Moving and living here with pets

Moving with pets

Before anything else, find out what type of pet can realistically be moved to India. Cats and dogs are by far the most common and the most straightforward. Birds are a different story — country-specific import restrictions and extra documentation make them considerably more difficult, so check the current rules carefully before assuming your bird can come along.

For cats and dogs, there are two main ways to make the move:

• Use a full-service relocation company that handles the whole process, from picking up your pet to dropping them off at your new place. Pro: you don't have to deal with paperwork or travel arrangements yourself. Con: it costs significantly more than doing it yourself.
• Arrange the travel yourself. Two airlines are well known for pet transport: Lufthansa and Qatar Airways, and both list their process on their own websites. You'll need to source a travel crate that meets their requirements and handle the documentation yourself — though you'll still need a company on the ground in India to handle documentation when you and your pet land. Pro: your pet flies on the same plane as you, so you see them the moment you land, and it costs less overall. Con: you're handling most of the documentation from your home country yourself.