Moving Pets to Australia

Name: Dale
Pets' Names: Chief and Sheera
From: Wildwood, Florida
To: Alice Springs, Australia

When my husband was offered a job in Alice Springs, Australia, the only stipulation I had was "the dogs HAVE to come with us!" I started doing some research and my heart sank when I realized that the amount of work it was going to take to get these dogs moved just might break me.

I was still working a full time job and going to grad school on top of organizing a huge move overseas, so I started to feel like this move for my pups, Chief and Sheera, was not going to happen. I then started looking around for someone to help me. That is when I read an article in the New York Times talking about this company, PetRelocation.com. From the moment I sent my initial email asking for information to the moment my dogs arrived safely in Alice Springs, PetRelocation.com has been my sanity.

Moving overseas is not easy for humans, and it is especially not easy for pets. My agents, first Scotty then Elaine, helped me crate train my "hillbilly" dogs to prepare them for their long flight. They walked me through all of my vet visits (and there were many!) and were always available during the visits if the vet had any questions or concerns.

Chief and Sheera were picked up from my home and taken care of their entire trip to quarantine in Australia. Elaine was available to me during the entire trip to let me know when my pups made it from one flight to another, or to tell me that they were enjoying a walk during a layover. Everything was taken care of, and all I ever had to worry about was missing my dogs or when I was going to see them again!

I could never have done this without their help, and when my time in Australia is done I will be utilizing their services once again! Thank you Elaine and PetRelocation! My dogs just arrived safely to Alice Springs after 30 days of quarantine and look better then the day they left my house in Florida!

 

The beginning of a pet move can be pretty confusing and there are many things to consider, including your pet's safety, the legwork (and paperwork) involved, and how much it's all going to cost.

Some people choose to handle their moves on their own (and we're happy to offer tips for how to keep pet moves affordable, etc.), but ultimately many pet owners realize they'd rather have someone else handle everything. Whether due to stress, time, or basic logistics, hiring professional pet transportation services will bring some relief to the situation.

Here are a few reasons that many pet owners, including our own PetRelocation.com customers, choose to seek assistance with their moves.

Conflicting Information

"We had no idea how to go about organizing the move ourselves, and for a dog we loved so much, we felt secure in paying someone to do things correctly." -Michelle, who moved her dog Chunk to Australia

Thanks to the internet this has become a very DIY world, but that doesn't mean it's easy to pull off something like a pet move. Unfortunately it's the case that many government websites don't keep up-to-date information regarding animal imports, and a lot of the advice you'll find out there is just plain wrong. When your pet's safety is at stake, it's better to trust the experts who do this every day.

Time

"The list of things to do before a move is a long one. Having assistance with Cole took a huge burden away from us and allowed us to spend more time on preparing ourselves and getting our travel arrangements in order." -Mike, who moved from California to Brazil

Whether moving for work or for pleasure, the effort of relocating all your belongings, organizing the details and trying to make a home in a new place can call for huge time demands. Adding another set of concerns just isn't possible for some travelers, so that's why they call pet relocation companies like us.

 

Special Conditions

"Large dogs present more difficult travel scenarios, so getting assistance was very important for us.The overall safety and well-being of our pet outweighed our ability to handle the move on our own." - Mike, Cole's owner

Flying with an older pet, an especially large one, a snub-nosed breed or an exotic animal can all present special challenges. Again, the rules can be confusing and the internet can be a jumble of misinformation, so passing the reins to a relocation specialist who knows how things work is often the best choice for many pet owners.


Military Moves/PCS

"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 (overseas in the military). Once I decided to hire Pet Relocation.com it was like a huge stress filled ball was lifted off me." -Tarnna, featured as our most recent Pet Move of the Month, moved from the US to the UK

Families serving our country who have to move frequently, often without as much notice or time as they'd like, can find themselves feeling particularly overwhelmed.

 

As you can see, there's nothing wrong with seeking some help! For more information about how to relocate your pets, check out  MyPetTravel, our blog, or take a look at our Facebook page to connect with other travelers who have done it all before.

