Moved to the UK from California with my big dog about 15 years ago. I was broke (grad school) so did not use a service. It was complicated and expensive regardless but clear enough that I managed to get all of the documentation and exams done correctly. As for doggo, the airline (Virgin Atlantic) took great care of her and came to my seat as soon as we landed in London to tell me they'd checked on her in cargo and she was fine. It was a far more stressful flight for me than for her - I worried about her the whole time and I bet she just napped.

Regardless, as PPs have noted, it's really dependent on which country/airline and a service is a good idea as the whole process is stressful enough without all of the legalities and logistical rules. Good luck to you and your doggos!

It very much depends on what country you are going to. It will potentially be quite expensive. I would recommend contacting a specialty service.

Anonymous wrote:We're expats and have cats. We absolutely use a service each time we move, and have taken two cats to live in multiple countries with us.

You need a service because:

1. Every country has slightly different requirements. Know that some countries, such as the UK, will require a blood titer test to show that the rabies antibodies are present, and the test needs to be done well in advance of the trip (there's a certain amount of time). So start the process months ahead of time.

2. The paperwork is a pain. There will be a list of vaccinations the pet needs, and the service will know what is required for the specific country where you are going. There will need to be some documents and stamps, depending on where you are and where you are going. Just let the service arrange this.

3. You aren't allowed to sedate the pet for the flight, so ignore what that other poster said.

4. We take our cats in cabin whenever possible, but they had to fly in cargo a few times because some countries, such as the UK, will only allow dogs and cats to arrive from cargo.

5. Many people will tell you to leave your pets behind because it is cruel to fly them to another country, but our cats were always fine. They are loved family members and would find it much more distressing to be left behind. Remember, most people themselves don't move to another country and can't fathom doing this, so don't listen to the naysayers.

6. Some vet clinics have import departments, so see if you can find one of those. That will make it easier.

Currently the UK does not permit the arrival of dogs and cats in cargo. Unless you're military personel.

Your list is way out of date.

Anonymous wrote:We're expats and have cats. We absolutely use a service each time we move, and have taken two cats to live in multiple countries with us.

You need a service because:

1. Every country has slightly different requirements. Know that some countries, such as the UK, will require a blood titer test to show that the rabies antibodies are present, and the test needs to be done well in advance of the trip (there's a certain amount of time). So start the process months ahead of time.

2. The paperwork is a pain. There will be a list of vaccinations the pet needs, and the service will know what is required for the specific country where you are going. There will need to be some documents and stamps, depending on where you are and where you are going. Just let the service arrange this.

3. You aren't allowed to sedate the pet for the flight, so ignore what that other poster said.

4. We take our cats in cabin whenever possible, but they had to fly in cargo a few times because some countries, such as the UK, will only allow dogs and cats to arrive from cargo.

5. Many people will tell you to leave your pets behind because it is cruel to fly them to another country, but our cats were always fine. They are loved family members and would find it much more distressing to be left behind. Remember, most people themselves don't move to another country and can't fathom doing this, so don't listen to the naysayers.

6. Some vet clinics have import departments, so see if you can find one of those. That will make it easier.

This was not required for the UK in May 2025 bringing a cat from the US. It might be required from other countries, you should caveat your list as its not definitive.

We're expats and have cats. We absolutely use a service each time we move, and have taken two cats to live in multiple countries with us.

You need a service because:

1. Every country has slightly different requirements. Know that some countries, such as the UK, will require a blood titer test to show that the rabies antibodies are present, and the test needs to be done well in advance of the trip (there's a certain amount of time). So start the process months ahead of time.

2. The paperwork is a pain. There will be a list of vaccinations the pet needs, and the service will know what is required for the specific country where you are going. There will need to be some documents and stamps, depending on where you are and where you are going. Just let the service arrange this.

3. You aren't allowed to sedate the pet for the flight, so ignore what that other poster said.

4. We take our cats in cabin whenever possible, but they had to fly in cargo a few times because some countries, such as the UK, will only allow dogs and cats to arrive from cargo.

5. Many people will tell you to leave your pets behind because it is cruel to fly them to another country, but our cats were always fine. They are loved family members and would find it much more distressing to be left behind. Remember, most people themselves don't move to another country and can't fathom doing this, so don't listen to the naysayers.

6. Some vet clinics have import departments, so see if you can find one of those. That will make it easier.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Depending on how long your flight is, you can relieve your little dogs on wee wee pads in the airplane bathroom.

For the big dog in cargo, we lined his kennel in wee wee pads. We froze 2 large drip water. bottles so there would be something for him to drink. As soon as we boarded, we also gave a letter to the cabin crew with a picture our dog telling them he was in cargo and our seat numbers. We also taped his picture and info on the outside of his kennel.

Every country has different requirements, but prior to taking him, we had to get certifications from the USDA.

Please don't do that.

How rude and disgusting for other passengers.

What do you think other people do in bathrooms? Dogs will most likely just pee not poop!

Anonymous wrote:Depending on how long your flight is, you can relieve your little dogs on wee wee pads in the airplane bathroom.

For the big dog in cargo, we lined his kennel in wee wee pads. We froze 2 large drip water. bottles so there would be something for him to drink. As soon as we boarded, we also gave a letter to the cabin crew with a picture our dog telling them he was in cargo and our seat numbers. We also taped his picture and info on the outside of his kennel.

Every country has different requirements, but prior to taking him, we had to get certifications from the USDA.

Please don't do that.

How rude and disgusting for other passengers.

Depending on how long your flight is, you can relieve your little dogs on wee wee pads in the airplane bathroom.

For the big dog in cargo, we lined his kennel in wee wee pads. We froze 2 large drip water. bottles so there would be something for him to drink. As soon as we boarded, we also gave a letter to the cabin crew with a picture our dog telling them he was in cargo and our seat numbers. We also taped his picture and info on the outside of his kennel.

Every country has different requirements, but prior to taking him, we had to get certifications from the USDA.

We recently moved from CA to the UK with our pets. Neither was small enough for in-cabin, nor were they registered service animals, we are also not ex or current military so they were not permitted in cargo.

We had to fly them directly to Paris and then get a special bus service to drive us with the pets thru the chunnel and into the UK. We also didn't need to take part in quarantine, but did need complex (and expensive) Certificates for each of them for both France and the UK entry.

Where are you going?

The 65 lb dog will be tricky. The two little dogs can easily go under your seat. Where are you flying? Check USDA + that country’s requirements.

Time of year can be a factor because of how hot it can get on the tarmac.

If you have foreign service friends with pets they might be able to give you advice.

I have a friend leaving in August. She’s using Bark airline.

Anonymous wrote:Oof.

A dog under the seat for an international flight?

Is that even allowed?

I would think they would need to be sedated in baggage for an international flight.

Have you checked on quarantine requirements? Many of them are quite long depending on the country.

The tiny ones weigh 5 and 7 pounds. They would probably die in baggage. As long as I enter the country with them and their proper rabies and vaccine paperwork there is no quarantine.

Oof.

A dog under the seat for an international flight?

Is that even allowed?

I would think they would need to be sedated in baggage for an international flight.

Have you checked on quarantine requirements? Many of them are quite long depending on the country.

Did you use a service to help you? I’m making an international and permanent move and need to get 3 dogs out of the us. 2 of them and very tiny and can fit in a bag under a seat. The other is 65 lbs.