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Taking Pets to Australia
Updated January 2012
Introduction
Australia has very strict rules on the importation of animals, controlling the types of animals that can come in and the countries they come from. The rules are set by the Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service (AQIS).
As a general guide - dogs, cats and horses may be brought in from a number of countries, subject to quarantine controls. Other household pets, such as hamsters, guinea pigs, ferrets, caged birds, etc are generally prohibited. Note that you can buy these animals from pet shops or breeders in Australia, it's just that you can't bring them in as pets.
Some caged birds may be imported from New Zealand only - more on that at www.daff.gov.au/aqis/cat-dogs.
Other animals can only be imported for scientific or commercial purposes and as such are subject to very strict guidelines - more on that from the link above.
Taking Your Dog or Cat
In most cases, the importation of dogs and cats is subject to strict rules and quarantine periods, set by AQIS. The procedure for dogs and cats is outlined below and the full information package can be found on the AQIS link below.- Confirm eligibility of your pet - for example, some breeds are banned.
- Dogs and cats must have a microchip.
- Apply for a Permit to Import.
- If approved, AQIS issue a permit, which contains the veterinary certificates to be completed and instructions on how to proceed.
- Book Quarantine Accommodation - there are quarantine stations in Perth, Sydney and Melbourne and demand for accommodation can be high.
- Locate a Government Approved Vet in your home country.
- Make Travel Arrangements for your pet.
- Obtain general vaccinations, such as distemper and kennel cough.
- Obtain a blood test (for dogs).
- Parasite treatment - within 4 days of export.
- Completion of Veterinary Certifcate A - within 4 days of export.
- Completion of Veterinary Certifcate B - usually on day of departure.
- Check Pet in with the airline.
Quarantine
The time in quarantine varies according to the country of origin; eg. no quarantine from New Zealand, 30 days from UK, 210 days from South Africa.Quarantine Stations only exist in Perth, Sydney and Melbourne and there can be high demand for accommodation in these stations.
You are responsible for daily accommodation fees for your pet while in quarantine, plus a number of additional fees such as airport pickup, vet inspections and so on.
For more details on all of the above, check the Bringing Cats and Dogs to Australia guide on the AQIS website.
The Cost
Be prepared - bringing a dog or cat to Aus costs much more than a standard airline ticket for anyone else in the family. The cost depends on the size of the dog (not for cats unless they are abnormally large), the length of time in quarantine and whether there are any additional, unforeseen vet bills.As a guide, expect from about £1500 GBP for a small breed (eg. Jack Russell) up to £3500 GBP for a large breed (eg. German Shepherd). Then, quarantine costs in Aus should be around $800 AUD for a 30 day quarantine.
Pet Relocation Guide
provided by Airpets Heathrow
Relocating to Australia should not be the reason to give away your family pet. Pets are happy to live wherever their owners are and moving them is relatively easy.
It may seem a daunting prospect, with health checks and a long haul flight but more than a million pets fly safely world-wide each year. Australia has grown to be one of the most popular destinations for people emigrating and as a consequence it is necessary to plan well ahead when considering taking your dog or cat as space in the livestock hold is limited.
Australian import regulations involve an import permit, microchip, annual vaccinations (omitting leptospirosis), 3 blood tests (dogs only), spray and worm prior to departure along with a health certificate. These requirements can change periodically.
Flight & Destination Information
Pets travel comfortably in the livestock hold of direct passenger flights. Australia bound pets must spend 30 days in well run government quarantine kennels. Quarantine stations are situated in Sydney, Melbourne and Perth. Onward forwarding arrangements can be made through the kennels to other destinations in Australia. Perth and Melbourne quarantine stations have limited space so ensure you give enough notice to reserve a place for your pet’s stay.Air Kennels
Pets travel in IATA approved air kennels, large enough to enable the animal to stand, lie and turn around. Pets to Australia must travel as manifest cargo and the air freight is calculated on the volume of the air kennel and not the weight.Tranquilisers
Tranquilisers should not be given to pets prior to flying in the pressurized conditions of an aircraft and could cause an adverse effect on the animal. They soon settle down to the journey and fall asleep.Feeding & Care of pets in Transit
Animals should not be fed immediately prior to a flight to avoid soiling their air kennel. All kennels have water containers which are refilled during transits. Line the kennel floor with absorbent bedding such as Vet Bed or lots of shredded newspaper.Together with your vet, employing the services of a recognised pet travel agent helps to make the whole process a seam free operation. Airpets at Heathrow are the UK’s leading pet travel agent and offer a complete export / import service to and from the UK world-wide. Being based at Heathrow, their kennels at Willowslea Farm is an ideal base for pets to rest before embarking on a long haul flight or dealing on the spot with any problems that may arise from delayed flights.
Exports from the UK
Airpets Services include:- Arranging flights, Documentation, Veterinary Requirements
- Providing IATA Approved Air Kennels
- Boarding for as long as necessary, grooming
- Collections throughout the UK
- Delivery to the flight and arranging final spray and worm/health certificate
Imports into the UK from Australia
Airpets Services include:- UK Pet Travel Scheme – pets may be collected from Heathrow
- Board for as long as necessary
- Complete any remaining quarantine period of PTS
- Delivered by road or air throughout UK
For all enquiries Airpets recommend that you visit the export/import pages on our web site www.airpets.com and complete the online forms. This ensures that they receive all the relevant details necessary for the shipment of your pet and facilitates a quick response. Our team of experts will then be on hand to personally guide you through each stage.
