10 Questions to Ask Before Booking Any Pet Relocation Company

Choosing a pet relocation company is very different from choosing a normal travel agency.

Your pet is not luggage.

A professional relocation involves airline rules, veterinary requirements, import permits, documentation, airport handling, transportation and destination-country regulations. One missed requirement can delay the journey or create serious problems at the airport.

This becomes even more important when you’re moving a pet internationally to destinations such as Dubai, London or the USA.

Before paying a deposit or confirming a relocation company, ask these 10 questions.

Quick answer: The right pet relocation company should be able to clearly explain how your pet will travel, which airline and route will be used, what documents are required, who handles the paperwork, what happens during transit, what is included in the price, and what happens if your original travel plan changes.

Table of Contents

Use a WordPress Table of Contents plugin to automatically generate the TOC from the H2 and H3 headings.

• Does the Pet Relocation Company Have Experience With My Route?
• Who Actually Handles My Pet During the Journey?
• Which Airline and Travel Method Will You Use?
• Can You Handle My Pet’s Breed-Specific Restrictions?
• Who Handles the Import and Export Paperwork?
• What Exactly Is Included in the Price?
• What Happens If the Airline Changes or Cancels the Flight?
• How Will My Pet Travel From Home to the Airport?
• What Happens When My Pet Arrives?
• What Happens If Something Goes Wrong?
• What Documents Should a Pet Relocation Company Provide?
• Red Flags to Watch Out For
• How Much Does International Pet Relocation Cost?
• Pet Relocation Company Checklist
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Why Choose PetJet Express?

1. Does the Pet Relocation Company Have Experience With My Route?

The first question to ask a pet relocation company is whether it has successfully handled your exact route before.

International pet travel requirements vary by destination and origin country.

Moving a dog from:

Dubai → London

may involve a completely different process from:

Mumbai → Dubai

or:

London → USA

Ask the company:

“Have you handled this exact origin-to-destination route before?”

Also ask:

• How frequently do you operate this route?
• Which airports do you use?
• Which airlines have you worked with?
• Are there transit airports involved?
• Who handles the arrival process?
• Do you provide door-to-door service?

Experience with your specific route can be more valuable than simply having years of experience in the pet-travel industry.

2. Who Actually Handles My Pet During the Journey?

This is one of the most important questions to ask.

You should know who is physically responsible for your pet at every stage.

Ask:

• Who collects my pet?
• Who takes my pet to the airport?
• Who handles airline check-in?
• Who manages transit?
• Who receives my pet at the destination?
• Who handles customs?
• Who provides the final transfer?

A professional pet relocation company should be able to explain the journey clearly.

Ideally, you should be able to map the journey like this:

Home → Ground Transport → Airport → Airline → Transit → Arrival → Customs → Ground Transport → New Home

If the company cannot explain who handles your pet at each stage, ask for clarification before booking.

3. Which Airline and Travel Method Will You Use?

Never accept a vague answer such as:

“We’ll find the best airline.”

Ask for more information.

Find out:

• Which airline?
• Direct or connecting flight?
• Cabin, manifest cargo or another arrangement?
• Which aircraft?
• How long is the journey?
• Where is the transit airport?
• How long is the connection?
• Who monitors the pet during transit?

This becomes especially important for breeds that face airline restrictions.

For example, French Bulldogs, English Bulldogs, Pugs and other brachycephalic breeds may have restrictions on certain airlines or travel methods.

Similarly, some airlines have specific policies for Persian and Himalayan cats.

A professional pet relocation company should not recommend an itinerary without first checking the airline’s current pet policy.

4. Can You Handle My Pet’s Breed-Specific Restrictions?

Not every pet can travel using the same method.

Before booking a pet relocation company, tell them your pet’s:

• Breed
• Age
• Weight
• Size
• Health conditions
• Temperament
• Species

Then ask:

“Are there any airline or route restrictions that apply specifically to my pet?”

