Pet Travel Advice

It's Friday, once again! Before you unplug and unwind, enjoy these pet news links...

 

Cutting-Edge Pet Products via @CNBC (we especially like Slide 11!).

United has a new pet travel rule that's not making military members very happy.

A new survey of dog travelers reveals that yes, this is an important market niche.

Forget the Oscars. Dog News Daily held the first ever Golden Collar Awards in LA this week.

Is this the oldest cat video of all time?

For our compatriots: Pet-Friendly Places in Texas.

Presidents and their pets.

And yes, just for fun, Is Ryan Gosling Cuter Than a Puppy? Tough decisions!

 

George & Riley enjoy water sports on the weekends. What do you like to do with your pets?

Most of us who work here at PetRelocation.com are devoted pet owners, and we decided to take a moment to focus on the ones we love best in honor of Valentine's Day. Meet a few of our furry friends, and find out why we adore them so...




George Michael is my Valentine by default :) as I’m single on Valentine’s Day for the first time in a long time. However, I’m not disappointed because he is hilarious and goofy, sweet and sensitive, and loves me dearly. 

-Elaine & George Michael
















-Rachel & Charlie










I love Gypsy because she’s my golden girl, her birthday is on Valentine’s day, and she’s my beast friend. I am also a believer in the Dia de Los Muertos concept that Chihuahuas usher souls into heaven after they die. I’m pretty sure Gypsy is bilingual too, so there would be no spiritual language barrier. Aye!

-Joe & Gypsy























Leo is my valentine because
his little pink nose melts my heart!

-Katie & Leo










Why Stryker is my Valentine:

S- Silly
T- Tough and Tender
R- Runs circles when no one is looking
Y- Yeah! Yeah! Yeah!
K-Keeps a stash of my things in his bed
E- Eager to please
R- Remembers every day is a day to love


-Rebecca & Stryker




















Jazz, our Lab, is our
Valentine this year
because she is great family
dog that dutifully retrieves our paper each morning, which we appreciate, especially when it’s cold and raining.  Angel, our Boston Terrier, is also a great family dog that diligently keeps our yard free of squirrels.  They both work hard and deserve a little recognition.

-Lee, Jazz & Angel








Mr. Draper is my Valentine because he makes me laugh, loves to cuddle, and is handsome too. He’s always up for going out with me, whether it be to grab a bite to eat at a pet friendly café, or for some sunshine and fun at the dog park. Every day when I come home from work, he greets me with his “wiggle butt” and makes me instantly happy no matter how difficult of a day it has been. He’s the most comical creature I know, and I can’t imagine life without him!

-Cara & Draper
















Petcho has been with me for the last six years. Her friendly and supportive demeanor make her an amazing Valentine!


-Joe and Petcho
















My three dogs are my Valentines because they are so loving and always up for anything!


-Ashley, George, Riley & Aston


























Raef is my Valentine because he's a sweetheart, a faithful friend, and a charming companion. He loves to cuddle and watch movies just as much as he likes long walks and chasing tennis balls, and I actually adopted him from the shelter last Feb. 14, so it's an anniversary day, too.

-Caitlin & Raef


















Reba is a 19-week-old Irish Goldendoodle. Reba is my Valentine every day of the week. We love each other unconditionally, even when she's chewing on my wall. She is always excited when I get home, she appreciates that I "make" her dinner, she doesn't leave the toilet seat up and she likes to cuddle during romantic comedies. She likes Shiner Bock as much as I do and she loves all my friends. This is better than any REAL Valentine I've ever had. She's a keeper.


-Sarah & Reba















The days are always
interesting! Between one
laying in a trash can and the
other playing with his own poop, what’s not to love?
They are my typical little rascals and yet they still know how to snuggle and make me smile.

-Bethany, Monty & Gilligan


--

Why is your pet your Valentine? Tell us here or on our Facebook page!

TGIF, right? Enjoy this news link rundown before your weekend officially begins, and have a good one, everyone!


If you ask us, pets ruled the game. Here are a few of last Sunday's Super Bowl Dog ads.

