Taking your pets
 

Could anyone advise me on a reliable company to assist in taking our 2 dogs to australia. We are hopping to be making the move later this year. Does the Pet Agent make the reservation for quarantine or is it something we have to book direct. I am really concerned about how my pets will cope with the travel and i am looking to take the same flights as my pet. Does anyone know how soon you can visit your pets whilst they are in quarantine?

Thanks

Re: Taking your pets
 

I can recommend a great Scottish company, but obviously, if you're not in Scotland it won't be of use.

Try not to worry about it too much. My 2 beloved cats made the trip in July 2007 and were happy and healthy on arrival.

Re: Taking your pets
 

Hi Jon, you will find quite a few threads on this subject if you do a search. I didn't move mine from the UK so can't recommend an agent, but my 3 cats did the month in quarantine; they are the most highly-strung kits on the planet and they did ok.

Rather than being on the same flight as them, I would consider the timing in terms of what's happening at the other end.

For example, we sent ours off before we packed up in Singapore, so they were out of the way and not getting too stressed by it all, but we left it as late as possible so that we got our shipping delivered and all their familiar things installed before we picked them up from the Q station. Easier for us than you, I know, as ours was only 3 weeks, but worth bearing things like this in mind.

The Q stations generally have set days and times for visits. Ours arrived before us and we visited the first day we could after our own arrival, but then went up a couple of times in the following weeks.

Some people say it's better to go once and let your animals know you have not abandoned them completely, but then not to go again until you pick them up or they repeatedly feel abandoned every time you leave them. I still think we did the right thing for ours, especially as my baby girl wouldn't let the handlers touch her at all.

Best of luck with it all. The short-term stress we and our pets go through is worth the outcome. :)

Re: Taking your pets
 

We flew two dogs over to Sydney. We used Airpets they have a website which explains everything. They sorted the import permits and booked quarantine. The only thing you will have to do is sort there blood tests out. We visited our dogs a week after they landed but I'm sure you can see them before that but they like you to give them time to settle.
I agree with Seasider about visiting as it is very hard on both you and your pets when its time to leave, We had to go in as much as possible as our two refused to eat.
Good luck with your move as stressful as it is moving animals so far it is worth it in the end, Cooper and Kymba are now very happy and settled.

Re: Taking your pets
 

We used ParAir in October 2007 to bring our dog and cat out. We had lots of concerns about bringing our 6 year old golden retriever because he was so terrified of storms but everything went very smoothly and he coped okay. Our pets went into quarantine in Sydney but we were unable to visit because we came to Brisbane but think it was for the best. Parair also gave us contacts for arranging the flight bringing them up from Sydney to Brisbane. They were used to going into kennels whilst we went on holidays so think that helped a lot. Both my pets have settled fantastically - it was such a fantastic feeling when we got them back from quarantine and definitely think it helped us settle quicker. Good luck.

Re: Taking your pets
 

We used Ryslip from the UK, and Dogtainers to Brisbane. Both were utterly fantastic.

Ryslip did the whole thing from start to finish, import permits, booking quarantine etc. They couldn't book Dogtainers as this can only happen when you have your "parole" date for the pets - and theoretically that could vary if the animal becomes ill while in quarantine.

We brought two cats with us, they seemed to cope with the flights well, and the only side effect is that after I went to Melbourne last week for 3 days they won't leave me alone now........tabby shadows everywhere I move in the house :lol:

Re: Taking your pets
 

Golden Arrow Shippers - do not be put off by the fact that they do not have a website or seem a bit old fashion.....they are amazing and have all the information you will need...they have visited all the quarantine stations here in Aus and know the staff etc....I am sure the other companies are also great, but at least have a chat with the guys at Golden Arrow.

They helped us bring over our dog and could not have been more helpful.

Good luck.

