Hi evryone

Only joined yesterday so thanks for previous help and the many, many welcomes.

Here gos........my next dilemma!

We have a dog who would like to come to Oz with us. So I thought while Im at it Ill try and find out how much it was going to cost. Just for an idea. Well I only enquired 2 days ago and an immediate response was sent by snail mail (not so snail though eh?) this morning. I nearly choked on my coffee. Try and guess. Hubby gave me a budget of a £1000. That goes nowhere. They want £2145 and that doesnt include the export licence or blood tests or quarentine. So I reckon its gonna be about £3000 by the time everythings included. Just don't get it. Ive also looked at cost for 1 way tickets to Oz for 2 adults and 2 kids the cost being £1500. Go figure. So now there is the decision as to whether or not to take our much loved family pet and lighten our bank balance (and thats putting it nicely!) or find her a home. What do I do?? Dog comes over, sits next to me, looks up with big brown eyes (aawww) The heart strings are going like mad. Difficult decision. Kids love her, I love her and although he wont admit it hubby loves her.

So does any one no a cheaper export agency? Or has anyone ever DIYed? Can you DIY? Or is the agency option the only way?

Thanks, Cheeky

Hi Cheeky....

We have, or should I say, had, the same dilemma. But as the costs are so high, the parents of one of our daughters friends has offered, or should I say snatched our hands off at the opportunity to take our pet off our hands!

Anyway, to the point. The costs are indeed extortionate.

I got two seperate quotes, one from Airpets and another from Golden Arrow. Golden Arroa were by far the cheaper. We have a cocker spaniel, and the costs were quoted as being:

Export to Sydney, freight charges, airliner documentation, sealing and UK VET fees at airport, travelling in a kennel measuring 37x18x24 (inches), arranging shipment and booking also delivery to airport: ...£962 {Apparently these fees go up by a further £254 at the end of Aug, because of increased airline fees}.

Obtaining import permit and ministry's export health cert, plus various treatments:....£150
Oz Quarentine AU$ 720.50

If you want to contact Golden Arrow yourself, then the details are:
Golden Arrow
Lydbury North
Shropshire
Phone:01588 680240
I found them very prompt and helpful.

Hope this helps.

Best of luck...Gary

Thanks Gary for the help. It certainly sounds more in line with my 1000 quid budget. Ive reckoned your costs up and even with quarentine fees and extra £254 for extra airline fees its still a dam site cheaper than my quote. Phew, feel better now. I will ring them tomorrow. We have a golden retriever so obviously she will need slightly (!) bigger crate!!! (Sorry, babbling now!) We live in Lancs and after asking hubby how far Shropshire its maybe 3 - 4 hours drive away. Worth it if its £1500 cheaper!

Thanks again! Cheeky

No problem, glad to help.

You can save a lot of money by posting questions on this forum.

Hope you get a "much cheaper" quote.

Cheers, Gary

Hi Cheeky
We got 5 quotes altogether and Golden Arrow were cheapest for us too. It's still going to cost us about £2300 to take our dog, but I couldn't bear to leave him behind I know what you mean about the big brown eyes, they just have to give you one look and your heart melts Awww bless. Just think of all the great walks they'll have when they get there though, it'll be worth it in the end!

Hi Teddybex

This is the 2nd attempt to reply, think I put too many smillies last time so it 'disappeared' Or maybe I botched up and clicked the wrong button! Anyway thanks for your help, it backs up what Gary has told me. Had the 'dont rule yer head with yer heart' speel from hubby. Know we will regret it if we dont take her. Family wouldnt seem the same without her. I know its gonna be tough at times but ya know yer right it will be worth it.

Thanks again Cheeky

Hey Cheeky

Who'd you get that quote off? We are taking two cats and a full sized Dalmatian dog and its only costing us £2200.

For Australia you don't need the blood test unless there's a chance of you coming back to UK. We have sorted everything out with GOlden Arrow and they also do all the paperwork for you. I have found them nothing more than exceptional.

Give them a ring, if you do a search i am sure you'll find their number on this site as they come highly recommended. Allow £ 2000 for your dog, but if he's a member of the family and precious enuough he's worth it!

