Animal Quarantine

 

Congratulations to Marshmallow for being named our Pet Move of the Month! This Dalmatian mix traveled from Maryland to the UK when her owners were called overseas, and we were happy to help them navigate the process during the hectic time that military families must so often face.

This was the family's first pet move and they had all the typical concerns (safety, paperwork, costs), but in the end everything turned out well and Marshmallow is enjoying life in the UK with all her favorite people. Her owner Tarnna, was kind enough to share the full story with us below. Read on to find out more about Marshmallow's military move!

What were some of your concerns going into the move?

We didn't want to put Marshmallow through the stress of a long flight only to arrive and have to be quarantined, that would have been devastating for her and our family.

Another big concern for me was how much is was going to cost. Moving internationally is not cheap, even if the military pays for some of it, so adding in this cost was a worry.

Did anything surprise you about the pet moving process?

I was shocked by the price to move a pet. Not just with this company, but every company I contacted and even trying to do it on my own. It is not an inexpensive thing to do and it made me change my thought process about military members who move around.

Most of the time military families will just give up their pets when they PCS, and I could never understand why until now. Luckily for us we had saved for emergencies and this seemed like a good time to use it.

Another thing that surprised me was how dismissive of my concerns some companies were -- luckily not this one -- but many that I contacted were and even the airlines directly. Getting these types of responses from other places is another reason I went with PetRelocation.com, everyone seemed genuine and like they actually cared that our animal got to us safe and sound.

How is Marshmallow adjusting to her new home?

Marshmallow loves our new home, just like we do! When she first arrived she was a bit scared and confused but she quickly settled in. The only thing that has changed is she has a bigger back yard to run around in, which keeps her happy. She has actually lost some weight from all the extra playtime she is getting. She was always a pretty laid back, good dog and nothing has seemed to change that.

How is life in the UK? Is it a dog-friendly place to be?

The UK seems to be a pretty dog-friendly place to be. We haven't searched out any dog parks yet, but we have taken her hiking, where she was loved on by everyone that passed us. Other than that we have only been here a little over a month so there aren't too many stories.

What advice do you have for people who might be planning a move?

To other people who are moving I would say that they need to understand that if they want their pet to arrive in good condition it will cost them, but in the end it is so worth it. I would also say to people to go with their gut feeling about a company who is moving their pet; if you get a not-so-good feeling there is probably a reason. They are your pet and they are a part of your family and they deserve to be as comfortable through the moving process as you do!

Anything else you'd care to share?

At first I was put off by the cost, but after dealing with other companies and the airlines I realized that I could not do this on my own and saw that PetRelocation.com was actually the best company to go with. Like I said earlier, everyone I dealt with from my first call to the gentlemen who brought her to our home in England seemed like they really cared about her and animals in general, and they didn't put my concerns on the back burner. There are good people working for this company!

Once I decided to hire Pet Relocation.com it was like a huge stress filled ball was lifted off me. I had enough stress just trying to get me, my daughters and my house ready all while worrying about my husband, who was still gone. I felt defeated for awhile in the process and was feeling I could not get her here, but once I hired this company I knew it would be okay.

That may sound dramatic but this was the most stressful move I have had during my husband's military career, and we have moved a lot. Nothing was working out and everything seemed to be happening to hinder our move, so when the things with the dog worked out it brought some much needed sunshine. I enjoyed all the people who helped us through the process, everyone had their part, and they did it well. We are planning on using PetRelocation.com for our next move and I have referred my sister and brother-in-law to PetRelocation.com to move their dogs during their next move. They are also in the military and coming to the UK in November. 

Hopefully I didn't get too mushy, but we are very grateful for everything this company has done. We really feel like everyone went above and beyond and worked with us and their team to get us our dog!

 

Name: Lindsay and Jamie
Pet's Name: Venzy
From: California
To: Maui, Hawaii
 

My husband and I decided we were going to move to Maui about a year ago. We were concerned about our kitty having to go through a long quarantine. A friend of mine told me about PetRelocation.com. A mutual friend of ours had used them and had a very successful experience moving animals from far across the globe...

At any rate, I got in touch with Abbey - an absolute champ who walked me through (and held my hand!) :) every step of the process.

Venzy was a little nervous when we picked her up but when she saw her new home, she was thrilled. We can't thank PetRelocation.com enough for all the help, support, time and effort they put into ensuring we and our whole family could experience this big move together!

Thank you/Mahalo!
Lindsay, Jamie and Venzy

 

 

Nice View!

