International Pet Moves: What You Need to Know

Moving a pet overseas is a big moment—for both pets and the people who love them. It’s emotional, complex and often overwhelming. At Jetpets, we understand that behind every journey is a much‑loved family member, which is why animal welfare always comes first.  Before timelines. Before logistics. Before anything else.

Pets can’t speak for themselves, so it’s our responsibility to advocate for them at every stage of their journey. That belief guides every decision we make—especially when the right decision is to pause, reassess, or recommend waiting before travelling.

Following recent industry discussions at the IPATA Regional Workshop in Malaysia, where Jetpets proudly joined airlines, veterinarians, and animal transport specialists to focus on best practice in pet welfare, this blog explores how our Care for Animals approach is brought to life every day.

Our Care for Animals Commitment

At the heart of everything we do is Jetpets’ Care for Animals framework. It underpins our operations and reflects our responsibility to protect pets who rely on us to make the right choices on their behalf.

This commitment covers every stage of a pet’s journey, including:

  • Pre‑travel health and behavioural assessments
  • Careful crate selection and comfort standards
  • Climate‑controlled handling and transport
  • Practical stress‑reduction measures
  • Thoughtful planning for delays or unexpected changes

By putting welfare at the centre of every step, we help ensure each pet’s journey is as safe, calm, and comfortable as possible—no matter where they’re travelling.

Advocating for Pets When It Matters Most

One of the most important messages reinforced through IPATA and shared industry forums is simple: animal welfare must always come first.  That means listening to veterinary advice, understanding each pet’s individual needs, and recognising that not every pet is ready to travel at a particular time. In some cases, the safest and kindest option may be to delay travel, seek further assessment, or advise against flying altogether.

Our Chief Operating Officer, Montana Sheridan works closely with industry partners, airlines, governments and currently is serving as the IPATA Regional Director explains the importance of our role in promoting safe transportation practices below:-

“The animal has no voice, so it’s our responsibility to advocate for their welfare. Sometimes the most responsible decision is to pause, reassess, or advise against travel.”

At Jetpets, these conversations happen every day. They’re not always easy—but they’re always guided by what’s best for the pet.

CEIV Live Animals: Best Practice You Can Trust

Jetpets aligns with IATA’s CEIV Live Animals program, a globally recognised benchmark for excellence in live animal transport. CEIV standards reinforce the same welfare‑first principles we apply throughout our business.
These standards focus on:

  • Safe handling and loading procedures
  • Temperature and environmental controls
  • Accurate documentation and compliance
  • Ongoing staff training
  • Planning for unexpected events

Following CEIV‑aligned processes helps ensure pets are transported according to international best practice, giving owners confidence that their pet’s wellbeing is always the priority.

In‑House Veterinarians: Built‑In Peace of Mind

One of the things that truly sets Jetpets apart is our team of in‑house veterinarians. Working closely with our operations and customer care teams, they help guide each pet’s journey from a welfare perspective.
Our veterinarians support:

  • Pre‑travel health checks and compliance reviews
  • Advice on breed‑specific and individual considerations
  • Ongoing welfare monitoring throughout transport
  • Guidance on vaccinations, parasite treatments, and paperwork

This hands‑on veterinary involvement allows us to make informed, responsible decisions—ensuring pets are genuinely ready to travel, not just meeting minimum requirements.

Dedicated Transit Lounges Designed for Pets

Jetpets’ dedicated Transit Lounges are designed with one purpose in mind: pet comfort and care.  These calm, secure spaces allow pets to rest during transit while being closely monitored by trained staff. They’re not just stop‑points—they’re an important part of our welfare commitment.

Our Transit Lounges provide:

  • Regular welfare checks
  • Climate‑controlled environments
  • Secure handling and crate management
  • Access to veterinary care when needed

Having veterinary support available during transit allows us to respond quickly and thoughtfully to any concerns, offering reassurance to pet owners along the way.

Experienced People Who Care

From customer care to operations, every Jetpets team member is trained with animal welfare at the core of their role. Our teams understand that every journey is unique—and every pet deserves individual care.

Our training focuses on:

  • Recognising stress and behaviour cues
  • Safe handling techniques
  • Breed‑ and species‑specific needs
  • Emergency response and contingency planning
  • International airline and regulatory requirements

This shared understanding ensures pets are supported by people who care deeply about their wellbeing.

Putting Pets First — Always

At Jetpets, pets are family. They trust us to make the right decisions on their behalf—and we take that responsibility seriously.  From welfare‑first assessments and veterinary oversight to industry collaboration and purpose‑built facilities, every part of our service is designed to protect the animals in our care.  Because when pets travel well, everyone feels it.

If you’re planning to move your pet overseas, speak with the Jetpets team to learn how our Care for Animals approach supports a safe, comfortable and considered journey with animal welfare our number one priority.  For more information, visit our Resources Hub or contact our international pet travel consultants for personalised advice on international pet travel.