Meeting the pet import requirements for Australia means fulfilling a minimum 30-day quarantine, a prospect that initially sounds less-than-ideal to many pet owners but in the long run ends up being not such a big deal. We receive plenty of photos, feedback, and even videos from clients that show us what the quarantine stay is all about, and we're happy to share that information with people thinking about a pet move.

Here's a great example below. Tilly the Labradoodle arrived in Sydney a few days ago after traveling from the United States, and she'll be ready to go home on June 1. As you can see, she looks good and her owners are able to visit her (a fact she's tail-waggingly happy about, of course).

Please contact PetRelocation with your questions about moving pets to Australia, and stay in touch for more pet travel updates from our clients!

 

PetRelocation belongs to an international network of pet shipping specialists called IPATA (the International Pet and Animal Transportation Association), which means we are able to meet and share information with some of the world's best service providers in our field. 

Last week we attended a regional IPATA meeting in Dallas, TX (that's just a few hours away from our Austin headquarters), and there we were able to get to know a few of our colleagues a little bit better. In fact, a few of them were so interested in what we do that they decided to prolong their time in Texas and come down to our office for a visit. Today Manuel Leunda from Las Lunas in Argentina and Simon Jackson from Dogtainers in Australia were kind enough to spend some time with us for a "Lunch & Learn."

Manuel is actually the current president of IPATA, and he updated us on all the latest pet shipping news and plans for expansion in South America. Simon is the IPATA Treasurer, and he answered our questions about Australia import rules and how they may be changing in the coming years. The world of pet travel is busy, complex and dynamic, so we were happy to have the chance to catch up with these friendly experts. It's always beneficial to have face-to-face meetings with people we normally do business with by phone and email, and we love showing off the great city of Austin to out of town guests, as well.

Thanks to Manuel and Simon for stopping by and giving us great overviews of the important work they do. Thanks also to Kyle Freeman from VIP Sitters in Canada, who stopped by last Friday to say hello. Come back anytime, y'all!

 

Lunch & Learn with fellow IPATA members

Name: Nicola
Number of Pets: 1
Pet Type: Dog
Pet Breed: Miniature King Charles
From: Glasgow, UK
To: Snowtown, South Australia

Hi,

I have no idea how to start or where to start collecting all the documents to transport my dog. I'm looking forward to hearing your advice and expertise.

Regards and thanks,

Nicola
 

Hi Nicola,

We've moved many pets to Australia and would be happy to guide you with some information. Here are the pet import requirements for Australia. Your dog will need to follow a specific timeline in order to prepare for the trip, as Australia is a rabies-free country.

If your dog doesn't have a microchip, you'll want to start with that and then follow the steps as outlined. Also, you'll want to work on crate-training if your dog isn't comfortable in a travel crate yet.

Please contact us if you have any questions or if you're interested in our door-to-door services.

Good luck!

Name: Miguel
Pet's Name: Elvis
From: Caracas, Venezuela
To: Sydney, Australia

We are from Venezuela and the story begins in Caracas in mid 2012, when our Visa to live in Australia was finally approved. That was when the process to bring our pet to Australia started.

Venezuela is a country from which it's not allowed by the Australian Government to export animals directly, and as a primary requirement the animal must live at least six consecutive months in a country from which it can be exported. After many difficulties, sleepless nights, and complicated procedures, we achieved the first step: Elvis traveled from Caracas to Houston in September 2012 to begin what would be his export process before the final destination.

Austin, Texas, was the city where we decided to live the experience of what would be a transition for all of us, and there we contacted the PetRelocation agents. From the first contact via email, we were well-treated and they recommended some guidelines for what would be the preparation process for exporting our pet. We decided to visit them at their offices in Downtown Austin to meet in person and have everything made clearer. We were well-received and after that moment, the team of specialists took Elvis' case with a continuous monitoring of the whole process and guided  all veterinary checks, documents and legal procedures, quarantine, and travel plans.

Today we can say that our French Bulldog arrived healthy and without any complications from his Houston / Los Angeles / Sydney trip, and just had to fulfill the a minimum quarantine period in Australia of thirty days.

For us it is a happy ending, and as a family we are extremely grateful to the team of professionals for the excellent service. Thanks, PetRelocation!!!

-Miguel, Gabriela, Camila and Elvis!

 

 

 

 

Name: Georgia
Number of Pets: Three
Pet Type: Cats
Pet Breed: Domestic Short Hair
From: Adelaide, Australia
To: Bergen, Norway

Hi,

My soon to be husband and I are wanting to immigrate from Australia to Bergen at the beginning of next year, and we want to bring our three cats with us. I was wondering how long the quarantine period would be in Norway for my cats? Also, how would we go about finding long term accommodation (through renting) that would allow our pets?