 

 

Since moving pets can be pretty complicated and will most likely coincide with a busy, stressful time in life, we're not surprised that we receive a lot of questions from overwhelmed pet owners about the logistics, the details and the costs of pet travel.

We've been shipping pets for a while now and have pretty much heard it all... Here are a few of the most frequently asked pet travel questions (along with our basic answers). Remember, no one is alone in this!

 

How do I know what the requirements are for the country I'm moving to?

Making sure that a pet's journey runs smoothly begins with research. Many countries have detailed import instructions on their own official websites; stringent countries like Australia outline almost everything while other places may not be so forthcoming, so you may need to check another source -- like IATA  or the country pages on the PetRelocation.com -- to find out about health documents, vaccines, and possible quarantines.

Which airline should I fly with?

This is perhaps the most important decision you can make related to pet travel. It's key that you choose an airline that has established pet policies and solid safety measures in place to ensure that your pet is properly cared for, not left to sit on the tarmac, and respectfully transported overall. We have a short list of trusted airlines that include KLM, Lufthansa, Qantas and United, but check with us if you have any questions about this.

How do I know my pet will be safe?

This is probably the  most common question requiring the most nuanced answer. Again, safety primarily depends on selecting trustworthy airlines and transport agents, but you can also do your best to prepare your pet physically by keeping them in good shape, acclimating them to their travel crates and setting a good example for them by remaining calm and upbeat in the days before the trip.

Remember that sedatives are strongly discouraged (and generally not even permitted). With so many moving parts it's impossible to guarantee a journey 100% free of hiccups, but by following these basic guidelines you're putting your pet in the best position possible.

Why does it cost so much to ship a pet?

We've addressed the question of pet moving costs in greater depth in the past, but essentially it comes down to the details. By the time you add up import permits, health certificates, customs clearance, delivery fees, plane tickets and a few other considerations, it simply isn't going to be a cheap endeavor. Does it end up being worth it, though? Most pet owners would say "of course".

Should I move my pet at all?

This is a tough one, and for certain people it's a question that must be asked. Air travel is taxing for humans and for animals, and older pets or those in delicate health simply may not be up for it. Also, many people don't realize how much is involved with air travel and crossing borders, so if this is just a vacation (rather than a permanent move), it will probably be better to find a trusted pet sitter rather than jump through so many hoops unnecessarily.

Ultimately it is the safety of the pet that's the most important thing to consider, so often a conversation with your vet, your family, and your pet relocation specialist will help you figure this one out.

 

 

Still have questions? We're happy to help! Give our office a call and be sure to check out our Facebook page to connect with other pet travelers who probably have the same questions as you. Happy traveling, everyone!

 

 

 

Thanks again for reaching out to us... Talk to you again soon!

 

The following post was written by Pet Relocation Specialist Sarah Smith. Find out what she had to say about a recent (and pretty complicated) pet move to Papua New Guinea.

Papua New Guinea is an island off the Northern coast of Australia. It is culturally diverse, and over 850 languages are spoken here. With most residents making less than $1.25 US per day, it’s hardly a place I thought I would be sending any expats and their pets, but this is exactly what happened!

Sophie, a Dachshund from Dallas, needed to be reunited with her mom in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea. First we thought about going through Hawaii or Japan (as there are no direct flights from the US mainland).  After some routing trials, I decided that going through Australia was the only safe option for little Sophie.

 

 

Sure, we could have gone through Japan for fewer costs, but the airline in question could not guarantee where Sophie would be kept during the 12-hour layover. If you’re anything like Sophie’s mom (or me!) this is unacceptable. We pride ourselves on knowing where your pet is every step of the way, and the uncertainty involved in this possibility simply wasn’t an option...  So Australia it was!

Australia happens to be one of the most challenging countries to import animals into, and if we were going to transit through Australia, we were going to have to meet the majority of the rules. Luckily Sophie’s mom had already planned ahead and kept Sophie up to date on vaccinations, and she even had her blood drawn for the mandatory rabies antibody test so we were ahead of the game. A canine influenza vaccine would complete the process for import into Australia.

Papua New Guinea was a different story. We needed an import permit and a Hendra test upon arrival in Australia. Hendra is a disease not worried about elsewhere in the world, but is apparently prevalent in one small area in Australia. Therefore, any animal touching down in Australia would need to be tested for Hendra.

