June 07, 2023
Many have said regarding how our world is increasingly becoming more interconnected where borders are merely distances between countries. As we keep developing and adjusting to this new world, we continue to discover new necessities that we didn’t think about before. One of them being the transportation of Live Pets whether for breeding, research, or other purposes.
The general understanding of this practice is the transportation of live pets (for example common animals like cats or dogs to even exotic animals). As Live Pet/Animal transportation becomes common all around the globe, specific requirements or regulations must be met in ensuring utmost safety and well-being of this transportation.
When it comes to transporting pets, air freight is the fastest and most humane option for crossing borders. However, ocean freight, specifically using reefer containers, is suitable for shipping livestock such as meat, vegetables, and fruits. For short-distance travel, such as from Jakarta to Lampung within Indonesia, ocean freight offers an option to ship live pets. In these cases, the regulations governing pet transportation are sometimes less strict, allowing for a smoother process.
The Main Regulation of Live Pet Transportation
Transportation of Live Animals has various regulations whether international or national scale, although it usually follows regulations set by organizations specifically the International Air Transport Association (IATA). These main regulations are named Live Animals Regulations (LAR) and Live Animals and Perishables Board (LAPB) which is said to be the worldwide standard for handling humane live animal transportation and related issues.
Every country has its own unique requirements for shipping pets, whether it's for those who prefer their furry companions to travel in the cabin or as special baggage in a well-ventilated hold. According to IATA, pets generally have a better travel experience as special baggage due to the quieter environment and the opportunity to rest in a darkened space.
5 Common Requirements for Transporting Pets
Although specific requirements may vary especially in national scales since governments help to set and enforce rules regarding live pet transports, these are some of the common requirements or best practices in handling this matter.
1. Finishing all required health examinations and vaccinations
Before the process of transportation has even begun, health examinations and vaccines are things that need to be prepared for. This is because most live pets that are transported across borders are required to have health certification and vaccines from a certified veterinarian. By providing health certifications, it shows that your pet is free of any diseases and is healthy enough to travel long distances. Vaccines that are usually mandatory in transportation of live pets are rabies vaccination and maybe other optional vaccinations as well depending on the destination.
2. Make reservations and prepare necessary permits and other documents
Research and reservations are needed in selecting the airline which supports live animal transportation. Before making booking reservations, owners should consider the specific species/animal and the appropriate care for them, exclusive rules for particular species, the most suitable route permitted by the imported country, and the provided dispatch date. Preparing necessary permits for the particular animal/pet is also necessary which includes Import Permit, and Shipper’s Certificate for basic overseas shipping permits. Although required permits may vary according to the destination country for example if you want to ship live pets to the US then you might need to get your paperwork approved by the USDA Import/Export Office. Import permits and other documentation like health certificates are usually provided for 10 days of travel to avoid hang ups at customs
3. Prepare the most suitable pet container
Proper and suitable containers should also be chosen carefully in providing your live pets adequate space to stand up, turn around, or lie down in. A container that can provide proper ventilation is also a must in shipping live animals for your pets comfort and safety. Your container should be customized with the type of animal you're transporting and should be tested according to the International Safe Transit Association (ISTA) for proper shipping.
4. Provide appropriate precautions for your live pet
The precautions that we reference are the necessary supplies or conditions for your live pet which include food, water, specific temperatures, and proper bedding which can last the whole trip. Preparing precautionary medication is also a good practice in case of any emergency situations which may be consulted by your veterinarian.
5. Label containers with clear information
Owners should also provide clear labels or stickers that contain important information which include the animal being shipped, feeding instructions, medical requirements, and most importantly contact information. This is to ensure clear information and instructions on handling the pet properly.
Additional Things to Consider on This Matter
As explained above, the procedure and preparation for shipping live pets are much more complex especially taking into account the variation of regulations or rules by the imported country and the destination. It is important to research prior in what you need to prepare and what requirements that need to be followed in your destination. Additional requirements like microchipping and quarantine of your pets are sometimes mandatory so it is definitely recommended to do more thorough research before making any reservations.
How to Prepare your Pets to Travel Overseas
To ensure proper live pet/animal shipping it is important to ensure their well-being and safety during transports as well as meeting required regulations. That is why many have opted to use professional pet shipping services that will help in handling the necessary measures in transporting your pets safely with the proper procedures.
Want to transport your fluffy pets overseas? Say no more! Use Uniair Cargo air freight forwarding services for comprehensive end-to-end solutions that can accommodate your pets transportation to anywhere around the world.
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