Take a moment to get better acquainted with someone who transports pets for a living. Driver Spotlight: John Kernan from Pawsitively Dogs (Guess what? He's an animal lover).

This is truly an incredible story about how dogs are capable of helping the disabled. "Wonder Dog" from The New York Times Magazine. 

And this is our not-surprised face: pet business are booming, as Americans spent billions of dollars on their furry friends last year.

How smart is your dog? Find out by performing these dog intelligence tests.

The Mutt Marathon combines two great things: running and caring for shelter dogs.

Friday fun -- 25 animals who think they're people via @BuzzFeed.

Finally, we named our Pet Move of the Month this week. Find out about this five-pet relocation to Sri Lanka!

Anyone who has planned a pet relocation knows that there are many moving parts to attend to. We can do a lot from our home base (make phone calls, arrange vet visits, order custom crates, etc.), but bringing pets to and from the airport, to and from boarding facilities, and ultimately home to your front door requires the services of someone trustworthy and adept at the more physical, location-specific tasks associated with moving pets.

PetRelocation.com entrusts this job to various pet transportation professionals around the world, and we thought it was about time to introduce you to a few of them.

First up is John Kernan of Pawsitively Dogs, who started out as a businessman in California. Family matters brought him back to his hometown of Rochester, NY, and he ended up staying there when he realized he'd rather run a pet-sitting business than return to the world of suits and ties. 

We're glad this animal-lover made the career switch, as he's helped us with several moves in the upper New York region. John has even crossed the border into Canada to move a pet, so he can call himself an international pet mover!

To give all of us a better idea of what goes on during every part of the pet move, we recently asked John a few questions about his experiences. Here's more about moving pets from a driver's point of view...


How did you get started as a pet transporter?

I've come to the pet transportation business by way of the pet sitting business. Prior to that, I was in corporate America in the information technology sales world.

I've been involved in volunteer rescue for 10 or more years, walking dogs at shelters and ASPCA centers. I left the corporate world after my Dad passed and Mom wasn't doing so well. As the single sibling (I have seven others), it was easiest for me to take a break, leave California, and return to Rochester for what I thought would be a year or so.

While here, I indulged my passion for animals through work as a volunteer dog walker and trainer at the local ASPCA. I work with another rescue group here called Nuts for Mutts as well. As Mom improved I decided to start a pet sitting business rather than return to corporate America.

I began assisting with local ASPCA events, continued transporting on occasion as part of my pet taxi service, and more recently began transporting for PetRelocation.com in the New York and southern Ontario, Canada regions.

Is there anything else that inspired you to embrace this line of work?

I have a rescue dog named Bobby whose story I tell under the My Inspiration section of my website. He's been my best pal for over 8 years now...makes me laugh every single day.

Here's an excerpt from John's website:

I met him during my volunteer work as a dog walker at a No-Kill shelter in Nevada. He’d been deposited there by animal control after spending the first few months of his life on the street. After finding out that the poor guy never got walked and had been there almost a year (a positive example of this shelter’s commitment to its residents), I needed another volunteer to assist me in cornering Bobby so I could put a leash on him for a walk.

After several walks it became apparent that he was totally overwhelmed and confused… his head remained down, tail low, always hunching down as he slinked along beside me. I later learned that he’d been there almost a year and they were concerned that he might not be adoptable. I could hear no more and decided to take him home. He lay in the bed I bought him for over a week without once barking; only venturing out with me for potty breaks. Gradually, he improved as he learned to trust me and his new surroundings.

It took time and patience but he is now a shining example of what trust and affection can do for a wounded animal. His loyalty continues to astound me and he makes me laugh every single day!

What is the best part of your job?

My favorite part of the job is my initial meeting with the dogs at airport pick-ups. This potty break is often the first time they get out of their crates for hours, and they can be confused. It's nice to see the subtle changes as you talk to them and reassure them that everything is going to be OK. They're just dying for a reassuring voice and touch after a long flight, and will often nuzzle right up to you for comfort. Final delivery to the customer is also great as the animal first recognizes his "long-lost" owner.

