Destination: Detroit
Taking Pets to Detroit
Taking Pets to Detroit
Relocating your pet from the UK to Detroit requires thoughtful planning, attention to detail, and a strong understanding of import regulations. Known for its rich cultural heritage and revitalised neighbourhoods, Detroit is becoming increasingly pet-friendly, offering spacious parks, riverside walking trails, and a welcoming urban community for both pets and their owners. From Belle Isle Park to the Dequindre Cut Greenway, Detroit provides many opportunities for your pet to explore and enjoy a new environment.
PetAir UK specialises in international pet relocation, guiding pet owners through every step of the process. Moving your dog or cat to the US involves securing up-to-date vaccinations, selecting an IATA-compliant travel crate, navigating airline policies, and ensuring all paperwork aligns with CDC, USDA, and state-level requirements. Detroit’s continental climate—hot summers and cold, snowy winters—means seasonal planning is essential to ensure your pet’s journey is safe and stress-free. In this guide, we outline the essential steps to make your pet’s move to Detroit as smooth and secure as possible, so you can both enjoy your new surroundings with confidence.
1. Research Entry Requirements and Restrictions
Begin by reviewing CDC and USDA import regulations, which apply to all pets entering the United States. These typically require:
- Proof of rabies vaccination
- A valid health certificate issued close to departure
- Travel history documentation if arriving from a high-risk country
Michigan follows these federal rules, but it’s worth checking if Detroit or Wayne County enforces any regional measures. PetAir UK monitors regulation changes and can guide you through every step to avoid delays or entry issues.
2. Consult Your Vet
Visit your vet well ahead of your travel date to:
- Confirm all vaccinations, especially rabies, are current
- Administer any necessary booster shots
- Issue a health certificate (within 10 days of travel)
Discuss how your pet may respond to Detroit’s climate, including snow exposure or urban allergens. Your vet can help manage pre-existing conditions and recommend strategies for a safe, comfortable journey.
3. Secure the Right Travel Crate
Your crate must meet IATA (International Air Transport Association) guidelines. Ensure it is:
- Sturdy and well-ventilated
- Large enough for your pet to stand, turn, and lie down
- Outfitted with insulated bedding or covers for winter, or additional water access in summer
Start crate training several weeks in advance to reduce travel anxiety. PetAir UK can help you select or customise a crate that matches your pet’s size and comfort needs.
4. Understand Airline Policies
Airline pet travel policies differ considerably. When booking:
- Check whether your pet can travel in-cabin or must go in the cargo hold
- Review breed restrictions and seasonal temperature embargoes
- Look for direct flights to Detroit Metropolitan Airport (DTW)
Choose airlines experienced with pet travel to ensure smooth handling and consistent care during transit.
5. Sort Out the Paperwork
Rabies is MANDATORY in Texas & Florida and required for all US-bound flights with American Airlines. While not federally mandated in all cases, a rabies vaccine is strongly recommended.
You’ll need:
- A valid rabies certificate
- A health certificate from your vet (within 10 days of travel)
- Microchip registration details
- Possibly a rabies titre test or CDC import permit if your pet is arriving from a high-risk rabies country
Keep both paper and digital copies of all documents in a clearly labelled folder. PetAir UK provides document verification to ensure everything is in order before departure.
6. Plan Your Travel Timetable
Detroit has a cold, snowy winter and hot, humid summer. For best results:
- Schedule travel in spring or autumn for milder conditions
- If flying in winter, opt for midday flights to avoid freezing temps
- For summer departures, book early morning or evening flights
Allow time for:
- Final vet appointments
- Crate acclimatisation
- Document review
Avoid last-minute stress by preparing your pet early.
7. Consider Using a Specialist Pet Shipper
A professional pet shipper like PetAir UK can coordinate:
- Airline bookings and travel crate logistics
- Veterinary checks and documentation
- US customs and inspection procedures
Their expertise is invaluable, especially if your pet has special needs or if you are managing multiple aspects of an international move. A pet shipper also provides real-time support should your itinerary change due to weather or flight delays.
