When a family has several pets, leaving one behind during a move or a long trip usually isn’t an option. But each pet means a separate set of documents, a separate booking with the airline or transport company and its own needs on the road.
The good news is that a lot can be synchronised. The bad news is that airline limits and country rules on the number of animals need to be checked right at the start, or you’ll have to rework your plans.
Limits on numbers
Airlines often limit the number of animals per passenger in the cabin and the total number of places for animals on a flight. If there are more pets than people travelling with them, you may need to split them between family members or choose a different way to transport them. This is general information.
Some countries draw a line between non-commercial and commercial movement of animals. In the European Union, for example, non-commercial movement is usually limited to five animals, and above that other procedures may apply. Other destinations have their own rules.
There are exceptions too — for example, for animals travelling to shows or competitions — but they usually require separate proof. If your situation is close to the threshold, check the conditions before the paperwork begins.
Documents — separately for each pet
Even if your pets live together and were vaccinated on the same day, their documents are issued individually. Each has its own microchip, its own pet passport, its own vaccination records and, where needed, its own titre test result.
- Make a table: name, species, chip number, vaccination dates, test status.
- Check that each pet’s chip number matches on all its documents.
- Keep the documents in separate labelled sleeves so they don’t get mixed up at the border.
- Take photos of each pet — they help with identification.
A shared schedule of procedures
If your pets’ vaccinations fall due at different times, it may make sense to try to align them — that makes it easier to plan tests and certificates. But this is best decided together with a vet: revaccinating early isn’t right for every animal.
Vet visits are also easier to combine: one appointment for everyone saves time, and the animals are calmer travelling together. Travel certificates are usually issued on the same day so that their validity periods match.
If we prepare the documents, we’ll draw up the shared plan for all your pets ourselves: we do every pet’s procedures in one place and schedule them so you can leave at short notice.
- Gather the current procedure dates for each pet.
- Work out which pet needs the most procedures.
- Build the shared plan around that pet’s schedule.
- Allow a little leeway in case one of your pets feels unwell.
The journey: who travels with whom, and where
Animals that get on perfectly at home may react to each other differently in cramped, stressful conditions. It’s usually best for each to travel in its own carrier, even if the airline allows them to share one.
If you’re driving
Secure the carriers so the animals can see each other but can’t reach each other. Plan stops with everyone in mind: a dog needs a walk, while a cat is fine with quiet and water in the car.
If you’re flying
Assign the animals to the people travelling with them before booking and note this in the booking. If some animals are flying in the hold and some in the cabin, check that the flight has places for both.
How many people you need on the trip
A question that’s often overlooked: will you have enough hands? Two carriers and a suitcase at the airport are already a challenge, and if you have to go through security where each animal is taken out of its carrier, it gets harder still. If possible, split the pets so that each person has no more than they can comfortably handle.
If there are fewer people than needed, you can consider other options: sending some of the animals on a separate flight with another family member, travelling by car, or using professional pet transport services. Each of these has its own rules and needs to be checked separately.
What to ask the airline or transport company:
- How many animals one passenger can take in the cabin and in the hold.
- Whether the airline allows a mix of cabin and hold in one booking.
- Whether a letter of authorisation is needed if someone other than the owner is travelling with the pet.
- How security and passport control will work with several carriers.
Discuss these details with the airline or transport company before buying tickets. The answers often decide which flight you choose and even your travel dates.
After arrival
In a new place, your pets may need time to rebuild their relationships. Give each its own hiding spot and separate bowls, and don’t rush to bring them together if you see tension. Things usually settle back into the normal routine within a few days.
For cats, it makes sense to put several litter trays in different places — fewer reasons to fight over territory. Dogs benefit from walking together around the new neighbourhood: exploring it side by side brings them closer. If one of your pets isn’t eating well or is behaving unusually after the trip, don’t put it all down to stress — take it to a vet.
Requirements depend on the destination country, the type of animal and the travel date. Please check transport conditions with your airline or transport company.