<![CDATA[Pet Travel Insider]]>A podcast dedicated to helping pet owners navigate every step of moving their dog or cat anywhere in the world. We talk to industry experts—from pet transport coordinators and veterinarians to government officials and airline partners—to give listeners the confidence and know-how they need. Hosted by Adam Melton of Starwood Pet Travel.

Learn more about Starwood and their services here: https://www.starwoodpet.com/

]]>https://www.starwoodpet.com/Riverside.fm (https://riverside.com)Sun, 03 May 2026 12:04:30 GMTWed, 18 Feb 2026 19:30:13 GMT60Adam Melton<p>A podcast dedicated to helping pet owners navigate every step of moving their dog or cat anywhere in the world. We talk to industry experts—from pet transport coordinators and veterinarians to government officials and airline partners—to give listeners the confidence and know-how they need. Hosted by <a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/at-melton/" target="_blank">Adam Melton</a> of Starwood Pet Travel.<br /><br />Learn more about Starwood and their services here: <a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.starwoodpet.com/" target="_blank">https://www.starwoodpet.com/</a></p>episodicAdam Meltonadam@starwoodpet.comno<![CDATA[Expats and Expets: Life Before and After Moving Abroad]]>What really changes when you move abroad with pets… and what does life look like on the other side?

In this episode, Georgiana Strait sits down with Carole Hobbs of Expatability and Adam Melton of Starwood to unpack the realities of expat life with pets (before and after the move).

Carole shares her firsthand journey of living overseas for over a decade, from moving to Tokyo as a trailing spouse with a young child and two cats, to navigating life in Berlin and Pretoria, and eventually returning to the UK with a full house of pets and a teenager. It’s a perspective that covers both sides of the expat experience, leaving and coming back.

Together, the conversation explores what families don’t expect before they move, how pets factor into major life transitions, and what it actually takes to build a sense of home in a completely new country. They also dig into the emotional side of relocation, identity shifts, and how priorities evolve once you’re fully immersed in expat life.

If you’re considering moving abroad with pets, already living overseas, or planning your return home, this episode offers an honest, lived-in look at the journey before and after the move.

]]>3c08653b-8b2a-45b4-8657-69197e1378a8Wed, 29 Apr 2026 17:05:08 GMT<p>What really changes when you move abroad with pets… and what does life look like on the other side?</p><p>In this episode, Georgiana Strait sits down with Carole Hobbs of Expatability and Adam Melton of Starwood to unpack the realities of expat life with pets (before and after the move).</p><p></p><p>Carole shares her firsthand journey of living overseas for over a decade, from moving to Tokyo as a trailing spouse with a young child and two cats, to navigating life in Berlin and Pretoria, and eventually returning to the UK with a full house of pets and a teenager. It’s a perspective that covers both sides of the expat experience, leaving and coming back.</p><p></p><p>Together, the conversation explores what families don’t expect before they move, how pets factor into major life transitions, and what it actually takes to build a sense of home in a completely new country. They also dig into the emotional side of relocation, identity shifts, and how priorities evolve once you’re fully immersed in expat life.</p><p>If you’re considering moving abroad with pets, already living overseas, or planning your return home, this episode offers an honest, lived-in look at the journey before and after the move.</p>no00:56:30Expats and Expets: Life Before and After Moving Abroadfull<![CDATA[Pet Travel to Australia: Full Step-By-Step Guide (7–8 Month Timeline Explained)]]>Thinking about moving your dog or cat to Australia? 🇦🇺🐾

This is one of the most complex pet relocations in the world, and in this episode of Pet Travel Insider, Adam Melton and Starwood Pet Travel Coordinator Sage Ingle break down exactly what the 7–8 month process looks like — from microchipping and identity verification to blood tests, import permits, quarantine, and flight logistics.

Whether you’re planning your first international move or you’ve already begun the process, this episode will help you avoid costly mistakes and understand every required step.

