How We Moved Kiwi, Bernie & Red from the USA to Spain

Published on December 1, 2025

Last updated: December 1, 2025

How WorldCare Pet Helped Kiwi, Bernie & Red Move from the USA to Spain

Thinking about moving your pets from the USA to Spain and not sure where to start? We’ll walk you through how WorldCare Pet helped three much-loved pets, Kiwi, Bernie, and Red, safely relocate from the United States to their new home in Spain.

You’ll see:

• What paperwork and vaccines were required
• How we coordinated flights, crates, and customs
• What we did to keep the pets comfortable and safe
• Lessons you can use if you’re planning a similar move

Kiwi, Bernie & Red’s Move

• Origin: USA
• Destination: Spain
• Pets: Kiwi, Bernie & Red (three beloved family pets)
• Service Type: Door-to-door international pet relocation
• Key Needs:
  • EU-compliant microchip & rabies vaccination
  • USDA-endorsed health certificate
  • Fit to Fly Certificate
  • Crate training & flight planning
  • Customs clearance on arrival in Spain
    

This real-life move is a perfect example of how complex international pet relocation can feel simple when each detail is managed step by step.

Meet Kiwi, Bernie & Red

Kiwi, Bernie, and Red; members of the DiGuardo family. Their pet parents were relocating to Spain and needed to do it in a short amount of time.

That’s where WorldCare Pet stepped in.

Safely Relocating Three Pets from the USA to Spain

Moving a single pet internationally can be overwhelming. Moving three pets to another continent multiplies:

• The paperwork (microchips, rabies, health certificates)
• The logistics (coordinating flights, crate sizes, and travel dates)
• The emotional load for the pet parents
  

For Kiwi, Bernie, and Red, our priorities were:

1. Ensuring full compliance with Spanish and EU pet import rules.
2. Creating a stress-minimized travel plan that suited each pet.
3. Keeping the pet parents informed at every step.

Step 1: Getting Spain’s Pet Import Requirements Right

What paperwork do you need to move a pet from the USA to Spain?

For Kiwi, Bernie, and Red, we guided their pet parents through the typical EU/Spain requirements, which generally include:

• ISO-compatible microchip implanted before rabies vaccination
• Valid rabies vaccination given after microchipping and completed at least the required number of days before entry
• Official veterinary health documentation completed by an accredited veterinarian
• USDA endorsement of the health certificate prior to departure
• Any airline-specific forms or declarations

Note: General vaccinations such as DHPP+L for dogs and FVRCP for cats are not required for entry into Spain, but they are highly recommended if you plan to board your pet. 

Our team reviewed each pet’s vaccine history, microchip details, and timelines to make sure everything aligned with Spanish entry rules.

We double-checked:

• Microchip numbers and implantation dates
• Rabies vaccine dates and validity
• Correct completion of species, breed, age, and owner information
• That the documents matched exactly across all forms
  

This careful review reduces the risk of delays or denial issues on arrival.

Step 2: Custom Travel Plan

How did we prepare Kiwi, Bernie & Red for their flight to Spain?

We provided their pet parents with:

• Crate-training guidance:
  
  • Introducing the travel crate as a safe space for your pets
  • Short practice periods inside the crate with treats and praise
  • Feeding meals in the crate to build a positive association 
• Travel-day routines:
  
  • Light feeding schedule to reduce discomfort
  • Plenty of exercise and potty breaks before check-in
  • Familiar bedding and a worn T-shirt from home for comfort 
• Airline and routing recommendations:
  
  • Pet-friendly airline options serving Spain. We went with Lufthansa, which is known for being pet-friendly
  • Routes that were pet-friendly and able to get them to their destination in a short amount of time

Our goal was not only to get them to Spain, but to make the journey as smooth, safe, and calm as possible.

Step 3: Coordinating Flights, Crates, and Check-In

For Kiwi, Bernie, and Red, WorldCare Pet:

• Confirmed airline-approved travel crates in the correct sizes
• Booked their flights on a route that minimized layovers and wait times
• Coordinated with the pet parents’ travel plans so everyone arrived in Spain within the allowed time window
• Prepared their labels, documents, and crate so ground and airline teams could quickly identify each pet 

On the day of departure, our team:

• Oversaw check-in procedures with the airline
• Confirmed that all crates were correctly labeled and secured
• Ensured all original paperwork traveled with the pets as required

Step 4: Arrival in Spain & Customs Clearance

What happens when your pet arrives in Spain?

