Safe & Stress-Free
Pet Transport
Golden Route Shipping handles the full journey for your companion animals — from documentation and vet clearances to door-to-door delivery across 130+ countries. Your pet travels safe, we handle everything else.
Our Pet Transport Services
Whether you're relocating across the country or emigrating to the other side of the world, we have a tailored solution for your companion animal.
International Relocation
Full-service international pet relocation including customs clearance, import/export permits, airline booking, and door-to-door collection and delivery.
- All import/export permits and phytosanitary certificates
- Airline cargo booking on pet-friendly carriers
- Quarantine arrangement where required
- Home collection and destination delivery
Domestic Ground Transport
Climate-controlled, GPS-tracked vehicles dedicated to safe overland pet transport across the country.
- Temperature-regulated transport vehicles
- Trained animal handlers on board
- Regular water and rest stops
Airport-to-Airport
Budget-friendly air cargo option where you drop off and collect your pet at the departure and arrival airports respectively.
- All airline cargo paperwork prepared
- Crate sizing and compliance check
- Arrival notification and collection guidance
Quarantine Management
Full coordination of mandatory quarantine stays in approved facilities, including bookings, vet visits, and daily welfare checks.
- Pre-approved quarantine facility booking
- Daily status and welfare reports
- Vet inspection scheduling
Documentation Service
Not ready to ship yet? Let us prepare all the paperwork — health certificates, microchip verification, vaccination records, and import permits.
- Country-specific requirements research
- USDA, DEFRA, or equivalent endorsement
- Vet appointment scheduling assistance
Rescue & Shelter Transport
Discounted group transport solutions for registered animal rescues and shelters relocating animals to adoption centres or foster homes.
- Bulk group pricing for NGOs and shelters
- Multi-animal single-trip coordination
- Priority scheduling for urgent rescues
How It Works
From your first call to your pet's arrival, we guide you through every step.
Free Consultation
Tell us about your pet, origin, destination, and travel dates. We assess requirements and provide a full quote.
Documentation
We prepare a personalised checklist and manage all vet appointments, certificates, microchip verification and permits.
Collection
Our trained handlers collect your pet from home or your vet, settle them into an approved crate, and transfer to the departure point.
Transit & Tracking
Real-time updates throughout the journey. Our team monitors every connection and layover so you always know where your pet is.
Safe Delivery
Your pet is delivered to your door at the destination. We confirm safe arrival and handle any post-travel quarantine paperwork.
Who Can We Move?
We handle a wide variety of companion and domestic animals, subject to destination country restrictions and airline acceptance.
Dogs
All breeds including brachycephalic breeds (subject to airline policy). We advise on breed-specific restrictions per country.
Cats
Domestic cats transported in IATA-compliant hard-sided carriers with ventilation on all sides.
Birds
Parrots, canaries, finches and more — subject to CITES permits, avian influenza clearances and destination import rules.
Small Animals
Rabbits, guinea pigs, hamsters, and ferrets transported with appropriate ventilation and climate management.
Tropical Fish
Specialist aquatic transport with oxygenated water bags and temperature-controlled transit boxes.
Other Animals
Have a reptile, horse, or exotic pet? Contact us — we handle many species on a case-by-case basis with the right permits.
EnquireGeneral Requirements
Requirements vary by destination country, species, and airline. The following apply to most international shipments. We advise on your specific case during consultation.
Must be implanted before rabies vaccination for it to be valid. Standard in most countries.
Valid, up-to-date rabies vaccination with certificate. Some countries require rabies titration tests (blood test).
Issued by an accredited vet within 7–10 days of travel. Must be endorsed by the relevant government authority (e.g. USDA, DEFRA, DAFF).
Rigid, well-ventilated, and correctly sized for the animal to stand, turn, and lie down. We can supply or inspect your existing crate.
Many countries require pre-approval before the animal may enter. We handle the application and follow-up on your behalf.
Tapeworm, tick, and flea treatments are required for entry into many countries and must be administered within specific time windows before travel.
Restricted Breeds
Some countries ban or heavily restrict certain dog breeds. Common restricted breeds include:
- American Pit Bull Terrier
- Japanese Tosa
- Dogo Argentino
- Fila Brasileiro
- Some brachycephalic breeds (per airline)
Always confirm your breed's eligibility with us before booking.
Plan Ahead
Pet transport paperwork can take weeks or months depending on the destination. Some countries (e.g. Australia, New Zealand, Japan) require 6+ months of advance preparation.
Pet Transport FAQs
Yes, for the vast majority of healthy animals. We book on airlines with excellent live animal programs and modern, pressurised, temperature-controlled cargo holds. We advise against air travel for snub-nosed breeds and will suggest alternatives where safer options exist.
We recommend contacting us at least 8–12 weeks before your planned move for most destinations. For countries with strict biosecurity (Australia, NZ, Japan, Hawaii), allow 5–6 months minimum. The earlier you start, the smoother the process.
In-cabin travel is only allowed on some airlines for very small pets (usually under 8kg combined with carrier). For international relocations we manage cargo holds which are safe and regulated. We'll advise what's available for your route.
We and most airlines strongly advise against sedation. Sedated animals have impaired balance and respiratory control, which poses risks at altitude. Most pets adapt well to crate travel when properly acclimatised beforehand — we provide crate training tips as part of our service.
Costs depend on origin, destination, animal size and weight, documentation requirements, and service level. A small cat to a nearby country may cost from $300–600; a large dog to Australia can exceed $5,000 due to quarantine. Contact us for a precise quote tailored to your situation.
Yes. We can supply IATA-compliant travel crates in all sizes. We also offer a crate inspection service if you already own one — we'll check it meets airline requirements and advise on any modifications needed.
Start Your Pet's Journey Today
Get in touch for a free, no-obligation consultation. Our pet transport specialists will assess your requirements and build a tailored plan.