*Chapters*
00:00 – Welcome to Pet Travel Insider
00:32 – Why Australia is the hardest country for pet travel
01:30 – Meet Sage + her background in pet logistics
02:19 – Why Australia’s rules are so complex compared to the EU/UK
03:22 – Step 1: Microchip + Identity Verification (2 USDA vets)
04:25 – Step 2: Rabies Titer Blood Test + Understanding the 180-Day Wait
05:15 – Realistic timeline: Why this takes 7–8 months
05:47 – What happens during the 180-day waiting period
06:14 – RNAT Declaration + Import Permit process
07:32 – Parasite treatments, blood tests & pre-export requirements
08:36 – Flight booking timeline (21–30 days before departure)
08:58 – Final health exam + USDA-endorsed International Health Certificate
09:27 – Arrival in Melbourne & transfer to Mickleham quarantine
12:42 – What quarantine is actually like (food, welfare checks, timelines)
14:44 – 10-day vs 30-day quarantine explained
15:41 – Medication rules & overnight staffing realities
17:17 – Release day & pickup logistics (Melbourne + domestic onward travel)
18:16 – Domestic transport options to LA/Dallas for Qantas routing
19:06 – Direct Qantas flights vs. Qatar Airways routing through Doha
22:26 – Why the Qatar layover is actually a great experience
22:54 – Identity verification: Why it exists & common points of friction
24:53 – Vet appointment challenges for identity verification
26:45 – Common mistakes during paperwork & timing
28:45 – Rabies lapses & how they reset the entire timeline
29:35 – Why you shouldn’t start the rabies titer before verification
30:15 – How long import permits remain valid
31:01 – Big misconceptions about pet travel to Australia
32:07 – Why pets usually handle the process better than humans
32:34 – Final thoughts + tips for a smooth move

🌐 Useful Links
Free resources + step-by-step guides: https://starwoodpet.com
Request a pet travel quote: https://starwoodpet.com/quote

]]>e22a5cf9-f3b8-4d1a-b665-8f8f99a0bca2Wed, 18 Feb 2026 21:40:47 GMT<p>Thinking about moving your dog or cat to Australia? 🇦🇺🐾 <br /><br />This is one of the <i>most complex pet relocations in the world</i>, and in this episode of <i>Pet Travel Insider</i>, Adam Melton and Starwood Pet Travel Coordinator Sage Ingle break down <i>exactly</i> what the 7–8 month process looks like — from microchipping and identity verification to blood tests, import permits, quarantine, and flight logistics.<br /><br />Whether you’re planning your first international move or you’ve already begun the process, this episode will help you avoid costly mistakes and understand every required step.<br /><br />*Chapters*<br />00:00 – Welcome to Pet Travel Insider <br />00:32 – Why Australia is the hardest country for pet travel <br />01:30 – Meet Sage + her background in pet logistics <br />02:19 – Why Australia’s rules are so complex compared to the EU/UK <br />03:22 – Step 1: Microchip + Identity Verification (2 USDA vets) <br />04:25 – Step 2: Rabies Titer Blood Test + Understanding the 180-Day Wait <br />05:15 – Realistic timeline: Why this takes 7–8 months <br />05:47 – What happens during the 180-day waiting period <br />06:14 – RNAT Declaration + Import Permit process <br />07:32 – Parasite treatments, blood tests &amp; pre-export requirements <br />08:36 – Flight booking timeline (21–30 days before departure) <br />08:58 – Final health exam + USDA-endorsed International Health Certificate <br />09:27 – Arrival in Melbourne &amp; transfer to Mickleham quarantine <br />12:42 – What quarantine is actually like (food, welfare checks, timelines) <br />14:44 – 10-day vs 30-day quarantine explained <br />15:41 – Medication rules &amp; overnight staffing realities <br />17:17 – Release day &amp; pickup logistics (Melbourne + domestic onward travel) <br />18:16 – Domestic transport options to LA/Dallas for Qantas routing <br />19:06 – Direct Qantas flights vs. Qatar Airways routing through Doha <br />22:26 – Why the Qatar layover is actually a great experience <br />22:54 – Identity verification: Why it exists &amp; common points of friction <br />24:53 – Vet appointment challenges for identity verification <br />26:45 – Common mistakes during paperwork &amp; timing <br />28:45 – Rabies lapses &amp; how they reset the entire timeline <br />29:35 – Why you shouldn’t start the rabies titer before verification <br />30:15 – How long import permits remain valid <br />31:01 – Big misconceptions about pet travel to Australia <br />32:07 – Why pets usually handle the process better than humans <br />32:34 – Final thoughts + tips for a smooth move<br /><br />🌐 <i>Useful Links</i><br />Free resources + step-by-step guides: <a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://starwoodpet.com" target="_blank">https://starwoodpet.com</a> <br />Request a pet travel quote: <a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://starwoodpet.com/quote" target="_blank">https://starwoodpet.com/quote</a></p>no00:33:044Pet Travel to Australia: Full Step-By-Step Guide (7–8 Month Timeline Explained)full<![CDATA[Pet Travel to New Zealand: Complete Step-By-Step Guide (4–6 Month Timeline Explained)]]>Planning to move your dog or cat to New Zealand? 🇳🇿🐾

