Re: Thoughts on taking dogs
 

How long do they stay in quarintine for?
And does it really cost 5k?
The flight and quarantine would probably finish my 12 year staffy off.lol so dunno if its worth it

Re: Thoughts on taking dogs
 

We bought our dog with us - no hesitation at all, I could not imagine leaving her behind. She is 2 years old and very lively and also very clingy. Before we left I was so worried that she would be psychologically damaged or not take the flight but she has been fine - she is in quarantine in Byford in Perth now and she is coping really well. She loves looking at the other dogs from her kennel and enjoys our play times and cuddles when we visit, which is 3 times per week (an hour each time) for the 30 day quarantine period. The staff at the quarantine station are really good too. The place is clean and she is settled as everything is working fine - and any sensitivities usually show with eating/toileting etc.

Your dog sounds very special, and ours is too so but what I thought is that I could surely not be the first who had been through this. To help put my mind at rest we spoke to the exporter we used - Airpets at Heathrow. They were absoloutely excellent - the place is immaculate, the people are caring and we spoke to them before our dog left and they really put our mind at rest. Maybe speak to your vet also and ring a vet out here and ask them the questions you are concerned about. Since we got here we have just walked in to a vets and asked what we need to do with her while she is here re vaccinations etc and they are more than happy to help. Its definitely worth a phone call.

On our first visit to Byford the dog seemed very hot but on each visit she has been better and seems to be getting used to the heat - I saw her today and she was fine. What I did think though is that if I had a choice again then I would probably bring her over in the Ozzie winter time to help her settle in more gradually. Saying that, ours has adapted within the first week.

The move isnt cheap - about £3k for her ticket and export costs but I could not imagine being here without her. We have found a rental which will take dogs and we have been here for just a week. It does limit your options but dog friendly rentals are out there. She will just love it on the dog beaches running with the other dogs!



Good luck with the move and dont worry - dogs are more adaptable than us humans!

Re: Thoughts on taking dogs
 

It will cost us $5000, because we have 2 dogs to bring over, Its one month in quarantine ( saw 2 jack russell puppies in the local paper for sale $250 each!) but No my girls will be over soon!!

Re: Thoughts on taking dogs
 

It's just me then that keeps reading 'thoughts on taking drugs' on the front list? :blink:

Re: Thoughts on taking dogs
 

Get in touch with the quarantine station and ask them how long the waiting is... We wer lucky coz they were having a go slow on cats, but people have to wait someitmes.... So book in advance...

Re: Thoughts on taking dogs
 

I never throught about a waiting list!! must look in to that one

Re: Thoughts on taking dogs
 

Pretty sure Sydney doesn't usually have a problem with waiting lists, it's mostly Melbourne and Perth.

We'll be bringing our Golden Labrador across with us - can't wait to see her running around my Mum's place in the bush :)

Re: Thoughts on taking dogs
 

So are you going to take the dog? we are currently having problems getting our dog to pass his lepto blood test, not trying to scare you but I'd seriously consider getting him tested before you set plans into motion, he has to be tested a certain many days before he flys but we didn't know failing would be an issue and we are in QLD and he's in England still. I'm actually going back now in April to try and get it sorted.

Good luck

Re: Thoughts on taking dogs
 

Sorry to ask what's probably a question you've already considered but - has your dog had any booster vaccinations in the meantime? It can be worth checking directly with your vet in the UK (or changing vets to one which is also an OV) to make sure they're 100% sure of what they're doing.
Luckily our local vet is a DEFRA OV, so I'm pretty confident he'll know what's what :)

Re: Thoughts on taking dogs
 

Have you looked into what vaccinations your dog may need? We recently moved to the USA but will be returning to Sydney in 2013 so I was asking our pet relocation person about anything we needed to think about for our dog prior to our return. I was told that the timing of a rabies jab was crucial to minimising our dog's stay in immigration - he needs to have the jab 6 months before we return. This might only apply to us here and not to pets coming over from the UK - others might know better than me - but it's another thing to look into (like you don't have enough, I'm sure!!!).

Good luck,

Re: Thoughts on taking dogs
 

In hindsight I would have brought my dogs"3 of them" out after settling in Australia.
We would have returned to the UK if were not for the dogs in quarantine and then the cost of flying them back again.
If your attached to your dog it can become a bit of an anchor round your neck.
Come out before your dog,see if you like it,then bring it over.

Re: Thoughts on taking dogs
 

We brought our then 8 year old German Shepherd out with us to QLD, although she suffered from arthritis and she didnt like strangers at all. I was so worried about her and I cried and cried when the time came that she left us, she travelled a few days before we did. She did not cope well with quarantine but they kept us informed on how she was every day.

We got her back and she settled in really well and her arthritis was much better over here, she had 2 wonderful years here in the sunshine before she died, I look back now and I am so glad she came out here with us.

Hope everything goes OK for you and your dog with the move.

Re: Thoughts on taking dogs
 

Hi JoandJon

We have literally done everything by the book, he didn't get his booster vaccination in May for Lepto because I knew it would affect his blood level in the test. I asked the vet at the time what would happen if he didn't have it and contracted something and they asked if he foraged? I said not really and they told me he'd be fine. I've later learnt that water is the main source if not THE source of possible contamination from lepto as it comes from rat and cattle urine, it would have been nice to know this months ago as Ru LOVES swimming and did it everyday! Because he's been vaccinated against lepto his whole life (he's 10) they think he has come into contact with lepto and his anti-bodies have flared up so he hasn't actually been infected its just anti-bodies but Australian quarantine won't have it.

The vet we used had an OV or an LVI as some of them call themselves, most practices do but the original vet was never forthcoming with advice so a change in vet I don't think will do any arm either.

Re: Thoughts on taking dogs
 

I just read the same thing.

Re: Thoughts on taking dogs
 

Sounds like you're doing all you can - and what you suggest about an immune flareup makes a lot of sense! I didn't realise water was the main source for lepto, will have to make sure our lab stays out of the lake.

Fingers crossed you get it all sorted asap!