Products & services
Live Animals Shipping
Pets and other live animals moved with the care, containers and paperwork that international rules require.
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Overview
Moving a live animal by air is about welfare first and paperwork second. Airlines follow the IATA Live Animals Regulations, which set container standards and conditions of carriage, and every destination country has its own import rules for health, vaccination and quarantine.
We help pet owners, breeders and businesses plan the journey, choose a suitable routing with the shortest possible transit and prepare the documents each country asks for.
What this covers
- Dogs and cats travelling as cargo
- Birds, small mammals and exotic pets (subject to destination rules)
- Horses, livestock and poultry for breeding or sale
- Animals for exhibitions, sport and zoological collections
- Species protected under CITES, which need separate permits
How we handle it
Check the destination rulesImport conditions can include a microchip, rabies vaccination, blood tests and waiting periods that take weeks to complete.
Prepare the travel containerThe container must meet IATA standards: ventilated, secure, and large enough for the animal to stand, turn around and lie down naturally.
Book a suitable flightRoutings avoid long layovers and extreme temperatures; some airlines apply temperature embargoes or breed restrictions.
Arrival and releaseThe receiver is told what to present on arrival so the animal is released quickly.
Documents you will typically need
- Veterinary health certificate issued within the time window the destination requires
- Vaccination record, including rabies where applicable
- Microchip details (ISO-compliant chip)
- Import permit and CITES documents where required
Requirements vary by country, airline and commodity. We confirm exactly what applies to your shipment.
Frequently asked questions
As early as you can. Some destinations require tests and waiting periods that run for several weeks, so contact us as soon as you know the travel date.
Whether an animal can travel in the cabin, as checked baggage or as cargo depends on the airline, route, size and species. We can advise on cargo options; for cabin travel, check with your airline.