Relocating with Pets as an Expat Family: What International School Families Need to Know

International school postings come with complex logistics, and adding a pet into the mix requires careful coordination. The families that handle it best are those who start the pet’s preparation timeline as soon as the posting is confirmed - sometimes months before the children’s school year changes.

The timing challenge

For non-quarantine destinations (UK, Germany, USA, Canada, most EU countries), the pet can typically travel with the family or within a few weeks. For quarantine destinations, the timeline is different:

  • Australia: pet preparation takes 3+ months, then 10 days quarantine on arrival. The pet often goes ahead or arrives just behind the family.
  • Singapore: 4-6 months preparation, 10 days quarantine. Many families send the pet before the move to align quarantine release with arrival.
  • Japan: 7-8 months preparation, 12-hour quarantine if perfect docs. No flexibility on timeline.
  • New Zealand: 3+ months preparation, 10 days quarantine.

Breed check first

Some postings go to countries with breed restrictions. Singapore only allows approved breeds (check the AVS list). Australia has state-level breed legislation (dangerous dogs lists vary by state). If your family has a breed that might be affected, check before accepting the posting or before making the posting permanent.

Common expat family destinations: quick reference

Singapore: 4-6 months prep, 10-day quarantine, approved breeds list - check before you travel. Dubai/UAE: relatively straightforward, vet cert + import permit required, some breed restrictions on large/powerful breeds. Australia: 3+ months prep depending on origin country, 10-day quarantine at Mickleham, Melbourne. Japan: 7-8 months prep, documentation must be perfect. USA: simpler than most - microchip, health cert, CDC rules for dogs. Germany/EU: AHC for UK/non-EU origin, tapeworm for dogs. Relatively quick process.

Using an agent for family moves

When you’re also managing school applications, accommodation, and a family move, adding pet documentation to the personal to-do list can become overwhelming. An IPATA-accredited agent can take the entire pet logistics off your plate, which many expat families find is well worth the fee.

Frequently Asked Questions

Not always. For quarantine destinations (Australia, Singapore, Japan), the pet’s quarantine period may mean the pet arrives weeks after the family. Plan the pet’s documentation timeline independently and align quarantine release with your settling-in period rather than your initial arrival.

Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, and Japan all require quarantine for arriving pets. Hawaii (USA) also has quarantine requirements for dogs. These are all common postings for international school families.

Be honest about what will happen: the pet will travel in a special safe part of the plane, will be looked after by trained staff, and you’ll all be reunited after a short wait (or at the quarantine facility for visits, if allowed). Avoid saying it’s ’like a holiday’ - children will question why the pet isn’t excited.

Australia, New Zealand, and Singapore all allow owner visits to quarantined pets, though booking in advance is required. Japan’s quarantine rules around visits are stricter. Check facility-specific policies when booking quarantine accommodation.

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