What has been your longest trip, and do you have any interesting transport stories?

The longest transport to date was from Rochester, NY to Mississauga, Ontario, a distance of over 300 miles.

It was interesting crossing the border with the two pups I had in two separate cages. It was all I could do to convince the customs rep that I was NOT transporting illegal aliens but instead legal canines! He also found it difficult to understand that I did not own the dogs, but instead was transporting them on behalf of a pet transportation company.

After several rounds of questions and perusals at my paperwork, he finally waved me through. I do believe this was a first for him!

What advice do you have for pet owners that may help put their minds at ease during a relocation?

I think that it helps the owners to have a contact telephone number with the drivers. I always call the owner prior to pick-up at their location or from the airport prior to delivering their pet to them. It is certainly reassuring to know that the transport person is also another pet lover and understands what you're going through. I've found that customers really do appreciate the call.   
 
--

We thank John for speaking with us and look forward to working with him to move many more pets!
 

Need a pick-me-up this afternoon? Check out this fun and uplifting tale of an Australian pup named Sahara who recently traveled around her country raising awareness -- and about $5,000 -- for the cause of animal rescue shelters.

A rescue dog herself, Sahara does a great job of highlighting the benefits and rewards of fostering and adopting rescue pets, and the money she raised will go to the shelters she visits in the video.

Take a look, and perhaps take a moment to think about what you can do to help rescue shelters and pets. Enjoy!

Did you watch the Superbowl yesterday, or are you more of a Puppy Bowl kind of football (non) fan? Either way, you probably saw at least a few pets trotting across the television screen this weekend, as the entertainment value of cute dogs and cats certainly isn't lost on the advertising teams tasked with the job of stirring up interest in their brands.

From a pet travel industry perspective we couldn't help but notice all the dogs in cars that were featured, but there were several companies that put our furry friends to work. Volkswagen followed up last year's popular Vader Kid ad with barking Star Wars dogs and a spot featuring an overweight pup working to get into car-chasing shape, and Chevy also featured man's best friend in it's apocalypse-themed commercial. A French Bulldog named Mr. Quiggly reportedly replaced Kim Kardashian in its Skechers commercial, Doritos presented a non-cat-friendly vignette, and Subaru showed off a "Dog Friendly, Dog Approved" line of vehicles in its fun contribution to the lineup (check it out below, along with a few others).

How many pet-themed Super Bowl ads did you catch? Which ones were your favorites? Feel free to chime in, and in case you missed the other show, here are a few highlights from this year's Puppy Bowl, too.

Another week, another batch of pet news headlines to entertain and inform us. Enjoy these, and have a great weekend, everyone!


Many of us choose to adopt and rescue pets instead of buying them from a breeder, but the process of being approved can be surprisingly difficult.

Almost a year after the earthquake and tsunami in Japan, these pet rescuers are working to help the animals left behind. (Don't miss the last few interactive slides - via The Atlantic).

If you care about THIS sort of thing: William and Kate have adopted a new dog.

Ummm, yeah. This bunny thinks it's a sheepdog.

Also: a surfing goat.

Have a political pal? Check out Pet Lovers for Obama.

Are you on Pinterest? Join us!

Happy Friday, pet lovers! Enjoy a safe and fun weekend!


It turns out the Lunar New Year is a busy time for pet travel -- owners must be sure to make reservations nice and early.

When carrying cats in the airline cabin, be sure to make sure those latches are properly secured to avoid a cat escape like Ripples'.

Let's all take a moment to be jealous of Raja, the world-traveling Shih Tzu who visited Machu Picchu.

How pets are affected by domestic violence and its aftermath.

Remember those new year's resolutions? Oh yeah... well here are some ideas for winter dog workouts in case you need some motivation.

Stay on top of the latest travel rules: Bulldog restrictions on Continental.

The Super Bowl is coming up... and so is the Puppy Bowl! Check out the lineup of this year's all-stars.

It's long been tricky to move snub-nosed, or brachycephalic, breeds.  In addition to the fact that it's reasonable to harbor health concerns about them, even if you decide to go for it many airlines impose breed-specific restrictions. It can be difficult to sort it all out, and things have recently become a little simpler (though not more amenable) to owners of snub-nosed pets.