Airpets Heathrow
Willowslea Kennels
Stanwell
Middlesex TW19 6BW
(2 Mins J14 M25 – junction for Heathrow cargo)
Tel: 01753 685571
Fax: 01753 681655
Email: info@airpets.com
Web: www.airpets.com
Taking a Dog or Cat into the UK
provided by our sponsor Gillian Lewis of Airpets (Heathrow).
Taking your pet dog or cat into the UK from Australia under the Pet Travel Scheme?
From 1 January 2012 all pet dogs, cats and ferrets have been able to enter or re-enter the UK from any country in the world without quarantine provided they meet the rules of the Pet Travel Scheme.
Animals which do not comply with the rules must be quarantined until they are compliant and an Import Permit will be required before entry is allowed into UK.
What you need to know if you are entering the UK from Europe or a listed non-european country such as Australia.
To prepare your dog, cat or ferret:- Have your pet microchipped – Before any of the other procedures for pet travel are carried out, your pet must be fitted with a microchip so it can be properly identified.
- Have your pet vaccinated against rabies – After the microchip has been fitted your pet must be vaccinated against rabies. There is no exemption to this requirement, even if your pet has a current rabies vaccination. Rabies boosters must be kept up to date. The length of the waiting period before entry to the UK is 21 days after the first vaccination date. A waiting period is not required for subsequent entries into the UK, provided rabies boosters are kept up to date. If the vaccination is in two parts the 21 day wait will be from the date of the second vaccination.
- Get pet travel documentation – Animals being prepared from Australia will need to obtain an official “third country veterinary certificate” which can be downloaded from www.defra.gov.uk
- Tapeworm treatment – (dogs only): before entering the UK, all pet dogs (including assistance dogs) must be treated for tapeworm. The treatment must be administered by a vet not less than 24 hours and not more than 120 hours (1-5 days) before its scheduled arrival time in the UK. There is no mandatory requirement for tick treatment.
- Arrange for your animal to travel with an approved airline such as Quantas or British Airways, using an authorised route.
Taking more than five pets with you to the UK? You will need to visit www.defra.gov.uk and the Pet Travel Scheme helpline. Check out www.defra.gov.uk for more details and any changes in requirements that can occur periodically.
All pets must arrive in the UK as manifest cargo and can take a while to clear customs. Imagine you have just flown half way round the world with your pets (that maybe on the same flight) and once landed you then have to find your way round to the official Animal Reception Centre in the cargo area.
So it may be helpful to know there are reliable pet import agents in the UK who can:
- Book your pet(s) flight and arrange customs clearance at Heathrow.
- Arrange collection from your address in Australia and pre flight boarding.
- Pre-flight check on all your veterinary and import documents.
- Collect your pets from the official Animal Reception Centre at Heathrow and look after them until you are ready to collect or wait until you are settled and they will be delivered to your home anywhere in the UK.
Gillian Lewis
Airpets ( Heathrow)
www.airpets.com www.petimport.co.uk
Dog & Cat Resources
Most of the following is written for Perth, but will relate fairly well to other cities. Some of the links are Perth-specific, some are Australia-wide.Dog Licensing
All dogs over the age of three months must be registered via your local council.Most councils have a limit on the number of dogs that can be kept at home.
Dog Exercise Areas
Most public parks allow dogs - there are usually signs to indicate if dogs are NOT allowed or must be kept on a leash.Most areas of the Swan and Canning River foreshores permit dogs, although there are some restrictions.
Only certain beaches are available for dog exercise - check your local council website for a list of these beaches.
In general, dog owners are very good about cleaning up after their dog - most parks have a supply of "pooch-pouches" and bins. You do not see much dog mess at all on public footpaths.
Dog Links
Local council guide to responsible dog ownershipdlg.wa.gov.au/Content/Community/DogOwnership/
"Walking the Dog", an occasional series which brings you classic walks of the Perth/Fremantle area
www.gooddog.info
Australia's Pure Breed Dog Community
www.dolforums.com.au
Cat Links
www.catsofaustralia.comOther Resources
Bringing Pets into the UK
Info from the Dept of Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (DEFRA): www.defra.gov.uk/animalh/quarantine/index.htmIATA - International Air Transport Association
www.iata.orgwww.iata.org/whatwedo/cargo/live_animals/pets.htm IATA info on shipping a dog or cat
Transporting a horse
IRT - International Racehorse Transport - specialists in international transport of all types of horses from racehorses to family pets.Disclaimer
Information on this website is intended to give the reader an overview of many aspects of life in Australia, such as healthcare, real estate, tax, superannuation etc.
While we at Aussiemove.com have performed a large amount of research on each subject area, we do not claim to be experts in those fields and we recommend that migrants discuss their requirements with companies specialising in those fields before making purchases, investments or other decisions concerning their move.
The content of this website is general in nature - no specific advice is intended.
We provide links to other companies as a service to our readers. We have taken reasonable care to ensure that each linked website does not contain offensive or inappropriate material. However, we are not responsible for the accuracy of any of the material in any linked website, or the advice that may be contained therein.