Moving my dog back to the UK

[NicolaBolton87 161]

Hi all,

 

I’m posting in the UK forum as i need correct advice/information based on the country I’m moving back to.

 

I’m living in Pennsylvania but will be moving back to England later this year and taking my dog with me. I’ve read so many different resources online and I think I’m getting a list together of things I need to do but if anyone has been through this please could you tell me your experience and anything I may need to know?

 

Thank you.

[yoda one for me 321]

I went through the other way, UK to US, so there will be some differences however, if it helps I'll share some of my experience. I actually used a pet transport company for the process, apparently UK airports don't let you book personally, you have to use an agent? I also paid extra for them to handle booking his flight, his customs paperwork, and getting him to the correct part of the airport on the day of the flight as I had already left the country.

 

What I had to provide for the pet transport company was: 

• Proof of general vaccinations (kennel cough etc. the standard stuff you need if the dog is being kenneled)
• Proof of rabies vaccine dated at least more than a month before
• Fitness to travel certification (this was organised by the pet transport company who kenneled my dog the night before the flight. I could have had my own vet provide this, though)
• Measurements (the pet shipping company procured an appropriate size travel crate based on these I provided. Apparently airports are very stringent about correct size crates for pets for their safety)
• Photos of the dog from various angles for ID purposes
• His microchip serial number

The pet transport company took care of any other paperwork - I didn't really see any of it until I collected my dog from the cargo area on the other side and had to sign for him to be released to me. I'll note that it was quite expensive, it cost more to transport my dog than it did to fly myself and ship my possessions, but it was absolutely worth it. 

 

I would imagine that UK requirements are pretty similar, so I would think the above is a good starting point (even though I suspect it's all stuff you've already thought of!). 

Edited May 19, 2020 by yoda one for me