This is a lengthy process, so I had to arrange for Sophie to stay in quarantine upon arrival in Australia for two weeks while we got the test done and the results back. This process would take a week except for the following: animals have to arrive into Australia from the US on a Thursday or a Friday, the Hendra test is only carried out on Tuesdays and Fridays, and the results arrive on Tuesdays. So, Sophie arrived into Sydney on a Friday and had her blood tested on Tuesday. The results arrived the following Tuesday, but of course the only flights from Sydney to Papua New Guinea are on Mondays and Saturdays.  But, Papua New Guinea requires animals to arrive on a Monday or Tuesday, so we couldn’t take the Saturday flight. Are you confused yet? Imagine how I felt!

 

So Sophie arrived that Friday, had her blood drawn on Tuesday, got the results back the following Tuesday, and couldn’t leave Australia until the following Monday. Luckily, Sydney’s Eastern Creek Quarantine facilities are top notch and were very communicative throughout the process, and Sophie’s mom was very understanding.

Did I mention calling Papua New Guinea or receiving a call is effective about 4% of the time, and they are exact opposites from us in terms of time? So phone call efforts were futile.  All communication had to be done by email.

Sophie finally arrive in Port Moresby safely, cleared customs, and was taken to quarantine for two days. After quarantine was complete, my agent was able to deliver Sophie to her new home (Papua New Guinea doesn’t really have street addresses, so this also proved difficult).  In all, Sophie was treated kindly, traveled safely, and is probably excited to not see an airplane for a while. After all, she was on four different planes to get to her mom.

A few things to keep in mind if you’re moving your pets to Papua New Guinea:

• Get help. You WON’T be able to do this on your own!

• Bear in mind the time differences and communication challenges.

• Save money! Papua New Guinea -- because of the routing -- is probably the most expensive place in the world I’ve moved a pet so far.

• Be patient: this process can take three weeks, just for the travel alone, not even including the preparation.

•  Be flexible: some areas of the world are quite simple and streamlined, and others are not. I received several emails from the Chief Veterinary Officer of Papua New Guinea from a Gmail account. Some things are going to change when you least expect it so know that as the professionals, we’ll handle it!

• Trust PetRelocation.com because we know how to do it safely!

 

 

 

Name: Sarah
Number of Pets: 2
Pet Type: Rats
Pet Breed: Fancy Rats
From: United States
To: Japan

Is it possible to move my rats with me to Japan? If so, what sort of documentation do I need? How long will the process take for me to get them ready to move?

Thanks,
Sarah



Hi Sarah,


Thank you for contacting us with your question! Japan has specific pet import requirements applicable to a variety of situations, and your best bet is to take a look the official website.

Here's a link to the Japan Animal Quarantine Service, where the rules for importing rats are discussed.

Good luck with your trip, and please let us know if you have more questions or would like a free quote!

Name: Carine
Number of Pets: 2
Pet Type: Dogs
Pet Breed: Ridge Back, Husky
From: South Africa
To: Australia

Is the quarantine period still seven months? Is it worth to put the animals through that trauma of being in quarantine for so long and separated from their owner? Are the animals very traumatized?

Thank you,
Carine


Hi Carine,

Your question is totally understandable. Who wants to separate from their dogs for weeks at a time? Many people end up going through the experience of a quarantine when it's clear that a permanent move is in the cards, though, and believe it or not, the pets cope just fine.

Take a look at the stories of a few Australia pet moves we've handled as well as the run-down of pet import regulations for Australia. Finally, check out our recent article that addresses this very issue -- Five Common Misconceptions About Pet Travel.

Good luck with your trip, and please contact us if you have more questions or if you'd like some help planning the move!

According to Cartus Corporation, a global relocation management service, the top destinations for companies transferring their employees have remained consistent over the last few years.

Many places, such as the United States, the UK and China, have experienced steady numbers of transferees, and a few others, such as Singapore, have seen dramatic increases in corporate relocations. Singapore is a bustling hub for business and industry populated by about 5 million people, thus it's no surprise that this can be a top destination for relocating -- and relocating with pets.


Steps for Moving a Pet to Singapore

Moving to Singapore with pets requires about two to four months of careful preparation, and depending on where you're coming from, you'll also be facing quarantines of varying length. For the Continental US, Canada, Netherlands, Spain, Belgium, Austria, France, Germany and Italy these are the steps to keep in mind:


1.  Six Months Continuous Residence in Country of Export (or since birth)

Your issuing veterinarian (i.e. local veterinarian) will need to state on the health certificate that your pet has resided continuously in the country of export for the six months prior to departure or since birth.

Your government veterinarian (for example, the USDA) will also need to be willing to endorse paperwork stating that your pet has resided continuously in the country of export. Check with your specialist about this one, as there are exceptions (such as pets coming from Shanghai).

