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Bringing your pet to Australia: The definitive pet import guide

International pet transport to Australia is complex because of the country’s stringent biosecurity regulations to protect local flora and fauna from introduced diseases. Australia’s strict biosecurity laws for pet import are to prevent the introduction of rabies into the country via dogs and cats.

Pets travelling to Australia have to satisfy all the biosecurity regulations set by the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry without exception. The process is time-bound and includes several steps that need to be completed at the correct time. Preparing your pet to travel to Australia requires several vet visits and a lot of documentation. It is essential to follow all the rules, and failure to do so could result in your pet being denied entry, subject to additional testing, or extended quarantine.

Here’s what you can expect when you are considering international pet transport to Australia:

UNDERSTANDING COUNTRY CATEGORIES

Australia allows the import of pet cats and dogs only from approved countries and territories. Approved countries are divided into three groups based on the prevalence of rabies in the country, and each group has different import conditions.

Non-approved countries – All countries and territories not mentioned above are considered non-approved countries with a high incidence of rabies. Pet dogs and cats from these countries cannot travel directly into Australia. Pets must travel to a group 2 or 3 country and live there continuously for 180 days before export to be eligible to travel to Australia. Your pet must undergo testing, treatments and examinations in the approved country and meet all Australian import conditions before travelling to Australia.

BANNED BREEDS AND ELIGIBILITY

Pet dogs and cats must be eligible to travel to Australia. The eligibility criteria are:

• Pets must have resided in the Group 1 country since birth or direct importation from Australia or for 180 days immediately before the travel date. 
• Pets must not be under quarantine restrictions at the time of export.
• Pets must not be more than 40 days pregnant or suckling young during export.
• Cats and dogs must be at least eight weeks old during export.
• Your pet must not be on the banned breeds list in Australia. 

Australia bans the import of the following breeds:

• Dogo Argentino
• Fila Brasileiro
• Japanese Tosa
• Pit Bull Terrier or American Pit Bull
• Perro de Presa Canario or Presa Canario
• Czechoslovakian wolfdog or Czechoslovakian Vlcak
• Saarloos wolfdog or Saarloos wolfhound
• Lupo Italiano or Italian wolfdog
• Kunming wolfdog or Kunming dog.
• Savannah cat, domestic cat (Felis catus) crossed with serval cat (Felis serval)
• Safari cat, domestic cat crossed with Geoffroy cat (Oncifelis geoffroyi)
• Chausie, domestic cat crossed with Jungle cat (Felis chaus)
• Bengal cat, domestic cat crossed with Asian leopard cat (Prionailurus bengalensis).

MICROCHIP 

Pet cats and dogs travelling to Australia must have a microchip implanted before travel.

• The microchip must be read by an Avid, Trovan, Destron or any other ISO-compatible reader
• It should be an ISO-compliant 15-digit microchip.
• DAFF does not accept pets with microchip numbers starting with 999 and nine-digit microchips.

IDENTITY VERIFICATION

Pets from Group 2 and 3 countries need their identities verified before travelling to Australia. DAFF requires a competent authority in the exporting country to identify the pet before the import. Pet parents must approach a competent authority in the export country to scan the microchip and identify the pet. The authority will provide the evidence of the scan and identification directly to DAFF.

VACCINATIONS, TESTS AND TREATMENTS 

Vaccinations

Pet dogs and cats must be vaccinated against rabies and other common canine and feline diseases before travelling to Australia. These vaccinations must be valid for the entire post-entry quarantine period.

• Pets travelling from Group 1 and 2 countries – Group 1 and 2 countries are rabies-free; pets from these countries do not require a rabies vaccine.
• Pets travelling from Group 3 countries - Pet cats and dogs flying in from Group 3 countries must be vaccinated against rabies after the microchip implantation. Dogs must receive the following vaccinations:
• Leptospirosis  
• Para-influenza
• Bordetella bronchiseptica
• Dogs from Singapore need to be vaccinated against Canine Influenza Virus (CIV)

Cats travelling from Category 2 and 3 countries need the following vaccinations:

• Feline Enteritis
• Rhinotracheitis
• Calicivirus

Health Tests for Dogs

In addition to the vaccinations mentioned above, dogs from Group 2 and 3 countries must be tested for the following canine diseases by a competent government-approved veterinarian.

• Brucella canis (Brucellosis) – Desexed dogs are exempt from testing for Brucellosis. If your dog is not desexed, a government-approved vet must scan and verify the microchip number before collecting the blood sample to test for Brucellosis. The test must be either a rapid slide agglutination test (RSAT), a tube agglutination test (TAT) or an indirect fluorescent antibody test (IFAT). It should be done within 45 days of export and produce a negative result.
• Leishmania infantum (Leishmaniosis) – The vet must scan and verify your pet’s microchip before collecting the blood sample to test for Leishmaniosis using an indirect fluorescent antibody test (IFAT) or an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The test must be done within 45 days of travel, producing a negative result.
• Leptospira canicola (Leptospirosis) – Dogs not vaccinated for Leptospirosis must test for the disease using a microscopic agglutination test (MAT). The vet must scan the microchip before drawing blood for the sample. It should be done within 45 days of travel and produce a negative result at a serum dilution of 1:100.