New Zealand has some of the strictest pet import rules in the world, and in this episode of Pet Travel Insider, Adam Melton and Starwood Pet Travel Coordinator Sage Ingle break down exactly how the process works from the U.S.—including microchipping, rabies titers, official veterinary declarations, quarantine bookings, final vet appointments, crate sealing, and flight logistics.

If you’re preparing your pet for a relocation to New Zealand, this episode will help you avoid mistakes, understand the true timeline, and approach the process with confidence.

⏱️ Chapters
00:00 – Welcome to Pet Travel Insider
00:32 – Why New Zealand pet travel is uniquely challenging
01:32 – Meet Sage: Background & experience
02:38 – How NZ compares to other destinations
03:20 – High-level overview of the NZ import process
03:50 – Step 1: Microchip requirements (ISO/AVID)
04:10 – Step 2: Rabies vaccine rules & timing
04:32 – Step 3: Rabies titer blood test (start of the timeline)
04:51 – Official Veterinary Declaration (OVD) explained
05:14 – How quarantine bookings work in NZ
05:29 – Overall timeline: Why most moves take 4–6 months
05:57 – How timeline changes depending on pet’s rabies history
06:17 – Differences between dogs vs. cats (vaccines & testing)
07:27 – Dog-specific blood tests (Babesia, Brucella, heartworm)
08:20 – Using Prototech & approved labs for blood testing
09:01 – USDA-accredited vets: What owners often misunderstand
10:12 – The “busy” 3 months: What happens during the waiting period
11:04 – The Pet Travel Portal: How clients stay on schedule
11:40 – Final health exam (T-2 days) & parasite treatments
12:23 – How USDA endorsement & crate sealing work
13:05 – What a crate seal actually is (and common misconceptions)
14:12 – Arrival in Auckland & 10-day quarantine
14:33 – Inside NZ quarantine: Facilities, rooms, updates & food
15:32 – Quarantine bookings, blackout dates & holiday closures
16:56 – MPI: Who they are & what they check
17:45 – Why NZ quarantine is very safe (vet checks, food, monitoring)
18:22 – Can owners visit pets in quarantine?
19:15 – Reunions: What release day looks like
20:02 – Flight logistics: Air New Zealand vs. Qatar
21:11 – Why U.S. domestic pet travel is often harder than international
21:59 – Qatar routing: Layover process & animal lounge in Doha
23:18 – Final vet work close to home (benefit of Qatar routing)
23:48 – Qatar’s pet postcard update
24:18 – Common pitfalls (rabies lapses, microchip mistakes)
25:00 – Biggest fears vs. reality: How pets actually do on flights
25:52 – South Island logistics (Christchurch) and why Auckland quarantine is usually better
27:36 – Visitation rules & why Christchurch differs
28:13 – Final thoughts & reassurance for pet owners
28:47 – Closing & how to get help with your NZ move

*Helpful Links*
Free pet travel guides: https://starwoodpet.com
Request a quote: https://starwoodpet.com/quote