Re: Taking your pets
 

We used Golden Arrow too. Would highly recommend them :)

Re: Taking your pets
 

We used them too, highly recommended.
Tracie

Re: Taking your pets
 

Lots of threads on here to help. Ryslip as one poster has mentioned are good, we are using Overhills www.overhills.co.uk would suggest you giving a few a ring and seeing who you like the sound of best. They will do it all for you, arrange flights/quarantine etc and tell you when and what jabs/bloods you need to have done.

Ours fly in about 2 weeks and currently waiting for blood results to come back :eek:

If your dogs annual booster is due just remember NOT to have the Lepto part of the jab as this can affect outcome of one of the blood tests.

Re: Taking your pets
 

Hi there, i'm doing some research on moving my dog too. Just trying to get an idea on prices and companies etc. Please post your experiences after the move if you can, it would be a great help :) I'm not moving till later, but I like to read up on things way before hand.

Re: Taking your pets
 

Hi
Even though we moved from from Scotland I used air supply in Staines MiddlesexE mail is www.airsupplyshipping.com.
it can be a tricky affair with a lot of paperwork air supply took us through every stage whilst were a lot cheaper than others.
a good tip, make sure your Vet you use for all inoculations is prroperly registered as it isn't always the case,
Good luck.
Jim Eley.

Re: Taking your pets
 

Us too, they were great.

Re: Taking your pets
 

After the move.....

Quarantine was not easy for us or the dogs. To start with they did not eat, they growled at the carer (She was great though), they would not let anyone near them. Luckily the carer was persistent, and within 3 days she was their best pal. They still didn't eat though. We put this down to them being fussy buggers. We visited twice a week to bring them "human food", they would not touch the dog food. I guess that is our fault for home cooking for them after the first one had a bad reaction to dry dog food???? Anyhow they are back with us now. The first few weeks were hard, they did not leave our sides, and hated it when we had to go out. They are used to it now and worth every bit of stress. They are very happy and get a lot more exercise now, including weekly visit to the beach. The youngest loves to swim.

Re: Taking your pets
 

Hi Ozerjon - just answering you on the question of how soon you can visit your pets whilst they are in quarantine. I'm not sure which station you are referring to (probably Sydney - apologies if you did mention in the thread) but with all 3 in Australia you can visit after 24 hours. In Melbourne and Perth, you can walk them as soon as the AQIS vet has seen them and again this is normally 24 hours. In Sydney (after AQIS vet too), it is a week before you can walk or arrange for them to be walked - you are however able to visit them up to 4 times a week during this first week. Don't think it is worth me listing them all here but PM me if you would like me to give you opening / visiting hours for any of the quarantine stations. We work there which is how I know. Very best wishes for your and your dog's move.

Re: Taking your pets
 

We brought our 2 over in November and used Jets4Pets. They were really good. They will make reservations for quarantine if you want them too but you pay for their time. Its easy to do it yourself. Just email quarantine, ask them when they have space and then let the travel company know. You can visit them 24 hours aftert they have landed (after the vet has seen them).

The dogs will be fine, its the owners who get most stressed. I would recommend you insist on metal water bowls in the travel crate (stops them chewing and therefore losing their water). We sent ours over a week early and I wish that we had sent them 3 weeks early. They get really well looked after in quarantine and I am sure time goes pretty quickly for them. It doesn't go quickly for the owner when you are visiting them every couple of days and you have 3 weeks to wait to get them home.

All worth it in the end of course :D

Re: Taking your pets
 

Hi, very usefull informations.
I also want to ask you what was the total cost for this.
Thanks

Re: Taking your pets
 

We used Ryslip when we moved over in 2007 and they were fantastic. We will be going back (to Oz) and will use them again. They did everything apart from taking the blood tests. Our dog went into Melbourne quarantine station, I think we could visit after 24 hours but we were only allowed to visit twice a week. :( Attached is the link to find out more info on each of the stations. http://www.daff.gov.au/aqis/cat-dogs/accom#info

Re: Taking your pets
 

Sorry to gatecrash your thread, just wondering though - how much roughly does it cost to ship a cat over to Oz?

