Pets are an integral part of human life because of their affection to human. Hence moving pets along with us is important. Moving pets have more complicated procediures and paper works to comply with and lot more to take care because pets have an instinctive fear of new surroundings, pet owners want to help them adjust quickly. This article will provide a checklist of things to do to see that your pet moving is done smoothly and pets will be happy. Pre-planning for the move of your pet, as well as for your household goods, should begin as soon as you know you are going to move.  

Plan yourself: This is the key to an easier transfer, regardless of the mode of transportation chosen. Travel arrangements should be completed as far in advance of moving day as is practical, keeping departure day tasks to a minimum. One person in the family should assume responsibility for the moving pet. Be sure to discuss the transfer of your pet with your travel agent if you are arranging by yourself or talk to your pet moving company. Your agent/moving company can help you select the best way to transfer your pet, offer helpful suggestions, and assist with, or take care of, any necessary shipping arrangements, when it is an international move. The agent may recommend a pet moving agency that will take care of all the details of shipping pets, including boarding, pick-up, and delivery. Costs vary according to services rendered.

General Checklist: Take pet to veterinarian for checkup and health documents apply for entry permit if one is needed; inquire about sedation for pet; obtain pet's health record; schedule second visit to vet if necessary; ask your vet to recommend a colleague in the new city and
Obtain travel identification tag for the pet to be moved.

Check destination  pet entry regulations. Your international mover should be able to give you all regulations concerning moving in a pet to any particular country.

Every country in the world and every state in the US has laws applicable to the entry of dogs, cats, horses, psittacine birds (birds of the parrot family), and other pets. Tropical fish are the only exception. It is important to comply with the laws of the state to which you are moving; otherwise, you may be subject to prosecution. Moverworldwide suggests contacting the State Veterinarian in the capital city of your new home state well in advance of your move for specific laws concerning entry of your pet. A few states in US have border inspection of all animals being imported; others have random inspection by department of agriculture officials or the state highway patrol; some check interstate health certificates; many depend on individual compliance with the law; and a number rely on a combination of these methods. Representatives of the state department of agriculture are usually present at airports to inspect any pets arriving by air.

The majority of communities in the United States have enacted pet control and licensing ordinances. In many instances these relate only to dogs, but increasing numbers of cities are applying them to cats as well. Local laws may limit the number of dogs or cats permitted in one household.

Most communities prohibit the stabling of horses, ponies and other livestock within city limits. Where permitted, minimum distance from the barn to you and your neighbors' houses may be specified, as well as size of pasture required. You may have to stable your animal(s) outside the city limits.

License fees and the length of time a new resident has in which to obtain a license for a pet vary from country to country. Contact the authority at the destination city or town hall for specific information.

The documents pertaining to your pet's health are important in every state or country to which you are moving. You may be asked to show them at anytime, especially when traveling, so it is advisable to keep them handy. Any or all of the following may be required:

Health Certificate:  Health certificates must accompany dogs and horses entering all countries.  The same requirement for cats, birds and other pets. In some cases, advance receipt of the health certificate by the destination country regulatory agency is a prerequisite to entry of the pet to some countries.

The health certificate must include a complete description of the pet, list all inoculations it has had, and state that it is free from infectious diseases.

Have your pet examined by your veterinarian well in advance of departure date so there will be time for any treatment or inoculations recommended. Another examination just prior to departure may be necessary. If the pet is excitable, or prone to motion sickness when traveling, ask the vet to prescribe medication for it. Also ask if a colleague in your new area can be recommended.

Permit: Some pets must have entry permits issued by the destination country regulatory agency. Either you or your veterinarian may apply for the permit, for which there may be a charge. Receipt of a health certificate from the place of origin may be requisite to issuance of the permit.

Rabies Tag: Most countries  require dogs and cats to have rabies inoculation. Many places local laws usually stipulate that the rabies tag be securely attached to the pet's collar.

Travel Identification: In addition to permanent identity and rabies tags, both dogs and cats should be provided with special travel identification tags. A luggage- type tag with space on both sides for writing is excellent for this particular purpose. The tag should include the pet's name, your name and destination address, and the name and address of an alternate person to contact in case you cannot be located. Other pets are less apt to become lost, but birds are sometimes identified by leg bands; horses and ponies by brands, tattoos, color photos, and/or registration papers. The pet's health certificate may also be used for identification.

