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However, transporting pets can be a complex process. While there are benefits to bringing them along, there are also drawbacks that are often overlooked and under-communicated. Understanding the full picture of Pet Relocation can help you make informed decisions, whether you’re a relocating employee, a mobility counselor, or an employer! Let’s jump in:

The Pros of Pet Relocation

Bringing your pet along when you relocate adds more joy to the journey. Sharing new experiences and exploring unfamiliar places with a furry companion creates a sense of continuity and comfort, especially when your pet is just as excited about the adventure as you are. Having them nearby helps ease the anxiety of the move, offering peace of mind and emotional support during a transition. And with pet relocation services handling the (often complex) logistics, the process becomes much more convenient, allowing you to focus on settling in and enjoying your new environment together.

The Drawbacks of Pet Relocation

We’ve seen the costs associated with relocation creep upwards over the past five years, and pet transportation is no exception. To get an idea of how expensive transporting pets can be, consider that most pet households report spending up to $2,000 on shipping their pets, according to a survey by PetRelocation. This same survey revealed that 13% of respondents estimated expenses of more than $3,500. Note that these costs vary widely depending on the company and the number of pets transported.

The price tag isn’t the only deterrent for some pet owners. Certain animals can experience significant stress and anxiety during transport, especially if they are not accustomed to being in a vehicle or crate. Long-distance travel can also lead to health concerns like motion sickness or dehydration.

Pet transportation involves risks worth considering as an owner, including accidents and loss. Pets can escape their carriers or slip out of their collars during transport. While these are indeed the worst-case scenarios, there are stories of pets being harmed, sickened, or dying while in transit.

To help mitigate the risk of being held accountable, many companies include protective language in their policies, stating that employees are responsible for making arrangements for pet shipment and must take full responsibility for the safe arrival of their pets. Typical policy language for this benefit includes phrases such as this:

“Employees are responsible for making arrangements for pet shipment and must take full responsibility for the safe arrival of their pets.”

What Do the Numbers Say?

Want to see what other companies are doing to accommodate their employees’ furry pals? Here’s what our benchmarking database reveals about this category of mobility support.

Reimbursement for Relocating Employees by Company Size:

• 15% of small companies move pets.
• 23% of medium companies move pets.
• 26% of large companies move pets.

Cost Contributions:

• 49% of companies provide a contribution to the cost of pet transportation rather than supporting the benefit itself.
• The average cost for transporting a pet can vary, but for one major pharmaceutical company, a general estimate landed on $5,000. Another client provides $5,000 total for a maximum of 2 pets, while another client provides $750.

For all the reasons mentioned above, many companies opt to offer a lump sum or allowance to cover reasonable and customary pet transportation costs while choosing not to manage these services directly. In fact, just under half of Weichert clients provide any specific pet-related benefits, making pet expenses a great example of how employees often use their relocation miscellaneous allowance to support their personal priorities.

We get it—pet relocation can be an emotional (and sometimes controversial) topic, especially for those who consider their pets true family members. For singles or couples without human dependents, furry companions often are the dependents. The good news? Pet relocation as a mobility benefit isn’t going anywhere!

In fact, within our client portfolio, we’ve seen a steady increase in companies including capped pet shipment allowances as part of their core/flex programs. Over the past five years, it’s become a more common and thoughtful part of the relocation conversation.

That said, pet relocation is a big decision—not just financially, but emotionally and logistically, too. Long international moves can be especially tough on anxious pets. It’s important to weigh the costs and benefits and keep all options on the table, including trusted friends or family members who may be able to provide a loving temporary (or permanent) home.

It really wouldn’t be fair to write a blog about pet ownership without sharing pictures of my own two fur sons! For your viewing pleasure, I present Riley — curled up in a basket — and Tucker, seen cuddling his emotional support plush bunny.