You can also contact PetRelocation.com directly to speak to a Pet Relocation Specialist about what your options may be. No matter how you go about it, here's wishing everyone many safe travels!
 

 

 

 

 

Name: Jennifer
Pets' Names: Sascha and Nicole
From: Houston
To: Perth, Australia

When my husband got notice his job was moving us to Australia, I was both excited and worried. I wasn't sure how our girls, Sascha and Nicole, would make the move. I didn't even know where to start!

I had a friend recommend PetRelocation.com, and after a brief introduction, they got to work on our case right away. Scotty and Ashley helped us through every step of the process to make sure our girls had a smooth transition. It was good to know that while we were trying to get ourselves moved, the girls were in good hands for their move. On the travel day, the gentleman that came to pick them up, Roman, was very professional and gentle. It was comforting to see them being well taken care of, and we got updates on every leg of their journey.

We just visited the girls in quarantine and they look well. We can't wait to bring them home in two weeks! Thank you again to all the folks that helped us get our girls here safely!

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!

 

 

 

Hi Warren,

Thank you for submitting a question to us. Australia is one of the more complicated places to send a pet, so we advise that you allow plenty of time to research and prepare. Here are the pet import requirements for Australia as well as the requirements as they're outlined by AQIS. Actually Thailand is not an AQIS-approved country, so you will have to go about this relocation indirectly (spend time in another country first).

Don't hesitate to contact us if you have any more questions. We also have a free quote form you can fill out if you're interested in taking advantage of our services. Thanks again, and good luck!

Laura had never moved a pet before, let alone two pups all the way from one continent to another. Feeling overwhelmed by the process and unsure of where to begin, she turned to PetRelocation.com for some help.

We were glad to step in and offer our assistance (working with such cute pups made it that much easier!). Here's what Laura had to say about Jake and Eddie's move to Australia.

What were some of your concerns going into this move?

Everyone we spoke with advised us that Australia is one of the strictest countries in terms of the process for relocating pets, so our biggest concern was ensuring we first got educated on the process as a whole, including requirements needed, timing, costs, options for help, etc.

Our second biggest concern was ensuring our US vet was not only government approved, but also willing to go through this involved process with us. Our ultimate goal was to ensure our boys served the minimum 30 day quarantine period and that they'd remain healthy during that time.

Why did you decide to hire PetRelocation.com to help with your move?

We were impressed by the information available on the site, as well as the super-informative blog. We spent quite a bit of time perusing the PetRelocation.com site, where we immediately felt at ease about the process and level of knowledge available through your services.

Also, plain and simple. . .  because of Scotty!  First, having a relocation specialist familiar with the country you're relocating to is a huge benefit and was a must for us.  More importantly, even when we didn't yet have a contract for services with PetRelocation.com, Scotty was corresponding with us via email on questions we had a long the way, and that said a lot about your company.  

We knew PetRelocation.com was in this business for all the right reasons. Also, having been in the process of corresponding with and courting multiple pet relocation companies at the same time, Scotty was always the most responsive and informative in his responses.

Did anything surprise you about the international pet moving process?

It was definitely a learning process every step of the way. We were surprised at how much preparation was required, the level of approvals the boys would need, the time-sensitivity of the various steps along the way, and oddly, that the boys got their import permits before our visas were even approved!

How are the dogs adjusting to the new location?

Jake and Eddie are loving their new Aussie lifestyle; their tails didn't stop wagging for the entire ride home when we finally were able to take them home from quarantine! It took them a few days before they completely let their guard down and realized they were in there new "home" with us to stay, but they've adjusted extremely well. They were able to be quarantined together and we were able to go visit them while in quarantine, which helped their mental and physical health tremendously (and ours too!).

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

Australia is a pet-friendly place in terms of people having pets and loving to socialize with Jake and Eddie, however, it is very pet-unfriendly in terms of securing housing as a renter. Having pets, especially two dogs, has made it extremely difficult for us to find rental properties that will accept us as tenants; most properties are not pet-friendly here, unfortunately, especially in the city center.