8. Prepare for Arrival in Detroit
Upon landing at Detroit Metropolitan Airport (DTW):
- Retrieve your pet from the cargo facility or oversized baggage claim
- Have all documents ready for USDA or customs inspection
- Bring season-appropriate supplies such as a cooling mat in summer or a blanket in winter
Pre-book pet-friendly local transport, and ensure your home or accommodation is prepared with water, food, and a quiet area to help your pet settle in comfortably.
9. Alleviating Pet Stress and Anxiety
Moving can be overwhelming for pets. Help reduce stress by:
- Beginning crate training several weeks in advance
- Keeping feeding, exercise, and rest schedules consistent
- Using familiar bedding, toys, or clothing with your scent
- Asking your vet about calming sprays or natural supplements if needed
Once in Detroit, give your pet time to adjust gradually. Take short walks, introduce them to the new space slowly, and monitor their comfort.
10. Settling into Life in Detroit
Detroit is a pet-friendly city with a growing community of animal lovers. Once settled:
- Register your pet with a local vet and the City of Detroit
- Explore riverfront trails, dog parks, and pet-welcoming cafés
- Use pet-safe de-icers and booties in winter to avoid frostbite or road salt exposure
- Limit midday outdoor activity in summer to prevent overheating
With proper care and a gradual transition, your pet will quickly adapt to their new home in Detroit’s vibrant and welcoming environment.
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Toby to Orlando
He is doing great thank you. He’s been on lots of walks already and already made some doggy friends 🙂
I haven’t yet taken one of us reunited however I do have some of Toby enjoying the pool life in the Florida sunshine….
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Lilo the dog flew to Tampa, USA
Can we just say thank you so much LILO is in perfect health and in no distress when we picked her up it was so enjoyable being reunited with her. This is all thanks to you at Pet Air Uk.
She ate and drank straight away and did her business soon after all great signs that she was happy.
I will be highly recommending you to all my pet owner friends.
Thanks so much
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Lola to JFK
“Thanks Linsey – really happy with the service from start to finish, communicative and professional and Lola was so relaxed when she got here. Attached some pictures and will review on Facebook.
Thanks again”
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Peter the cat has flown to Boston, USA
“Hi Bob and Cat and Peter
Thank you so much for everything! Peter arrived safely (if a bit smelly!) to a very cold Boston last night. After an hour and half car journey to his temporary home in NH, he met is ‘grandparents’ and is settling in quickly. Yesterday was already an emotional day for us – but knowing that he was being so well looked after certainly made the journey easier for us. The whole process was so well organized – from initial quote to picking him up, and thank you to Peter (who picked him up, appropriately) for being so calm and thorough to two blubbering owners! We hope we won’t have to travel internationally again, but if we do – we will be in touch!!!
Thank you!!
Bxxxxx”
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Molly flew over to Houston, USA
I wanted to take the opportunity to say a huge THANK YOU! to you and your staff for doing such a wonderful job transporting Molly here to me in Houston.
She arrived safe and sound last Friday, as scheduled, and your staff did a fantastic job with her crate and comfort amenities. Understandably, she was VERY happy to see me and to get out of the crate and move about, but it appeared she had a relatively comfortable flight over.
Molly is adjusting to life here in Houston, and she is back to her typical Jack Russell ways!
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Blue & Belle in Florida
Amazing from start to finish !
Travelled with my 2 Doberman : Blue 11 month & Belle 2 years . The kennel pick up prior to our long haul flight (London – Miami) was perfect , the custom build crates were perfect , and the Miami kennel that picked the dogs up from customs was great as we met there to let the dogs have a run around /loo break after their long flight . Both dogs seemed completely unaffected by the long flight and all the people that they encountered during the journey. I was naturally anxious about it all : I didn’t need to be as everything went absolutely perfect !
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Lieutenant Worf, Jeanne d’Arc and La Reine Margot flew to Atlanta, USA
Dear Darren, Luke and everyone else involved in shipping our pets to Atlanta,
I just wanted to say thank you from the bottom of our hearts for taking such good care of our three pets Lieutenant Worf, Jeanne d’Arc and La Reine Margot.You have made a very stressful process easy and we were very impressed by your professionalism via email and at your center.Our pets were so comfy in their crates that we have decided to decorate them and keep them as their individual dens.
