Pet Travel to and From Australia

Name: Kirsty
Number of Pets: 1
Pet Type: Dog
Pet Breed: Miniature Fox Terrier
From: Australia
To: Europe

Hi PetRelocation,

I want to move to Europe for 12 months, either to Italy, Hungary or London. I am hesitant, as I have to take my 2-year-old dog and possibly a 2-year-old cat (mostly about cost and coming back in to Australia).

Can you assist me?

Thanks,

Kirsty
 

Hi Kirsty,

Thanks for your question! It's possible to do what you're proposing, but it will take quite a bit of planning, time and money. We'll go over a few of the details to give you an idea of what to expect.

First, take a look at the pet import requirements for the UK and also for Australia (you can find a full list of country requirements here). Each time you cross into a new country you'll need to follow their particular rules, even if you used to live there and only left for a few months.

Australia is stricter than going to a European country, as Australia is rabies-free and requires a quarantine for entering pets. The process to plan a pet move to Australia generally lasts about 180 days, so you'd need to be aware of all the steps and start preparing for your trip back just a few months after you leave. If you decide to make this trip with your pets, we recommend researching the above information very carefully and then building a detailed timeline to follow.

If you think you'd like some help arranging all of this, feel free to contact us to find out more about our door-to-door services. Hiring help does add to the overall cost (for us, moving one small pet internationally generally begins at around $2500 USD -- here's why), so you may decide to handle the move yourself or find local agents to assist with part of the move.

Pet owners facing temporary moves often decide it's not worth the time, effort and expense to move their pets and instead opt to leave their furry friends with a trusted family member or friend. It can be a tough decision, but sometimes it's the right thing to do (especially for pets who aren't crate trained and/or who are especially nervous travelers). It's always a good idea to talk to your vet for further enlightenment or if you have any concerns. If you do decide to bring your pets with you, here are a few things to keep in mind that will help with making the trips as safe and smooth as possible.

Please let us know if you have any questions as you go forward, and good luck!