Thanks,

Georgia

 

Hi Georgia,

Thanks for contacting us, and congratulations on your upcoming life adventures! Here are the pet import requirements for Norway. There is currently no quarantine for pets being transferred here, however you will need to take care of a few arrangements in order for everything to go smoothly (health documents, rabies vaccines, etc).

We're not directly in contact with any apartment owners/locaters in Norway, but we'd suggest searching online and checking out expat websites such as expatarrivals.com.

Thanks again for the questions, and please contact us if you're interested in our services or are wondering about anything else. Good luck with everything!

Name: Romy
Number of Pets: 1
Pet Type: Dog
Pet Breed: German Pointer
From: Malta, Europe
To: Adelaide, Australia

We will be relocating to Adelaide Australia in a few months and will bring our dog with us. I guess what I need to know is a step by step procedure of what I need to do to ensue a smooth import for our dog. Or if you can advise any pet relocation services in Malta that take care of all that, would be helpful.

Thanks,

Romy

 

Hi Romy,

Thank you for the question. Going to Australia with a dog does require several steps, as Australia is a rabies-free country that imposes a quarantine on arriving pets. Here's the full run-down of Australia pet import requirements. Please take a look and let us know if you have any questions.

If you're looking to hire some help in Malta, check out IPATA.org to locate a pet shipper in your area. You're also welcome to fill out our free quote form if you're interested in our door-to-door services.

Hopefully this helps, and please let us know if you have any more questions. Good luck with the move!

 

Philly the Goldendoodle recently moved from Houston to Sydney, finished out her quarantine, and now she's home with her loving family. As you might imagine, her owners (Amy and Stephen) are pretty excited to have their happy girl right next to them as they start the next chapter in their lives.

This was the first time Philly's owners had ever moved a pet (so they felt naturally uncertain about the whole thing), but as we've seen time and again, once the Pet Relocation Specialists step in and map out a plan, the doubts begin to fade.

Philly's owners did the right thing in getting the process started with us several months ago, and her whole trip went smoothly. Read on for more about Philly's move, and thanks to Amy, Stephen and Philly for sharing another great pet move story with us!

What were some of your concerns going into the move?

Philly's (and our!) anxiety on the flight. Not being able to see her everyday during quarantine. Something going wrong with the paperwork!

How is Philly adjusting to the new location?

She is so happy and lively, just as she has always been. It's like she was like "oh great, you're back, let's get on with life!"

 

Back when Philly was a younger pup

 

What is life like in Australia so far? Do you think it’s going to be a pet-friendly place to be?

We are Australian so we knew what we were getting in for. People love their animals here!

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

Don't try and do it yourself! Amber is much better at it!

 

Happy girl

 

Why did you decide to hire professionals to assist with Philly's move?

Less stress. We didn't even try (to do it ourselves) when we saw how much legality was involved. PetRelocation had the knowledge that we didn't, and Amber was always there to assure us things were okay and she answered our frantic questions.

 

Please contact us with any questions about moving pets to Australia (or elsewhere). Happy traveling, everyone!

 

Name: Jenny
Pets' Names: Desmond and Wesley
From: Nantucket, MA, USA
To: Sydney, Australia

The Boys, Desmond and Wesley, just had the biggest adventure in their lives when they moved from Nantucket, MA, USA to Sydney, Australia.

It was a long way, but thanks to Amber and Mike at PetRelocation, their journey went without a hitch. I was the "very anxious" dog owner constantly pestering Amber with emails and telephone calls, but in the end the boys could not have been in better and more caring hands.

Every aspect of the process was dealt with so efficiently, I never had to worry. They really cared about making the process as stress free as they could for you and your dogs. So now, the boys are down under, walking on the beach everyday!

Thank you Amber and Pet Relocation:)

Name: Erin
Company: US Army
Pet's Name: Dixie
From: Virginia
To: Australia
 

We chose to use PetRelocation to move our 4-year-old Chesapeake Bay Retriever, Dixie, because they seemed to have the most experience and best reviews online for such a long move. I cannot put into words how amazing this company is.

We picked up Dixie last Saturday from Sydney and she is doing absolutely great. She can't stay out of the pool and is so happy to be reunited with her family again. From start to finish this company understands pets are family and provide world class support and care. I intend to use them again when we move Dixie girl back to the states.