Kate

Hi, we're going to use Golden Arrow, the guidelines they give indicate that blood tests are required within 30 days of shipping. However if your dog has had Lepto Vaccine you may have to have an additional test (depending on the result of the first), my vet says that this is a common vaccination. At our vets recommendation ours had Rabies jab, including blood tests came to £100 each, but it transpired that they do not need them.
Our quote (post Aug changes) is just under £2000 for two westies.
Take your dog, it'll be worth it and I'm sure he'll love it in Oz.
Stef

Reply to Katyjoy and Stef

Hi there thanks for help Much appreciated

The export firm I contacted was one I found on the web (no!) which seemed pretty straightforward. They are based within Manchester Airport. I think I was just a bit shocked about the expense. From what other people have said Golden Arrow seems to be the one.
If I reckon on a figure between £1500 - £2000 (all in) I will be happy at that. When I get quote I will let you know. The dog has been giving hubby the big sad eyes look!! And I think its working!!

Thanks to all,

Cheeky

Hi

We are using Golden Arrow - highly recommended and by far the cheapest out of 5 other companies.

We have 4 Newfoundlands costs are as follows

Golden Arrow - £7700
blood tests 4 x £52.50
frontline 6 pack cost £45.00
import permit £95.00 for all 4 can go on one permit
collection from Coventry £90.00

total - £8140

Additional costs approx $800 per dog to get released from quarantine

also need to get export pedigrees £40.00 x 3 so i can register them with Australian kennel club as i plan to breed

I reckon if all goes to plan and i breed the 3 girlies they will pay me back with their first litters so any additional litters will be a bonus.

Definately would not leave them at home even if i didn't breed from them they are part of the family and MUSt go with us.

They all fly on 2oth/21st september and we haven't even sold the house yet eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeekkkkkkkkkkkkkkk

to change their flights would have cost us an extra £3000 so not an option

Mr Timber and kids may well be leaving before me and i will stay to sell the house

it will all work out - i'm an eternal optimist

Hope this helps


regards

Debs

cheeky....
we lived near Huddersfield...
Golden Arrow use Manchester airport frequently to send their animals from....
what we did was meet them at the cargo terminal when they were taking an animal for its flight. They took our dog from us and back to their kennels to prepare her for her flight 4 days later....no problemo..dont have to travel to Shropshire....well we didnt anyway!

Thank u Debs for this.

This comes to (hang on a min)..........£1925 Per dog. Very simalar to my original quote. Having said that Newfoundland (tell me if Im not correct) are approx the size of a small horse!!! No offence intended of course!! I dont think the price goes off weight Ive a feeling its measurements so dog has enough room to move round, etc. My dog is classed as large breed (golden retriever) and I would say she is to breed standard. I have no intention of breeding (she has been spayed) so no 'return' for my money. Our dog is only 3 years old is in extremely good health and Im sure will cope with trip fine. I believe dogs have no concept for time so it doesnt matter if its 2 hours or 21 hours. They reckon they just settle down and go to sleep during the flight. The only thing that worries me is its an awfully long way to be cooped up and what do they do for a pee?!! Stupid thing to worry about I know!! Least of our worries I suppose.
Golden arrow collect your dogs from you then? Not sure if Im tempted to take her down myself (despite long journey). Being an 'only' dog I want to make it as easy (if i can) for her as poss.
It sounds like its all happening for you rite now though and you must be very busy, so thanks for taking time to add your imputt to this thread

Good luck with everything, I hope house sells soon and you all have a safe journey. All the best for your future life 'downunda'
Cheers Cheeky (and dog of course!)
PS If you can let us know how it all goes as you probably realise I (and many others I presume!) are very interested to hear how it all goes!! Thanks again.

Hi again Cheeky. I have to agree with you on this one. Being the big softie that I am, I'll be taking my dog to Shropshire too, even though we're in Doncaster! The bit I'm most worried about is leaving him in quarantine for 30 days though It'll break my heart
Beccy x

Hi every 1 !!

A big thanks for all the fab help Ive had with this thread
Just to keep you up to date with how things are going.
Phoned Golden Arrow up earlier today but they were very busy and they said they would phone me back...........hmm!!..........still waiting!!!!........ ....
Ill give them a bit longer!!.............
Just had a thought, does anybody have golden arrows e-mail / web address??
It might be easier for them if I did that.

Thanks yet again, Cheeky

Another update........

Ive just got in touch with them, they are sending me info through the post!!! Then I have to send my dogs measurements back to them in order to recieve an accurate quote. Promise to let you all know!!

Hi there

Just to let you know, Golden Arrow dont have a website, or at least I searched and searched and was never able to source it.

Best of luck with the quote.

Gary