Flying to a different country with your pet is not as simple as buying a ticket and boarding a plane; there’s a complex procedure to be followed. International pet relocations involve a series of time-sensitive steps that need to be carried out precisely; the whole process can take from a simple few days of preparation to a year depending on the country you are moving to. Every country has different regulations; some like Canada are relatively easy to follow while others like Australia and New Zealand are strictly regulated due to biosecurity concerns. Every step in the relocation process is critical; fail even just a single requirement and you can face some serious consequences such as your pet being denied entry, extended quarantine, having to start the procedure all over again or your pet being sent back to the country of origin at your expense.

Talking to Daily Mirror Life on the international pet relocation process is Shanaka Anslem Perera - Licensed International Pet Relocation Specialist and the Founder of the pet travel company, Pet Express Sri Lanka. Pet Express is an IATA-certified and IPATA-accredited pet travel specialist company that offers personalised door-to-door international pet relocation services to and from Sri Lanka for over 15 years.  
Shanaka shares what pet owners should know in advance when considering relocation.

Sri Lanka is classified as a High-Risk Rabies Country 
Each country has different regulations and the procedure changes based on the country you are flying from. Most countries are categorised into three groups based on the rabies status of the country; rabies-free countries, rabies-controlled countries, and high-rabies countries. 

Sri Lanka is classified as a ‘High-Risk’ rabies country which makes relocating your pet from Sri Lanka to Rabies controlled or Rabies-Free countries, complicated. Because of this reason, some rabies-free countries such as Australia or New Zealand will not allow you to fly your pet from Sri Lanka directly. Certain countries such as Australia or New Zealand may require your pet to first travel to an approved rabies-controlled / rabies-free country and undergo a certain veterinary process before being allowed entry to the country. 

Microchips, Vaccines and Blood Tests 
If you are planning for your pet to travel to a different country, microchipping is just one of the many requirements. The correct paperwork and vaccinations are different for different countries, and they need to be in order before the big move. Depending on the requirements, most rabies-free / rabies-controlled countries require your pet to also successfully pass a “Rabies Neutralising Antibody Titre Test” (RNATT) carried out at an EU-approved or OIE-approved laboratory.  Furthermore, some destination countries will require your pet to have sufficient test results for various other blood tests (other than the RNATT) as required. 

Travel method
Most countries would allow your pet to travel with you as checked baggage (accompanied/excess baggage). If eligible you can also take your pet in-cabin as well. However, certain destination countries such as the UK, Dubai - UAE would require your pet to enter their country as Manifested Air Freight Cargo under an Air Waybill. All pets (excluding authorised Service/Assistance Dogs and Emotional Support Animals) travel in the cargo hold of the aircraft, which is temperature and pressure-controlled like the aircraft cabin.

Quarantine 
Due to Sri Lanka’s high-risk rabies classification, your pet might have to spend time in quarantine upon arrival depending on the country's regulations. For example, Singapore requires all pets to undergo mandatory 30 days quarantine upon arrival; Malaysia requires 07 days, whereas countries such as New Zealand or Australia require pets to undergo mandatory 10 days quarantine even after travelling via an approved intermediary country. On the other hand, numerous rabies-free / rabies-controlled countries such as Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, all of the EU member states, Norway, Switzerland, UAE, Qatar, Japan etc would not require your pet to be quarantined upon arrival provided that you fulfil the destination country veterinary requirements.

Snub-nosed dogs and cats - not accepted by most airlines. 
Airlines are increasingly banning the travel of snub-nosed (brachycephalic) breeds from flying due to their delicate respiratory systems. Snub-nosed pets such as Pugs, Shih Tzus, Bulldogs, Persian cats, British Shorthair, Scottish fold and Himalayan cats have smaller openings to their nose and are more likely to experience breathing difficulties and overheating during travel. 9 out of 10 airlines do not accept these breeds. However, this doesn’t mean that these breeds are unable to travel altogether. Pet owners with snub-nosed breeds will need to take additional precautions when planning their international relocations, research airline restrictions and temperature embargoes that may affect the move. 

Plan ahead, understand the costs and hire a specialist
If it’s already not obvious, relocating your pet is a complicated move. If you are considering flying your pet out with you, it’s important to get ahead and start the relocation process well in advance. In planning your move, be aware of the costs behind it. Many underestimate the pricing surrounding the relocation of a pet; from vaccinations, testing and microchipping to air freight fees, travel crates, quarantine and destination fees -  every relocation is subject to its own individual costs depending on the pet’s size, measurements of the crate, breed, airlines used and the circumstances. 