This is particularly important for:

Brachycephalic Dogs

Including:

• French Bulldogs
• Pugs
• English Bulldogs
• Boston Terriers
• Pekingese
• Shih Tzus

Brachycephalic Cats

Including:

• Persian
• Himalayan
• Exotic Shorthair

These breeds may face additional airline restrictions because of their shortened facial and airway structures.

You can also read our guide on flying with Persian and Himalayan cats to understand the considerations involved.

5. Who Handles the Import and Export Paperwork?

This is where many international pet relocations become complicated.

Ask the pet relocation company:

“Which documents will you handle, and which documents do I need to arrange myself?”

Depending on the route, documentation may include:

• Microchip records
• Vaccination certificates
• Rabies documentation
• Health certificates
• Import permits
• Export documentation
• Laboratory test results
• Airline forms
• Customs documents
• Destination-specific paperwork

The exact requirements vary by country.

For example, the UK has specific pet-entry requirements that depend on the country from which your pet is travelling. (gov.uk)

For travel to the USA, USDA APHIS explains that pets may be subject to federal as well as state-level requirements. (aphis.usda.gov)

A good relocation company should tell you exactly who is responsible for each document.

6. What Exactly Is Included in the Price?

Never compare pet relocation companies based only on their headline price.

Ask for a written breakdown.

Your quote may include:

• Consultation
• Documentation
• Import permit
• Veterinary coordination
• Airline booking
• Pet carrier
• Home pickup
• Airport transfer
• Airport handling
• Customs clearance
• Destination handling
• Delivery to your new home

It may also exclude some of these.

Ask:

“What is included, what is excluded, and what additional costs could I incur?”

This prevents an initially cheap quote from becoming significantly more expensive later.

Ask About Potential Additional Charges

Specifically ask whether the quote can change because of:

• Airline price increases
• Flight changes
• Additional documentation
• Customs fees
• Veterinary charges
• Additional handling
• Oversized carriers
• Extra pets
• Weekend or holiday handling
• Storage
• Delays

A professional company should be transparent about these possibilities.

7. What Happens If the Airline Changes or Cancels the Flight?

Flights change.

Airlines cancel routes.

Schedules move.

Weather can cause delays.

Pet travel can be more complicated because a flight change can affect:

• Health certificates
• Import permits
• Transit arrangements
• Ground transportation
• Airport handling
• Pet reservations

Ask your relocation company:

“What happens if the airline cancels, delays or changes my pet’s flight?”

Also ask:

• Who contacts the airline?
• Who arranges the alternative?
• Will my pet remain supervised?
• Are additional costs covered?
• Who updates the documentation?
• Will I receive immediate notification?

A strong relocation company should have a contingency plan rather than treating a flight disruption as the owner’s problem.

8. How Will My Pet Travel From Home to the Airport?

The journey does not start when your pet enters the aircraft.

It starts at your front door.

Ask:

“Do you provide door-to-airport transportation?”

If yes, ask whether the vehicle is:

• Climate controlled
• Dedicated to pets
• Driven by trained handlers
• Door-to-door
• Available for multiple pets

This becomes particularly important when travelling from or to hot destinations such as Dubai.

For a brachycephalic pet, reducing unnecessary exposure to heat and prolonged waiting can be an important consideration.

For families travelling with several pets, the vehicle also needs to accommodate:

• Multiple carriers
• Luggage
• Handlers
• Documentation

Read our guide on traveling internationally with multiple pets for more planning considerations.

9. What Happens When My Pet Arrives?

Don’t stop your questions at the departure airport.

Ask:

“Who receives my pet when the flight lands?”

A complete international pet relocation may include:

Arrival → Airline collection → Customs/inspection → Documentation → Ground transfer → Final delivery

Ask whether the company handles:

• Airport arrival
• Customs coordination
• Veterinary inspection where required
• Document verification
• Pet collection
• Ground transportation
• Home delivery

For a family arriving in a new country, having someone manage this process can remove a significant amount of stress.

10. What Happens If Something Goes Wrong?

This is the question many owners forget to ask.

Before booking, ask:

“What is your contingency plan if something unexpected happens to my pet or the journey?”

