Bringing Morty with us to the UK has easily been the most anxiety‑inducing part of our entire move. Our whole plan depended on whether he’d be allowed to come, because leaving without him was never an option. In this post, I’ll walk you through everything we did, from the earliest preparations all the way to the day of the flight, so you know exactly what to expect if you’re planning the same journey.

Before anything else, I want to mention that we consulted and hired PetTransPro PH for Morty’s relocation. They guided us through every requirement and step of the process, which made navigating the UK’s rules so much more manageable. Everything I’m sharing here is based on the UK relocation process, and every country has its own set of regulations, timelines, and paperwork, so this breakdown reflects our specific experience moving Morty to the UK.

Full Timeline and What to Expect

Let’s start with the timeline. Seeing the whole process laid out visually makes everything so much easier to understand. I made the image below to show each major step leading up to Morty’s travel date based on the actual sequence we followed.

It’s important to know that even if your pet gets annual rabies vaccinations, the UK requires a new rabies shot given after microchipping. I didn’t realise this at first, which ended up delaying Morty’s entire timeline because I assumed his existing vaccination was enough. After the new shot, you must wait a minimum of 30 days before the vet can collect blood for the rabies titer test, so getting the sequence right really matters.

At least 4 months is the minimum time you’ll need for the whole process from start to finish so getting an early start really makes a difference. Now that the full timeline makes more sense, let’s move into the first major step: the requirements, paperwork, and fees, which is basically everything you need to get things rolling.

Requirements, Paperwork, and Fees

Sorting out the official requirements was the most technical part of the journey, so I’m listing each one here along with how much it cost us. All of this took place between 2024 and 2025, so keep in mind that some fees or processes may have changed since then. Still, this should give you a solid and realistic idea of what to expect before your pet can fly to the UK.

Requirement	Cost
Microchip	500–1,500 Php
Rabies Vaccination	500–1,000 Php
Rabies Titer/Serology Test	25,000 Php
Export Fees via PetTransPro Ph	~200,000 Php

For the airline‑related costs, everything was already included in the export fee we paid through PetTransPro. This covered all the required documents, the full processing on the Philippine side, Morty’s airline fees based on his weight and crate size (he was 10.5 kg and used a 22″ crate), as well as the import fees charged on arrival in the UK. Since pets entering the UK must travel as manifested cargo regardless of size or breed, this setup is standard for all routes. We were also told that customs fees can be higher on weekends, so it’s worth keeping that in mind when choosing your pet’s arrival date.

We also submitted a set of photos to the airline to show that Morty could stand, turn around, and lie down comfortably inside his crate. This helped confirm that the crate met their requirements and that he had enough space for the long flight.

Preparations Before the Move

Preparing your pet for a long‑haul flight is not just about paperwork because the behavioural preparation matters just as much. We started with crate acclimatization by introducing the crate slowly and making it a positive, safe space for Morty. Short sessions inside, treats, and calm encouragement helped him settle in. Since he was already used to long rides in his travel bag, we didn’t have to worry about crate rides, but for pets who aren’t used to it, short drives in the crate can really help.

We also worked on building independence by practicing short periods of alone time in the crate and gradually increasing the duration. To prepare him for the sensory experience of flying, we familiarized him with aircraft sounds and low vibrations by playing recordings and placing the crate near the washing machine or dryer to mimic the hum and movement he would feel during the flight. These small steps made a big difference in keeping Morty calm on travel day.

A vet clearance is also done at least five days before the flight. During this appointment, the vet will check your pet’s weight, scan the microchip, perform a physical exam, administer the required tapeworm treatment for UK entry, and issue the Veterinary Health Certificate.

Travel Day and the Actual Flight

On the day of the flight, we were advised not to feed Morty for at least six hours before departure. We were told to prepare emergency food but also reminded not to expect the airline to feed him during the layover if it is under six hours, since feeding during short layovers is generally not recommended. We also made sure he had enough water throughout the flight so he could stay hydrated.

For the on‑the‑day processes, PetTransPro coordinated everything directly with the airline. They picked up Morty, handled the pre‑departure inspection, completed the exit clearance at the airport’s cargo area, and managed the entire airline acceptance process. We were updated at every stage, which gave us so much peace of mind knowing that Morty was doing well despite how busy and fast‑paced everything was.

UK Arrival

Morty’s trip took over 24 hours with the long layover, so it was definitely a long wait. I kept tracking his flight the entire time, and when he finally arrived at Gatwick Airport’s Animal Reception, it was a big relief. And honestly, I’m pretty sure he was just as happy to see us.

Since we didn’t have our own car in the UK, we booked Super Pet Travel to bring Morty from the airport to Wales, where we were initially staying. They handled everything so smoothly, and I genuinely recommend them.

Relocating a pet can be stressful, but the right preparation helps so much. I hope our experience makes your own journey feel more manageable. Seeing your pet arrive safely is worth every step. In the end, seeing your pet safe and finally home with you makes every step worth it.