Name: Gabriella
Number of Pets: 1
Pet Type: Dog
Pet Breed: Miniature Poodle
From: Malaysia
To: Australia

Hi,

I was wondering if there is any way for my pet to avoid quarantine in Australia?

Thanks,

Gabriella

 

Hi Gabriella,

Thanks for the question, we'd be happy to discuss the issue of Australia pet quarantine with you. The short answer to your question is "no, you can't avoid quarantine" -- your dog will have to follow the standard rules and fulfill a 30-day quarantine upon arrival. As a rabies-free country, Australia imposes specific procedures upon pets imported there.

Though the idea of quarantine sounds scary to many pet owners, in reality it's a safe part of the relocation process that thousands of pets have completed without incident. We've moved many pets to Australia and have experience with quarantine facilities in cities like Melbourne and Sydney (we even have photos and videos of pets happily hanging out during this interlude).

Here is more information about moving pets from Malaysia to Australia. Please contact us if you'd like some assistance with your move (here's our free quote form), and if you  have any other questions you're welcome to contact us and peruse our blog and Facebook page to find out more about other pet owners' experiences.

Good luck, Gabriella!

 

Here's Bear in quarantine in Melbourne

Name: Eden
Number of Pets: 1
Pet Type: Turtle
From: South Korea
To: Australia

Is it possible to relocate my pet turtle from Korea to Australia? If so, what is the process of doing this?

Kind regards,

Eden
 

Hi Eden,

Thank you for your question. Unfortunately turtles are not permitted to travel to Australia from South Korea or anywhere else, as this is a country with very strict pet import rules. Find out more information about which pets are allowed into Australia here, and please contact us if you have any more questions.

Good luck with everything!

Name: Sara & Devin

Pet: Daphne

From: Savannah, GA, US

To: Melbourne, Australia

 

Hi Keith,

We've been very busy! Daphne got out of quarantine yesterday after 30 long days and she is very happy to be with Devin and I now.

I have attached a few photos from Daphne in quarantine from one of my few visits. Thank you so much for your dedication to the safe travels of my little one. I couldn't have done it without you.

Whenever I move back to the states, I will contact you without hesitation. Thanks again for all of your hard work!!

-Sara & Devin

 

 

 

 

Here's a bit of important news for anyone planning to move a pet to Australia via Perth in the next three or four months. Due to the risk of bushfires in the surrounding areas, Byford Quarantine facility in Perth will not be open to incoming pets now through May 31.

Pets can still go to Australia and they can still arrive in Perth, however they'll be redirected from Perth to a quarantine facility in Sydney. If this is the case, the Australian Government Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) will oversee the transfer and will also pay to transport the pet(s) from Sydney back to Perth at the end of the quarantine period.

According to DAFF, "This temporary closure has been put in place to ensure the safety of your pet/s and our staff. DAFF takes the health and welfare of your pet/s very seriously."

See more about this announcement below, and please contact PetRelocation if you have any questions about moving pets to Australia within the next few weeks (or at any time).

 

 

 

Pet Travel FAQ - Byford Quarantine Facility Arrivals Through 5/13 by

Name: Kathy
Pet's Name: Jessie
From: Dallas, TX
To: Gold Coast, Australia

I chose PetRelocation for our baby's move because they thoroughly answered every question I had in relation to the move, and did I have lots. Scotty supported me through the whole transition with ease leading up to the day Jessie was collected from my door in Dallas until the day she arrived at our door on the Gold Coast.

Jessie loves hanging out a couple of the puppy-friendly beaches not too far from our home. She constantly tries to chase and catch the seagulls too. I feel she has settled well into her new environment due to the easy move with PetRelocation.

Thank you again Pet Relocation for all you did. You guys and gals rock!!!

Cheers,

The Roses Down Under xxx


 

 

Have a great weekend, everyone! Before it starts, take a moment to catch up with all the latest pet news.

 

Ten fun videos of pets doing tricks.

If cats were human, would they be the worst roommates ever?

DugDug is a new price comparison website for pet owners.

A special pet move story: relocating fish.

New trend: vets who make house calls.

After 10 years, Ginger the Basset Hound is reunited with her owner.

Have you ever wondered what dogs in Australia pet quarantine do all day?

Cat microchips and what they actually look like.

 

 

 

Name: Kellie
Company: Barrick Gold Corporation
Pet's Name: Melba
From: Toronto, Canada
To: Perth, Australia
 

Melba's overseas adventure started in March 2010 when we relocated from Perth, Australia to Toronto, Canada for work. Our relocation company coordinated Melba's move through PetRelocation, and this is when we first met Cara!