As of December 2011, Continental no longer accepts English Bulldogs older than six months of age or who weigh more than 20 lbs. This embargo is based on the the fact that inherent breed characteristics make it less safe to fly bulldogs, particularly two to three-year-old males. A recent New York Times article discusses the common health problems unfortunately found in bulldogs, and Continental's response to these increasingly high-profile issues has been to limit their transport.

Read more about brachycephalic breeds on our blog, and please check with PetRelocation.com if you have any questions about flying snub-nosed breeds.

Enjoy the top pet news links of the week before heading off into the weekend!

This survey finds that family members often fight about issues relating to their dogs. Do travel arrangements, feeding decisions and the ever-import couch question raise ire between you and your housemates?

Pet import requirements for Australia will change March 1, 2012: dogs from most countries will now need a Bordetella vaccine.

Meet Lucy, the world's smallest working dog.

In post-tsunami Japan, people find comfort in the company of animals at places like the Calico Cat Cafe.

Would you ever consider bringing your pet on a ferry?

Animal shelters aiming higher than no-kill.

Dogs and deployment -- helping military families with pets.

An ex-NFL player is getting in on the pet industry by opening up a doggie daycare and boarding facility.

Yup, it's January alright. Here are some winter weather pet safety tips.

It's Friday, once again! Enjoy this day (or just try to make it to the end all in one piece) and take a moment to stay current on all the latest pet travel news...

A new study shows that dogs are similar to infants in terms of the way they interpret human behavior.

Do you use social media to document life with your pets?

This guy says that traveling with dogs can be easy.

What can we learn from reading about pets in the news?

General travel tidbits: the hottest destinations for 2012.

Is your pet psychic?

We already know that microchips can make finding lost pets easier, but here's an example of a child staying safe because her dog was properly ID'd.

In the wake of the UK pet import changes, travelers are discovering lots of new pet-friendly and accessible destinations.

Moving with pets is a multi-step process that should be undertaken with lots of care and attention to detail, but who says it can't be fun, too? We love it when our customers embrace the experience of moving and use the tools of technology to illustrate and share their adventures; not only does this let us keep in touch with our present and former pet pals, social media can shed light on the entire process, helping others to see a more complete picture of what a pet relocation actually entails.




For example, recent clients of ours recently moved from Seattle to London along with their cat named Bobcat, and they have been documenting the experience with a fun tumblr called Binding the Gap. (They also got creative with photoshop - check out their awesome Abbey Road homage on Flickr.)

Abbey, the Relocation Specialist in charge of the relocation, was in close contact with Bobcat's owners before, during, and after the move, but there's something about seeing pictures and status updates several days later that makes the whole endeavor feel more rewarding. (The new Londoners even managed to capture an audio clip of Bobcat purring, so we're pretty sure this kitty cat is settling in just fine.)







We have several past clients who continue to use blogs, tumblrs, Pinterest, Twitter, etc. to share snapshots of life abroad with their pets, and we definitely enjoy keeping up with the likes of Lucy Luck in Mexico and Lucy Blue in Singapore (are people who name their pets 'Lucy' more active active in social media??).

The bottom line is that using social media highlights the sense of fun and discovery inherent in a relocation, but it's a useful activity, as well. Telling your story can be cathartic and will allow you to show off your adventures to the world, but most importantly, you're helping someone else (a stranger, probably) find their way through an experience that no one is born knowing how to expertly navigate.




Have you used social media to document a move? Do you use these tools to keep track of your pet's life in general? What is it about sharing your adventures that you find the most rewarding? Tell us what you think, and be sure to share your pictures and stories with us if you're a media-oriented mover!

Happy Friday! Hopefully 2012 is going well for you so far... Here are a few pet travel news links to make sure you're all caught up with what's been going on thus far.

The most dog-friendly vacation spot ever? Let's just say that pups visiting Carmel-by-the-Sea are lucky to the extreme.

