Pet Transport Australia

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!
 

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!

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Accompanied Pets

Please Note:

If you are traveling with your pet to Australia, Hong Kong, Ireland, the United Arab Emirates, Kenya, South Africa or the United Kingdom, please skip this section and proceed to Unaccompanied Pets.

1)  First you will need to determine whether your species of pet can travel in cabin.  KLM only allows small cats and dogs up to 6 kg (13 lbs) including their carrier in the cabin.  If you have a dog or cat who weighs under 6 kg (13 lbs) with his carrier, go to step 2. If you have another species of pet, go to step 6.

2) Your pet will need to travel in a hard-shelled kennel no higher than 20 cm or in an animal travel bag (soft-sided) that expands to a maximum of 115 cm (L+W+H).  Your pet will need to be able to stand up comfortably in the carrier while traveling.  If your pet cannot fit comfortably in a carrier or kennel of this size, go to step 4. 

3) Call to Book Your Flight:  To make reservations by phone, please contact your country's KLM Telephone Reservations Line.

When you call to book your flight, you will need to notify the person making the reservation that you will be traveling with a pet in cabin.  While you can book your flight up until the last minute, KLM requires at least 48 hours advance notice for pets traveling in cabin.  Your pet will also need to fulfill the international pet travel requirements for your destination country (if traveling internationally).

4)  If your dog or cat cannot travel in cabin due to size or weight restrictions, your pet can travel underneath the plane in the air-conditioned cargo hold as "Accompanied luggage."  Your pet must be transported in a hard-shelled pet travel crate approved for pets as cargo (see below).  Your pet and kennel combined may not weigh more than 75 kg (165 lbs).  If your pet weighs under 75 kg with his carrier, proceed to step 5.  If your pet weighs more than 75 kg with his carrier, proceed to step 6.

Travel Crates for Pets as Cargo:  Your pet's travel crate will need to be up to IATA (International Air Transport Association) standards.  We sell IATA-approved pet travel crates through our website, which are suitable for domestic and international travel.  Lufthansa also requires pet travel crates to be equipped with a water dish.  We recommend attaching your pet's water dish to the inside of the crate door (see: All About Pet Travel Crates).

5) Call to Book Your Flight:  To make reservations by phone, please contact your country's KLM Telephone Reservations Line.

When you call to book your flight, you will need to notify the person making the reservation that you will be traveling with a pet in the cargo hold as accompanied luggage.  While you can book your flight up until the last minute, KLM requires 48 hours advance notice of pets accompanying their owners and traveling in the cargo hold.

Unaccompanied Pets (or Pets Traveling as Cargo)

6) Your pet should be transported as freight by Air France-KLM Cargo if:

• Your pet and kennel weigh more than 75 kg (165 lbs). 
• The kennel is larger than 292 cm (115 inches) (l + w + h). On some types of aircraft, the kennel must not be larger than 247 cm (97 inches) (l + w + h).
•  The pet is travelling to Australia, Hong Kong, Ireland, the United Arab Emirates, Kenya, South Africa or the United Kingdom. 

For your pet to travel unaccompanied via Air France-KLM Cargo, a cargo account is required and pricing is based off a dimensional or volume weight.  If your pet is going to be traveling unaccompanied, it is best to obtain a quote from a PetRelocation.com Specialist by filling out our International Quote Request form.

Air France-KLM Pricing Structure for Pets

Accompanied:   For pets traveling within Europe on most AF-KL flights, the pricing per pet is EUR 70.  For all other international flights, the price per pet is EUR 200.

Unaccompanied/Cargo:  The pricing is based on dimensional weight and varies per pet.  Fuel surcharges and other fees also apply.

If you are planning on transporting pets to the UK, Australia or any other rabies free country, you'll need to get a rabies titer test prior to pet travel.  The steps below explain how someone who is planning on a pet move can obtain these test results from their veterinarian and issuing laboratory.

What is the Rabies Antibody Titer?

