People have always lived alongside animals, but their interactions with them have varied throughout different times. Nowadays, domestic animals are increasingly seen as full-fledged family members. Therefore, when it comes to temporary or permanent travel abroad, pet owners invariably take their furry friends with them. Animals are also transported when it comes to their purchase or sale, and the new place of residence is in another country. To find out what difficulties may await pet owners when transporting their four-legged companions, what it takes to rid themselves of unnecessary hassle and problems, and how to ensure maximum comfort for their beloved pets during an unusual journey, we interviewed Natalia Spitsyna, an expert in the field of international pet air transportation.
Natalia became passionate about animals many years ago. Initially, she had Somali and Selkirk Rex cats, which repeatedly participated in international exhibitions and were invited to various social events along with their owner. Both pets ranked in the global ratings for the Russian Federation for several years, participated in the Pro Plan Cup in Moscow, and the Selkirk Rex was among the top 3 in the world in its breed according to the WCF and the American TICA system. In addition to this, Natalia was actively involved in breeding and selling her purebred cats, which often required her to deliver them to their new owners in other countries. This passion became the first step in establishing a business for long-distance animal transportation.
Twelve years ago, Natalia Spitsyna founded a company under the brand “rusgid.online”, which provides car rental services in Cyprus and organizes tours in the UAE. Four years ago, she expanded the scope of her company’s activities, simultaneously engaging in the transportation of domestic pets worldwide. This business segment is a relatively niche area of activity at the intersection of logistics, customs, and veterinary care. To provide safe, comfortable, and reliable pet delivery services, one needs to be an expert in all three fields.
People love to travel, and not everyone who has a pet can bear to be separated from them even for a short period. Many people buy pets online, which creates a need to transport them from another country. We also cannot disregard the tense geopolitical situation in different regions of the world, where residents leave their homes due to war, mobilization, or simply in search of a better life, while their four-legged family members, for various reasons, remain in their original location. All of these people require qualified consultation or pet transportation services.
To transport animals across borders, you need to prepare in advance and complete a set of documents. It’s important to consider that different countries have their own specific regulations regarding the importation of pets. For example, in the United States, it is prohibited to import dogs from “red zones” (high-risk zones) that are under six months old. However, you can import cats from the United States and EU countries at any age as long as they have been vaccinated and gone through quarantine. In the United Arab Emirates, you can import no more than two animals per person per year. Still, you must obtain the necessary documents, such as an Import Permit, provide test results, and pay customs clearance fees. Additionally, animals cannot be transported in the cabin of an aircraft by any airline except Etihad when traveling to the Emirates. However, this service with Etihad will cost the customer $1,500 USD per animal. In addition to this, you can transport pets from any country to the United Arab Emirates exclusively through the airline Etihad. Several countries also have restrictions on importing specific dog breeds. It’s essential to thoroughly understand the transportation rules of the airline you plan to use for your pet’s journey.
However, the most significant difficulties in recent times have arisen with the import of dogs into the United States. For over two years, there has been a temporary suspension of their import into the United States from 114 countries with a high risk of rabies. The most recent extension of these restrictions was from August 1, 2023. Nevertheless, even with these restrictions in place, it is still possible to transport dogs to the United States if the established rules are followed.
If the animals are vaccinated in the United States by a veterinarian with an American license, they can be imported into the United States from high-risk countries without CDC permission, but under specific conditions and with the appropriate documents.
To import dogs with certificates issued outside of the United States, a special permit from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is required. To obtain this permit, you should submit the appropriate application to the CDC. It is recommended to do this at least 8 weeks before your trip. The application should include a vaccination and microchipping certificate, serological titers, photographs of the dog’s teeth, and a photograph of the owner’s passport.
As Natalia Spitsyna noted, in addition to federal regulations, some states have additional conditions for transporting pets, without which the import into the country can become problematic.
Not everyone can handle the vast amount of information and the risks that may arise during the air transport of dogs and cats independently. Often, the process becomes a real puzzle for pet owners. The company RusGidOnline not only provides consultation on matters related to relocating domestic pets but also takes care of all the arrangements for their air transport, including customs clearance and the necessary documentation.
By trusting the experts, you can be 100% confident in the safe and comfortable delivery of your beloved pets to any country in the world. Natalia Spitsyna’s expertise is confirmed not only by her knowledge and extensive experience in the field of international pet air transportation but also by numerous testimonials from satisfied clients.
Not long ago, a ceremony was held in Moscow to award the WORLD FASHION MAGAZINE AWARDS 2023, where the businesswoman won in the category of “Expert in the Field of Pet Air Transportation.” Her success is well-deserved and predictable. Because what is success?! It is professionalism in one’s favorite field and great responsibility. It is when your work benefits people, inspires them, and becomes their helper if treated correctly. Finally, success is reaching another summit. Working closely with American partners, Natalia confidently moves toward her new summit – the opening of an office in the United States.