2.  Microchip

Each pet shall be identified by means of a microchip.  No other form of identification is acceptable. The microchip used should comply with ISO Standard 11784 or Annex A to ISO standard 11785, and AVID 9-digit chips are accepted as well.

3.  First Rabies Vaccination & Certificate & All Other Vaccinations

All pets must have an original Rabies Certificate and this certificate must state the microchip number, the date of inoculation, and the validity of the particular vaccination you obtain - some are good for two years, others are only good for one.  This vaccine must be an inactivated vaccine. For import into Singapore, the first rabies vaccine must be OLDER than four months.

Other Vaccinations (List on Separate Certificate)

Dogs:
Distemper*
Hepatitis*
Parvovirus*

Cats
Cat Flu (Feline calcivirus, Feline viral rhinotracheitis, Chlamydia psittaci)*
Cat Enteritis (Feline Panieukopaenia / Feline parvovirus)*

*At least two weeks prior to import.


(Wait 30 days between these two steps)


4. Rabies Serology (FAVN) Test

Your vet will need to perform a rabies blood test on your pet at least 30 days after the first rabies vaccination, but within six months prior to export.  The results need to show your pet has a rabies titre test of =/> .5 IU/mL.

5. Second Rabies Vaccination & Certificate

All pets must have an original Rabies Certificate and this certificate must state the microchip number, the date of inoculation and the validity of the particular vaccination you obtain - some are good for two years, others are only good for one.  This vaccine must be an inactivated vaccine. For import into Singapore, the second rabies vaccine must be OLDER than 30 days at the time of import. The second rabies vaccine must be given AFTER the titer blood draw. It can be performed on the same day as long as it is done in the correct order.

6. Reserve Quarantine Space

Once the original lab results come back from the rabies serology FAVN test, you will be ready to apply for quarantine space. Be aware that there is often a wait for quarantine space in the summer and around the holidays, so apply early for a reservation during these times.

7. Import Permit

You must obtain an import permit prior to arrival in Singapore.

8. Vet Health Certificate (Form 7001) & AVA Veterinary Certificate

These need to be filled out by your USDA accredited Veterinarian, and it must be issued within seven days of the flight.  It must also be stated the pet was treated for external parasites within 2-10 days prior to the flight, and internal parasites within four days of the flight.

9. USDA Endorsement

The Vet Health Certificate needs to be endorsed along with all supporting documents. Please contact your PetRelocation representative about the best way to handle this.

10. Quarantine

There is now a 10-day mandatory quarantine upon arrival in Singapore for pets coming from the Continental US, Canada, Netherlands, Belgium, Spain, Austria, France, Germany and Italy, and reservations must be made with the Singapore Animal Quarantine Station prior to arrival. Though travelers are often nervous about putting their pets into quarantine, be aware that Singapore facilities are known for being welcoming and safe; pet owners can visit every day, yards are available for playtime, and in our experience staff members have been consistently friendly and accommodating.

You can find out more about Singapore quarantine facilities on our site.


If you're bringing pets to Singapore from a country other than the ones mentioned above, please consult the Singapore government website, and if you have questions about any of these regulations, please contact a Pet Relocation Specialist for more information.

Name: Kelly
Number of Pets: 5
Pet Type: 1 dog, 4 cats
Pet Breed: Dog - Labrador Retriever, cats - mixed breeds
From: Southern California
To: Singapore

I am extremely concerned about relocating my pets this distance and for the quarantine period. My dog is almost 12 (not young for a Lab) and one of the cats is very skittish.

What is the most efficient way to relocate the animals from Southern California and how will they be treated during the quarantine period? What additional services can your firm provide to make this process as risk-free and easy on them as possible?

Thanks,
Kelly


Hi Kelly,

Thanks for your question! Your concerns are certainly understandable; moving with your beloved pets can be very stressful. We offer door-to-door services and often handle moves to Singapore, however, and would be happy to help you.

If you decide to enlist our services, a Pet Relocation Specialist would advise you regarding how to prepare your pets (with the proper vaccines, travel crates, etc.) and would handle all the details of your pets' move. For a better idea of what this would entail, take a look at the pet import requirements for Singapore. You can also check out Singapooch, a great blog about canine life in Singapore. (Singapooch also happens to be written by former customers of ours!).

Please contact us for more information or for a free quote. Hope to hear from you soon!

Sabah and Sarawak are two Malaysian states on the island of Borneo. Brunei and Indonesia are also located on Borneo, and since these states have different import requirements from the rest of Malaysia, pet travel here can be a confusing issue to sort out.

