Re: Relocating with pets
 

Oh yeah, found this little gem of a link - it allows you to track the flights into perth airport in real-time :)

http://www.perthairport.com/default.aspx?MenuID=11

Re: Relocating with pets
 

I am so envious of everybody who can take their pets to OZ!!!!! I cannot take my english cocker-spaniel along since OZ does not allow pets to be imported from India. He's such a sweet-heart I've raised him as a pup & it's endearing how protective he is of me & my wife. It's just killing me everyday knowing that I will have to leave him behind :(, but the relief is that I've found a good home for him. I would consider it a blessing if I was allowed to take him along.

Re: Relocating with pets
 

Well, they've gone. I didn't realise just how hard it would be.

We got up and fed them yesterday morning, then had to lock them in the house - they usually go visit the neighbours after breakfast so knew something was up and my little girlcat hid under a footstool and cried. I cried too.

We put the doors on the crates (they've been happily sleeping in them for a couple of weeks) and that freaked them all.

The pet movers were supposed to come between 8.30 and 9.30, the packers at 9.30. The packers arrived about 8.45 and sat outside; at 9.20 (having rung the pet movers about 9.00) we decided to crate them ourselves. Bo wet herself as soon as she was in the crate. :( The boys just cowered. I sobbed so much that the packers were concerned. :lol:

Right about now they should be bouncing on my head to get me out of bed for breakfast. I'll ring to check on them shortly; they don't fly 'til midnight our time. How am I going to last a month without them? A house needs a cat or three. :)

Re: Relocating with pets
 

We brought our cocker spaniel with us, we thought about rehoming her but couldnt do it, so once we'd

decided she was going that was that. we used Golden arrow shippers and it cost £1766.00, her blood tests

and frontline cost £95, her stay at quarantine station for a month was $807 and a bill from AQIS cost

$120. And yes it was all worth it to see your kids faces light up to see their dog again and to see your kids

playing with the dog on the beach and in the sea. And dont worry about the month in quarantine it goes

so fast and it gives you time to sort things out. Hope this helps Lisa x:thumbsup:
</IMG>

Re: Relocating with pets
 

Hi,

I know exactly how you feel. Kitty is a rescue cat, and it took her over a year to get comfortable with us, and she is scared as hell of strangers. It was hard putting her through this, but we phoned yesterday, and were told she is doing well, She is even purring when she gets her 'food-rubbies' (she likes to have some attention just before she eats, and instructions were sent along to this effect - and they are complying with it)

We miss her big time. And I now have to use an alarm clock to wake up, as that was kitty's job.

2 more day and then we go, so we will be able to see her next week.

Once the flight is over the worst is over, as we know she is safe, and doing well. That has always been our biggest concern - will she cope with it all, as scared of everything as she is.

My thoughts with you and your cats. (do I sound like a crazy cat-person?)

Lucas

Re: Relocating with pets
 

Thanks, Lucas - I think you're either a cat person or you are not. :lol:

Bo and Han were hand-raised from a couple of days old; Fu was a street cat that adopted us when he was about 15 weeks and his Mum had gone off to have another litter. They're more like dogs really although Fu is a bit speshul and nothing much fazes him so long as his considerable belly is full. Bo gets very stressed but soon recovers, whereas Han is a wussy pussy and takes days to get over a trip to the vet.

Apparently today they are "OK, a bit nervous", which I guess is a standard answer. It's 5pm here and they fly just after midnight so I'll be calling Eastern Creek (Sydney) when I get up tomorrow.

Ahh, they're not the first cats to do this, are they? I'm just neurotic. :o

Re: Relocating with pets
 

Quick update for the benefit of anybody taking pets to Sydney (and a bit of therapy for me!) -

Han, Bo and Fu have been in Eastern Creek since 30th; we arrived on Friday 2nd and today was the first day we could visit them.

We'd spoken to their carer, Sarah, a couple of times and knew that Fu arrived with a "scratch" on his face. On speaking to the Singapore pet movers we were told that he was constantly trying to get out of his cage, and it wasn't a deep scratch, didn't bleed. Well I have to say it looked pretty deep to me, runs down his cheek just below his eye and I think it must have bled. I hope they're the only untruths I was told. :sneaky:

Eastern Creek is a fair drive out of the city, especially when your GPS can't find it and you end up on the wrong end of the Lane. :lol: It's ok, I guess...functional... (sigh) At least Sarah-the-Carer seemed very nice.

Han (my older boy) is a model prisoner - will be handled, has been weighed, had his flea guard put on, etc. Fu (naughty teenager) initially hissed, he hasn't been weighed and, after our visit, I think he will be trying to escape 'cos it seemed to dawn on him that the doors do lead somewhere. Bo (my little girl and Han's littermate) won't let the handler near her at all but we had a really good cuddle and she purred for me, which was lovely to hear. Bo and Fu both have "Caution" written on their doors in big bold red lettering. :ohmy: I've told Sarah that Bo may be bought with Whiskas, which we took in case they weren't eating but, TBH, all three seemed ok, not lost too much weight.

