing and your long-term home, including deposits or monthly fees, limits on the number of pets, weight limits, and any breed or building restrictions.
• Settle in with a “home base” and a simple care plan: set up a pet-safe zone first (one room is perfect), then expand access gradually. It’s normal for pets to act a little “off” at first, so give them a few weeks. If you can, identify a new veterinarian near your destination before you need one.

How WHR helps:
We’ll help you understand what’s covered per your employer’s policy, map out a realistic timeline, and coordinate approved partners when needed, so pet planning stays aligned with the rest of your relocation.

The takeaway:
Start early, confirm requirements, and build in a little buffer for timing. Your counselor can help you keep the pieces moving together.

For Employers: Offering Pet Relocation as a Benefit

Pet relocation support can ease employee stress and reduce last-minute disruptions when plans change. The simplest programs spell out what’s covered and give employees one clear place to get answers and guidance.

Note: Service animals are not the same as pets, and they follow different rules and documentation standards (each country may have it’s own rules). On the employer side, it’s usually best to route service animal questions through your accommodation or HR process rather than a pet relocation benefit. Calling out that difference upfront can help avoid confusion during travel planning and housing setup.

• What is covered: guidance only, an allowance, reimbursement up to a cap, or direct-billed provider support
• Who is eligible: which move types, which pets, and any limits on the number of pets
• How approvals work: when pre-approval is required and who makes exception decisions
• How employees get help: clear instructions, trusted partners, and a consistent process

How WHR helps:
WHR helps you define how pet relocation fits into your program and gives employees counselor-led guidance. We also provide visibility into common questions and exceptions, so you can keep your process consistent and adjust policy over time.

The takeaway:
Keep it clear and consistent. WHR helps connect employees with support while giving mobility teams insight into what’s being requested.

Pet Relocation: Common Questions and Helpful Resources

ReloHow do I help my pet stay calm during the move?
Keep routines as steady as possible, help your pet get used to the carrier/crate early, and use a moving day plan that limits noise and open-door risk (a trusted caregiver offsite or a closed, quiet room). If anxiety is a concern, your veterinarian can recommend options that are appropriate for your pet.

Can my pet fly in the cabin with me?
It depends on your destination, airline, route, and your pet’s size. Some flights allow small pets in-cabin in an approved carrier, while other routings require pets to travel in the hold or as cargo. The key is to confirm requirements before you book, especially for international travel.

How long will it take my pet to adjust to the new home?Keep routines as steady as possible, help your pet get used to the carrier/crate early, and use a moving day plan that limits noise and open-door risk (a trusted caregiver offsite or a closed, quiet room). If anxiety is a concern, your veterinarian can recommend options that are appropriate for your pet.

Helpful Resources:

• USDA APHIS Pet Travel (international requirements and steps) 
• CDC: Bringing a Dog into the U.S. 
• IPATA (pet shipper directory and general guidance) 
• AVMA pet travel resources: 
• Destination guides and timing checklists: Destination-by-destination overviews that can help you understand typical steps, documentation, and lead time before you start booking.
• EU rules on travelling with pets and other animals
• Swiss Government Pet Import Guidance: Dogs, cats, domestic animals
• UK government advice: Bringing your pet dog, cat or ferret to Great Britain
• Pet Relo: Import Requirements by Country

How WHR Global Supports Relocating Employees and Their Families

Relocating with pets takes more than a checklist, it requires thoughtful planning around health requirements, transportation logistics, housing considerations, and the comfort of your animal throughout the journey. From ensuring vaccinations and documentation are up to date to understanding airline policies, quarantine rules, and pet-friendly housing options, each step plays an important role in a smooth transition. For employers, providing pet-inclusive relocation support can help reduce employee stress, prevent delays, and improve overall satisfaction with the move.