PetRelocation.com recently moved some clients here, so we learned all about the do's and don'ts of importing pets to Sabah and Sarawak. Here is what we found.

First of all, be aware that Malaysia is not particularly pet-friendly, and local authorities may have regulations regarding the number of dogs that can be kept within residences.

The import requirements for Sarawak and Sabah can be broken into two categories:

Category 1
(United Kingdom, Republic of Ireland, New Zealand, Brunei and Singapore)

When importing pets from one of these countries, an import permit and a health certificate issued within seven days of departure will be necessary. The certificate must be issued by an approved veterinary authority and state that:

1. No case of rabies has been reported to have occurred in the country during the previous six months.

2. The pet has been in the country for at least six months.

3. The pet has been examined and found to be healthy and free from any clinical sign of infectious or contagious disease at the time of examination and certification prior to export.

Category 2
(All other countries not listed above)

When importing pets from a country not listed above, an import permit and a health certificate issued within seven days of departure will be necessary. The certificate must be issued by an approved veterinary authority and state that:

1. The pet has been examined and found to be healthy and free from any clinical sign of rabies and infectious or contagious diseases at the time of examination and certification prior to export.

2. The pet has been vaccinated against rabies using an approved anti-rabies vaccine prior to export at least six months prior to export and less than one year.

3. The vaccination history, treatments given and health status must all be certified.

4. A rabies serology report showing rabies antibodies of more than 0.5 iu/ml.


Quarantine

Upon arrival from a Category 2 country, the animal will be placed in quarantine for a minimum of 30 days or a maximum of 180 days. The exact quarantine period is 180 days minus the number of days from the date of the last vaccination. (This is similar to Australia's current quarantine policy). As long as the rabies vaccine is more than six months and less than one year old, the quarantine period is 30 days.

According to the information we found, the available quarantine facilities are located about ten minutes away from Piasau Camp and Lutong. Twice-daily visits can be arranged (weekend visits may be difficult to manage), and the cost is low -- a few Malaysian dollars a day.

Estimated quarantine fees:
Dogs: Large - RM 5.00, Small - RM 3.00
Cats: All Sizes-  RM 3.00
Quarantine Certificate: RM 2.00


Banned Breeds

Pitt Bulls (including American Pitt Bull Terriers), American Staffordshire Terriers, American Bull dogs and mixes, Akitas, Neopolitan Mastiffs, Tosas, Dogo Argentines, Fila Brasileiros, Boerboels, Perro de Presa Canarios and mixes.


Routes/Airlines

If a pet requires quarantine they must fly into Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA), Penang or Padang Besar where the quarantine facilities are located. It's recommended that pets fly with KLM (via Amsterdam) or Lufthansa (via Frankfurt) into Kuala Lumpur. Cathay Pacific (via Hong Kong) or Malaysia out of LAX with a stop in Taipei are two other possibilities.

In preparation for pet travel to Sabah and Sarawak, it's also necessary to secure a microchip, approved travel crate, Rabies Titer Test and other necessary vaccines depending on the breed.



This information provides a good start, but there are more details involved with travel to Sabah and Sarawak. Please contact your pet relocation specialist with any further questions or concerns, and feel free to leave your Malaysia travel tips in the comments below.

In light of the upcoming changes to the pet import rules for the UK, we've received several questions from people planning moves there within the next few months. Currently the UK pet import rules state that animals must face a pretty strict set of requirements (including a 180 day quarantine) before they're allowed into the UK, but beginning on Jan. 1 2012, those requirements are set to be relaxed.

Because it'll be much easier to bring pets here in just a few weeks, many people are thinking about delaying their trips so as to avoid the hassle. Other travelers, people of the "better safe than sorry" persuasion, are still planning to complete the standard requirements just in case the changes are for some reason not implemented.

We have no reason to believe the new UK import rules will not go into effect as planned, but if you're moving early next year and want to be extra sure your move can be carried out without any issues, it wouldn't hurt to follow the rabies titer test requirements as they currently stand.

One of our current customers has opted simply to wait -- Pebbles and Kiah are moving from Bangalore, India to the UK, and their owner has decided to delay the trip until 2012 so as to avoid the quarantine. Hopefully time flies for these cute pups and their move goes smoothly next year!

Name: Abigail
Number of Pets: 1
Pet Type: Cat
Pet Breed: Manx
From: USA (AZ)
To: Oslo

I am relocating from the US to Norway and want to take my cat with me.

