When you picture your new life in the UK, your dog is probably already there, perhaps curled up beside the sofa, or exploring the local park. Your cat has almost certainly claimed the sunniest windowsill.
Getting them there can feel like one of the most worrying parts of the move. Alongside visas, housing and packing, some questions feel much more personal. Will my pet be on my flight? Can they stay with me? How long will we be apart? And what will the journey cost?
The starting point is to make your pet’s travel arrangements part of your plans early. Before booking your own flights, understand what is possible for them.
This article focuses on bringing dogs and cats into England, Scotland and Wales. Northern Ireland has separate requirements. Check the official guidance for your destination.
Can your pet fly with you?
One detail can catch owners by surprise: pets entering Great Britain by air must generally travel as cargo. Exceptions apply to guide or assistance dogs and chartered private aircraft.
That means you should not assume your small dog or cat can travel under the seat in front of you, even if the airline allows it on other international routes. Check both the airline’s policy and the approved route before booking. See GOV.UK’s pet travel route guidance.
If you are considering a direct flight, ask who handles your pet at departure and arrival, where you will collect them, and how much time to allow before you can continue to your new home. Having those details settled can make an unfamiliar process feel more manageable.
Could travelling through Europe be an option?
In the article they shared ahead of our upcoming podcast, Parkgate Pets highlights another possibility: flying into a European country and continuing to Great Britain by an approved ferry route or through LeShuttle.
Whether that makes sense for your family needs careful checking. Ask the airline what it permits on your particular flight, confirm the onward operator’s pet arrangements, and establish the entry requirements for every country on your itinerary.
Then consider the whole journey. How many transfers will there be? Will you need an overnight stay? How will you move your pet, their carrier and your luggage between connections?
A route that looks appealing on paper still needs to work for the animal making the trip, and the people accompanying them.
If you are unsure where to start, contact Parkgate Pets to discuss your planned move and find out how they could help. Share where you are travelling from, your destination, your preferred dates and a little about your pets so you can ask about support relevant to your journey.
Start with your vet and work backwards
Before committing to a departure date, ask your vet to review your pet’s microchip and rabies vaccination records.
The microchip must be implanted before, or at the same time as, the rabies vaccination used for travel. Waiting periods apply after a primary vaccination, and pets arriving from certain countries also need a rabies blood test. A missed booster can affect the timetable, so check the actual records early. Read the vaccination requirements.
Dogs usually also need a vet-administered tapeworm treatment between 24 and 120 hours before entering Great Britain, although there are exemptions for arrivals directly from certain countries. This is an appointment to build into your travel schedule. Check the treatment rules and exemptions.
Your travel documents depend on where you are coming from. Timing matters too: extra rules apply if your pet arrives more than five days before or after you. Use the government checklist to confirm what applies to your move.
Compare the full cost
When requesting quotes, ask for a breakdown of everything included:
– Veterinary appointments, tests and travel documents.
– The travel crate or carrier.
– Transport and handling charges.
– Arrival clearance and collection.
– Any onward transport or accommodation.
– Support if the itinerary changes.
For an indirect route, include your own additional travel costs as well.
The useful comparison is the total cost of getting everyone to the final destination, alongside the time and organisation each option requires.
Finding a pet-friendly home
Planning your pet’s journey goes hand in hand with finding a home where they’ll be welcome.
Mark’s property relocation service can help you find a pet-friendly property in the UK. Let them know about your pets early in the search, along with your preferred location, budget, and any practical needs, such as outdoor space or nearby walks.
For help with your pet’s travel arrangements, contact Parkgate Pets to discuss your journey and find out what support they can offer.
Make room for your pet in the moving plan
Your pet’s age, health, size and temperament deserve a place in the decision. Discuss their individual needs with your vet, and ask the transport provider what preparation is required.
You do not need to solve every detail on day one. Begin with the records, identify suitable routes, and build a realistic timetable around them.
Soon, Mark Palmer will be joined by Parkgate Pets for a podcast conversation about relocating with pets. It is a chance to explore the practical questions behind the paperwork and what owners should think about before making their bookings.
Planning a move with your pets?
You don’t have to wait for the podcast to start the conversation.
Get in touch with Parkgate Pets to explain your plans, ask questions and find out how they can help you and your pets prepare for the journey.
Website: Parkgate Pets
Email: parkgatepets@gmail.com
Facebook: Follow Parkgate Pets
Look out for Mark and Andrew’s upcoming podcast with Parkgate Pets for more on bringing your pets along for the next chapter.
📧 mark@forburyservicesltd.co.uk
📱 WhatsApp: +44 7920 115337
🌐 www.forburyservicesltd.co.uk
You can also find me on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, TikTok and YouTube, and listen to the Moving to the UK Podcast with Andrew & Mark for more practical insight onto life after relocating.