]]>1dcdcb16-300d-46b2-b594-cedb5d7aa298Wed, 18 Feb 2026 21:37:46 GMT<p>Planning to move your dog or cat to New Zealand? 🇳🇿🐾 <br /><br />New Zealand has some of the <i>strictest pet import rules in the world</i>, and in this episode of <i>Pet Travel Insider</i>, Adam Melton and Starwood Pet Travel Coordinator Sage Ingle break down <i>exactly</i> how the process works from the U.S.—including microchipping, rabies titers, official veterinary declarations, quarantine bookings, final vet appointments, crate sealing, and flight logistics.<br /><br />If you’re preparing your pet for a relocation to New Zealand, this episode will help you avoid mistakes, understand the true timeline, and approach the process with confidence.<br /><br />⏱️ <i>Chapters</i><br />00:00 – Welcome to Pet Travel Insider <br />00:32 – Why New Zealand pet travel is uniquely challenging <br />01:32 – Meet Sage: Background &amp; experience <br />02:38 – How NZ compares to other destinations <br />03:20 – High-level overview of the NZ import process <br />03:50 – Step 1: Microchip requirements (ISO/AVID) <br />04:10 – Step 2: Rabies vaccine rules &amp; timing <br />04:32 – Step 3: Rabies titer blood test (start of the timeline) <br />04:51 – Official Veterinary Declaration (OVD) explained <br />05:14 – How quarantine bookings work in NZ <br />05:29 – Overall timeline: Why most moves take 4–6 months <br />05:57 – How timeline changes depending on pet’s rabies history <br />06:17 – Differences between dogs vs. cats (vaccines &amp; testing) <br />07:27 – Dog-specific blood tests (Babesia, Brucella, heartworm) <br />08:20 – Using Prototech &amp; approved labs for blood testing <br />09:01 – USDA-accredited vets: What owners often misunderstand <br />10:12 – The “busy” 3 months: What happens during the waiting period <br />11:04 – The Pet Travel Portal: How clients stay on schedule <br />11:40 – Final health exam (T-2 days) &amp; parasite treatments <br />12:23 – How USDA endorsement &amp; crate sealing work <br />13:05 – What a crate seal actually is (and common misconceptions) <br />14:12 – Arrival in Auckland &amp; 10-day quarantine <br />14:33 – Inside NZ quarantine: Facilities, rooms, updates &amp; food <br />15:32 – Quarantine bookings, blackout dates &amp; holiday closures <br />16:56 – MPI: Who they are &amp; what they check <br />17:45 – Why NZ quarantine is very safe (vet checks, food, monitoring) <br />18:22 – Can owners visit pets in quarantine? <br />19:15 – Reunions: What release day looks like <br />20:02 – Flight logistics: Air New Zealand vs. Qatar <br />21:11 – Why U.S. domestic pet travel is often harder than international <br />21:59 – Qatar routing: Layover process &amp; animal lounge in Doha <br />23:18 – Final vet work close to home (benefit of Qatar routing) <br />23:48 – Qatar’s pet postcard update <br />24:18 – Common pitfalls (rabies lapses, microchip mistakes) <br />25:00 – Biggest fears vs. reality: How pets actually do on flights <br />25:52 – South Island logistics (Christchurch) and why Auckland quarantine is usually better <br />27:36 – Visitation rules &amp; why Christchurch differs <br />28:13 – Final thoughts &amp; reassurance for pet owners <br />28:47 – Closing &amp; how to get help with your NZ move<br /><br />*Helpful Links*<br />Free pet travel guides: <a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://starwoodpet.com" target="_blank">https://starwoodpet.com</a> <br />Request a quote: <a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://starwoodpet.com/quote" target="_blank">https://starwoodpet.com/quote</a></p>no00:29:153Pet Travel to New Zealand: Complete Step-By-Step Guide (4–6 Month Timeline Explained)full<![CDATA[Complete Europe Pet Shipping Guide]]>In this episode, Adam Melton talks to Starwood's Rosie Cann, an expert on EU pet travel, who walks you step-by-step through the process to get your furry friend safely from the U.S. to the European Country—from microchips, to rabies vaccinations, to health certificates, to customs clearance. She also discusses specific requirements unique to Ireland and Portugal.

Chapters
00:00 Intro
01:39 Meet Rosie
03:56 Overview for transporting a pet to the European Union'
07:00 Commercial vs Non-Commercial Import
09:21 Importance of Correct Travel Kennel
10:35 Health Certificate Requirements for the EU
11:23 Importance of a Microchip for EU Travel
15:19 Final Vet Visit
16:54 USDA Endorsement Process (VEHCS)
20:04 Rabies Vaccination Certificates for the EU
23:37 Pet Travel is not like Human Travel
24:43 Ireland Import Requirements
30:19 Portugal Import Requirements
32:03 Other EU Countries Special Requirements
34:28 Are Pet Passports Required for the EU?
35:35 Is Quarantine Required for the EU?
36:51 Import Custom Clearance Process in the EU
38:05 Direct Flights to the EU vs Layovers
41:25 Wrap Up & Next Steps

