Albania
Austria
Belgium
Cyprus
Czechia
Denmark
Finland
France
Greece
Hungary
Ireland
Italy
Netherlands
North Macedonia
Poland
Portugal
Romania
Switzerland
Türkiye
Bahrain
Jordan
Kuwait
Lebanon
Australia
Azerbaijan
Cambodia
China
Georgia
Hong Kong
Japan
Malaysia
Nepal
Pakistan
South Korea
Taiwan
Thailand
Vietnam
Argentina
Aruba
Barbados
Brazil
Chile
Colombia
El Salvador
Mexico
Panama
Paraguay
Peru
Sint Maarten
St Kitts & Nevis
Trinidad & Tobago
Uruguay
Algeria
Egypt
Ghana
Kenya
Mali
Mauritius
Mozambique
Namibia
Nigeria
Rwanda
South AfricaCrates
A “48-inch” crate is 42.5 inches inside
A Rottweiler, a Husky and a Doberman were each refused at the airport in a Giant crate. The box size is the outside; airlines measure your pet against the inside.
How to size a crateInternational pet relocation from the USA
Moving abroad? We’ll fly your dog or cat there safely.
We handle the whole international move from anywhere in the US: vet paperwork and the USDA endorsement, import permits, an airline-approved crate, the flight, and customs clearance when your pet lands. 72 countries so far, and counting.
5.0 on Google from 300+ reviewsUSDATSAIATAIPATA
Recently flown
- PhilippinesSep 2026
- United Arab EmiratesSep 2026
- Dominican RepublicSep 2026
- countries we've flown pets to
- 72
- dogs and cats flown out of the US
- 895
- relocations since 2022
- 700+
- airlines we've flown pets on
- 30+
From our shipment records since 2022. A relocation is one booking, often with more than one pet; the relocations include pets we have brought home to the US.
Licensed and accredited
Licensed to book your pet's flight ourselves
We earned all four within our first few years in business. Together they let us book your pet directly with the airlines (we have flown pets on 30+ of them), so the route, the breed and the date fit your move, all year round, rather than whatever one airline allows.
Active in IPATA, not just members of it
- Our founder spoke at the IPATA conference in Budapest on the use of technology in pet transport
- Member of the IPATA IT task force
- We sponsored the last two IPATA global conferences
USDA
USDA Class H Intermediate Handler
Registered with the US Department of Agriculture under the Animal Welfare Act to handle animals in air transport.
Your pet is in USDA-registered hands from pickup to the cargo counter.
Certificate 67-H-0031
TSA
TSA-certified Indirect Air Carrier
Approved by the Transportation Security Administration to hand cargo directly to passenger airlines.
We book your pet's flight and hand them to the airline ourselves, with no third-party forwarder in between.
Certificate available on request
IATA
IATA-accredited cargo agent
Accredited by the International Air Transport Association, the body that sets the live-animal rules airlines follow.
We book airline cargo space ourselves, so we can route around breed limits, heat embargoes and long layovers.
Accreditation available on request
IPATA
IPATA member since 2023
The International Pet and Animal Transportation Association, the trade body for professional pet shippers.
Vetted partners at the other end who clear customs and deliver your pet in-country.
30+ airlines we’ve flown pets on
Busiest first. The right one depends on your route, breed and season.
And 13 more, including Etihad, Iberia, LATAM and Cathay Pacific.
Logos are the trademarks of their owners, shown to identify airlines we have flown pets on. No endorsement is implied.
How it works
From your vet's office to your new front door
One team from start to finish, so nothing falls between the vet, the airline and customs. Most moves take 4 to 8 weeks to prepare; countries that require a rabies titer test take 3 months or more.
- 1
Plan and quote
Tell us your pet, route and date. We check the destination's import rules, your pet's breed and size, and the airlines and seasons, then send a quote with a timeline.
- 2
Paperwork
We work with your vet on the microchip, vaccines and any titer test, get the health certificate endorsed by USDA APHIS, and apply for import permits.
- 3
Crate and flight
We size the crate to IATA rules, book the flight, and hand your pet to the airline at the cargo terminal ourselves, with updates to you at every step.
- 4
Arrival
Our IPATA partner in your new country meets the flight, clears your pet through customs and delivers them to your door, or you collect them at the airport.
Where we fly
72 countries and counting
Every country below is one we have flown a pet to from the US since 2022. Those marked Guide have a full country guide: requirements, timelines, airlines and real costs from our own moves.
Our busiest routes
Pets flown from the US, by destination
- United Kingdom166 pets
- India114 pets
- Costa Rica56 pets
- Philippines55 pets
- Germany54 pets
- United Arab Emirates52 pets
- Spain48 pets
- Saudi Arabia28 pets
Europe · 22
Asia and Pacific · 16
Latin America and the Caribbean · 17
Owners who moved abroad with us
In their words, route by route
The strongest line from each review, word for word. Every route is a move we made; tap it for our guide to that country.
