When it comes to transporting your pet, nothing matters more than their safety and comfort.
Whether you’re relocating abroad for work, joining family overseas or starting a new life in another country, you want to know your beloved animal companion is in safe, experienced hands.
Airpets is one of the UK’s most trusted names in international pet transport. Boasting decades of experience, our door-to-door service covers the entire UK. We have purpose-built facilities at Heathrow, helping make the experience as smooth as possible – for both you and your pet.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through how Airpets works, what to expect, and how we ensure a stress-free experience from pickup to arrival.
How Transporting Your Pet with Airpets Work?
Pet relocations aren’t as simple as booking a flight. Every country has different rules for importing animals, including quarantine requirements, vaccinations, the need for various documents and microchipping. But don’t panic! Airpets take care of all that for you.
Here’s a typical process:
1. Initial Enquiry
You can reach out to Airpets via their website or over the phone. You’ll be asked to provide:
- Pet details (species, breed, weight, age)
- Departure location (anywhere in the UK)
- Country of destination
- Your ideal travel dates
2. Free Quote
Based on these details, they’ll send you a custom quote. Costs vary depending on your pet’s size and weight, destination country, the size of the crate, and the pick up location (distance from Heathrow/Gatwick/Manchester).
It will also need to cover any veterinary requirements or quarantine
Quotes are transparent and include everything: paperwork, crate, travel, vet checks, and customs clearance.
3. Planning & Paperwork
This is one of the most dreaded parts of transporting your pet. Our team at Airpets manages everything:
- Government-mandated documents
- Booking flights
- Microchip compliance
- Vaccination records
- Export Health Certificates
For countries like Australia, where import rules are strict, this process may take up to 12 months. For most others, 4 weeks lead time is sufficient but if you are moving at late notice we can book within a week in some cases. We can also shoulder any delays to your pet’s move by having them board with at our Heathrow Animal Lounge while you travel on ahead.
4. Door-to-Door Collections
One of Airpets’ biggest advantages is its UK-wide collection service. Using their own fleet of specially equipped vehicles, we can pick your pet up from your home, no matter where you are. That applies whether you’re in Scotland, Wales, Cornwall, or the Midlands.
We offer collections and deliveries to/from Heathrow, Gatwick, and Manchester.
Each van is climate-controlled and built for the comfort of animals.
5. Pre-Flight Care
Travelling can be highly stressful for our pets. However, we strive to do everything to make it less distressing.
Pets are taken to Airpets’ purpose-built, family-run facilities at the airport for a rest and health check. They can also acclimatise to a crate before their flight. These aren’t your average holding centres: they’re low-stress environments designed around animal welfare.
6. Flight & Destination Handling
Your pet will fly with trusted airlines on pet-safe cargo services. On arrival, our local partner agent receives your pet, manages customs clearance, and either delivers them to your new home or arranges a smooth collection. It’s that simple!
Why Frequent Flyers and Movers Choose Airpets
Trusted by Families, Corporates, and Relocation Services
Airpets works closely with global relocation agencies, making it ideal for professionals, military families, and expats moving abroad. Our familiarity with more complex logistics ensures everything stays on track.
Moving During School Holidays
Not surprisingly, summer and the festive holidays are busy times for transporting pets. It’s therefore advised you plan ahead (ideally 4-6 weeks in advance) to ensure you can transport them at your desired time.
Why Door-to-Door Service Make a Difference
Imagine trying to transport your dog from Aberdeen to Heathrow, having to deal with all the complexities of your own relocation at the same time. Now imagine someone shows up at your door, picks up your pet, and you reunite with them at your new home overseas. No stress. No logistics nightmare.
Airpets’ door-to-door pet relocation removes the most difficult parts of pet transport:
- Driving across the UK to drop off your pet
- Coordinating multiple handoffs
- Worrying about crate regulations or customs paperwork
Target Destinations: Where Can I Move My Pet?
Airpets specialises in UK pet exports to:
- Europe (France, Germany, Spain)
- North America (USA, Canada)
- UAE, Qatar, and other Middle Eastern destinations
- Australia and New Zealand (requires 6–12 months planning)
- South Africa
- Asia (Singapore, Hong Kong, Japan)
- South America (Brazil, Colombia, Chile)
Every destination has different requirements, but Airpets manages the details.
Whether you’re relocating permanently or temporarily, your pet’s wellbeing is non-negotiable. With Airpets, your animal companion is cared for every step of the way, from your old front door to your new home abroad.
Airpets combine family-owned values with world-class logistics. And with facilities at the UK’s busiest airport, we’ve built a system that prioritises comfort, safety, and reliability.
So if you’re thinking, “how do I move my pet abroad?”, don’t hesitate to contact us for more information.