Examples include:

• Flight cancellation
• Missed connection
• Delayed documentation
• Customs delay
• Airline refusal
• Extreme weather
• Lost paperwork
• Pet illness
• Airport disruption

Ask the company:

• Who do I contact 24/7?
• How quickly will you notify me?
• Who manages the airline?
• Who arranges an alternative?
• What happens to my pet during a delay?
• What additional costs could apply?

You want a company that can explain the backup plan before you need it.

What Documents Should a Pet Relocation Company Provide?

Before paying the final amount, ask for written documentation covering the services you’ve purchased.

Depending on your relocation, this may include:

• Service agreement
• Detailed quotation
• Airline booking information
• Pet travel itinerary
• Documentation checklist
• Import permit information
• Pickup details
• Delivery details
• Emergency contact information

Keep copies of everything.

For international travel, don’t rely solely on WhatsApp messages or verbal confirmations.

Red Flags to Watch Out For When Choosing a Pet Relocation Company

Not every company offering pet transportation provides the same level of service.

Watch for these warning signs.

1. They Guarantee a Specific Airline Without Checking Your Pet

Airline policies can depend on breed, size, route and aircraft.

A guarantee made before reviewing your pet’s details should raise questions.

2. They Cannot Explain the Journey

If you don’t know who handles your pet between airports, ask for a complete itinerary.

3. They Give You a Single All-Inclusive Price Without Details

A cheap quote may not include:

• Customs
• Documentation
• Ground transport
• Veterinary costs
• Import permits
• Airport handling

Ask for an itemised quotation.

4. They Promise “No Problems”

International pet relocation always involves variables.

A trustworthy provider should explain risks and contingency plans rather than promising that nothing can go wrong.

5. They Don’t Ask About Your Pet’s Health

A company should know your pet’s:

• Breed
• Age
• Size
• Weight
• Health
• Travel history

before recommending a travel method.

6. They Don’t Ask About the Destination

Your destination matters.

Dubai, London and the USA have different requirements.

A company that doesn’t ask where you’re travelling from and to cannot properly assess the relocation.

How Much Does an International Pet Relocation Company Cost?

There is no single standard price for international pet relocation.

The cost depends on factors such as:

• Origin
• Destination
• Airline
• Pet size
• Number of pets
• Travel method
• Cargo/cabin eligibility
• Import permits
• Veterinary requirements
• Ground transportation
• Customs handling
• Carrier requirements
• Private charter vs commercial travel

For example, relocating one small cat on a straightforward route can be very different from moving:

2 large dogs + 2 cats from Dubai to London.

Similarly, a private charter will have a completely different cost structure from a commercial airline relocation.

What Should a Pet Relocation Quote Include?

At minimum, ask the company to clearly separate:

Professional fees + airline costs + government fees + veterinary costs + ground transportation + additional charges

This makes it easier to compare providers.

Pet Relocation Company vs DIY Pet Travel

Not every pet relocation requires professional assistance.

For a simple route with one pet, some owners may be comfortable arranging the process themselves.

However, professional support can become more valuable when you have:

• Multiple pets
• International travel
• Complex documentation
• Large dogs
• Brachycephalic breeds
• Multiple transit points
• Difficult airline restrictions
• Tight relocation timelines

DIY Travel	Pet Relocation Company
Owner handles paperwork	Company can coordinate documentation
Owner contacts airline	Professional handles airline coordination
Owner arranges transfers	Door-to-door transport may be available
Owner manages delays	Company can manage contingency arrangements
Lower service cost	Higher service cost
More responsibility for owner	Less logistical burden

The right choice depends on the complexity of your move.

What Makes a Good Pet Relocation Company?

A good pet relocation company should be able to demonstrate:

Route Knowledge

They understand the requirements for your specific origin and destination.

Airline Knowledge

They know which airlines and travel methods may work for your pet.

Documentation Support

They clearly explain what you need and who handles each document.

Transparent Pricing

You receive a detailed quote rather than a vague total.