The Rabies Antibody Titer or FAVN-OIE Tests (FAVN stands for Fluorescent Antibody Viral Neutralization) is to ensure that the rabies vaccinations have provided adequate rabies antibody levels for travel.  The test should be issued by your local veterinarian, sent to the rabies lab (see below) and then the results of this test will need to be certified by an approved Government Facility prior to export (i.e. the USDA).

How to Obtain a Rabies Antibody Titer/FAVN test:

Your vet will need to send a serum sample, accompanied by a completed FAVN Report Form, to the Rabies Laboratory at Kansas State University to do the FAVN test. The Rabies Laboratory will then send the FAVN Report Form with the original "stickered" results of the test back to the submitting clinic. If the destination on the FAVN Report Form is listed as Hawaii, Guam or any of the Caribbean Islands, the original "stickered" results will be sent directly to the destination's quarantine station, and a copy of results will be sent to the submitting clinic.

Here is where to send the serum sample:

Rabies Laboratory

Kansas State University

2005 Research Park Circle

Manhattan, KS 66502

tel. 785-532-4483

fax 785-532-4474

www.vet.ksu.edu/rabies

rabies@vet.ksu.edu

The results of the FAVN test must be 0.5 IU/ml or above in order to qualify for entry.

Pet owners do not need to call KSU prior to sending a serum sample for a FAVN test.

For more information on Rabies Titer/FAVN test submissions, please see the KSU Rabies Laboratory website.  There you will have access to shippping instructions, current FAVN Report Forms and test fees.

Transporting your pets to New Zealand is not the easiest process, but with advanced planning it is something that can be done with little effort - just a lot of visits to your veterinarian! As with all forms of pet travel, the most important part of preparing your pets' move is to plan ahead!

Many of those who contact us on a regular basis, simply wait till the last minute to get their pets relocation plans ready. It is amazing how many customers put off their pets plans until they are set to move. That is why we blog and service the pet transportation market, as many just need a helpful hand or advice on what to do best for their pets and the situation they are in!

With all forms of pet moving, it is best to plan ahead or as soon as you know you are moving to another location. Once you find out about your relocation, start planning for your pet's transportation and import requirements - as you can see below, blood tests and the timing of these blood tests are crucial!

This brings me to the import requirements and rules for transporting your pets to New Zealand! Please read over the items below and as always, let us know of any questions!

Attention: This information is to be used as general guidelines and may not be updated to meet the current requirements. Before you travel, be sure to contact the appropriate authorities for your destination country.

NEW ZEALAND IMPORT RULES AND REQUIREMENTS

The rules and requirements in this document are applicable to import from the United States.

Dogs, Cats and other small animals imported into New Zealand must undergo import quarantine, in accordance with the Rabies Prevention Law. On Condition that the following criteria have been fulfilled, the quarantine period for a dog or cat entering New Zealand is 180 days. 150 of these days can be completed in the country of origin, however there is a mandatory 30-day quarantine for all live animals entering the country. Before beginning the import procedures, make sure that your vet is approved by the Government Veterinarian Authority in the country of origin. For example, if an animal is departing the United States, the vet will need to be USDA Accredited.

Requirements IN SUMMARY:
Time before arrival: At least: Action

210 days MICROCHIP IMPLANTING: Animal must have (or obtain) microchip identification. This must be done before the rabies vaccinations. The only microchips that can be read In New Zealand are ISO 11784 and 11785 Standards. For any other chips, you must bring your own microchip reader.

During import inspection at the time of arrival in New Zealand, if the microchip number is not confirmed or the microchip number is not the same as that on the inspection certificate, the animal will be subject to a 180-day quarantine period or returned to the country of origin.

PLEASE MAKE SURE ALL MICROCHIP NUMBERS MATCH ON EVERY DOCUMENT.

210 days After implant of the microchip, the animal receives a new rabies vaccination. This must be "inactivated rabies vaccinations." Be sure to obtain certification of the period of validity for the particular vaccinations that you obtain (some are good for two years, others for only one).