I have planned for the rabies titer after the 120 day wait post-vaccination (she is already microchipped and vaccinated) and was hoping to fly with her as soon as I receive the 'valid' result from the titer blood test.

Is this possible? I know certain countries have delay periods you must wait after receiving the titer results, but could not find anything relating to such a wait period for Norway. Is there one, or can I fly as soon as I have the result and her pet passport, etc.?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.



Hi Abigail,

Thanks for contacting us with your question! Here are the pet import requirements for Norway. This country does impose quarantine requirements -- please check with the Norwegian Animal Health Authority for the most up-to-date information about importing your cat (+47 69 89 36 10). You can find out more from the IATA website, as well.

Please contact us if you have any more questions, and good luck with everything!

Our Pet Move of the Month for August is Chunk, the French Bulldog we recently moved to Australia! We introduced you to Chunk a couple of weeks ago when we offered advice for how to move a pet to Australia, and because this was such a great story, we thought it was worth taking another look at this lovable, world-traveling pup.

Read on to find out more about Chunk and his new life (and new rain gear!), and thanks to Michelle, pictured below, for sharing some great tips about moving to Australia and settling in to Sydney. Congrats, Chunk!

Is this the first time you’ve ever moved your pet?



Yes. We’d transferred to Scottsdale, AZ for work and purchased Chunk while we were there. Six months after buying him, we decided to move home.

What were some of your concerns going into the move?



His well-being during transit and potential separation anxiety. He had never been away from us for more than a day or two at a time. Also, it wasn’t like taking a pet on a domestic US flight. He needed to be in a proper crate, dropped off at a pet drop-off location, and stowed underneath during the flight.

Did anything surprise you about the international pet moving process?

Yes, we had no idea the quarantine restrictions in Australia were so stringent. Part of the Australian import requirements include undergoing a Rabies test, known as the Titer test. This involved having his blood tested and sent to a lab, and then having his results certified by the USDA. The date the blood is drawn for this test is when the 180-day quarantine period begins, and since we were due to fly home 60 days after the test, he had to spend the maximum 120 days in quarantine.

We also discovered that due to his snub nose breed type, he couldn’t fly the direct 14-hour flight from LA to Sydney. Instead, he had a few hours' stop over in New Zealand. Petrelocation.com gave us peace of mind by telling us that when he traveled, he would be the last thing loaded on to the plane and the first thing taken off.

How is Chunk adjusting to his new home?



Once in Sydney, he was met by Quarantine staff and taken to their facility at Eastern Creek. We were able to visit him as soon as we arrived home, and he seemed to adjust to his time in quarantine quite well. Now that he’s back in Sydney, he’s experiencing rain and colder weather for the first time in his life. We’ve bought jackets and a raincoat for walkies!

What is life like in Australia? Is it a pet-friendly place to be?

Scottsdale, AZ had some amazing dog parks that were fully fenced in. Sydney doesn’t have what we’d regard as ‘safe dog parks’, so you need to be confident that your dog will return to you on command and not run onto the street.

There are a few parks where you can take your dog and let them play with other dogs, such as Centennial Park in Sydney. Everyone is friendly and will help you with your dog if they don’t come back! A list of off-leash areas within Sydney can be found here. There are a few doggy day care centers, but certainly nowhere near as many as the US, and they are more expensive than you would find in the states. For example, in Scottsdale, all day doggy day care cost USD $25, whereas in Sydney, it will cost you upwards of AUD $50. We recommend http://www.dogsplay.com.au/daycare.html, who also provide grooming and training.

There are a few big pet store chains, such as Pet Barn and Pets Paradise, which offer pretty much everything you need. These are all fairly central to the CBD, but we do buy a lot of items for Chunk online and buy his dry food from the vet.  The vet we take Chunk to is located in the Inner West of Sydney, and the staff have been fantastic. There’s even an American on the team! It's called Livingstone Road Animal Health Centre.

What advice do you have for people who might be planning a move?

Invest the money on a pet relocation specialist such as PetRelocation.com, whose help was invaluable. We care for and love Chunk so much, and we’d have no hesitation engaging their services again.


--

Thanks again to Michelle, Andrew and Chunk. We wish them the best of luck in this next chapter of their life!

Many people who use the services of PetRelocation.com are making a one-time only move that satisfies a lifetime goal to to live abroad. Many others (those moving for a job or military relocation, for example) have plans to someday return home. For these pet owners, it's a good idea to look into the travel requirements for their returning country well in advance, as they're often trickier than expected.

It's a pretty straightforward process to leave Australia, for example, but returning is another story. It takes a few months to prepare for entry into this rabies-free country, and even if your dog or cat was born and raised here, once you leave, your pet is treated no differently than any other.