On arrival in Spain, pets such as Kiwi, Bernie, and Red typically go through:

1. Arrival handling by authorized ground personnel
2. Document review to ensure all entry criteria are met
3. Microchip scan to confirm identity matches the paperwork
4. Customs clearance, which typically takes 3-6 hours for pets to clear.
   

Because their documents had been carefully prepared and reviewed ahead of time, Kiwi, Bernie, and Red’s arrival process went smoothly. After clearance, they were taken to their new home and reunited with their family.

Results: Three Happy Pets, One Relieved Family

For Kiwi, Bernie, and Red’s family, the biggest win wasn’t just checking “pet relocation” off the list, it was the peace of mind of knowing:

• Every document had been carefully reviewed
• Every step was tracked and communicated
• Their pets were treated with the same care and attention that human travelers receive

By the time their family settled into Spain, Kiwi, Bernie, and Red were already exploring their new neighborhood, sniffing new scents, and settling into a fresh routine.

Here’s what Kiwi, Bernie, and Red’s pet parents had to say about their experience with us:

“I think Eric did a fantastic job with the short amount of time he had. There were some initial hiccups getting the gear needed for travel but Eric overcame it and our dogs showed up healthy and happy and you can’t ask for more than that. Thank you!”

What Kiwi, Bernie & Red’s Move Can Teach You About Pet Relocation to Spain

If you’re planning to move your dog or cat from the USA to Spain, Kiwi, Bernie, and Red’s journey highlights some key lessons:

1. Start early

Give yourself plenty of time to:

• Update microchips and vaccines
• Complete health certificates
• Schedule USDA endorsement
• Book appropriate flights and crates

2. Triple-check documentation

Small errors (wrong dates, missing signatures, incorrect microchip numbers) can create big problems. Having a pet relocation counselor review every document greatly reduces risk.

3. Invest in crate training

The more comfortable your pet is in the crate at home, the less stressful the journey will feel.

4. Plan your travel as a family unit

If possible, coordinate your own arrival with your pet’s travel so you can reunite quickly and help them adjust in Spain.

5. Work with specialists

International pet relocation rules are complex and can change frequently. Partnering with a team that lives and breathes this every day can save you time and stress.

FAQs: Moving Your Pet from the USA to Spain

Can I bring my dog or cat from the USA to Spain?

Yes, you can typically bring a dog or cat from the USA to Spain as long as you meet Spain’s import requirements, which usually include:

• ISO-compatible microchip
• Valid rabies vaccination given after microchipping
• Official veterinary health documentation completed correctly
• USDA endorsement of the certificate before travel

Working with a pet relocation company helps ensure every step is completed on time and correctly.

Do pets have to be quarantined when entering Spain from the USA?

In most cases, healthy pets that meet all entry requirements and have correct documentation do not face a lengthy quarantine on arrival in Spain. Instead, they undergo document checks and an identity (microchip) verification.

However, incomplete, incorrect, or missing paperwork can lead to delays, additional procedures, or in some cases, refusal of entry, which is why preparation is so important.

How much does it cost to move a pet from the USA to Spain?

Costs can vary widely depending on:

• Number of pets
• Pet size and weight
• Origin and destination cities
• Airline and routing options
• Type of service (airport-to-airport vs. door-to-door)

WorldCare Pet provides tailored quotes for each move. For Kiwi, Bernie, and Red, the family chose a door-to-door, fully managed relocation, which covered everything from documentation guidance to flight booking and arrival coordination.

Can my pet fly in cabin to Spain from the USA?

Some airlines allow small pets to travel in cabin on certain routes, subject to:

• Size and weight limits
• Approved soft-sided carrier dimensions
• Route and aircraft restrictions

Larger pets typically travel as cargo in a temperature-controlled, pressurized area of the plane. For Kiwi, Bernie, and Red, we recommended the safest combination of routes and travel options based on their sizes, temperaments, and airline rules.

What vaccines do pets need to move to Spain?

At minimum, pets generally need:

• A rabies vaccination that meets Spain/EU timing and validity rules
• Microchip implantation that occurs before the valid rabies vaccination

Depending on your pet’s health history and your veterinarian’s recommendations, additional vaccines may be advisable.

Planning a Move to Spain with Your Pet? We Can Help.

If you’re:

• Moving to Spain for work, study, or retirement
  
• Relocating with multiple pets
• Worried about paperwork, flights, or customs

Our team can help you navigate every step.

Need assistance moving your pet from the USA to Spain?

 Fill out our free Request a Quote form, and a Pet Relocation Counselor will reach out to discuss your pet’s journey and next steps.