180 days After the Rabies Vaccination (ideally within 2-3 weeks), animal must receive a Rabies Neutralizing Antibody Titre Test (FAVN or RFFTI) to ensure that the rabies vaccination has provided adequate rabies antibody levels and must be tested by a facility approved by the Government of New Zealand. Your Vet will send these to the approved lab listed below. Please have your vet call them before sending to make sure they are aware of the delivery and the destination location (Australia). The results of the blood test must be 0.15U/mil or above.

Your vet will need to scan your pet's microchip prior to the blood draw for the Titer Test.

The date in which blood was drawn for this test is when the 180-day quarantine countdown begins. You may keep your pet in the country of origin for 150 days and send at this time, exposing the animal to the minimum 30-day quarantine period.

This test result will remain valid for 1 year from the time the blood sample was taken. If you need to repeat your Pet's Titer Test you must re-test within a year of the initial Titer Test to demonstrate continuous protection against rabies and to avoid another lengthy wait before being eligible for entry into New Zealand. The date of the blood sampling, the laboratory used, microchip number, and the test results shall be well noted on all health certificates. The matching of these numbers is critical to its success. Please double-check them!
BEFORE the bloods collection and its shipment to this laboratory, please have your vet ask the lab listed below how to apply for the test, label the blood container, and send the sample.

Also have your vet ask if your sample needs any treatment before sending.

These labs can change their policy often, so it is just best to double-check with them prior to sending.

Rabies Laboratory

Kansas State University

2005 Research Park Circle

Manhattan, KS 66502

tel. 785-532-4483

fax 785-532-4474

www.vet.ksu.edu/rabies

rabies@vet.ksu.edu

Once these results have been returned to either yourself or the vet, you can begin the process of applying for the required IMPORT PERMIT. Please contact your Pet Relocation Agent at this time for further instruction. Upon Receipt of the IMPORT PERMIT, an export date can be determined.

30 Days A second Titer test is required. Using the same instructions as listed above, a second Rabies Titer test is required. Whatever method was used for the first test, the same method must be used for the second test.

30 Days Fecal Tests – All animals require two fecal exams at least 14 days apart using the sensitive flotation procedure and show negative results for hookworm eggs. This test can be completed at the vet's office and must be noted on export documents regarding dates performed and results.

30 Days - DOGS ONLY - Within 30 days of departure have your vet scan the animal's microchip and draw blood for the following tests:

Ehrlichiosis – Your dog must produce a negative result using the Indirect Fluorescent Antibody Test at a dilution of 1:40. Within 24 hours of blood draw, treat with external parasite treatment against ticks.

Brucellosis – Your dog must produce a negative result by means of a serum agglutination test. Once blood is collected for this test your dog must not be mated or inseminated prior to export.

Leptospirosis – Your dog needs to produce a negative result by means of a microscopic agglutination test to be eligible for import. These results need to read less than 50% agglutination at a serum dilution of 1:100. Dogs record a result of more than 1:100 but less than 1:800 can be re-tested 14 days or more after the first test. These second results must also show a titre result of less than 1:800.

Dogs that record a result of 1:800 or more are ineligible for import.

Note: Vaccination against Leptospirosis is not recommended within 6 months of export, as your pet's high antibody response will most likely result in it being ineligible for export to Australia.

Heartworm – Your dog must produce a negative result on a Lab Report Form for Canine Heartworm. This test can be run with the tests listed above.

All original results will need to travel with the dog and will also need to be recorded on the Import Permit (Veterinary Certificate A).

21 Days All animals must be treated for cestodes (tapeworm – Praziquantel/Dronsit)

14 Days All animals require a second Fecal Exam at this time. The first fecal is done within 30 days of departure.

10 Days All animals must be tested for babesia gibsoni. This test is done by Texas A&M

10 Days Obtain a Health Certificate from your Vet within 10 days of departure.

This certificate must state that the animal(s) are in good health and OK to fly.

