FAQ

By car across the border, then a flight from Europe, or the whole way by car.

The earlier, the better. It’s worth booking in advance.

Yes, if the weight with the carrier is within the airline’s limits. We check this for every flight.

Yes. We pick your pet up at home and deliver them with our escort.

It depends on the route, the size of your pet and the way of transport. We email an exact quote after your request.

Dogs and cats of any size, as well as birds, rodents and more. For other animals, please write to us.

Yes, each pet needs its own set of documents and its own crate.

At least 4 months before the trip for most countries.

A blood test that shows the rabies vaccine has worked (result ≥ 0.5 IU/ml). From Ukraine it’s required for the EU, the UK, Japan and the UAE; it’s taken no earlier than 30 days after vaccination.

Yes, document support is a separate service.

The rabies vaccination will have to be repeated, and with it the titre test and the waiting period.

We need photos of all filled-in passport pages and a photo of the rabies antibody (titre) test. We also need details:

• where you plan to travel
• how much time you have before the trip

Unfortunately, no. Ukraine is on the list of countries with a higher rabies risk, so travelling to the EU requires a titre test with a 3-month wait from the blood draw, or a test done before leaving the EU with the matching entry in the passport. Contact us and we’ll give you the details.

Form 1 can be obtained at a state vet clinic before departure. It is valid for 5 days and is then exchanged at customs. Our team will advise you on the best way to do it.

Like people, pets handle travel well when properly prepared:

• get them used to the crate in advance
• choose the right crate

For air transport, pets fly in a special temperature-controlled animal compartment in plastic or wooden crates.

Airlines and handling services follow very strict rules on handling and transporting pets, so there are restrictions due to weather, crate size for each pet and more.

If you have concerns about your pet’s health, discuss them with your vet.

There are several ways to travel:

• Air Cargo Manifest: your pet travels unaccompanied in a special animal compartment under an Air Waybill. Our team specialises in this kind of delivery. It’s the most common option and is mandatory for pets travelling to some countries, such as the UK, Australia, South Africa and mostly the UAE, and for some breeds: French and English bulldogs, pugs, griffons, AmStaffs, Cane Corsos and others.
• Accompanied: your pet travels with you in the cabin or in the animal compartment. There are weight limits depending on the airline (most accept up to 8 kg with the carrier), crate size limits (a soft carrier that fits under the seat in front) and restrictions on brachycephalic breeds and breeds classed as dangerous (American Bully, AmStaff, Cane Corso, Pit Bull, Bullmastiff).

Every airline follows very strict rules. When pets travel in a plastic crate, the flight can be quite long, so the crate size matters a lot for ventilation and comfort throughout the journey. To see how to measure your pet, check the question about crate requirements.

The crate must have a steel door with aviation locks, plus a water bowl and a food bowl securely attached to the door. Most importantly, it must be the right size based on your pet’s measurements.

• Length: at least the pet’s length (nose to base of tail) plus half the height of the front leg
• Width: at least twice the pet’s width at the widest point
• Height: 7–10 cm above the pet’s highest point when standing
• Crates made entirely of wire mesh are not allowed
• Wheels are not allowed
• Rigid plastic or purpose-built solid wood crates are allowed
• The door can slide, with locks that hold it securely, or be hinged with a lock
• The door mechanism must push metal pins at least 1 cm into the crate frame when closed
• The floor must be solid, smooth, leak-proof and without protrusions
• Water and food bowls must be inside the crate but reachable without opening the door

Most countries and airlines don’t accept animals under strong sedatives. Some sedatives can affect blood pressure, and pressure can change during the flight, so it’s important to consult your vet. There are many herbal calming products: collars, treats, pastes, sprays and tablets. We recommend trying some of them before the trip if you think your pet will be nervous.

As a rule, airlines accept a small toy and one layer of bedding (a blanket or an old T-shirt, so there’s a familiar smell around). However, some airlines and countries have strict rules, so ask a Petsvoyage specialist for advice.

The best preparation for a flight is making sure your pet feels comfortable in the crate. Tips for crate training:

• start as early as possible
• put favourite toys and/or bedding with familiar smells in the crate
• leave the metal door off at first
• train gradually; if your pet is very anxious, remove the door so they don’t feel trapped, and feed them in the crate
• once your pet is used to it, practise short stays with the door closed, then short car rides in the crate
• do NOT use the crate as punishment
• be patient

Most airlines that accept pets (low-cost airlines don’t carry animals) have separate compartments under the passenger cabin, at around 18 degrees and the same pressure as in the cabin. The compartment is dimly lit to reduce stress, and pets often simply sleep through the flight.

There can be several reasons:

• the airline doesn’t accept pets as accompanied baggage
• the departure airport can’t process the pet as accompanied baggage
• the breed isn’t accepted with a passenger (brachycephalic or breeds classed as dangerous)
• the crate exceeds the size the airline accepts with a passenger
• the aircraft can’t maintain the right temperature
• the crate is too big for this type of aircraft
• other pets are already booked (the number of animals per flight is limited)

On the day of travel, we recommend giving your pet a small meal about 6 hours before pick-up.

Not every route has a direct flight. If the trip includes a layover and your pet flies as air cargo manifest, they’ll be taken to the airport pet hotel, where they’re fed and walked.

Most airlines, such as Turkish Airlines, KLM, British Airways, Lufthansa and Qatar Airways, have world-class pet hotels at their airports. A vet also checks the animal before the onward journey, so they stay overnight at the pet hotel.

Unfortunately, no. Pet hotels have limited access for passengers, and even if you have time during the transit, you won’t be allowed in. Rest assured, your pet’s wellbeing is the top priority: the staff focus on the animals in their care and don’t share information during transport.

Yes, absolutely. Our team keeps learning and improving through specialised training. It’s crucial for us to know every detail and the latest international animal transport requirements (including IATA LAR), so that every trip is as safe and comfortable as possible.

It all depends on the destination country. If your pet is in Ukraine, start 4 months before the planned trip, because first you need to enter the EU or Moldova to travel on. If you have more questions, contact the Petsvoyage team and we’ll gladly advise on the entry rules of different countries.

Please share all the details and we’ll be able to help.

Yes, we offer delivery by a separate car, either for your pets alone or with you travelling together with our escort. We understand how emotional it is to hand over your pet, it’s like handing over a child.

Our team can provide document support and check your existing documents to make sure your pet meets the entry requirements, or arrange travel on the same plane if there’s a direct flight. Your pet will fly in a special animal compartment. If you want your pet to fly with you, you need to contact the airline directly.

We offer a full range of pet services. Our service includes:

• Document support
• Choosing a crate and, if needed, providing a crate for the flight
• Road transport from Ukraine to the EU
• Document check

Yes, but the rules of every transit country have to be taken into account.