🔗 Free Resources & Quote: https://www.starwoodpet.com/locations/

]]>8e5a95d7-32da-4b6a-bc15-07a56ec4e334Wed, 18 Feb 2026 21:29:48 GMT<p>In this episode, Adam Melton talks to Starwood's Rosie Cann, an expert on EU pet travel, who walks you step-by-step through the process to get your furry friend safely from the U.S. to the European Country—from microchips, to rabies vaccinations, to health certificates, to customs clearance. She also discusses specific requirements unique to Ireland and Portugal.</p><p></p><p><i>Chapters</i><br />00:00 Intro<br />01:39 Meet Rosie<br />03:56 Overview for transporting a pet to the European Union'<br />07:00 Commercial vs Non-Commercial Import<br />09:21 Importance of Correct Travel Kennel<br />10:35 Health Certificate Requirements for the EU<br />11:23 Importance of a Microchip for EU Travel<br />15:19 Final Vet Visit<br />16:54 USDA Endorsement Process (VEHCS)<br />20:04 Rabies Vaccination Certificates for the EU<br />23:37 Pet Travel is not like Human Travel<br />24:43 Ireland Import Requirements<br />30:19 Portugal Import Requirements<br />32:03 Other EU Countries Special Requirements<br />34:28 Are Pet Passports Required for the EU?<br />35:35 Is Quarantine Required for the EU?<br />36:51 Import Custom Clearance Process in the EU<br />38:05 Direct Flights to the EU vs Layovers<br />41:25 Wrap Up &amp; Next Steps<br /><br />🔗 <i>Free Resources &amp; Quote:</i> <a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.starwoodpet.com/locations/" target="_blank">https://www.starwoodpet.com/locations/</a></p>no00:42:062Complete Europe Pet Shipping Guidefull<![CDATA[How to Ship Your Dog or Cat from US → UK]]>The Pet Travel Insider podcast provides insights into the process of transporting pets from the US to the UK. It covers the background of the hosts, the high-level overview of pet travel to the UK, the arrival and import process in the UK, the health certificate and USDA endorsement, and common misconceptions and concerns related to pet travel.

Takeaways

  • Pet travel to the UK requires careful planning and adherence to specific requirements.
  • Misconceptions about pet travel, such as the use of sedatives and the pet's adjustment post-travel, need to be addressed with accurate information.

Chapters
00:00 Intro
01:34 Meet Ryan
04:59 Overview for transporting a pet to the UK
09:13 Common paperwork mistakes
11:09 Is quarantine required in the UK?
12:58 UK import process & how long does it take?
15:20 Is a pet passport required?
17:35 How the final health certificate works
20:19 USDA endorsement & having staffing cuts impacted pet travel?
24:00 Commons misconceptions about pet travel
26:30 Wrap-Up & Next Steps

]]>dedd44a8-d376-4805-b927-d8ab9355cf36Wed, 18 Feb 2026 19:38:30 GMT<p>The Pet Travel Insider podcast provides insights into the process of transporting pets from the US to the UK. It covers the background of the hosts, the high-level overview of pet travel to the UK, the arrival and import process in the UK, the health certificate and USDA endorsement, and common misconceptions and concerns related to pet travel.</p><p></p><p>Takeaways</p><ul><li>Pet travel to the UK requires careful planning and adherence to specific requirements.</li><li>Misconceptions about pet travel, such as the use of sedatives and the pet's adjustment post-travel, need to be addressed with accurate information.</li></ul><p></p><p><i>Chapters</i><br />00:00 Intro<br />01:34 Meet Ryan<br />04:59 Overview for transporting a pet to the UK<br />09:13 Common paperwork mistakes<br />11:09 Is quarantine required in the UK?<br />12:58 UK import process &amp; how long does it take?<br />15:20 Is a pet passport required?<br />17:35 How the final health certificate works<br />20:19 USDA endorsement &amp; having staffing cuts impacted pet travel?<br />24:00 Commons misconceptions about pet travel<br />26:30 Wrap-Up &amp; Next Steps</p>no00:27:261How to Ship Your Dog or Cat from US → UKfull