Pet-Specific Planning

They consider breed, size, age and health rather than treating every pet the same.

Ground Transportation

They can coordinate the journey before and after the flight.

Communication

You know who to contact before, during and after the journey.

Contingency Planning

They have a plan for cancellations, delays and unexpected issues.

Pet Relocation Company Checklist

Before booking, make sure you can answer yes to these questions:

• Has the company handled my route before?
• Have they confirmed my pet’s breed and size?
• Have they explained the travel method?
• Have they confirmed airline acceptance?
• Have they explained the documentation?
• Have they provided a written quotation?
• Have they explained additional costs?
• Have they explained the cancellation policy?
• Have they explained what happens during delays?
• Have they explained arrival procedures?
• Do they provide ground transportation?
• Do they have an emergency contact?
• Can they handle multiple pets if required?

If several of these questions remain unanswered, don’t rush into booking.

Frequently Asked Questions About Pet Relocation Companies

What does a pet relocation company do?

A pet relocation company coordinates the logistics involved in moving a pet between destinations. Depending on the provider, services can include airline coordination, documentation, import permits, veterinary coordination, airport handling, ground transportation and arrival support.

Is it worth hiring a pet relocation company?

It depends on the complexity of your journey. For a straightforward domestic or simple international move, some owners may manage the process themselves. Professional support can be particularly useful for international routes, multiple pets, restricted breeds and destinations with complex documentation.

How do I choose the best pet relocation company?

Look for a company with experience on your specific route, transparent pricing, clear documentation support, airline knowledge, reliable communication and a defined contingency plan.

Don’t choose based solely on price.

How far in advance should I contact a pet relocation company?

As early as possible.

International pet relocation may involve vaccinations, microchips, laboratory testing, permits, health certificates and airline reservations with specific timelines.

Starting early gives you more options if the first itinerary isn’t suitable.

Can a pet relocation company arrange the flight?

Many pet relocation companies can coordinate airline arrangements or work with airlines and specialist partners to organise the appropriate travel method.

Ask specifically whether the quoted service includes the actual airline booking or only relocation coordination.

Can a pet relocation company move multiple pets?

Yes, many providers can coordinate multiple-pet relocations.

However, each animal may have different airline, health and documentation requirements.

Ask how the company manages multiple pets within one family itinerary.

Can a pet relocation company move a French Bulldog or Pug?

Potentially, but brachycephalic breeds can have additional airline restrictions.

The company should assess the breed, airline, route, season and travel method before recommending an itinerary.

Can a pet relocation company move a Persian or Himalayan cat?

Potentially. Persian and Himalayan cats are brachycephalic breeds, so airline policies need to be checked carefully.

Read our guide to Persian cat air travel before planning the journey.

Do pet relocation companies provide door-to-door service?

Some do.

A full door-to-door service may include home pickup, ground transportation, airport handling, flight coordination, arrival handling and delivery to the final destination.

Always confirm exactly what is included in your quotation.

What should I ask before paying a pet relocation deposit?

At minimum, confirm:

1. Your pet’s travel method
2. Airline and route
3. Required documents
4. Total estimated cost
5. Included services
6. Additional charges
7. Cancellation policy
8. Contingency plan
9. Pickup arrangements
10. Arrival arrangements

Get the key details in writing.

Moving Your Pet Internationally? Choose the Right Relocation Partner

Choosing a pet relocation company is ultimately about more than finding someone who can book a flight.

You are trusting a company with a family member.

Before booking, make sure the company understands:

Your pet → Your route → Your airline → Your documents → Your ground transport → Your destination

At PetJet Express, we help families coordinate international pet relocations with route-specific planning, documentation support, airline coordination, ground transportation and specialised travel options.

Whether you’re moving Dubai to London, London to the USA, India to Dubai, or another international route, our team can help build a relocation plan around your pet and your family’s travel requirements.

Before you book your pet relocation, ask the questions. Then choose the company that can give you clear answers.

Planning an international pet move? Contact PetJet Express for a route-specific relocation plan.