Real Estate in Barrington & The Northwest Suburbs: International Relocation to Barrington-Traveling with Pets

International Relocation to Barrington-Traveling with Pets

To some moving across town is crazy enough, others that move from another state wonder if they'll ever get it all done. Would you ever consider moving country? Perhaps not especially if you have pets. For those of you that are new to my blog you don't know that I have moved internationally three times. From the UK to USA-USA to UK-UK back to USA. I'll add to that because when I was younger I went to live in Singapore for 2 and a half years with my family.

Yes I can hear the question-why did you go back to the UK and come back? Well our two year assignment and visas were running out so when school had finished I went home with the kids while my husband wrapped up his job; only to call me later and ask if I wanted to come back because some-one offered him a permanent job. Yep I said lets go! You see I love this country and this year my family will be applying for citizenship.

So my family of 2 adults, 2 young children, a large dog and 2 cats all traveled the Atlantic 3 times. With children it is easy to explain to them what was happening. They understood why we were loading a big truck the day after Christmas in 1995. I had time to tell them that we were going to sleep at Grandmas until our plane ride, how long it would take to get to our new city, show them pictures of their new temporary home, talk about schools and everything else little kids want to know, even if it was repeated numerous times.


For pets it is not the same. They do not know anything is going to happen until it does. You cannot prepare them emotionally for an 8 hour plane ride, all the noises, the cold weather at the other end. Even some of the things happening at home do not really register as an event leading to a bigger event. They still have a bed, food, water, familiar surroundings and you.

So how can you prepare your pet for a long trip? First you need to talk with your vet about any and all international health requirements. Whilst in the UK it was relatively easily to get the required inoculations, book a ticket for them and get them on-board with you. Going the other way was far more complex. This is because the Health requirements going home meant our pets had to go into quarantine for 6 months. ( Thankfully they came back to the USA before they had finished their jail time.) Again though even more complex arrangements. So talk with the vet-they are the best at knowing the health needs for your pets.

Allow enough time. Once you know you are relocation to another country start the preparation, leaving it to the last minute could mean leaving a pet behind for a while.

• Visit the vet for health. Talk about pets that do not travel well -find solutions.
• Get copy of your pets medical history printed to take with you.
• Find out what the airline travel requirements are for pets. This will be things like size of pet carrier, type, check in requirements.
• Buy the required crates after you talk to the airline. Often times pet store ones are not correct. (Yes we had this problem-our dog could not stand up properly in store crates and this was an issue and would stop his boarding the plane.)
• Leave the crates out before you travel so your pets can become accustomed to it in their own way. Fill the water bowls so they understand what that strange looking bowl is for.
• Can you cope with having the entire family on the same plane? Make other arrangements if not. 
• Give yourself plenty of time to get to the airport and check your pets in, they usually have a seperate check in area.
• Keep your pets crated through-out the journey, it is safer for them and less stressful. Cats will bolt at any given opportunity. I will admit to taking my dog out of his crate at the airport so he could stretch his legs and use the bathroom outside. In fact he wondered around the airport for 30 minutes before we crated him again. He seemed happy but others may become more stressed-your call, you know your dog.)
• If you are administering sedatives follow the vets instructions and be sure you know what you are going to be doing.

Stop stressing. Your pets will likely survive the journey in better shape than you. The truth is they will likely sleep the time away. Pets are very forgiving and once back in your company will enjoy exploring the new surroundings. Let them know where the food amd water bowls are and the litter tray. Take Fido for short walks so he can sniff his new surroundings. Plenty of the usual attention will work wonders for their confidence.

Seek out a new vet. Don't wait until your pets gets sick. Ask your Realtor for a recommendation. I'll happily recommend VCA Noyes in Barrington but there are several others and likely you'll want one close by.

Copyright 2010 Corinne Guest All Rights Reserved  - * International Relocation to Barrington-Traveling with Pets *