We're not planning to move for ages yet, but was just wondering.

Re: Taking your pets
 

It's costing us £1500 ish for 2 cats + quarantine which will be around another £600 quid. So for one probably around a thousand altogether I would think. We're also using Ryslip.

Re: Taking your pets
 

Wow.

Cheaper to buy a new one out there then.

Re: Taking your pets
 

oh definitely!
We are idiots I know!

Re: Taking your pets
 

We used Airpets to Perth and no complaints at all.

Quarantine was tough on the dog though, the kennels had kennel cough and a water infection going around and dog picked up the water infection along with 2 other dogs we know of and we had to call our own vet out to treat it.
Make sure you have your dog vaccinated against kennel cough before you come. Lots of dogs from the UK had not been vaccinated and caught it.

I would visit as often as you can as otherwise they do not get let out of the kennels. The different quarantine kennels have different rules about the amount of time you can exercise them in a small fenced enclosure, the AQUIS website has the details.

We asked for quaratine for confirmation when the dog landed and was picked up and they called us to let us know he had arrived safely.

Re: Taking your pets
 

Hi

it was 3900 GBP for the 2 dogs from Heathrow to Perth. Then you have to pay quarantine fees, about AUS $1000 for the 2 and vets fees about 600 GBP.

Altogether for 2 dogs was around 5000 GBP.

And to see them by the river, on the beach and in the sea is worth every penny..

Re: Taking your pets
 

Our dogs seemed to love it.. They are used to the kennels though..

It goes without saying that your dog has to be innoculated against KC.

Re: Taking your pets
 

It cost about Gbp 3,000 to bring Baggy over (adult labrador) 18 months ago. And then about $800 in quarantine fees and another $270 to fly him from Eastern Creek to Brisbane. We used JetPets for the internal flight - excellent service - only thing is they didn't operate on Sundays so poor Bags had to do one extra night in quarantine. Unfortunately we couldn't visit as we are in the Brisbane suburbs and he was in NSW. He's a happy camper now though and he loves being here - especially the dog parks!

Re: Taking your pets
 

Daft question perhaps - but this is what this forum is for! :p ......is it possible to book it all yourself? i.e. can you book a flight for your dog, take it to the airport, stick it on the plane and arrange collection by the quarantine people?

I know I'm bound to get a post from someone saying how could you consider not using a professional to look after our beloved pet; but if it's case of saving a few hundred quid, I feel it's worth asking!

Re: Taking your pets
 

Hi

We looked into it but three things stopped us:

The risk of making an error with everything else that is going on (sale of house, getting ready for new job, visa and all the other minor things.......) We were told by BA that they would only deal with a registered agency, but don't know if the is actually true. In addition, the arrangement for a DEFRA vet was going to cause a potential problem.

Now, we have been charged £1700 by PetAir (Ask for Bob) who have been fantastic. If you bear in mind this includes collecting two moggies from home, 70 miles away, inspection by DEFRA, their crate, all costs associated with the permit AND the Air Fares, I am not sure we would have saved that much. In addition, and echoing what someone has said previously, don't get them on the same flight as everytime the plane lurches, judders, drops, creaks etc you will be worrying about your pets. If you follow this advice then that is another trip to Heathrow. So, all in all, I think the money paid to PetAir is worth every penny. And that is just on the removal of strees....let alone the "How could you scrimp on you pets" bit!!!!!

Cheers

Re: Taking your pets
 

I did a bit more digging and found the following on the BA website....

I think I may have just answered my own question or is there anyone else other than BA that fly pets?

Re: Taking your pets
 

Qantas do, but I believe they will only deal with pet travel agents as well. Seriously, it is worth using an agent, it won't actually cost that much more than doing it yourself (and I don't think you can do it yourself to be honest) and there is so much do for for moving yourself that having someone take the strain for the pets is worth it.