Hello

After 8 years of living in Perth, WA, we are moving back to the UK. We have a cat and my kids would love to take her back with us, I was just wondering if anyone knew of the costs??

Lucie

we brought our cat back for our 18month sabbatical in UK.
First of all you need about 7-8 months planning time for the cat alone.

Find a vet which gives rabies jabs. 200ish bucks
Month later have a blood test. Think this was about 150bucks
6 months (not a day earlier) after the blood test, your cat can be transported.

Then find a pet carrier, who organises all the other jabs/medication needed within 48 hours of flying. Ours cost about 2400bucks including the carrier, collection from house, delivery and clearance costs at LHR.

So a pricey business but worth it for our little puss.

I would contact some local pet transporters for quotes, they can vary greatly. Also, the first thread in this section is a sticky about the new DEFRA regulations that come into play as of next January. The rules are being changed a lot, and a lot less vet stuff, and time are needed from many countries. I'd check that out too, as the tests etc. can add up quickly, whereas if you're not intending to go until after next January, your costs could be significantly less.

New DEFRA regs from 1st Jan 2012 mean that you don't have to wait for a blood test after the rabies jab. So no need for the blood test anymore.

Thanks for all the replies, had a feeling it was going to be expensive. I think I may give the cat to our cousins, they love her just as much as us, my kids came up with the idea, they have said they will be sad but are happy knowing she will be going to a great home with lots of love!

@ POMSTER

You said you went back for 18 months sabbatical, that is how long we are intending to go, well more like 2 years.

Can I ask was this recently? how did it go, comparing costs to UK and Oz?

We are taking our 2 kids 12 yr old and 7 yr old. They are looking forward to being with family and having the opportunity to travel around Europe. But a bit hesitant about starting a new school.

Would be interested in your thoughts and anyone else's out there!

Cheers
Lucy

we are almost at our year anniversary, so have another 6 months here.

Our daughter is pre-school so we did not have the school issue to worry about, but I have just had to enrol her for September (far too young to my mind as she is only 4.5).

As to costs it really is swings and roundabouts. I found winter utilites really expensive, but winter seemed so long. I was amazed that so many things close from November to March, and it was hard to find things to do- we are not real home birds.
Some food is cheaper and supermarkets seemed fab but I am missing the quality in local butchers/green grocers etc.Kids clothes are far cheaper and much better quality.
Finding a job has been tougher than I ever imagined.

Finally the bit I am really disappointed about is family. They were all so thrilled that we would be here and wanted to be involved with little Miss P, but we have seen so very little of them. Still we are seeing a lot of different parts of UK and an awful lot of traffic jams- they are everywhere!

Good luck- our time over here will make our return less emotional than perhaps it might have been.