Moving with pets, without the panic.
Pets add steps that start early: some vaccinations and tests have to happen months before you travel. Here they are in order, with what each one is for.
Six months or more before you leave
- Official stepWhen you move abroad
Check the destination's pet entry rules
Plan for: about 6 months before you leaveMicrochip, vaccination order and waiting periods decide the earliest date a pet can travel.
- Read the official pet import page, or ask the assistant
- Check breed and species rules
- Count back from your departure date
The deadline is set by local rules. Read it on the official page and set the date yourself; Rootstep links that page where it has one.
- Official stepWhen you move abroad
Microchip each pet before the rabies shot
Plan for: about 6 months before you leaveA rabies shot given before the chip often does not count.
- Ask the vet for an ISO-standard chip
- Check the chip number on every document
The deadline is set by local rules. Read it on the official page and set the date yourself; Rootstep links that page where it has one.
- Official stepWhen you move abroad
Get the rabies vaccination
Plan for: about 5 months before you leaveMost countries require a rabies vaccination given a set number of days before travel.
- Book the vet after the chip
- Check the waiting period
The deadline is set by local rules. Read it on the official page and set the date yourself; Rootstep links that page where it has one.
Three to six months before
- Official stepWhen you move abroad
Do the rabies antibody blood test if required
Plan for: about 4 weeks after “Get the rabies vaccination”Some routes need a blood test at an approved lab, then a waiting period of up to months.
- Book the blood test after the vaccination
- Use an approved lab
The deadline is set by local rules. Read it on the official page and set the date yourself; Rootstep links that page where it has one.
One to three months before
- ContractWhen you move to a new town
Book pet transport and get the crate
about 9 weeks before you leaveAirlines take few animals per flight and have strict crate rules.
- Book cabin, hold or a pet relocator
- Buy the right crate and start crate training
Find a new home for a pet that is not coming
about 9 weeks before you leaveFinding the right home takes time.
- Ask friends and family first
- Contact a rescue organisation
- Official stepWhen you move abroad
Apply for the import permit or pet passport if required
Plan for: about 6 weeks before you leaveSome destinations need a permit issued before travel.
- Apply on the official site
- Keep the permit with the health certificate
The deadline is set by local rules. Read it on the official page and set the date yourself; Rootstep links that page where it has one.
The last month
- Official stepWhen you move abroad
Take each pet to the vet for the health certificate
Plan for: 7 days before you leaveThe certificate must be issued within a short window before travel.
- Book the vet for the right day
- Ask for tapeworm treatment if required
The deadline is set by local rules. Read it on the official page and set the date yourself; Rootstep links that page where it has one.
- Official stepWhen you move abroad
Get the health certificate endorsed by the official vet authority
Plan for: 2 days after “Take each pet to the vet for the health certificate”Many destinations accept the certificate only with a government stamp.
- Send or take it to the authority
- Allow for courier time
The deadline is set by local rules. Read it on the official page and set the date yourself; Rootstep links that page where it has one.
The first month after you arrive
- Official stepWhen you move to a new town
Register the pet and find a vet
Plan for: about 4 weeks after you arriveSome places require pet registration, a dog tax or liability insurance.
- Register with the local office
- Choose a vet and add them to Contacts
The deadline is set by local rules. Read it on the official page and set the date yourself; Rootstep links that page where it has one.
Let the dates take care of themselves.
Rootstep counts these dates back from your moving day, so the steps that need months are on your list in time. Try everything free for 9 days; your plan stays free to follow, and one payment keeps you planning.