According to the Australia Quarantine and Inspection Service (AQIS), "safeguarding Australia's favourable animal health status is a high priority... When your cat or dog is exported from Australia they immediately relinquish their Australian health status." Depending on the country from which you're returning, pets will have to undergo either a 30 day or six month quarantine, so it's a good idea to know what lies ahead.

That's just one example, but no matter what, if you plan to move back to your home country it's a good idea to research the situation ahead of time. Here are our tips for preparing for an eventual return to your home country:

-Talk to your specialist. The easiest way to get the scoop is, during the first move, to tell your pet relocation specialist that you're planning to move home someday and ask them for some tips. Rules may change between now and then, but we're happy to outline the current process for you and offer our advice.

-Stay up to date on all vaccinations. This is a good idea for all pets, of course, but you may need to meet certain specifications regarding rabies shots if you're planning to enter a rabies-free zone like Australia or the UK.

-Double check the rules. Pet travel rules can be altered overnight (see our recent posts about summer pet travel policy adjustments and bringing pets into the UK after Jan. 1 2012). Check now but check later, too, because you never know what changes time will bring.

-Don't put the crate away. If it was a battle to get your dog or cat accustomed to the travel crate, don't let your previous training go to waste. Instead of putting the kennel in the attic or garage, keep it around so that your pet will remain familiar with it.

The more you know, the easier your future moves will be, so keep in touch with us on Facebook and here on our blog!

Because it's a faraway destination and operates as a rabies-free country, Australia can create a lot of confusion when it comes to pet moves. Which airlines fly pets there? When should the planning process begin? If you're plotting a move like this and have yet to check in with a Pet Relocation Specialist, read on to find out what lies ahead.

We recently moved a French Bulldog named Chunk from Arizona to Australia, an experience that proved more complicated than Chunk's owners initially realized it would be. They made it home eventually, however, and here are a few lessons they learned along the way:

-Part of the Australia import requirements include undergoing a Rabies test, known as the Titer test. This entails having your pet's blood tested and sent to a lab, and then having the results certified by a government-approved entity (this is the USDA if you're in the United States, for example).

-The date when the blood is drawn for this test is when the 180-day quarantine period begins. This is an important detail to note, as it will obviously determine when your pet will ultimately be free to come home to you! Chunk's parents found this one out the hard way and ended up experiencing some delays -- another reason it's best to contact PetRelocation.com as soon as you know you're moving so that we can help things go as smoothly as possible.

-We advise this for every pet move: choose a pet-friendly airline. "Pet-friendly" means they don't just accept pets on board, they have a thoughtful pet policy in place and make sure animals are never left to sit on the tarmac.

-Check with the quarantine facility ahead of time to find out how they operate. Chunk's parents were luckily able to work around the hours and rules of their chosen facility (they brought their own food to help deal with Chunk's food allergies and could make the weekday afternoon visiting hours work with their schedules). Depending on whether you're going into Sydney, Perth or Melbourne, PetRelocation.com can help you make the best choice.

For further reading, check out five things to watch out for when shipping a pet to Australia and read about Harley, another cute pup who made the move. As always, contact us if you have any questions about moving pets!

Moving a pet isn't cheap, and here at PetRelocation.com we're often asked why. Isn't it just a matter of booking a flight? Why should it have to cost so much?

Door-to-Door Services

"Door-to-Door" pet relocations contain a surprising number of moving parts. Those unacquainted with the service initially balk at the price tag, but when each individual expense is taken into account, it's clear why a safe and successful pet move can be a little pricey.

Here are a few of the components that make up a typical pet move:

• Import Permits - Emigrating to a new country often requires that you obtain formal permission from the government to bring your pet along with you.


• Government Endorsements for Health Certificates - In addition to obtaining health certificates from your veterinarian, they must be certified by relevant governing bodies as well, such as the USDA or the correct Consular Offices.


• Pick-up and Delivery - Pets are transported in a safe and timely way from your home to the airport and from the arrival airport to the new home on the other end.  Hiring a trusted driver with a climate-controlled vehicle (picture your pet in their very own private limo!) is an important part of the process, and time spent in traffic or driving longer distances as well as fuel costs must also be factored in when budgeting for this part of the service.


