Global Pet Travel Services Market Outlook, 2031

Pet travel services help owners move or travel with companion animals safely and legally, within a country or across borders. They include pet transportation by air, road, rail and sea, door-to-door relocation, flight booking and crate selection, veterinary health checks and certificates, import and export documentation, customs clearance, quarantine arrangements, microchip and vaccination advice, pet taxis, pet-friendly accommodation booking, boarding and sitting during trips, airport handling, and travel insurance. Customers are individuals relocating for work, military and diplomatic families, tourists travelling with pets, breeders and rescue organisations, and sports or show owners. Participants include IPATA member companies, Airpets International, PetRelocation, Fetch Pet Care, Rover, Wag, BringFido, Tripadvisor and airlines with pet programmes, such as Lufthansa, KLM, Qatar Airways, Emirates, Air France, Delta and United. Value depends on animal welfare, regulatory knowledge, route access, reliability of airlines and the trust owners place in handlers and veterinarians. Many operators are small family-run firms with strong local networks, while online platforms increasingly connect them with customers. Competition is strong among small firms. Reputation, reviews and referrals matter greatly.

The market rebounded after pandemic travel restrictions and benefited from rising pet ownership, remote work and the habit of treating pets as family members. Regulation is a defining feature, as every country sets its own rules on microchips, rabies vaccination, blood tests, health certificates, treatments and quarantine. Notable changes include the United Kingdom's separate pet travel arrangements from January 2021, the European Union's Animal Health Law from April 2021, the United States Department of Transportation's rule ending emotional support animal status for airline travel in January 2021 and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's dog import requirements from August 2024. Airline policies on cabin and cargo travel, breed and temperature restrictions, and capacity on long-haul routes affect availability and price. Through 2031, the key variables are air capacity and airline pet policies, regulatory harmonisation, pet-friendly hospitality growth, digital document tools, safety and welfare standards, insurance coverage and consumer willingness to pay for professional handling. Providers with strong compliance expertise, airline relationships and clear communication are expected to hold advantages. Growth is expected to remain strongest where owners value professional advice and welfare assurance.

Drivers •Rising Pet Ownership, Humanisation and Travelling with Pets More households own pets and treat them as family members, so owners prefer to take animals on holidays, business trips and relocations rather than leave them behind. Remote and hybrid work allows longer stays in different places, and owners are willing to pay for professional help to meet complex rules. Social media and the growth of pet-friendly hotels, restaurants, beaches and transport options encourage trips with pets and increase demand for related services.

•International Mobility and Complex Regulation Expatriate workers, students, diplomats and military families move across countries, and each move requires documents, vaccinations, tests and sometimes quarantine, which many owners find too complicated to handle alone. Changing rules, such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's dog import conditions from August 2024, increase the value of specialists who know current requirements. Professional movers also arrange crates, flights, customs clearance and veterinary care, reducing stress and the risk of refusal at borders.

Challenges •Airline Restrictions, Capacity Limits and Animal Welfare Risks Airlines limit the number of animals per flight, restrict cabin travel by size, impose embargoes in hot or cold weather and for flat-faced breeds, and some have paused cargo pet services after incidents. Limited cargo space on long-haul routes can delay moves, and mishaps such as lost or injured animals create reputational and legal risk. Providers must manage welfare, temperature control and handling through partnerships and careful planning. Seasonal embargoes add complexity.



•Regulatory Complexity, High Cost and Fragmented Providers Differing and frequently changing import rules, including vaccination timing, blood tests and quarantine, create the risk of errors that can cause animals to be refused entry or held in quarantine. Costs for international pet relocation can run to many hundreds or thousands of dollars, which limits use to higher-income owners. The market is fragmented into small specialist firms, and quality varies, so owners may find it difficult to compare providers or verify credentials. Document errors are costly.

Trends •Digital Documentation, Marketplaces and Pet-Friendly Travel Platforms Online platforms are being used to check import requirements, book transport, manage veterinary appointments and track animals in transit with live updates. Digital health certificates and electronic submission to authorities are spreading, which reduces errors and speeds approval. Marketplaces link owners to vetted transporters, sitters and pet-friendly accommodation, and travel booking sites add filters and services for pets, making planning easier. Owners expect real-time updates on their pets. Tracking tools are spreading.

