Part 28 of 31 Things Americans Should Think About Before Moving Abroad: Moving with Pets

By Darien Wilson

Relocating with Fur Babies

Planning a move abroad as a mid-career professional is already a logistical jigsaw puzzle. But adding pets into the mix takes it up a notch, from a two-dimensional puzzle to three-dimensional chess.

A test run of the crate for international air travel

I’m Darien, an American who moved to the Netherlands in 2021 with my 40-pound herding dog, and this is Part 28 of my 31-part series: 31 Things Americans Should Consider When Planning a Move Abroad.

Today’s topic? What to consider when moving abroad with pets.

Moving Abroad With Pets Is Not for the Faint of Heart

Unless you’re driving across a land border—say, to Canada or Mexico—your pet is likely going to have to fly. And flying internationally with a pet is difficult for both the pet and their people.

For us, moving our dog from Colorado to the Netherlands was one of the most complicated, stress-inducing elements of our entire international move.

Every country has its own regulations around pet importation. Ours involved:

• Finding a USDA-accredited vet for the final health check

• Getting U.S. government paperwork signed, stamped, and overnighted to my husband, who was already in Europe, ready to receive our dog

• Coordinating everything in a narrow time window right before our departure while selling the house, downsizing all of our belongings, packing a container and our suitcases, and sending two kids off to college

One thing we did NOT have to do is quarantine our dog for any length of time. So depending on where you are moving, your mileage may vary!

Our Experience As Americans Moving Abroad With A Pet

If your pet needs to fly, what will that look like?

Yes, there are door-to-door pet relocation services and, more recently, airlines dedicated to pet flights. But these options come with a luxury price tag that many folks who aren't independently wealthy can’t swing.

Our dog being wheeled away to his flight

We hired Diane Forrest of Pet Travel Documents for guidance on everything from on which flights would work, to what paperwork was needed and when, to what should go inside the crate (an absorbent pee pad that wicks the moisture away). While I had to do the legwork myself, I don't think I could have moved my dog internationally without Diane's guidance!

For smaller pets like cats and lap dogs, flying in-cabin is often an option. For bigger animals, cargo may be the only choice. And cargo travel, while safe when handled correctly, adds another layer of anxiety.

In our case, we were traveling in August of 2021 - just as the Netherlands was beginning to allow flights in after COVID shut-downs. So there were limited flights. While our dog is medium-sized, due to

Image via SportPet Designs on Amazon (linked)

his long torso, he needed an extra-large crate. And only certain planes can fit a crate that large, so that really limited our flight options. Diane's advice was invaluable.

We wanted a direct flight and an airline that would take good care of our dog, and make him comfortable even in cargo. Diane recommended Lufthansa, so our dog flew from Denver direct to Frankfurt, Germany, where my husband was waiting to pick him up. My husband had to drive seven hours from the Netherlands to Germany, but that was the nearest airport that received direct flights from Denver at that time. Since I was taking one of our children to college, I didn't fly with our dog, but in a stroke of luck, one of my friends happened to be on the same flight as our dog, so he went as her pet.

Post-Arrival Reality: Having A Pet Makes Finding Housing Harder

Once you arrive, having a pet continues to add a layer of complexity.

Finding Pet-friendly housing complicates finding housing abroad, and often means your housing will be more expensive as well:

• Our temporary Airbnb charged an exorbitant pet fee, most hotels or short-term rentals wouldn't allow us to bring a pet at all, and we couldn't find a kennel with availability during the busy summer vacation period

• Once we found a rental, our landlord required a massive deposit (so large that it would now be considered illegal under updated Dutch rental laws)

• We needed a rental with outdoor space for our dog, which meant fewer available listings and higher monthly rent

Have more than one pet? Multiply the difficulty.

Big dogs? Even harder to find landlords who will rent to you, or housing with large yards in densely-populated countries like the Netherlands. It's do-able for sure, but plan on more time and, you guessed it, more budget.

Everyday Pet Logistics in a Foreign Country

Settling into a new country means relearning the basics—for your pet, too.

You’ll probably need to:

• Find a vet who speaks English (at least until you learn the local language)

• Find local pet stores

• Figure out local leash laws and dog park etiquette

• Translate food labels and medication instructions

• Find a pet sitter or kennel

Milo happy in his new home in the Netherlands shortly after his international flight.

Final Thought: Moving Abroad With Pets Is Worth It

But while moving your furry friend is not as easy as shipping your sofa, moving a pet is infinitely more rewarding. A beloved pet can provide emotional grounding during one of life’s most destabilizing transitions. If you’re moving abroad with kids, having a familiar, furry face can help everyone adjust more smoothly. And for most of us, leaving them behind is simply not an option—they're part of the family.

So sure, bring your dog, cat, or your Texas horny toad Bubba on your international move.

But plan ahead, pad your budget, and brace for surprises. Because this part of the journey might be bumpy—but it’s absolutely worth it.

Did you find this helpful? Are you planning a move abroad? Work with me to make your move from a place of clarity and organization.

© 2025 ​Darien Wilson All Rights Reserved