4 days Internal Parasite Treatment – Dogs and Cats must be treated with a product approved for the treatment of nematodes and cestodes e.g. Drontal.

External Parasite Treatment - Teat with medicines effective against ticks and fleas. Note product and concentration. Oral products, injections and medicated collars are not satisfactory, neither are products that rely on the parasite biting your pet. Washes and rinses that prevent ticks and tick bites are acceptable. The active ingredient, dose rate, and treatment date for the above treatments must be recorded on Veterinary Certificate A. Final Vet Exam – Must be performed by an accredited vet. Vet Certificate A is to be completed at this time. An international health certificate must also be issued at this time: APHIS Form 7001.
All documents must be reviewed and endorsed by the USDA at this time. Your Pet Relocation agent will have these final steps (within 4 days of departure) completed on your behalf.
 

It's not too often we get special celebrity guests.  Especially when they're as well traveled as Pups, who's actually a stuffed animal (but don't tell anyone!). Pups the Traveling Labrador spends his time making guest appearances on all coasts and continents.  And in January, he'll be making a trip to our offices in beautiful pet friendly Austin, Texas.  He's going to see how our pet transportation services work and then go on a trip with one of our agents from New York to Tokyo!  Pups has been everywhere from Australia to Russia, and even has his own Twitter page!

We're looking forward to showing Pups all that Austin and Japan have to offer!

Below are the recently released pet transport Eastern Creek Quarantine Station (an AQIS operated location) in pet friendly Sydney, Australia hours of operation for the 2009-2010 holiday season.

Hullo Scotty and the rest of the Crew at PetRelocation!!!!

Thanks so much for all the hard work you guys have put into getting Missy to us in Australia, we greatly appreciated your pet transport very much. Missy is very happy in quarantine and is settling in well. I talked to Julie this morning and Missy passed the vet check with flying colors.

I did happen to take a bunch of pics while we were visiting her on Monday, we also brought in some of her favorite food -- a bit of fried chicken -- and she just went nuts over it. I will be visiting her again this Friday to give her a bath and of course take her out for a run. I have attached a few pics hope you enjoy them.

Thanks again for all the help with the dog travel,

Cheers,

Coreen & Andrew Enyvari

One dog, Canada to Australia

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PetRelocation.com is reminding travelers with pets and people moving with pets to Australia that all cats and dogs entering Australian quarantine on or after 7 August 2009 will be charged according to the new fees in the table below.

From the AQIS website:

The fee increases are necessary to ensure that we can maintain our service levels to importers, as well as our commitment to managing the quarantine risks associated with imported animals through the implementation of post arrival quarantine. 

To simplify the fee structure, individual services currently charged and new services not previously charged have been merged into the daily accommodation rate for cats and dogs.

*A consignment for this purpose is defined as dogs and/or cats being sent to Australia, at the same time from the one country of origin, with the same importer and exporter details listed on the import permit application.

It should be noted that the fees listed above are for the care and maintenance of animals only.  There may be other import clearance and documentation fees associated with the import of dogs and cats not outlined in this structure that may be applied to invoices for importers.

More useful links:
More detailed information about the Import Clearance Program Fees may be found on the AQIS Website Frequently Asked Questions page.  As usual, e-lodgement bookings can be made through the AQIS site, or are provided as PetRelocation.com's full door to door pet transport services to Australia.

The lifestyle magazine Monocle has been publishing a list of "Most Liveable Cities" since 2007.  The 2009 winners were ranked as follows:

These cities were rated in a survey on a basis of safety/crime, international connectivity, climate/sunshine, quality of architecture, public transportation, tolerance, environmental issues and access to nature, urban design, business conditions, pro-active policy developments and medical care.