USA to Namibia
“I almost felt hopeless trying to transport my 96lb American Bully. ... Ash reassured us that our dog would be in good hands and that air transport for our XL boy would absolutely be possible!”
USA to Costa Rica
“We had one small glitch due to a heat embargo, but Ash was absolutely nonstop all day, every day to find us flights for all 7 of my pets.”
USA to Hong Kong
“She handled the logistics for our 2 cats’ move to Hong Kong in under a week. Everything went super well, and my cats are doing great.”
USA to Mauritius
“She knows all the airports and challenges each country may have, and you can reach her by phone 7 days a week.”
USA to Greece
“During the layover in Amsterdam, my dog stayed at the airport animal lounge where he was walked, fed, and cared for overnight before continuing his journey to Athens.”
USA to Malaysia
“We shipped our cat from the USA to Malaysia, and he was well taken care of every step of the way. He arrived at his new home in perfect condition.”
USA to Austria
“Between last-minute embargoes, changes in crate sizes, and the stress that goes into relocating, Ash took care of everything.”
USA to Philippines
“Bilbo is a French Bulldog, a brachycephalic breed, which made air travel much more complicated and nerve-wracking for us as pet parents.”
USA to Argentina
“I was very worried about my pets, their safety, and the accuracy of the documentation, especially since the transportation was sudden and urgent. ... They remained in touch the entire time, at any hour.”
USA to India
“Every aspect of the pet travel was well planned and executed. ... every aspect was handled flawlessly.”
USA to United Kingdom
“I’ve used these guys twice, and every time it’s the best service. ... My dog was delivered safely and sound to London, and I was getting updates on the progress at all times.”
USA to Barbados
“I was researching several different companies, but the moment I spoke to Ash, I stopped looking.”
USA to South Korea
“Ash was a lifesaver and helped us get our four pets shipped to Korea on an EXTREMELY tight deadline.”
USA to Ireland
“Their team guided us through all the requirements, paperwork, timelines, and travel arrangements, and they were especially great at handling a few last-minute hiccups that came up along the way.”
USA to United Arab Emirates
“They setup all the appointments for me and prepared the documents I needed. ... They are the Ferrari of the pet travel business.”
USA to Romania
“they coordinated the flights to line up with ours and set everything up. ... Nothing was missed, and our dog arrived at our house as if we were back home.”
USA to Vietnam
“My Pet Air Travel helped me ship my 5-month-old Cane Corso puppy from Cincinnati, Ohio, to Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. We experienced excellent service throughout the process.”
USA to Germany
“Aash was incredibly helpful in getting our dog to Germany on a very tight timeline. Excellent communication the entire way through”
USA to Thailand
“They guided me through all the paperwork, import requirements, health certificates, and flight arrangements, and kept me updated every step of the way. My dog arrived safely.”
USA to Panama
“I did my due diligence and got 4 quotes! ... I vetted them all thoroughly and finally chose Smart Pet, and I am so thankful that I did.”
USA to Mexico
“I was having a hard time finding someone to transport my large dogs into Mexico. ... They tracked the entire way, and I was given updates!”
USA to Saudi Arabia
“They helped me understand the vet requirements, prepared all the necessary documentation, and patiently answered every question I had along the way.”
USA to Chile
“You kept me informed throughout the entire process with simple language that was easy to understand and helped clarify the details involved.”
USA to Aruba
“My three dogs received excellent care, and I received instructions and answers to my questions quickly and thoroughly.”
USA to Spain
“They really came through for us under unusual and difficult circumstances.”
USA to Japan
“Communication was excellent. You can really tell they do care about your pet’s comfort.”
USA to Cambodia
“She was always willing to help and make sure that everything was done correctly!”
USA to Belgium
“She assisted in every aspect, and our dog arrived from her trip very happy.”
USA to Colombia
“They are very knowledgeable, and the process went smoothly.”
USA to Dominican Republic
“Great people that actually care about the pet safety and understand the people situations. Best on this earth!!!”
USA to Taiwan
“Helpful bringing my Aunt's dog to Taiwan safely”
USA to Sint Maarten
“Absolutely amazing service and dedication. Very professional and reasonable.”
USA to Bahrain
“Very professional, very thorough, and quick responses. Highly recommend their service.”
USA to Trinidad and Tobago
“It was a very good experience. I have my baby with me, and they made it possible. Thank you, guys.”
Recent travellers: cats, dogs and the odd bird
Photos from our own shipments. No names, just the journeys.