Relocating with your pet to a new country can be very challenging; hiring a specialist may ease the burden on you. With their experience, they are well-versed in the pet import requirements of each country and will handle the entire relocation process from documentation, tests and vaccines, finding the right airline, liaising with other international pet travel companies and will handle any small hiccups and challenges along the way. 

Understand the risks 
Ultimately, it is your responsibility to determine whether your pet is suitable to travel. You also have to fully accept the risk factors and liabilities associated with international travel, including an increased risk of mortality and environmental conditions that may have a significant effect on the health and well-being of your pet. 

Moving your pet from Sri Lanka to….
Canada
Moving pets to Canada is relatively easier than in most countries based on the regulations. A microchip is not required although it is suggested. Cats and dogs require to be vaccinated for Rabies and the other vaccines are only advised and not mandatory. There are no blood tests required for Canada. 
Having said that, the airline options to fly pets from Sri Lanka to Canada are extremely limited right now. 

EU Countries and certain Non-EU countries such as Norway / Switzerland 
The microchip must be inserted before the rabies vaccination, and after completing minimum of 30 days from the vaccine, an RNATT must be done at an EU approved laboratory. Furthermore, pets travelling to the EU, Switzerland, or even Norway require a fully endorsed “EU Annex / EU Health Certificate” apart from the standard International Export Veterinary Health Certificate issued by the Government of Sri Lanka. Pets can fly to EU member states and some non-EU member states such as Norway and Switzerland as either checked baggage, air freight cargo or even in the cabin if it’s allowed by the Airline. 

United Kingdom (UK)
The microchip must be inserted before the rabies vaccination, and after completing minimum of 30 days from the vaccine, an RNATT must be done at an EU / OIE-approved laboratory. Pets can only fly to the UK as manifested air freight cargo under an Air Waybill (AWB). Furthermore, pets travelling to the UK require a fully endorsed “GB pet health certificate” apart from the standard International Export Veterinary Health Certificate issued by the Government of Sri Lanka. If you successfully follow all entry requirements, your pet does not need to be quarantined. 

USA
Flying cats to the United States is extremely easy as cats simply require a rabies vaccine. However, pet dogs are required to meet specific criteria. All dogs that have been in a high-risk country in the past 6 months must be at least 6 months old to enter the United States. Your pet dog must be microchipped, and vaccinated for rabies and RNATT testing is time sensitive. Once you have the RNATT test results, you can apply for the CDC import permit. Without these test results, the dogs will be required to undergo a 28-day quarantine with a reservation made before arrival to the US after revaccination at an approved animal care facility.

Australia
Since Sri Lanka is a high-risk rabies country, it is not possible to send your pet directly from Sri Lanka to Australia. The Government of Australia requires that you first move your pet to an approved country (such as Singapore) before your pet can fly to Melbourne which is the only entry point for the whole of Australia including Tasmania. Your pet needs to be microchipped and then given a rabies vaccine and pass the RNATT. Your pet must then travel to an approved country, and stay for approx. 60+/- days before travelling to Melbourne. A pet dog will be revaccinated, and undergo another RNATT and several other blood tests whilst in the intermediate country. Upon arrival, your pet must undergo 10 days of mandatory quarantine. Breeds such as Pit Bull Terrier breeds and a few other aggressive dog breeds are banned from entering Australia. 

New Zealand
As per the current regulations set by the Government of New Zealand, it is not possible to send your pet directly from Sri Lanka to New Zealand as Sri Lanka has been classified as a Non-Approved country. Similar to Australia, your pet will only be granted entry upon proper microchipping, vaccination, successful RNATT and intermediary quarantine at an approved country. Upon arrival to New Zealand, your pet must undergo 10 days of mandatory quarantine.  Certain dog breeds are banned from entering New Zealand. 

UAE (Dubai & Abu Dhabi) 
Your pet will have to be microchipped, fully vaccinated against rabies and other required vaccines, and most importantly pass an RNATT. Upon having satisfactory RNATT test results, your pet can be transported to the UAE without a waiting period or quarantine upon arrival. Prior to importation, you must get an import permit through the UAE Ministry of Climate Change and Environment (MOCCAE) and obtain a UAE Annex endorsed by the Government Ministry apart from the standard International Export Veterinary Health Certificate. The Government of Dubai requires all pets to arrive as Manifested Air Freight Cargo under an Air Waybill. UAE imposes a ban on importing certain dog breeds such as Staffordshire Bull Terrier, American Pit Bull Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier, American Bully, Bullmastiff, Cane Corso etc.

It’s important to note that not every pet owner can afford to, nor is in a position to, accommodate their pets at their new destination. If pet owner is unable to take their pets with them, they have a responsibility to ensure that their pets find kind and loving forever homes before they leave. If pet owners are unable to find a home in time for their departure, please reach out to an animal welfare organisation to make the necessary arrangements.