Moving Multiple Pets Internationally: How to Manage the Paperwork When You Have Three Animals

Moving two cats and a dog internationally is not twice as hard as moving one animal. It is at least three times harder, because each animal has an independent documentation chain, and the slowest animal determines when you can all travel together.

The Core Problem: One Pet Can Hold Up the Others

Imagine your dog has a satisfactory titre test result. Your older cat has a result just below threshold - she needs to be revaccinated and retested. That 30-day revaccination wait, plus another 30 days for the test, plus the destination country waiting period, means the whole household is delayed by months.

The only solution is to start all animals simultaneously - and to build buffer time into the schedule.

Documentation Tracking

For each animal, you need to track:

Microchip number and implant date
Vaccination dates and lot numbers
Titre test blood draw date
Titre test result date and value
Destination country waiting period start date
Earliest permitted travel date
Health certificate issue window

A simple spreadsheet with one row per animal and one column per step makes this manageable. Share it with your vet and agent at the start of the process.

Shared Vet Appointments

Many steps can be done simultaneously for multiple pets:

Microchips can be implanted in all animals on the same day
Vaccinations can be given on the same day
Blood for titre tests can be drawn at the same appointment
Health certificates can be issued at the same appointment

This reduces cost (single consultation fee for all animals) and keeps all animals on the same timeline.

Crate Planning

Each animal needs its own compliant crate. For three animals, that is three crates to purchase, label, and present to the airline. Book cargo space for all animals simultaneously - live animal quotas per flight apply, and late bookings may find the quota full.

Different Species, Different Rules

If you have both dogs and cats, check whether the destination country has different rules for each. China’s quarantine differs by species. Some countries’ titre test requirements differ. Cats may have a faster processing path in some jurisdictions.

If One Animal Fails Documentation

If one of your pets cannot travel on the planned date:

Do not delay the compliant animals indefinitely
Consider whether a family member or trusted friend can remain with the delayed animal
Some agents offer boarding and re-export services for animals that miss the travel window

Data current as of {TODAY}.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, if the airline’s live animal quota and crate capacity allows. Each pet will need its own crate and its own set of documentation. Book cargo space for all animals simultaneously - live animal quotas per flight are limited, and popular routes book up quickly.

You have options: delay all animals until the failing pet is cleared (simplest but potentially adds months), travel with the compliant animals and arrange separate transport for the failing pet later, or ask a trusted person to care for the failing pet until they can travel. Discuss with your transport agent which option is most practical for your route.