- Seven cats and six poodle mixes to Azerbaijan
- Two Siamese cats to China
- A Rhodesian Ridgeback to Algeria
- Two domestic shorthair cats to Brazil
- A Tibetan Mastiff to Nepal
- A domestic shorthair cat to Uruguay
- A Chow Chow to Jordan
- Two Huskies and a cat to Poland
- A Pug to Netherlands
- A pet bird to North Macedonia
- A Belgian Malinois to Kuwait
- Two French Bulldogs to Hungary
Lessons from 700+ relocations
What real moves have taught us
Checklists tell you what is supposed to happen. These are things that actually happened, and what we do about them now. Each guide has the full story.
USA to Costa Rica
Two airlines, one heat embargo, a new route
Both of our usual carriers stopped taking live animals from the same US city in the same summer. We re-routed the pets through a different country entirely.
Costa Rica guideUSA to Germany
A breed restriction can mean a new airline, not a new date
When the main carrier's seasonal limit on snub-nosed breeds kicked in, we moved a dog to a different airline and hub rather than make the family wait.
Germany guideUSA to India
Rabies dates must match on every form
A rabies certificate and a health certificate that disagree on a date is one of the most common and most avoidable hold-ups we see. We check them before the airport does.
India guidePet travel guides
The guides we give our own clients
Written from our moves and our operating procedures, with photos from our own shipments. Free to read, whoever you fly with.
Prep guide
Choosing and sizing an airline crate
The IATA formula, the sizes that fit, and why a “48-inch” crate is 42.5 inches inside.
Prep guide
Preparing the crate for the flight
Frozen water bowls, bedding, labels and what rides on top: the checklist every client gets.
Prep guide
Crate mesh and ventilation
When a crate needs mesh or extra vents, and how to fit plastic or metal mesh step by step.
Plus 19 country guides, from the UK and India to Costa Rica and the Caribbean. Browse them all.
Who you'll work with
A small team, run by its founders
We started My Pet Air Travel in 2022 with one pet shipper's decade inside the industry and one engineer's career building systems and services at scale. The founders are hands-on in every move, with a team that owns each step.
Swapnil Shetye
CEO and Co-founder
- 25 years at Fortune 100 companies including GE, designing systems and processes and building and running service offerings.
- Spoke at the IPATA conference in Budapest on the use of technology in pet transport, and sits on IPATA's IT task force.
Aashima Shetye
COO and Co-founder
- More than ten years in international pet shipping at an IPATA member company before co-founding My Pet Air Travel in 2022.
- The "Ash" in many of our reviews: she runs our moves day to day, from the first plan to the landing.
Pedro
Quoting Specialist
Prices your move: route, airline and crate, with what is included spelled out.
Abigail
Pet Relocation Coordinator
Guides you from the first vet visit to flight day: paperwork, deadlines and updates.
Christlor
Operations Coordinator
Keeps bookings, crate checks and hand-offs to our partners abroad on schedule.
Waqas
Accountant
Keeps invoices, deposits and refunds clear and on time.
Formerly known as SMART Pet Air Travel.
Before you book
Questions we hear every week
Straight answers from our own moves. For everything else, see the full FAQ, or just ask us.
How far ahead should I start planning?
It depends on the destination. For the UK, the EU and most of Latin America, plan on 4 to 8 weeks. Countries that require a rabies titer blood test take much longer: about 8 to 12 weeks or more for the UAE, 10 to 14 weeks for South Korea and 3 to 4 months for China. Each country guide gives the timeline from our own moves.
What does it cost to ship a pet internationally?
For one pet, most of our moves cost roughly $2,000 to $7,000. The destination, the airline and the crate size drive the price, because airlines charge by volume as well as weight. As examples from our guides: about $2,900 to $3,100 to Costa Rica, $3,500 to $5,000 to the UK, and $4,000 to $6,000 to India. Every quote spells out what is included.
Do I need to be on the same flight as my pet?
No. Pets moving internationally almost always fly as air cargo, on the route that is best for them, so you can travel on your own schedule. We time the flight so you, or our partner in your new country, are there when your pet lands.
Can you fly snub-nosed breeds like French Bulldogs, Pugs and Persians?
Usually, yes. Many airlines restrict snub-nosed dogs and cats, especially in warm months, and they need a larger crate. Because we have flown pets on 30+ airlines, we find the carrier and routing that will take your pet, including re-routing through a different hub when one airline's seasonal limit is in force.
Which US airports do you fly pets from?
Every major US gateway. Our busiest are Atlanta, Miami, Los Angeles, Houston, New York JFK, Washington Dulles and Chicago O'Hare. If the airport nearest you has no suitable route abroad, we arrange your pet's transfer to the right gateway as part of the move.
Talk to the people who will fly your pet
Tell us where you’re moving and when. You’ll get a real person, a clear plan and a quote with everything included spelled out.
Get a free quote