So once again, many thanks. Kind regards, Jxxx and Bxxxxxx
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Pixel to USA – October 2019
I just thought you’d like to know that we have collected Pixel. All went well and he seems in good form too. I can’t thank you and all of the Pet Air team enough for being so perfect: so prompt, attentive, communicative, always available to clarify any questions I had, to calm my worries, so lovely to Pixel. I will endeavour to recommend you as much as possible to anyone that may need your services or even just to let them know how amazing you are :-). Once again thank you so much for making this stressful and emotional experience very easy and lovely.
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Penny and Trixie to San Francisco
“Hi Darren. I wanted to thank you again for all your work getting Penny and Trixie here. They both arrived just fine and are settling in nicely. I hear they meowed the whole flight.
I hope you’ll pass on my thanks to the rest of the team at pet air. -Kxxxx”
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Charlie to Pittsburgh
Thank you for the receipt, and a huge thank you to everyone at Pet Air, you really came through and we couldn’t be happier with the service!
Charlie arrived in one piece, quickly ousted the already resident cat owned by my wife’s father and is enjoying watching new wildlife (there are bobcats) out the window.
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George to Houston
I wanted to drop you a quick message to let you know we all made it safe and sound. George is in great shape, other than a little confused but is very happy and most importantly healthy. Thank you for the outstanding service!!!
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England to Washington DC
Like most, I find the idea of pets on a plane a bit weird. PetAir made it so easy. I just filled in some simple forms when asked, and my dog and cat were delivered door-to-door from the North of England to Washington DC. They also have good packages to either bring down the cost, or go for a comprehensive service. I found it reassuring that PetAir is run by vets. Strongly recommend!
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Luna Arrives In NYC!
PetAir UK helped me to move to NYC with my Staffie Luna. They provided an excellent service and kept me updated with her progress via photos which really helped me know she was doing well during the transfer.
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George and Minnie
“Hi Linsey, Cat and Zara,
Minnie, George and I are safely in Cleveland and settling in very well! Thank you for all your help and fantastic service. We could not have done this move without you! Here are some photos of M&G in their new home..
Lots of cuddling!”
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Monty to Los Angeles
“Monty is safely ensconced in Los Angeles after an extremely long journey. Our old cat has not welcomed him with open paws but that will probably change and the rabbit doesn’t know what this alien creature is except he chases her around the house. I am attaching a couple of photos so you know what he looks like – looks rather sweet and innocent to me – don’t believe a word of it!
So thank you for getting him here safely.”
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US to the UK
From start to finish the service provided by PetAir UK was excellent. They are on top of everything – they communicate well – they let you know the process and keep you informed. We went for the Gold service and our dog took three days to get to us in the US from the UK. We knew he was in safe hands – you can tell that they genuinely care as my parents who had the job of handing our dog to the driver in the UK were upset to see him go. The driver was lovely and reassuring – the team in the office even had photos of him sent to them when he arrived at the UK kennels to reassure them he was okay. On the US side the agent took care of everything and he was safely delivered to us chilled out and care free three days later. Thank you PetAir UK. We will be using your services again when we return in maybe 2/3 years time.
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Happy Pup Arrives In Chicago
All went well with the clearance and handover of this cutie in Chicago last night. Look at that smile on the pup’s face!!!
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Atticus the cat flew to Portland, Oregon
Dear Valerie, Jackie, Victoria and the Petair UK team,
I wanted to say a massive thank you for all your help with bringing Atticus over to Portland, Oregon, and for answering all of my many questions. I was extremely anxious and worried about Atticus flying all the way over here, but felt reassured with all your replies. Atticus arrived safely Tuesday evening, he was a little bit concerned with the loud noises in the cargo area but soon settled down on the car ride home with us talking to him. We have been getting lots of head rubs, chirrups and purrs since he arrived!! 🙂 The past couple of days he has been enjoying his new American food and looking out of the windows at all the wildlife. I have enclosed a couple of photos of him 🙂
If we ever relocate back to the UK we will definitely be contacting Petair UK. You have all been fantastic! Thank you so much! Jxxxxx 🙂
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A huge thank you to everyone at PetAir
“I just wanted to say a huge thank you to everyone at PetAir for how accommodating and helpful you have all been. We were very apprehensive about putting the cats on a plane, but everything went so smoothly that is took away a lot of the stress. We also really appreciated you looking into the various routes for getting here, especially when we almost changed the final destination to Detroit rather than Chicago a week before the flight!