•Premium Services, Pet-Focused Airlines and Welfare Standards Premium services, such as private charter flights for pets, pet lounges, climate-controlled ground transport and dedicated cabin programmes, are expanding for affluent customers. Airlines and airports are building pet handling facilities, and welfare certification schemes and industry standards, such as those of the International Pet and Animal Transportation Association, help owners identify qualified providers. Insurance covering pet travel, quarantine and emergency veterinary care is becoming more common. Pilot programmes are expanding in several airports and cities.

Pet transportation and relocation lead because moving an animal across borders needs specialised handling, flights and crates, while accommodation, booking and insurance services grow fastest as pet-inclusive holidays become mainstream. Pet transportation and relocation is the largest service type because international and long-distance moves require crates, flight booking, handling at airports, ground transfers and often accompanied or cargo travel, and owners are willing to pay professionals for reliability and welfare. Services may be door to door and include live tracking, climate control and veterinary oversight. Documentation, veterinary and customs support covers import and export permits, health certificates, vaccinations, microchipping, blood tests and customs clearance, and is critical for compliance and often bundled with transport. Pet-friendly accommodation and travel booking, including hotels, rentals, campsites and transport tickets for pets, is the fastest growing because more travellers take pets on domestic holidays and leisure trips and platforms make searching easy. Boarding, sitting and ground transport, including pet taxis, short stays at kennels or homes, and day care while owners travel, provide convenient alternatives to taking animals along. Travel insurance and other services, such as microchip registration and training for crates, add value. Through 2031, accommodation, booking platforms and insurance are expected to grow faster, while relocation remains the largest by value, and bundled packages that cover documents, travel and care are expected to become more common.

Air transport leads because most international pet relocation depends on flights, while road transport grows fastest as owners take domestic trips and use pet taxis and driver-accompanied services across land borders. Air transport is the largest mode by value because international relocation, expatriate moves and long-distance travel require flights, either in the cabin for small animals, as checked baggage or as cargo for larger pets. Airlines set rules on carriers, breeds, weather and number of pets, and specialist handlers arrange booking, crates, documents and ground services. Capacity constraints on busy routes, seasonal embargoes and airline policy changes can increase cost and complexity, so experienced providers are valued. Road transport is the fastest growing because domestic and regional trips are more common, people use cars for holidays, and specialist pet taxis and ground transporters offer door-to-door services for moves within Europe, North America and other large areas. Road transport allows more flexibility and often lower stress and cost. Rail and sea include trains that permit pets on board, ferries with pet cabins and cruise lines with kennels, and are important in countries such as the United Kingdom, Nordic countries and Mediterranean regions. Through 2031, road and rail options are expected to expand with pet-friendly policies, while air remains the key mode for international relocation, and greater coordination between airlines, airports and handlers could improve capacity and welfare.

Dogs lead because they travel most often with owners and are the main subject of relocation and holiday services, while cats and other pets grow as owners seek safe transport options for less common animals. Dogs are the largest pet type because they accompany owners on holidays, road trips and relocations more often than other pets, and many accommodation and transport services are designed for them. Regulations for dogs, including rabies vaccination, microchipping and, in some countries, age and health documentation, are strict, and breed restrictions apply for flat-faced dogs on many airlines, which raises demand for specialised services. Cats are an important and growing group, as they are generally more sensitive to stress and are often moved by air in the cabin or by road, and owners increasingly seek calm and well-handled options, as well as boarding at home while travelling. Other pets, such as birds, rabbits, small mammals and reptiles, have complex rules for import and travel, and require specialist handling or are excluded by some carriers, creating a niche of expert providers. Through 2031, cats and other pets are expected to grow as owners become more comfortable with travel and as airlines and accommodation providers broaden their policies, while dogs remain the largest segment and a main target for pet-friendly tourism products and services across both leisure and relocation markets. Breed rules vary by airline.

