International Pet Travel Challenges, Tips & Tricks from a Digital Nomad
The Challenges of International Pet Travel: Lessons I’ve Learned
Photos, story and video by Lauren Anders Brown
As a digital nomad, traveling the globe has always been my passion. So why wouldn’t I want to share the thrill of travel with my best friend Paddington, a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel? For years, Pads and I globe trotted across multiple continents. Together, we took more than 75 flights: from the United States to the United Kingdom to Europe, and Bermuda.
I remember our first international trip was especially difficult. I didn’t know what I was doing and had no one to help guide me. Hours of research later, I felt some confidence to actually do it. I had a checklist of health and government requirements and had crossed everything off.
When the day of travel came, I tried to remain calm for Pads but I was nervous. This was at a time when taking a dog on a plane wasn’t as common as it is today. What scared me most was that the airline agent didn’t understand the travel requirements and out of caution, wouldn’t let us travel. That first trip ended up going perfectly. We went to the Cannes Film Festival in France and stayed for seven days. It was a magical trip that I cherished getting to spend foreign adventures with my pup.
But nothing in life is perfect and my worst nightmare did end up happening. A few years ago, the two of us decided to go to England right after the country decided to leave the European Union. When we landed, Paddington was seized by British authorities thanks to multiple errors in his veterinary paperwork, and a lack of cultural understanding in reading dates. It seemed like everyone involved in the process accidentally screwed up.
I ended up getting Paddington back 24 hours later, and it was a time filled with agony and angst. It was something I swore would never happen again – not to me or not any other animal or pet parent! First off, keep up to date on the pet travel advisories on the USA government website.
By September 2025, I’m launching a new digital pet passport called Pads Pass, an app that will make it simple for you to fly across an ocean with your pet. It’s based on my 12 years of travel as well as my small team of pet parents. Together we’ve taken more than 100 flights through some of the world’s busiest airports during peak travel months and times. All that knowledge has been pooled to help other people navigate the complex requirements that come with international pet travel.
The new digital pet passport will be key in giving pet parents peace of mind from having to worry about missing vaccine deadlines, getting incorrect vaccines, entering incorrect information on government forms or realizing at check-in that they’ve left necessary paper documents on the kitchen counter. You can download my app to take advantage of everything I learned, but in the meantime here’s a few pointers below for anyone looking to travel now.
Check the Airline’s Pet Policy
- Each airline has its own rules on in-cabin versus cargo travel, breed and size restrictions, and carrier requirements.
- Some won’t allow pets in the cabin on international flights. Make sure you read the fine print.
Book Pet Appointments Early
- Book any veterinary appointments for travel first, then your flight – then secure your pet’s spot. Most airlines limit the number of pets on board and require pet owners to follow strict booking procedures and pet travel policies.
- You’ll need to contact the airline to reserve a spot for your pet and you’ll likely need to pay a pet fee, which varies depending on whether your pet is flying in the cabin or in cargo.
Visit the Vet and Upload Your Docs
- For international travel your pet will need a valid microchip, a unique identification number about the size of a grain of rice, implanted under their skin. They will also need at least one rabies vaccination after the microchip has been implanted, although different countries have specific requirements; some include a period of quarantine.
- Some airlines require a health certificate dated within ten days of travel. Some destinations also require specific vaccinations. Double-check entry rules well in advance.
Pick the Right Pet Carrier
- Choose a well-ventilated, airline-approved carrier that gives your pet space to stand, turn around, and lie down comfortably. For in-cabin travel, soft-sided carriers that fit under the seat are best.
- Introduce the carrier at home ahead of time.
Keep, Track and Carry the Proper Pet Documents
- Microchip records
- Health certificate
- Vaccine history
- Proof of reservations and fees
There’s nothing more rewarding than sharing your travel adventures with your pet. With a little research and advocacy for your furry family member, international pet travel doesn’t have to be as hard as you think.