That's one way to fix a deficit. California is selling T-Shirts featuring @sutterbrown, the first dog, and donating all proceeds to the state's general fund.

We know that pet-friendly colleges are becoming more commonplace, but it looks like animal studies in the classroom are on the rise as well.

Is this a trend you've come across? More and more pet owners are throwing "Bark Mitzvahs" for their pups.

Planning to stay in a vacation rental this year? Here are some tips for finding a great pet-friendly vacation rental.

A few changes have been made to the New Zealand pet import requirements.

We could all benefit from bookmarking a few of these: Money saving travel web sites.

One pug is deaf and blind, the other is a devoted caretaker, and together they make quite a heartwarming pair of pups.

The year may be winding down, but there were plenty of fun pet stories in the news this week. Check out our final link round-up of 2011, and have a safe and happy New Year celebration this weekend!

Well this is obviously a no-no. A man tried to take over 200 animals onto a plane.

Having dogs is a tricky but essential part of life for many urban dwellers. Read about what it's like to be a dog-owner in New York City.

Important facts to remember during the holidays and all year long: a toxic food guide for pets.

We could all stand to save a few bucks. Here are nine websites that will help you find cheaper pet supplies.

Do you have a literary pet?

Another furry wanderer! Pollux the dog was missing for a year but ended up home, safe and sound.

Gothamist rounds up its top animal stories of 2011.

Bau Haus Cafe in Seoul, South Korea could be the most dog-friendly cafe ever. (Check out the video below.)

Most of the pets we move are "traditional" furry family members like dogs and cats, but often we have the chance to relocate birds, guinea pigs, fish, lizards and even larger pets like horses.


Recently we had the chance to help Leo -- a 17-hand, 1500 lb Oldenburg -- move from Portland, OR to Santa Barbara, CA. This corporate relocation went smoothly (the agent who transported Leo even kept a video feed going while they drove!), and as you can see, Leo's new home in California is quite beautiful.





Give PetRelocation.com a call if you're ever in need of some horse travel advice, and check out more horse travel tips and horse travel trends on our blog. Happy trails, everyone!

Whether you find the tradition of making New Year's resolutions helpful or cliche, you probably have to agree that your pet's well-being is one of the most important considerations in your life, and if it's possible to improve, you're open to giving it a try. Here are a few pet travel resolutions to ponder as one year ends and another begins, and some ideas for how you can make them happen.



Be healthier. No surprise, many of us vow to exercise more frequently in the coming year, and taking a look at our pets usually reveals that they could stand to be a little more fit, as well. Maybe your vet has told you that your pup or cat needs to lose weight, or perhaps you'd just like to make sure you're positioning them for optimal health and longevity. Either way, now is a great time to make exercise a priority by adding a few walks to your weeks and doing your best to make playtime a regular and fun part of life. The best part? Achieving good health will make all parts of life -- including travel -- safer and easier.

Save some money. We love them dearly, but pets can be expensive. That means no matter what you're financial situation is, it's never a bad idea to save money where you can. Mint.com has offered a few ideas for where you can spend less on food, toys and medicine for your pet (which will in turn leave more funds available for bigger expenses, like travel), and a few months ago we offered our own tips for how to cut the costs of pet travel. Believe it or not, saving a few bucks is very possible.

Improve your travel manners. As we've been noticing for quite some time now, pet travel is on the rise. Because there are some skeptics out there (and also because we're all aiming to make travel as stress free as possible), it's important to spend some time preparing for the experience of relocating or taking a trip. A pet who is familiar with their travel crate, is happy being on a leash, and who will come when called (among other things) will make it easier to convince non-pet owners that animals who travel can be a normal part of life, and your pets themselves will enjoy a less anxious experience. Put in some time in advance to help your furry friends feel comfortable away from home -- it's worth it.

Stay organized. If you're planning a relocation in the near future, down the road, or know that it might simply be a possibility at some point, it's a good idea to keep your pet's paperwork (vaccine records, etc.) in order and available in an easy-to-find place. Whether or not you're traveling it's smart to be up-to-date on all shots and to have plenty of identification handy (remember to keep it all in a plastic container or water-proof folder, too), but staying organized is an especially good goal for pet travelers.