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

Research and educate yourself on the process, requirements, etc. of relocating your pet(s) to your specific relocation location (for Australia, the AQIS website was invaluable), do everything you can to ensure your pet(s) serve the minimum quarantine period if applicable, ask lots of questions, ensure your local government approved vet is fully onboard and involved in the process and fully educated on the requirements for your specific relocation location; we couldn't have had such a smooth relocation without ours!

On a side note, getting our boys to Australia safely and in good health was a huge concern for my husband and I as we planned this relocation and we can't thank PetRelocation.com enough for your big part in ensuring this happened for us. THANK YOU!

 

Happy Travelers!

 

 

 

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: Stephanie
Number of Pets: 1
Pet Type: Dog
Pet Breed: Lab
From: Florida
To: Australia


Is there a good website that reviews/ranks specific airlines for history in moving pets as cargo? Just when I think I have figured out our dogs travel I Google and end up getting horror stories!

Are there any airlines that PetRelocation.com suggest to use/not use?

Thanks,
Stephanie




Hello Stephanie,


You're right to place a lot of importance on this decision. Choosing a pet-friendly airline is one of the key parts of planning a successful pet move. We definitely prefer some airlines over others, as some have made an effort to follow pet-safe programs and made pet safety a priority.

We actually wrote a whole series of on our blog about pet-friendly airlines (hopefully you'll take a look!), and for Australia we generally choose Qantas and Air New Zealand.

We'd be happy to offer more specialized advice to you if you need it -- you can fill out our free quote form or give our office a call at your convenience. Good luck!

Hi Sandra,

Thank you for your question! Many people feel overwhelmed when it comes to figuring out the details of international pet travel, so we'd love to help put your mind at ease. First, here are the pet import requirements for Australia, where there is indeed a quarantine. Take a look at our blog to find out more what it's like to move a pet to Australia and please let us know if you have any questions.

If you hire a service such as ours (we provide door-to-door pet relocating) then there's no need for you to be on the same plane; as long as you choose a pet-friendly airline that will make your dog's safety a priority, flying your pet via cargo is a safe option.

If you're interested in hiring us to help plan your move we'd be happy to offer you a free quote. Good luck with everything, and we look forward to hearing from you!

Pet travelers planning a move to New Zealand should be aware of a few changes to the Import Health Standard regarding the import of dogs and cats that went into effect Jan. 1, 2012.

Essentially, the changes will affect pets coming from Malta, the UK, the Isle of Man, the Republic of Ireland, Cyprus, Norway and Sweden. These countries were formerly categorized as "rabies free" but are now known as "rabies absent or well-controlled." Cats and dogs coming from these countries must meet New Zealand's rabies import requirements prior to entry. The new document can be viewed here.

This re-classification was enacted to cut down on confusion that's been taking place at the border over the last few months, and this IHF replaces one previously dated May 2011.

Please contact PetRelocation.com with any questions about moving pets to New Zealand (or anywhere else!). Also, remember that import rules to the UK and Australia have also recently been updated. Happy traveling, everyone!

UPDATE: These rules were originally scheduled to change this month, but will now take effect next year. Also, it was originally stated that the titer test should be done between 90 days and 24 months before the date of departure, but the time frame has now been specified to be between 30 days and 24 months.

Nothing stays the same for too long in the world of pet travel. For example, beginning December 1, 2012, a titer test will now be required when bringing pets to Korea. This is important information to keep in mind if you're planning a trip, as the test must be done at least a month before the time of departure.

Here is what else you should know:


New Korea Import Rules

The new rules apply to all countries other than the following rabies-free countries:

Japan, Taiwan, Cyprus, Australia, New Zealand, Portugal, Iceland, Guam, Hawaii, Samoa, Cayman Islands, French Polynesia, Martinique, Department of Reunion, Wallis and Futuna, Albania, Dominica Republic, Macedonia, Lichtenstein, Malaysia, Switzerland

It's also necessary to have:

-An ISO compatible Microchip.