International travel leads by value because cross-border moves need documents, flights and specialised handling, while domestic travel grows fastest through pet-friendly holidays, road trips and rising use of accommodation and booking platforms. International travel is the largest destination type by value because cross-border moves involve complex regulation, advance planning, veterinary procedures, customs clearance, airline arrangements and sometimes quarantine, and owners rely on specialists to avoid mistakes. Typical customers include expatriates, military and diplomatic staff, students, breeders and travellers staying abroad for extended periods, and prices reflect the high labour and compliance content. Rule changes, such as new import requirements for dogs entering the United States from August 2024 and the post-2021 differences between the United Kingdom and European Union systems, increase the need for expert advice. Domestic travel is the fastest growing because more people take pets on holidays, weekend trips and moves within their country, using pet taxis, pet-friendly hotels, rentals, campsites and public transport, and services are simpler and cheaper. Platforms that list pet-friendly venues and book transport and care make planning easier. Through 2031, domestic and regional travel are expected to grow faster than international relocation, while international services remain higher in value per customer, and digital tools and bundled offers will reduce friction and widen access in both categories. Providers with strong veterinary and customs networks are best placed to win repeat and referral business.

North America leads pet travel services through high pet ownership, large airline networks and strong spending, while Europe adds regulated cross-border travel and pet-friendly tourism, Asia-Pacific grows with expatriates and ownership, and other regions develop through hubs and tourism. North America is the largest region because of very high pet ownership, strong spending on pets and a large domestic travel and relocation market. Airlines such as Delta, United, American, Alaska and Air Canada have pet programmes with different cabin and cargo rules, and the United States Department of Transportation's rule that took effect in January 2021 ended emotional support animal status for air travel, so airlines treat such animals as pets and fees apply. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention introduced new dog import requirements from August 2024, including microchips and minimum age, as well as a form for entry, which increased the need for expert guidance. Pet-friendly hotels, rental homes and platforms such as BringFido and Rover support domestic trips. Specialist international movers, many belonging to the International Pet and Animal Transportation Association, serve expatriates and military families. Hawaii and island territories have special quarantine rules. Canada has similar demand and import rules, and Mexico is growing through tourism. By 2031, growth is expected from road trips, pet-friendly lodging and digital document services. Insurance and welfare standards are increasingly important in provider selection.

Europe is a large and well-established region for pet travel because of high pet ownership, short distances between countries and harmonised rules within the European Union. The Pet Travel Scheme under Regulation 576/2013, which applied from December 2014, allows dogs, cats and ferrets to travel between member states with a microchip, rabies vaccination and passport. The Animal Health Law, which applies from April 2021, sets the wider framework. The United Kingdom's departure from the European Union changed arrangements, as British pet passports stopped being valid for entry to the European Union from January 2021 and travellers need an animal health certificate for each trip, so specialist support is in demand. Rail, ferry and road travel with pets is common, and pet-friendly hotels, beaches and restaurants are widespread, especially in Germany, France, Italy and Spain. Airlines such as Lufthansa, KLM and Air France have pet programmes with specific rules. By 2031, growth is expected from regional travel, digital certificates and the expansion of pet-friendly tourism, while rules for entry from non-EU countries remain strict. Border checks and documentation after Brexit remain a practical challenge for owners.

Asia-Pacific is a fast growing region because of rising pet ownership, expanding expatriate communities, growth in air travel and rising incomes. Japan, Singapore, Hong Kong, Australia and New Zealand have strict import rules, including health tests, waiting periods and quarantine in some cases, and these markets rely on specialists who understand the process. Australia and New Zealand have strong biosecurity and long lead times for dogs and cats, while Singapore and Hong Kong are major hubs for expatriate relocation. China has a growing pet population, with owners increasingly travelling domestically with pets and demand for pet-friendly hotels and services, and strict customs rules for entry. Japan has an established pet travel culture with pet-friendly trains, hotels and services. India and Southeast Asia are developing markets with expanding pet ownership, new airline pet policies and growing demand for professional movers. Barriers include limited airline capacity for pets on some routes, strict quarantine rules and a lack of standard providers. By 2031, the region is expected to be among the fastest growing, driven by expatriate relocation, tourism and domestic pet-friendly travel. Strong biosecurity rules keep demand for specialists high.