For those considering a move to one of the Top 10 cities, we have the import requirements as follows:

Moving Pets to Switzerland

Moving Pets to Denmark

Moving Pets to Japan

Moving Pets to Germany

Moving Pets to Finland

Moving Pets to Sweden

Moving Pets to Austria

Moving Pets to France

Moving Pets to Australia

In a statement released today, Delta Cargo announced that beginning Wednesday, July 1, they will allow daily non-stop flights between Los Angeles (LAX) and Sydney (SYD), Australia.

In the release Delta also said they would direct all potential customers wanting to ship dogs and cats to Australia to the Independent Pet and Animal Transportation Association (IPATA) website.

The release also mentioned that "Delta Cargo believes IPATA members are in the best position to help customers navigate the complex live animal import restrictions."  As a long-standing IPATA member, PetRelocation.com looks forward to assisting pet owners with their door to door pet transport services, including Delta bookings to Sydney.

Pet owners wanting to ship pets to Australia are encouraged to check out our Pet Import Requirements for Australia in order to get an idea of the process involved.

Hello Kevin,

This is Theron B. of San Antonio and I just wanted to take a minute and tell you about Scotty Walkwitz's job performance and professionalism.

I contacted petrelocation.com and a careful search and review. I talked to Matt and from the first contact of your company, I knew that this was the place for my family to trust PetRelocation.com to ship our beloved pet to Australia.

Matt was thoughtful and understanding about my concerns for pet transport. I soon began working with Scotty and I immediately felt that he was a sincere and caring person who understood the difficulties in transporting an important family member. Scotty made sure that I was informed on every detail of Bandit's movements as well as all of the intricacies of the paperwork involved. I felt like we were partners in getting Bandit to Australia.

Scotty was always a professional and polite. His job performance has brought distinction and trust not only to himself but to PetRelocation.com. Promote him soon.

Sincerely,

Theron B. and Family

Hello Kevin,

This is Theron B. of San Antonio and I just wanted to take a minute and tell you about Scotty Walkwitz's job performance and professionalism.

I contacted petrelocation.com and a careful search and review. I talked to Matt and from the first contact of your company, I knew that this was the place for my family to trust PetRelocation.com to ship our beloved pet to Australia.

Matt was thoughtful and understanding. I soon began working with Scotty and I immediately felt that he was a sincere and caring person who understood the difficulties in transporting an important family member. Scotty made sure that I was informed on every detail of Bandit's movements as well as all of the intricacies of the paperwork involved. I felt like we were partners in getting Bandit to Australia.

Scotty was always a professional and polite. His job performance has brought distinction and trust not only to himself but to PetRelocation.com. Promote him soon.

Sincerely,

Theron B. and Family

Thanks so much Scotty for your help with our pet transport.

We here are very happy to hear that Bandit has arrived safely in Australia.

My family would also like to thank you personally for your outstanding pet travel handling of our precious family member. I would like the name and number of your immediate supervisor so that I let them know of your professionalism and courtesy.

Warm Regards, Theron

Scotty,

Everyone arrived safe and sound. They apparently got bumped to a later flight on Virgin. They are doing fine and are settling in nicely.  Thanks again for all you help, Amy should have the billing information for the last payment.

We are extremely pleased with the pet transport service and support you were able to provide. The dogs arrived to our door, healthy and happy and pleased to be home.

Thanks again for a job done well. I would not hesitate to recommend your pet travel services to anyone.

Thanks, Gentry

Move Profile:

Three Pugs (Prudence, Monte, Sammi) and Maggie, a little Terrier

Move Route:
Raleigh to Los Angeles, 1 night stay, then to Sydney, Australia, 30 days quarantine.  Then to Brisbane, and home delivery!

We've had so many people moving pets to Singapore lately! The following are some things to remember when considering a pet move to Singapore:

1.  Thirty-day mandatory quarantine upon arrival:  Unless you are moving from a rabies free country like Australia or England, your pet will have to be quarantined for 30 days upon arrival in Singapore.  The Sembawang Animal Quarantine Station is actually quite modern and nice, and you can even request air-conditioned kennels as well as special feeding & medicine routines.

