Head & Paws™

Settling into your new country

Before opening the carrier

Check fences, balconies, gates and doors before releasing dogs in the new home. Set up water, familiar bedding and a quiet retreat. Keep early walks short and secure; a new environment can disrupt recall and toileting. Introduce household members and other animals gradually, with separate resting places. Do not punish accidents, hiding or clinginess. Sudden illness or persistent distress needs veterinary advice.

Registration is separate from border admission

Use the destination profile to identify national databases and local authorities. Update chip contact details with an internationally diallable number and ask whether an additional local registration is required; updating your old database does not automatically enrol the dog elsewhere. Ask about licensing, dog tax, registration deadlines and proof of completion. Check regional and municipal rules as well as national law.

Establish care before supplies run out

Register with a local vet, transfer records and arrange chronic-condition reviews. Confirm emergency cover, language support, payment methods and prescription access. Tell the vet every country visited and discuss locally appropriate parasite prevention. Ask insurers whether cover continues after permanent relocation, including pre-existing conditions, liability, exclusions and waiting periods. Travel insurance and resident pet insurance are different products.

Learn the everyday rules and environment

Check leash and muzzle obligations, restricted dog types, public transport, beaches, parks and assistance-dog access. Confirm landlord and building rules in writing. Adapt exercise gradually to heat, cold, altitude and different daylight; do not use fixed acclimatisation deadlines. Investigate local ticks, biting insects, toxic wildlife/plants, water hazards and seasonal alerts. Keep routines predictable while allowing each dog to choose quiet space.

Official sources and verification

Substantive source check: 22 October 2026. These are dated references, not live monitoring. Recheck before booking and again before departure. Local rules and transport availability require separate confirmation.

Continue planning

Your dog relocation planner · Choose your destination · Settling into your new country