Keep up with the news. From the UK to Korea, the rules and regulations associated with pet travel are constantly in flux. Keeping in touch with the latest news, whether it's through Facebook, Twitter, Google+ or simply by talking with your fellow pet lovers, will save you time and stress when the time comes to hit the road.

Are you planning to travel with your pet in 2012? Feel free to share your own tips and suggestions, and good luck to everyone in the new year!

Here's wishing you and your pets a happy holiday week!

Cheapflights.com predicts the top five travel trends for 2012 (yep, pet travel is on the rise).

Staying at a hotel for the holidays? These spots have extravagant pet perks.

Find out more about Pet Auto Safety.

Holiday pet pics from People Pets.

Know your memes: the 30 most important cats of 2011.

Have you heard of Rover.com? Looks like it can make finding a pet sitter a whole lot easier.

Thanks to the help of a few generous donors, this dog's sight has been restored.

Meet Honey, who was rescued from a life of dogfighting.

Holiday pet tips and gift ideas from us!

Many of us will be loading our pets into the car and hitting the road within the next few days, so in addition to the holiday pet tips we've already offered, we thought we'd throw a few more gift ideas and travel advice your way (because when it comes to your pets' well-being, you can never be too prepared).

-Avoid decorations that are tempting, hazardous and possibly in reach of your pet (tinsel, for example, can be very dangerous if ingested). Breakable ornaments are also risky, so make sure they're up high if you have any at all.

-If you have a Christmas tree, be sure it can't be toppled over easily by anchoring it down. Hide all electrical cords away, too, as they can be very attractive to cats and puppies who like to chew.

-If you bring your pets with you to visit friends or family, remember the importance of identification. Tags, microchips, up-to-date pictures and copies of health records are all good to have.

-If you decide to leave your pets behind when you travel (let's face it, most cats and many dogs would prefer not to have to hit the road at all), be sure to check out the kennel facility carefully or leave plenty of detailed information for your pet sitters.

-Travel safely! Pets that roam loose through the car can be a dangerous distraction. Whether you put up a gate or buy a harness, be sure to restrain your furry friend while you drive.

-Do you have a worrier on your hands? Thundershirts can supposedly help calm a pet's nerves, and we recently heard about these CDs that help dogs get over their fear of loud noises. Might be worth checking into!

Happy Friday, pet lovers!

It's a tough time of year to stay healthy (that goes for both people and pets), but remember that it's important to keep your pet's weight under control.

Your choices are choosing a kennel, finding a pet sitter, or bringing your pets along with you. What do celebrities do with their pets when they travel?

Here's a behind the scenes look at a pet facility in Sri Lanka.

A baby seal sneaks into someone's house, takes a nap on the couch.

This cat is a traveling pro -- his owners found out he takes the bus on a regular basis.

In search of the tech-savvy airport.

Ready for next year? Top Eight Luxury Travel and Consumer Trends for 2012.

President Obama says that Bo has the easiest job in the White House (and what a great Christmas photo!).

And because it's Friday, the perfect time to watch a cute video, check out this adorable Yorkie/baby match-up.

As pet travel becomes more popular and corporate relocations make international moving more commonplace, it's helpful to stop and take a look at particular countries and their import requirements from time to time. We recently took a behind-the-scenes look at what it's like to export pets from Hong Kong, and today we're focusing on another popular Asian destination.

One of our Pet Relocation Specialists recently visited Sri Lanka, and while he was there took a look around a pet service provider called Pet Vet. Located in Colombo, the capital of Sri Lanka, Pet Vet provides pet export services, they build custom pet travel crates, and they also house rescue dogs. Check it out:


Thanks to Mike for documenting this trip and to Rasha, a Pet Vet vet tech, for showing Mike around. It definitely makes it easier to feel comfortable with relocating pets when you can see some of the faces and facilities for yourself!

Find out more about pet travel to Sri Lanka on our website, and be sure to share your own Sri Lanka travel tips with us here or on Facebook.