2.  Plan ahead to avoid delays:  Quarantine space fills up fast!  During the summer months, the aforementioned air-conditioned dog and cat kennels are heavily booked.  It's a good idea to make your reservation at least 2 months in advance.  If you hire our services, this is something PetRelocation does on your behalf as part of our door-to-door pet transport services.

3.  Spayed & neutered pets need documentation:  Singapore's Animal Quarantine officials require a letter from your veterinarian stating that your pet is spayed or neutered, particularly in order to obtain a dog license.  It's a good idea, as with all health paperwork, to have your pet's microchip number on this document as well.

4.  Obtain a dog license after arrival:  While an import permit is required for moving pets to Singapore, all dogs over 3 months of age will need to have a license before they are released from quarantine.  You can apply for a Singapore dog license online at the Agri-Food & Veterinary Authority website, find a list of fees for the license, and more.

5.  Fully vaccinate your pets in advance:  This catches many people off-guard, as Singapore has very strict rules on what vaccines dogs & cats need prior to import.  We have a full listing on our Singapore Pet Import Requirements page, but it's important to remember that all vaccines must be older than 30 days prior to export, but given within the last year.  Three-year vaccines, even if they are still technically current, are not recognized by Singapore once they have been given more than a year prior.  Additionally, Singapore requires cats to be fully vaccinated for "chlamydia psitacci," which many veterinarians in the US do not give as part of their regular routine vaccinations.

Please don't forget that we're always happy to give advice over the phone or via email -- contact us today!

Hi. I have two indoor, declawed cats aged 10 & 11. They have traveled from the US to Melbourne, Australia (lived there for 18 months) and from Melbourne to Tokyo, Japan (have been here for 18 months). In Melbourne they spent 48 days in quarantine, they were allowed to come directly to our house in Tokyo because they were moving from and island country to another island country. There is a great possibility that we will be moved to either Paris or Madrid in the beginning on 2010.

Can you tell me what the requirements would be for them to enter into France or Spain? I am trying to avoid quarantine at all costs! We will be looking forward to using your company as our pet transporter, we do not move the cats ourselves, to much stress for all of us. I look forward to hearing from you. Sincerely, Terri

Hi Terri!  Wow - your pets are quite the world travelers!  Here's the good news:  For your cats to travel to France or Spain from Tokyo, they will not have to undergo quarantine upon arrival in either country.

The reason you have run into so many quarnatine issues before is because you have been moving to islands which are rabies-free.  As Spain and France are not considered rabies-free, just rabies-controlled, a pet traveling to either of those countries from a rabies-free country will never have to undergo quarantine.  If you were traveling from a country which is not seen as rabies-controlled, like Thailand, for example, then they would need to have blood tests done and then wait for 120 days in order to avoid quarantine in France or Spain.

They will still need health certificates and the usual vaccination requirements will need to be up to date.  We would love to assist with preparing your cats' export documentation when the time comes for you and your cats to move.  We hope this has cleared up some of your concerns for now, and look forward to working with you!

What exactly is the 6 month wait? I may be moving a dog from US to England. Thanks, Betsy.

Whenever discussing pet travel or pet transportation to England or any other rabies-free country (like Japan or Australia), a lot of people will mention the "six month wait."

What this means is that instead of putting your dog or cat in quarantine for six months upon arrival in England, you can do the following in order to avoid quarantine:

Step 1:  Microchip implantation

Step 2:  Rabies shot #1 (must be done after the microchip)

Step 3:  Rabies FAVN Test (sometimes referred to as "the blood test" or a "titre test")

From the date of the Rabies FAVN blood draw, the "six month wait" begins.  This means that 180 days after the blood has been drawn, assuming that the test results show that your pets have the minimum amount of rabies antibody in their bloodstream, you can fly with your pets to England and not have to quarantine them upon arrival!