• Your Pet's Plane Ticket - The bulk of the cost associated with moving a pet is the airfare. While you may be able to hop on a discount flight to your destination without worrying about routing or stops, pets have to be carefully routed to ensure they are only flying in and out of airports that have pet-friendly airlines. Any layovers that last more than a few hours must include a comfort stop for the pet, typically at a pet hotel. These pet hotel fees, combined with the rising cost of fuel and the higher rates airlines charge for live animals due to liability (and the added amount of attention they require from the airline staff), can make what seems like a simple flight booking cost considerably more.


• Airport Check-In - It often takes a few hours to get past the check-in counter before departure, which requires specialized manpower to ensure that paperwork is in order and pets are properly looked after.


• Customs Clearance - Once pets have landed it's not over yet; entry procedures must also be negotiated. Tariffs, taxes and country-specific fees are paid at this time.

• Personalized Care  - Your Pet Relocation Specialist becomes your single point of contact for everything related to your pet's move. Specialists research the flight options, contact the airlines, make the bookings, establish communication with customs offices to make sure they'll be open when needed, secure approval for import when special permissions must be granted, and keep you, the customer, informed throughout the process.

No Regrets

It's natural to want to cut costs where you can or to feel hesitant about spending a substantial sum of money on something you could potentially handle yourself, but pet owners often tell us how happy they are that they chose to hire us. Take a look at what a few of our customers had to say after their pets were delivered safely to them:

"PetRelocation.com was a bit pricey but well worth it for the peace of mind."

"We considered trying to move Dakota ourselves in order to save money, but the extra money spent brought about peace of mind that Dakota was taken care of, making it all worth it. The entire process of moving is stressful enough, and to know that your animal is taken care of makes the move that much easier."

"Everything was taken care of, including the flight, the import permit and the quarantine reservation. Moving ourselves was stressful enough, and PetRelocation.com took care of the dog so we could take care of everything else."

"We had a lot of anxiety about moving our pets, and working with a professional made it much easier."

Like building a deck or planning your wedding, it comes down to pinpointing what you're willing and able to do on your own and then deciding that it might be better to let a specialist handle things more efficiently.
Precious Cargo

Many people do end up choosing the cheapest option (handling the move themselves), but many others decide that their energy would be better spent elsewhere and decide to hire us. After all, moving the furriest member of your family requires far more care and attention than moving your household belongings, so it makes sense to let someone more experienced step in.

It's true that you're not going to find "bargain-basement" prices when it comes to moving a pet. But, while it may not be cheap to engage our services, ultimately you get what you pay for.

Name: Ricky
Pet's Name: Lucy Blue
From: Breckenridge, Colorado
To: Singapore

When we first discussed relocating to Singapore for a couple of years, our major concern was our chocolate lab, Lucy, as we couldn't imagine going without her. She had traveled across the US a number of times by car, but had never gone anywhere in the cargo hold of a plane.

We were also concerned about a potential long stay in quarantine for her, not to mention the paperwork and shots involved for export/import requirements. When we learned that quarantine in Singapore would only be 10 days if the paperwork and immunizations were absolutely perfect, we thought it was a possibility. After hearing of PetRelocation.com and the door-to-door service they provide along with expert advice about everything from travel crates to flight routes, our minds were put at ease enough to go ahead with the move.

In retrospect, I couldn't imagine doing this kind of move without PetRelocation.com. It was clear from how Cara Scott and her team handled the process that this company loves animals, understands their important roles as family members, and wants to do the best for their furry customers. Cara's attention to detail and the reminders and assistance she provided every step of the way decreased our stress around this move substantially. We will be calling them again when we return to the US!

Name: Frances
Number of Pets: Two
Pet Type: Miniature Dogs
Pet Breed: Miniature Chihuahua
From: South Africa
To: Australia

Why is there a six-month quarantine in South Africa and another month in Australia? My pets have had all inoculations through the years and when you look at their lifespan this seems absurd! My animals are eight and 11 yrs old, and six months seems like a huge part of their lives. Is there a way of shortening this jail sentence? Is this a money making scheme? I urgently await your reply.

Regards,
Frances



Hello Frances,

The pet move from South Africa to Australia is definitely a demanding one, however many pets have have made the transition safely and the whole process may not be as scary as you first imagine it to be.  In case you haven't seen the official source, here are the steps you'll need to take to get your dogs from South Africa to Australia.

Take a look at our blog for more information about quarantines as seen from a dog's perspective. It's easy to imagine the worst, but in reality these facilities are constructed with health and safety in mind and, as you can see from the Australian Government-provided information above, this is the only legal way to go about entering the country.

Contact us if you have any more questions or concerns. We'd be happy to speak with you in greater detail or help you carry out your move. Thanks for your question, and good luck with everything!