-A Rabies vaccine that is valid at the time of import and older than 30 days.

-A rabies antibody titer test completed at an internationally approved laboratory, and the test must be older than three months but less than two years. The result must be 0.5 IU/ml or greater.

-The above information must be written on a health certificate, and the validity is determined by the country of export and/or airline.

(This information comes from the National Veterinary Research & Quarantine Service (NVRQS).)


Other Travel Considerations

Although not required, PetRelocation.com strongly recommends the following vaccines:

-For dogs: Distemper, Hepatitis, Parvovirus, and Bordetella vaccines

-For cats: Feline Cat Flu-Feline Calicivirus, Feline Viral Rhinotracheitis, Feline Enteritis- Feline Panleukopaenia/Feline Parvovirus



Contact PetRelocation.com with any questions about moving pets to Korea (or anywhere else, for that matter). Happy traveling, everyone!

Happy Friday! The holidays are inching nearer, but there's always time for a pet travel news break...

-In case it pertains to you, Air Malta will begin allowing small pets in the passenger cabin in 2012.

-Here's an in-depth look at breed-specific legislation in Australia.

-The biggest animal headlines of the year, according to People Magazine.

-Cool pet gifts that give something back.

-More gifts for pets and pet lovers, particularly for those that like to travel.

-Meet Cole, the PetRelocation.com Pet Move of the Month! He's also a pro at demonstrating how to choose the right pet travel carrier.

-Around the world, people love celebrating the holidays with pets.

Name: Alexandra
Number of Pets: 5
Pet Type: Cats
Pet Breed: 3 tabbies, 1 torby, 1 birman
From: US
To: Australia

We're considering a move to Australia. All of our cats have been strictly indoors their whole lives, are microchipped, and have all vaccinations up to date.

Would they still require quarantine? If so, can they be quarantined in our home?

Thanks,
Alexandra



Hi Alexandra,

Thanks for contacting us! Moving pets to Australia is definitely a big endeavor, so we'd be happy to help you figure it out.

These are the requirements for importing cats to Australia from the United States. As you can see, there is a quarantine requirement for this situation (check the official AQIS site for more information). Pet owners are often nervous about putting their pets in quarantine, but in reality these facilities sound much scarier than they really are.

Check out our blog for more info about Australia pet quarantines, and please let us know if you have any more questions! When handled correctly, your cats will enjoy a safe experience and will be home with you before you know it. Good luck!

As we know, the pet import requirements for the UK are set to change on Jan. 1, 2012, essentially aligning UK rules with standard EU requirements for importing dogs and cats.

Not surprisingly, this change will affect pet imports to Australia, as well.

Since the UK is becoming less strict, Australia is shifting UK pet imports to a different category; UK pets will face a different set of rules than they did in the past.

According to the Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service (AQIS), beginning Monday, Nov. 28, 2011, permit applications from the UK, Ireland, Sweden and Malta must meet Category 4 conditions. These countries are now in the same category as places like the United States, Canada, etc., and it may take longer to prepare for a move.

As always, PetRelocation.com advises that pet travelers begin preparing for a move well in advance, and if you have any questions or would like some help planning a pet relocation, contact us for a free quote.

Name: Sam
Number of Pets: 2
Pet Type: Pet Rats
From: Hamilton, New Zealand
To: Brisbane, Australia


Can I take my pet rats with me on my move?

Thanks,
Sam


Hi Sam,

Thank you for your question. Unfortunately, according to the Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service, you will not be permitted to bring your pet rats with you to Australia. 

Please let us know if you have any more questions about international pet travel, and good luck with everything!

Hi Breanne,

Importing pets to New Zealand is definitely a little bit tricky, and according to the New Zealand Ministry of Agriculture, at this time rabbits may only be imported from Australia. You may want to peruse this website and double check with the relevant authorities, but from what we can see it doesn't appear you'll be able to move your bunnies directly to New Zealand. 

Thanks for checking in with us, and please contact us if you have any more questions!