Wondering how much it will cost to relocate your pet when you move? Of the 4 million pets that relocate and travel each year, 58% of them are dogs and 22% are cats. Bringing these furry friends can incur several costs to make travel possible.
While affordability is mostly determined by your destination and your animal’s size, there are some fees you won’t be able to avoid. And almost all destinations require a verified health certificate from your veterinarian. We will break down all the costs associated with relocating your pet.
How Does Pet Transport Work?
Pet Transportation helps your pet travel domestically or internationally, either alone or accompanied. A pet transportation company assists you with:
- Preparing your pet.
- Acquiring all travel documents.
- Scheduling necessary medical visits and vaccines.
- Assisting your pet with getting from their departure to their destination.
There are several things you can do to transport your pet safely, whether for relocation or vacation. All Paws Express has a team of experienced specialists who can ensure the safety of your pet’s travel.
Pet Shipping Costs
Pet shipping costs can vary widely depending on:
- Distance between locations
- Size of the Pet
- Domestic or international travel
- Regulation requirements
- Transportation services to and from the airport
You can expect to pay between $500 -$4000 to cover all the fees, health forms, and travel costs. Larger pets and distant destinations will dramatically increase the cost of shipping your pet.
Transport services to and from the airport
Additional costs for door-to-door shipping include transportation to and from the airport. Ground transportation can cost up to $300 depending on how far your pet must travel from the airport to get to its new home.
Related Link: Learn More About All Paws Express
Vaccinations, Microchips, and a CVI
To travel, the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) requires that your pet will need to visit a certified veterinarian within ten days of the travel date. Your vet will need to issue:
- A certificate of veterinary inspection (CVI). The cost depends on your vet but will ballpark between $50-$200.
- A signed certificate of rabies vaccination, issued between 30 days of the travel date or a year for foreign travel. Vaccinations will cost about $25-$50.
- Microchip implant will cost about $25-$50
Your veterinarian bill will cost between $75- $250 for a visit.
Additional Health Certificates
If you are moving or traveling internationally, you’ll need additional health certificates depending on the country’s requirements. Many countries will require a USDA endorsement for your pet to enter their country. The USDA endorsement can cost between $38- $173, depending on your pet.
Airline Costs
The airline ticket and pet fees will be the highest cost because animal transportation often costs more than a passenger ticket. If they are traveling unaccompanied, the rate will be even higher because they will travel as cargo.
You’ll want to talk to the airline to learn more about their pet policies and fees since every airline handles this differently. Ticket costs between $50 – $1000 depending on pet size and destination.
Some airlines will require that you use a pet transportation agency for international travel, especially if there are layovers or connecting flights. The airlines prefer a pet transportation agency because the agency can guarantee all proper paperwork will be completed.
Do you need help transporting your animal? All Paws Express is a hassle-free door-to-door pet transportation service.
How much does it cost to fly a dog alone?
For pets that fly alone, they generally must fly in the cargo area of the plane that is temperature-controlled and pressurized for your pet’s safety. The price can vary depending on:
- The airline
- Destination
- Breed
- Weight and size of the animal
For domestic flights within the US, the price can range from $200-$400.
Which airline is best for pets?
A Reader’s Digest survey found that Delta is the most pet-friendly airline. Delta allows your pet to fly in the cabin with you for about $125. Delta also offers cargo shipping for large or unaccompanied pets, depending on your destination. Other pet-friendly airlines include that received top marks include:
- Southwest
- American
- United
- Alaska
- JetBlue
- Allegiant
- Frontier
- Spirit
- Hawaiian
Can my dog sit on my lap during a flight?
No. Most airlines require that your dog stay in its carrier at all times. If the dog accompanies you in the cabin, then the carrier can sit on your lap or under the seat in front of you. But you are not allowed to have your dog out of the carrier until you leave the airport.
What if your dog barks on an airplane?
Dogs can be very unpredictable on an airplane, especially if your dog gets anxious easily. Barking is a natural response to fear, stress, or even cabin pressure. If your dog barks on a plane and struggles to calm down, a flight attendant will come to help.
If the dog continues to bark, then the dog may need to be taken to the cargo area for the remainder of the flight to keep the rest of the passengers happy. Don’t worry. The cargo area is perfectly safe for animals.
Related Link: Domestic Pet Travel
Crate or Carrier
To travel, your pet must ride in a travel crate. The travel crate must follow specific airline guidelines to ensure safety. Travel crates cost between $50-$400 depending on the size of your dog.
Customs Clearance
Once your pet arrives, it must be cleared through customs, which may include additional fees for brokers, taxes, tariffs, and other country requirements. Fees can range from $40-$500. You can contact your airline to find out how much customs will cost for your animal.
Regulations by Country
No two countries follow the same regulations, so it will be essential to learn your destination country’s rules about traveling pets. The following countries are the most common.
Canada
Canada is very pet friendly. They have very few regulations apart from making sure your pet is healthy. They may need verification for rabies, depending on where your flight departs. But microchips are not required.
Canada won’t quarantine your animal unless it shows signs of illness or disease. But a clean bill of health from your vet should make it an easy passage for your pet.
Germany
Germany has a dog tax, or hundesteuer, for owning a dog in the country. These fees can range from 30 to 186 euros every year per pet. Your pet can get an exemption if it is a service dog. And rescue dogs get an exemption for one year. Cats are free.
Germany requires proof of:
- Rabies vaccination that is between 30 to 365 days from your travel date.
- A microchip
- Health certificate
You won’t need to quarantine if your pet has a clean bill of health. But Germany has a rule that no one can have more than a maximum of five pets and you’ll need to be with your pet within five days of your pet landing in Germany.
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom love pets, but you will need a few documents to bring your pet into the country:
- Rabies vaccination must be at least 21 days old from your travel date
- Microchip
- Rabies antibody test
- Tick treatment
- Tapeworm treatment
You’ll need to be with your pet within five days of your pet landing in the UK, or it will be considered an import, and you’ll have to pay additional fees. Dogs, cats, and rabbits do not need to quarantine. And you cannot bring more than five pets.
How do I Ship a Pet to Another State?
To ship a pet to another state, there are several factors you’ll want to consider:
- Distance
- Your dog’s breed and personality
- Safety
- Timeline
The best and easiest way to ship your pet to another state is by flying. While flying can be expensive, it’s also the most direct and safest way for your pet to travel. By flying between states, your pet can land at their new destination the same day as their departure, putting the least amount of stress on your animal.
To transport your pet to another state, you can:
- Carry your pet on the plane with you.
- Utilize a pet shipping company that will ensure the safety of your pet’s trip.
- Fly your pet in the cargo area of the plane.
- Ship your pet using a grounds pet carrier.
Summary
Shipping your pet is affordable, but you may want to plan for all the fees. Using a pet transportation company can really help expedite and save money by leveraging their knowledge and experience. While you may need to pay extra for their service, you’ll be grateful that they took the headache out of shipping your furry family member.
All Paws Express specializes in domestic and international travel for pets. A turnkey solution from pick up to delivery, ensuring your pet has a safe and worry-free journey.
Do you need transportation services for your pet? Learn more about All Paws Express pet relocation services.
Related Link: Get an Estimate on Pet Relocation