How to Relocate a Pet to London

London Relocation With Pets Is Our Specialty!

What to research for your London pet relocation:

• Transporting your pet to the UK
• DEFRA’s Pet Travel Scheme
• Whether a pet passport is necessary
• Pet quarantine
• Other UK import rules and requirements
  (e.g., microchips, tests, and vaccines)

What you should know about relocating a pet

• Even if a landlord is okay with you having a pet, if the building says no, it’s no.
• If the building says yes but the landlord says no, you might still be able to negotiate by:
  • Meeting asking price versus low-balling
  • Paying an additional fee
  • Paying additional months’ rent in advance
• In general, the larger the number and size of your animal(s), the more difficult it will be to find a London apartment to rent. A single cat or small dog is given the most leeway.
• Many parks have large leash-free areas (leashes are called "leads" in British English), but be mindful of other animals that may dwell there like horses and deer.
• Beloved London parks for dog-walking: Kensington Gardens, Hyde Park, Regents Park, Battersea Park, Richmond Park, Hampstead Heath, and Primrose Hill.
• London is overall very pet-friendly, with many pubs, restaurants, and shops welcoming dogs inside their establishments.
• Dogs can ride public transport, too!

Veterinary care in the UK:

• You have a choice of public and private care. Chains include Hamilton Veterinary Clinics and Village Vet. Pets Naturally is a highly recommended Notting Hill clinic.
• Pet insurance is available through many companies like Tesco.
• PDSA is the UK’s leading veterinary charity.
• The Royal Veterinary College (RVC) provides clinical services and referrals.
• University of Cambridge has an animal hospital with cutting edge treatment of serious pet illnesses.
• Like healthcare for humans, your experience is largely dependent on whether or not you find a good doctor. So do the research, ask around, and take referrals seriously.

Additional tips/hints:

• Garden flats make for pet-friendly homes, often including backyard space.
• Having other pets to socialize with in the neighborhood or the local park is a plus.
• Frequent walks will help your pet get used to the different flora.
• Research in advance which tube stations have elevators/escalators vs. stairs for your pup.
• Pet food is found in most grocery chains, and stores like Whole Foods and Pet Pavilion offer specialty brands like Lily’s Kitchen and Darlings Real Foods.

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