Prioritizing Animal Welfare When Planning Your Summer Pet Travel

As summer travel planning ramps up, Dogs Today Magazine is urging pet owners to slow down and ask a quieter question before any booking: is this trip actually in your pet's best interest, or have we simply assumed they should come along?

The outlet's new guide on ethical pet travel walks through the logistical realities that often get glossed over when families are planning a move or an extended overseas trip, and the practical framework applies to any animal preparing to cross a border.

When the kindest plan is to stay home

The piece flags several profiles that tend to struggle with transit: elderly animals, nervous travellers, very young pets, and any dog or cat managing an ongoing medical condition. Flat-faced breeds carry an additional layer of risk, and some airlines restrict them altogether. For these pets, the transition phase is often easier at home with a trusted carer than in a cargo hold, and arranging that familiar baseline comfort can be the most ethical form of planning.

The preparation phase

According to Andrew Hale, emotional wellbeing expert at Pet Remedy, the mindset shift matters as much as the paperwork. "Ethical pet travel starts with seeing the journey from the animal's point of view. We might understand why we are moving house or boarding a plane, but our pets only experience a series of unfamiliar changes, sounds, smells and environments."

His practical advice is to begin crate familiarisation well before departure, let the animal explore the carrier at their own pace, and build positive associations so the crate is never a signal that something stressful is about to happen. Familiar bedding and scents serve as familiarity anchors, and a calm, predictable handling style from everyone around the animal makes a measurable difference. When concerns arise about health or coping ability, veterinary and qualified behavioural advice should take priority over the travel date.

Navigating the regulatory side

For travel from Great Britain, government rules require dogs, cats and ferrets to be microchipped and vaccinated against rabies, with the exact documentation depending on the destination. For entry into the EU, owners will generally need an animal health certificate issued by an official veterinarian, and it must be used within ten days of issue. Following changes introduced in April 2026, previously issued EU pet passports may no longer be accepted for entering the EU, so checking the latest government guidance is essential. Dogs returning to Great Britain from many countries must also receive an approved tapeworm treatment between 24 hours and five days before arrival.

For families managing a full relocation, the guidance points to working with an experienced pet relocation company as a way to reduce the risk of paperwork errors, unsuitable routing or non-compliant crates. PetAir UK, a vet-owned and vet-led operation, reports it has transported more than 33,000 pets to over 300 destinations since 2005, coordinating veterinary appointments, export documents, airline bookings, import requirements and customs arrangements. The company has now announced a partnership with Pet Remedy, whose calming products it has long used in its travel crates, kennels and cattery, with customers booking a relocation through PetAir receiving a discount on Pet Remedy sprays, wipes, diffusers, atomisers, bandanas and shampoo bought directly from the brand.

The practical takeaway is straightforward: ethical travel is less about the destination and more about how thoroughly the transition phase is prepared, and whether the trip genuinely serves the animal rather than the schedule.