Travelling Overseas From Australia With Pets

Travelling Overseas From Australia with Pets

While it’s a fairly big deal, taking your pets abroad is not an absolutely impossible idea, especially if you’re heading overseas for an extended period. Your dog or cat will probably need to be micro chipped and equipped with a pet passport which can be arranged easily enough.

Bear in mind that travel can be a very stressful experience for your pet and can mean weeks or months spent in quarantine, so think carefully before beginning the process of taking them with you. If you do decide to leave your pet at home, the best option is to find a close friend or family member that is happy to care for them while you’re gone. This should be a person that your pet is familiar with – just make sure that they know what they’re taking on! If your choice of carer is a house-proud friend with a brand new cream carpet, you may be in for some upset!

Alternatively, dogs and cats can be left at a kennels or cattery. Going on recommendations from friends is a good move, but always check that you’re leaving your pet in good hands. Most countries will have an official seal of approval for such businesses, although it’s always up to you to make sure that you can trust the individuals assuming responsibility for your animal. When you drop by for a visit, the manager should ask you all about your pet, including asking about its behaviour patterns, likes and dislikes, and medical history. Make sure your pet is up to date with their vaccinations well before you drop them off. They may need an extra vaccination to prevent diseases in this particular environment, such as kennel cough for dogs.

Standard pets such as cats and dogs can be taken out of Australia, although there are some limits on native animals, such as some birds, being taken out of the country. Some types of animals won’t be allowed to leave the country at all. The biggest hurdle is entering the new country. Different countries have very different rules and regulations regarding the import of animals. Most will require a period of quarantine in order to establish that your pet doesn’t have any contagious diseases such as rabies. Quarantine is a serious undertaking and can require your pet to be kept under observation for months.

There are special companies that can arrange for the transfer of your pet overseas. They will usually sort out all the documentation and a custom-sized crate suitable and comfortable for your pet. The good news is that assistance dogs for people who are blind, deaf or disabled usually travel free of charge in the main cabin.