Transportation by Air: Airlines that accept pets for transportation have specific regulations covering their passage, whether they are accompanied or unaccompanied. When making inquiries, be sure to ask about transportation charges and pet insurance.

Accompanied Pets: Some airlines permit pets in passenger cabins IF they are of a size to be kept in a carrier no larger than 21" x 1 8" x 8" high, that can be kept under the seat. Larger pets must travel as air freight.

Reservations should be made well in advance of departure date as the number of pets permitted on a flight is strictly limited, and pet approval is granted on a first-come-first-served basis.  If your pet is to move in to the cabin, take it with you when you check in. If as air freight, it must be delivered to the freight terminal in time to assure inclusion on your flight. Should your trip require a transfer between airlines, check pet regulations of the second airline in advance to be sure that pets are carried. There is no through-checking of pets between airlines, so it will be your responsibility to see that connections are made at the transfer point.

Unaccompanied Pets: Dogs and cats should be shipped via air freight; birds, tropical fish, and small pets such as hamster or gerbils, by air express, a division of air freight. Make shipping arrangements as far in advance as possible so space can be reserved and any details about the flight settled. Follow all shipping instructions carefully.

When you hand over the pet to the carrier you are supposed to:
Providing the shipping container, legibly and durably marked with both you and the consignee's (person to whom the pet is being shipped) name, address and phone number
Advance payment of shipping charges
Providing required health documents
Delivery of pet to the air freight terminal on time
Signing of the Air Waybill (shipping papers)
Pick up at destination
Notifying consignee as to airline and flight number the pet will be on, and place, date and time of arrival.
 Tropical fish are best "packed" for shipment by pet suppliers specializing in tropical fish. Look in the Yellow Pages under "Tropical Fish" and "Aquariums and Aquarium Supplies. "Pets are generally loaded on the plane last so they will be nearest the door and can be unloaded first. If the pet is not picked up at destination within a reasonable time, it will be boarded at the owner's expense at a kennel or other appropriate place.

Regulations for moving pets by air were formulated to assure that all pets arrive at destination safely. The weather is a major concern. It is better to ship pets only during moderate weather, and then either on early morning or late evening flights. They should be in appropriate carriers, sedated if the veterinarian so advises, and picked up without delay at destination.

Accompanied Pets: If pet is being shipped via air freight and your departure precedes that of pet, make boarding and shipping arrangements at point of origin.

Make flight reservations. Follow airline instructions carefully.
Arrange to have tropical fish professionally "packed" by a tropical fish dealer  Obtain shipping container or carrier  at least a week prior to departure date. Accustom pet to it gradually, a few minutes at first, increasing the time daily. Pet's nap time is a good time to start, and placing its blanket or a favorite toy in the carrier helps.

Purchase shipping container for bird or small pet from pet supply company.
If pet's departure precedes yours, make any necessary pick up and boarding arrangements at destination. Be sure consignee has complete flight schedule and name of airport where pet will arrive (some cities have more than one airport), as well as the Air Waybill number.
If you choose air freight, you must also:

Leave your pet with someone for shipment later on when you will be able to pick the pet up at destination yourself; or
Decide whether to ship the pet before you leave and have it cared for at destination until your arrival; and
Appoint someone reliable to take charge of the pet at either origin or destination point.

On your day of journey: Deliver pet to air terminal on time if traveling with you, 45 minutes before departure; if via air freight, two hours prior to flight time.

Feed pet no less than five or six hours before flight time; normally, no additional food is required for at least 12 hours. Give pet a drink of water about two hours before take-off.

Be certain that names, addresses and telephone contacts of persons responsible for pet at both destination and origin cities are legibly and durably marked on the container, and on pet's travel identification tag. Exercise pet on leash at airport and administer any necessary medication before confining it to shipping container. Attach pet's leash firmly to outside of container. Notify consignee that pet is on the way. Pet can usually be picked up within 60 to 90 minutes after arrival of flight. It is advisable for consignee to phone the airline's cargo office in advance to be sure flight is on time. The Air Waybill number is useful when making inquiries.