Melba's move to Canada from Australia was seamless, with Cara providing me with all the information required to get Melba ready for her journey to the other side of the world. Luckily, entering Canada from Australia is easy with only the standard and rabies vaccinations required and NO quarantine time! Melba left the same day we did and arrived a day after we did, as she had a break in between flights at Pet Hotels in Sydney & Los Angeles. Apart from some jet lag she was in perfect health.

Melba then had the task of adjusting to Canadian winters and becoming an 'inside' dog, which for an Australian Cattle Dog was something unusual... With the help of some fabulous dog walkers (thanks Lisa & Heather) Melba became a great indoor dog and spent a lot of hours on our bed watching the Dog Whisperer!!

Two years later and it was time to return back home to Perth, Australia and once again we worked with PetRelocation to make this happen. We were lucky enough to again work with Cara and her colleague, Keith, both who were very supportive during what can be a very stressful time.

For those that have experienced a move into Australia with their pets I am sure you can appreciate the challenge due to the level of detail and the strict requirements for entry that my lovely country imposes (and for good reason). PetRelocation has the expertise and knowledge on hand to get you and your pet through to the other side!

Cara and Keith worked with me continuously over four months to get Melba prepared and on her way, which was a challenge during the winter and holiday season in Canada. I think we all learned a lot along the way that will help others in the future, however the main goal was achieved with our girl arriving safely into Melbourne Quarantine mid-January amidst a hot summer.

With good planning and preparation, Melba only spent the minimum time of 30 days in Spotswood Quarantine facility, which was surprisingly very well set up and managed. The dogs have a roomy cell that has a bricked in room at one end with a warm/cool dog bed in it and a roomy concrete dog run filling up the rest (see photos). There are also fenced and grassed exercise yards that you can exercise your dog in during visiting times, and on hot days they turn on a fine mist spray to keep your pets cool.

After the 30 days Melba was released and collected by PetRelocation's Australian agent JetPets, who are also very good, and put onto a flight to Perth where we collected her on a 42 degree day. Quite a contrast from the -15 degrees she left in Toronto.

Cara and Keith kept in contact during Melba's trip with updates during her transit and were very keen to hear how she was coping with her Quarantine stay and how she is settling in now that she is back home.

It was great to work with PetRelocation on both occasions, and I would like to thank Cara and Keith for getting our girl back home safely.

Every move is different due to each country's legislation and quarantine requirements, however with the expert guidance and support from PetRelocation and careful planning, you can move your pets anywhere around the world!!

Now if only pets could earn Frequent Flyer points :-)

 

As usual, here's our Friday link roundup...

 

A new company called Dognition tests your dog's intelligence.

Speaking of pet intelligence, are dogs smarter than cats?

How pet owners use technology during a pet move.

Even celebrities face pet travel challenges: Kristen Chenoweth recently had trouble bringing her dog onto a flight.

Rover.com aims to take over the dog boarding market.

Cute dog video! (One of our customers is in Australia quarantine and having a great time.)

Finally, meet our pet of the month: Lovie!

 

Our thoughts are with you if you're in the Northeast United States. Be safe!

 

 

Name: Lorraine
Pet's Name: Sydney
From: Australia
To: Pennsylvania
 

Our dog Sydney traveled from New York to Australia. We were extremely nervous, but PetRelocation proved that they can manage to get a dog halfway around the world.

Our dog Sydney spent one month in quarantine before we had the chance to see him, and we were so happy once we finally did. Unfortunately things did not work out as planned in Australia and we ended up deciding to move back to the US. The worst part was knowing Sydney would have to travel all the way back, but PetRelocation once again proved that it was all possible.

We are so glad Sydney is safe and made it through this whole experience.

 

 

 

 

We just received this video of Monty, a Yorkiepoo we're assisting with a move from Philadelphia to Australia. Here he is on his second day at Spotswood Animal Quarantine Station in Melbourne. Looks like he's having fun!

Once again, isn't it great when pet boarding facilities provide videos and pictures? We love to see how our pets are doing in the process of a move, and updates like this illustrate that pet quarantine, which is often a necessary part of an international pet move, can be filled with fun moments.

 

 

Please contact PetRelocation with your questions about moving pets to Australia.

 

Name: Jodie
Pet's Name: Harley
From: Kansas, US
To: Australia

We had a great experience with PetRelocation, particularly with Lenneke, who helped us to negotiate all of the details and the specifics to make Harley's trip safe and more comfortable, which put the minds of ALL family members at ease.

Thank you!