Latin America has a large and increasing pet population, and pet travel services are growing with rising incomes, tourism and expatriate and business mobility. Brazil and Mexico are the largest markets, with a growing number of pet-friendly hotels, beaches, restaurants and airlines that accept pets in cabin or cargo, and Argentina, Chile and Colombia have developing services. Regulations differ by country, but generally require health certificates and vaccination documents issued by local veterinary authorities and approved by agriculture ministries, so specialist handlers help with paperwork. Domestic travel by road and air is common, and pet taxis are expanding in large cities. Airlines such as LATAM, Avianca and Aeromexico have pet policies, with restrictions on size, breed and weather. Barriers include limited cargo capacity for pets, high costs, currency volatility and varying standards of handling. International relocation to and from North America and Europe is an important segment for expatriates. By 2031, growth is expected from rising domestic tourism with pets, pet-friendly accommodation, and growth of digital platforms that connect owners and verified transporters. Verified providers and clearer airline policies would help the market grow. Demand is growing.

The Middle East and Africa are developing regions, with demand concentrated in the Gulf hubs and tourism destinations. The United Arab Emirates, Qatar and Saudi Arabia have large expatriate populations who move with pets, and carriers such as Emirates, Qatar Airways and Etihad operate pet programmes, mainly through cargo, which makes Dubai and Doha important connecting hubs for relocation to and from Asia, Europe and Africa. Import rules require permits, microchips, vaccinations and health certificates, and some countries restrict breeds. Hot climates create seasonal embargoes for animals in cargo, which require careful planning. Pet-friendly hotels and services are growing in the Gulf, and specialist pet movers and veterinary clinics serve the expatriate community. South Africa has an established pet relocation industry, with exports and imports, and safari and travel businesses developing pet-friendly offers. Egypt, Morocco and Kenya are emerging. Barriers include limited cabin acceptance of pets by some carriers, strict regulations, high costs and fewer specialist providers outside main cities. By 2031, growth is expected from Gulf expatriate movement, hub-based relocation and tourism with pets. Seasonal heat restrictions and limited capacity remain challenges. Hubs are key.

August 2024 – CDC dog import requirements take effect: The rule requires dogs entering the United States to meet conditions on age, microchip and documentation, and an import form, increasing demand for expert pre-travel guidance.

April 2021 – EU Animal Health Law applies: Regulation (EU) 2016/429 became applicable, setting an overarching framework for animal health, including movements of pets.

January 2021 – US DOT ends emotional support animal status for air travel: The final rule allows airlines to treat emotional support animals as pets, which affects fees and cabin rules for animals.

January 2021 – UK pet travel to the EU changes after Brexit: British pet passports stopped being valid for entry to the EU and travellers needed an animal health certificate for each trip.

December 2014 – EU Pet Travel Regulation 576/2013 begins to apply: The regulation sets rules for non-commercial movement of pets, including microchip, rabies vaccination and passport requirements.

1979 – International Pet and Animal Transportation Association founded: The industry body was formed to promote welfare and professional standards among pet and animal transporters worldwide.


Considered in this report
• Historic Year: 2020
• Base Year: 2025
• Estimated Year: 2026
• Forecast Year: 2031

Aspects covered in this report
• Global Pet Travel Services Market with its segments and regional outlook
• Various drivers and challenges
• Ongoing trends and developments
• Key developments and regulatory milestones

By Service Type
• •Pet transportation and relocation
• •Documentation, veterinary and customs support
• •Pet-friendly accommodation and travel booking
• •Boarding, sitting and ground transport
• •Travel insurance and other services

By Mode of Transport
• •Air
• •Road
• •Rail and sea

By Pet Type
• •Dogs
• •Cats
• •Other pets

By Destination Type
• •Domestic
• •International