Published on May 25, 2026
Not all relocations involve cats and dogs. Sometimes, they involve a Continental Giant rabbit named Alfred. His journey from London to Madrid is one of our favorite stories to tell.
When Alfred’s family reached out to WorldCare Pet about their upcoming relocation from London to Madrid, they knew it wasn’t going to be a simple move. Alfred isn’t your average house rabbit. As a Continental Giant, he’s one of the largest rabbit breeds in the world: a gentle, social, people-loving giant who regularly goes to the park for his daily hops and has even befriended a dog or two. Moving him across an international border, on a plane, for the first time? That was a big deal, for Alfred and especially for his family.
“I was super worried about his little heart, the stress of his first flight,” his owner shared afterward. But as Alfred’s story shows, with the right team and the right preparation, even the most unusual pet relocations can go smoothly.
Meet Alfred: A Continental Giant with a Big Personality
Continental Giants are truly remarkable animals. One of the largest rabbit breeds in existence, they’re known for being calm, friendly, and highly social, more like a small dog than the stereotypical timid house bunny. Alfred fit that description perfectly. His family described him as loving and outgoing, comfortable around new people, and a seasoned traveler of sorts; he’d already handled several long car rides without a fuss.
That background gave our Pet Relocation Counselor, Reilly, a strong foundation to work with. Knowing Alfred’s temperament meant the team could plan his journey with confidence, and share those reassuring details with every handler along the way.
Planning the Move: London Heathrow to Madrid
The planning process kicked off in early February with an introductory call between Reilly and Alfred’s family. From there, about four to five weeks of preparation went into organizing every detail before travel day.
The route: A direct Iberia flight from London Heathrow to Madrid, with Alfred traveling as cargo. After his arrival in Madrid, the family met him with the help of our local team and transported him by train to their new home in Málaga the following morning.
The paperwork: Moving a rabbit from the UK to Spain (and into the EU) is actually more straightforward than many clients expect. Alfred needed a working, readable microchip and a fit-to-travel veterinary assessment completed within 10 days of departure. That was it. Reilly guided the family through each requirement step by step so nothing was left to chance.
The carrier: Due to Alfred’s impressive size, a larger IATA-compliant carrier was used: a Series 300 crate measuring 81 x 56 x 58 cm. Standard IATA regulations apply to rabbits just as they do to cats and dogs, and making sure Alfred had the right amount of space for his comfort was a priority.
The Unique Challenges of Flying a Rabbit
While dogs and cats are our most common travelers, rabbits come with their own specific set of considerations, and one of the most important ones is often surprising to first-time rabbit owners.
Rabbits must keep eating. Unlike dogs or cats, a rabbit’s digestive system is highly sensitive to disruption. An empty gut can quickly become a medical emergency. To keep Alfred’s system moving during the journey, Reilly arranged for non-toxic black and white newspaper to line the carrier (safe to chew if Alfred felt inclined) and the family provided dry pellets for him to eat during the flight.
One thing many people don’t realize: straw and hay (the most natural comfort items for a rabbit) are often not permitted due to biosecurity and biohazard regulations. What’s allowed depends on both the origin and destination country, as well as the airline. It’s one of the many details that makes having an experienced PRC in your corner so valuable.
Stress was the primary concern. Alfred’s documentation requirements were clean and manageable. The biggest challenge was simply making sure he stayed as calm and comfortable as possible throughout the journey, from drop-off to arrival.
The Day of Travel
On travel day, the team in London got Alfred checked in and on his way. In Madrid, the local team was ready and waiting. And then, an unexpected delay: customs clearance took longer than anticipated.
For any pet owner, that kind of wait is nerve-wracking. But Reilly and the team kept communication flowing. The family received updates throughout, including the reassuring news that Alfred had been seen eating and acting completely like himself after the flight.
“We were updated all the time during Alfred’s journey,” his owner Nelly recalled in her Google review.
That steady communication, honest, frequent, and warm, is exactly what made the difference. As Reilly put it: “Constant, honest communication helped calm nerves.”
What Made This Move a Success
When we asked Reilly what she felt made Alfred’s journey go so well, her answer was straightforward: thorough preparation and seamless communication between all teams involved.
Before Alfred ever arrived at the cargo facility in London, every single person who would handle him (from the London ground team to the Madrid arrival team) already knew his name, his breed, his personality, and exactly what he needed. They weren’t strangers to Alfred’s story. They were all looking forward to meeting him.
“The best thing I could tell them,” Reilly said of the family, “was that I had let all teams involved know everything about Alfred in advance. They were all trained, trusted animal handlers that we work with on a regular basis.”
That network of trusted partners, combined with proactive communication at every stage, is at the heart of what WorldCare Pet does, whether we’re moving a Labrador or a Continental Giant.
Alfred’s Verdict? Two Paws Up.
Alfred arrived safely in Madrid and reunited with his family. The next morning, they boarded a train together to Málaga, and by all accounts, Alfred took the whole adventure in stride, just as his family had hoped.
These days, he’s settled into his new life on the Spanish coast. As his owner put it: “Our giant enjoys the beach now, thanks to you.”
His family’s internal feedback said it best: “We really appreciated the extra attention given to our pet rabbit. Paperwork and wellbeing was quite a challenge and we felt supported all the way.”
Thinking About Moving Your Rabbit Internationally?
Alfred’s story is proof that rabbits, even very large ones, can make international moves safely and successfully with the right planning and the right team.
Every rabbit relocation is unique. Health requirements, what can travel inside the carrier, and documentation needs all vary depending on your origin country, destination, and chosen airline. That’s why working with an experienced pet relocation specialist matters.
If you’re planning an international move and your rabbit is part of the family, we’d love to help. Request a free quote and let’s start planning together.
WorldCare Pet Transport specializes in the safe, stress-free relocation of pets worldwide. From cats and dogs to Continental Giants, we treat every animal like our own. “The Heart of Your Move.”
Kaitlyn Reid is a Marketing Assistant at WorldCare Pet, where she helps share stories, tips, and guidance for smooth pet relocations worldwide. A devoted dog mom to Piper, she combines her love for animals with her marketing expertise to connect pet parents with the information they need for stress-free moves. Her goal is to make every transferee’s journey as seamless and reassuring as possible.