Pip and Elsie have settled in very well in Michigan, and they were back to their usual selves within no time at all. I’ve attached a couple of photos of the mischievous pair!
Thanks again for everything.”
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Princess to USA – 2019
We were so happy with how the journey went, start to finish you guys were so helpful and reassuring.
Princess arrived safely and has settled in so well to her new life in LA!
Nothing but positive things to say. Thank you again!
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Bella and Nelson Travel to the USA!
Bella and Nelson travelled from UK to the USA with Pet Air Uk We might be a long way from our old home and there is still a lot of unpacking to do but our most precious dogs have made it safe and well! We are really appreciative of all the support and help that meant we could be reunited in our new home Wilmslow Cheshire to Carmel Indiana – what seemed such a big ask was made easy by Manisha and team at Pet Air UK Everything went smoothly and we were kept up dated at all times and there was so much help with the forms and paperwork The dogs were reunited with us and an hour and a half after landing in Chicago and their pet taxi driver and customer broker was very lovely. The whole experience was brilliant I would highly recommend the service.
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Ayumi and Askari to the USA – September 2019
Thank you for everything!! The cats arrived safely and they are settling in nicely. It’s so lovely to see them again and have them home. You have all been so amazing and taken the stress out of this experience for us. The crate was great and they seemed very comfortable and Chris, who picked up the cats from my parents was great! Thank you again.
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Sassy, Rahna and Dexter went to Orlando, USA – July 2015
I just wanted to thank you both for what you and your colleagues for the amazing service you have provided us with.
All 3 of our pets have arrived in Florida fit and well. As this move has had my wife and I on an emotional roller coaster but having our pets arrived today has so much.
Though you dealing with the mountain of silly little questions that put our minds at ease, we were worried how long it would take our pets to settle but as you can see Sassy and Rahna have settled so well, Dexter has as well just not as easy to get a picture of him.
Thank you again
All are friends have been made aware of what a fantastic company you are for transporting our pets.
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Ciara’s Exciting Adventure to San Francisco!
Ciara has arrived safely to San Francisco, huge thank you to you and the rest of the PetAir team for making the process so smooth and for looking after her.
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Casper’s journey to the US!
PetAir UK were absolutely fantastic. They made our whole experience relocating from the UK to the US so much more relaxing. It was so reassuring to know that real professionals were on hand to look after Casper, our cat, throughout his journey. They were very efficient answering all our questions and made us feel very relaxed and confident that Casper would be ok. Thank you so much!!
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Jake and Reggie to San Francisco
I am happy to report that everything went well & the boys arrived safe & sound.
We would like to say a very big thank you to you & the team for all your support throughout this process. Your professional, calm approach ensured we felt confident that our boys would be treated well & looked after.
So Thank You!
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Stanley and Alfie flew to New York
“Hi Cat
I just wanted to say a massive thank you on behalf of me, my partner and our pets for all the work you and everyone else has done to get Stanley and Alfie safely to us in New York. They arrived about half an hour ago a little confused but well looked after. And after a little exploring of our accommodation seem to be settling down nicely.
Everyone from Zara who dealt with my initial enquiry, you who answered all my questions and the people that were involved in transporting the pets have made us feel at ease about what was the scariest part of our relocation.
Thank you once again
Lxxx, Jxxx, Stanley & Alfie Jane”
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Thanks again to you and all your colleagues at Pet Air UK for a brilliant service.
“Freddie loves America! Here he is before and after a groom yesterday and when he had just arrived.
We will be sure to use you again when we return to the UK in a few years.”
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Benson and Riley the dogs flew to Miami, USA
Both Benson and Riley have settled in well, I’ve attached a few snaps.
Can I just take this opportunity to say thank you for making the whole process so easy. From every step of the way I had absolute confidence that Benson and Riley would be well looked and confidence in Pet Air delivering a great service.
During a stressful situation, managing everything that had to be done for my move to the states and everything that has to be completed on arrival, it was fantastic not to have to worry about the transportation of Benson and Riley, so thank you once again for easing the stress levels.