I noticed from her chart that Bo was on poo watch - she's a fastidiously clean girl and the trays have hardly any catlit in them so I may have a word about that if it continues. Fu had barfed, but that's quite common although I doubt he's eating cockroaches in jail.

Han is just very subdued; I imagine he spends a lot of time in his igloo as he likes a little house. He feels the cold and is used to 30C+. It's very cold here at the moment. We took him to visit Fu (next door) and Bo (opposite) but I guess they've been bathed and it's all a bit too weird, as both Fu and Bo hissed at Han. We've asked them to continue doing this but to keep Bo and Fu apart as they fight.

Han and Bo have electric blankets; they ran out so Fu doesn't have one (we were assured more were coming) but he does have a lot more insulation than the other two skinny Singapore cats.

The cat next door to Bo was in a right state. You're not supposed to pay them any attention but the poor thing saw us with ours and kept jumping up at the door; I'm sure she'll do herself some damage. :(

Should we visit again? Everyone has different opinions; mates who put their cats through Eastern Creek said they were advised to go only once, as the kits get to feel so disappointed when they aren't taken home. Sarah asked if we were coming back - I think we will.

I hate myself for putting them through this. :(

Re: Relocating with pets
 

I found myself feeling super guilty for putting my Gordon through quarantine, even though I knew it was for the best and it is the law.

Byford encouraged me to visit, they had to get the vet to Gordon while he was in there as he had the squits.

I went to see him twice and the second time I saw him he was so pleased to see me, I spent ten minutes grooming him and he was so excited with the contact that he jumped down to the floor and stuffed his face with his grub. The carer said he really perked up after seeing me.

It is amazing the boost it can give them, yes they might be momentarily confused when you leave but you do leave them with your scent and it is good for them to have a five minute groom and a cuddle.

As i mentioned, Byford encouraged it.

Its bloody hard leaving them but it was worth it to know that after I had gone, Gordon was a happier cat.

Re: Relocating with pets
 

Thanks, PP. I'll ring today to see how they were after our visit.

Bo had a little feed and was purring like a crazy thing and sticking her head under my arm (rather her than me but that's quite normal, she snuggles there). She's very vocal, gets separation anxiety - hand-reared and almost died - and she always shouts me if I'm in another part of the house. I could hear her shouting as we left.

I could go any time but I'm being such a puff. I haven't driven for 6 years and our hire car is an automatic, which I've never driven. The Geek is away for two days (did I think this would change? :rofl: ) and it's going to sit on the road as I haven't got the balls to give it a go. :o

Re: Relocating with pets
 

Seasider,

did i read that you just moved to Aus frm Singapore? My wife and I are doing the same and just got a quote for our three Singapore cats S$6,600! i was wondering which srvices you used.

Re: Relocating with pets
 

Jeez, Clarkie, who's that with? :blink:

We used Mitchville k9 (don't let Fu's scratch put you off, we know many people that have used them happily for cats and dogs). Their charges were just over S$3k. It's well worth it; you have so much hassle going on when you move that you really don't want to be doing all the cat stuff yourself too. Way too emotional as well! :(

They came round when we first contacted them, looked at the cats and did the paperwork, they brought the crates round later so the kits could get used to them (and they all ended up sleeping in them!), kept in contact regularly until moving day, etc.

Google Mitchville and you'll get their details; we dealt mainly with Vivian.

(And a big snog for taking your Singapore cats with you; all ours were street/building site cats and we took them on for life. As you know, we're in the minority... :mad: )

Re: Relocating with pets
 

Something to think about when bringing your pets over.We brought 3 siberian huskies,that had to be in quarantine for 3 months (18 years ago) interest rates were at 18% and no housing being built,meant no work for me.My wife was working in an area she didn't want to be as her UK qualifications weren't recognised.Both of us were very miserable and wanted to return to UK but couldn't because of the dogs.When the hounds were released,we still couldn't return, because now we couldn't afford going through the process all over again.We wouldn't part with them and after 15 years of bounding around this red land,their all buried in the backyard.In hindsight and had it been possible, I would have left them in UK until we were sure of what we were doing.Best wishes to everyone and hope your dreams come true

Re: Relocating with pets
 

That's very sensible advice if one is ever sure what one is doing - I've bumbled my way through life never really knowing, and assuming nothing is permanent. :o

Clarkie - can't edit my post now but just wanted to clarify that the S$3k includes flights, boarding and vet fees in Sing, etc., but not local quarantine fees, which you pay directly to the Q station.

Re: Relocating with pets
 

Thanks Seasider.

my wife had heard of Michville and is going to talk to them this weekend. It is good to hear that you had a good experience with them too.

I have to say, one of our "street cats" has definitely got used to spending all day inside and is the sizee of a medium-sized dog!!! BUt that is still no reason for double the cost.

Regardless of cost, I dont think I could look at my wife if we had to put one (or more) down. As others have said - they become part of the family..

how much was the quarantine for you btw?

Thanks again,

John

Re: Relocating with pets
 

Not sure - they've only been there a week and we haven't got the bill yet. I think it's about a tenner per cat per night, plus admission/vet fees, etc. :confused:

The AQIS site should tell you more.

Oh here it is:

http://www.daffa.gov.au/__data/asset...on_Package.pdf