Internal and External Parasite Treatment

Pet cats and dogs must receive two internal parasite treatments 14 days apart, effective against nematodes and cestodes. The treatment has to be administered by a government-approved veterinarian within 45 days before the date of export. The second treatment must be given five days before travel.

Pet cats must receive treatment for external parasites such as ticks and fleas with a topical product at least 21 days before travel. The pet must be examined for external parasites during subsequent vet visits, and the treatment must be continued until export.

Pet dogs must be treated for external parasites at least 30 days before the travel date. The dog has to be treated for ticks and fleas continuously till the date of travel by a government-authorised pet.

Pet dogs that have visited mainland Africa must be treated for Babesia canis with a single dose of imidocarb dipropionate at a rate of 7.5mg/kg body weight, or two doses at a rate of 6.0 mg/kg body weight given at least 14 days apart. Dogs must receive this treatment from a government-authorised vet within 28 days of travel to Australia.

RABIES VACCINATION AND RNATT

If your pet travels to Australia from a Group 3 country, they need a rabies vaccination with an inactivated or recombinant rabies vaccine before the flight. The vaccine must be administered in an approved country when the pet is at least 84 days old. The vaccine must be continuously valid from the date of vaccination before drawing the blood sample for RNATT up to the date of export.

Rabies Neutralising Antibody Test

The RNAT test is used to determine the efficacy of the rabies vaccine on your pet. Blood for the sample must be drawn around 3-4 weeks after the rabies vaccination. The test must be conducted in an approved lab in an approved country. Before drawing the sample, a government-approved vet has to scan the microchip and record the microchip number accurately on the sample tube.

The RNAT test must be either a fluorescent antibody virus neutralisation (FAVN) test or a rapid fluorescent focus inhibition test (RFFIT), and the report has to be in English. The report must contain the microchip number, sampling date and location, signature of the person issuing the report, test type and the test result. 

DAFF accepts a result of 0.5 IU/ml or more; anything less than 0.5 IU/ml is not acceptable, and you will have to re-vaccinate your pet and repeat the testing process till you get an acceptable result. The test is valid for 12 months from the sampling date; make sure your pet travels to Australia before the test expires. 

An official government veterinarian in the country of export must check the RNAT test laboratory report and rabies vaccination certificate and complete, sign and stamp the RNAT test declaration.

There is a mandatory waiting period of 180 days after the sample arrives at the lab for the test. Your pet can travel to Australia only after the waiting period and if the result is satisfactory. 

DOCUMENTATION

Veterinary Health Certificate

Pets travelling from Group 1 countries need a Statutory Declaration that has the following pet information:

• identifies the pet cat or dog by breed, sex, age and microchip number
• verifies that the pet has lived in New Zealand since birth or direct importation from Australia, or for the 180 days immediately before travelling if the animal has been imported into New Zealand from any other country
• verifies that the pet is not a domestic/non-domestic hybrid and that a dog is not a prohibited breed
• verifies that if a female pet, the animal is not more than 40 days pregnant or suckling young at the time of export
• states whether the dog has ever been to mainland Africa.

Pets also need a Health certificate completed by an official government vet. The veterinary health certificate can be found in Appendix 1 of the import permit. All pets travelling to Australia must be accompanied by a valid import permit and a veterinary health certificate signed by an official government veterinarian. The vet must complete, sign and stamp all pages of the health certificate and give you a seal for the pet crate. The seal number must be recorded on the health certificate.

Import Permit

Pet parents can apply for the import permit online on the Biosecurity Import Conditions System (BICON) portal. Pets from Group 3 countries must attach the rabies vaccination certificate and RNAT test declaration and report as supporting documents with the application.

The import fees costs $1265, which must be paid online on the BICON portal. Other fees include:

Pets travelling from Group 1 countries will not be taken to the Post Entry Quarantine Centre on arrival into Australia. Pets from other group countries must spend 10 to 30 days at the quarantine centre in Mickleham.

Before travelling to Australia, you must book quarantine space for your pet since the airline will only board your pet with a confirmed PEQ booking. The best time to apply for the permit is when you receive the import permit.

Quarantine accommodation at the Mickleham PEQ facility can be booked online on the PEQ  portal . Once the booking has been confirmed, you can continue with the next steps of the process, such as the pre-export examinations, treatments and blood tests.

The quarantine facility only accepts pets that arrive in Melbourne within operational hours - Monday – Friday 04:30 – 16:30. Requests will not be accepted for flights that land during 22:00 – 03:00 on all weekdays, weekends and public holidays. Each out-of-hours request will be assessed on a case-to-case basis. Your pet will be collected on arrival at Melbourne airport for transport directly to the Mickleham PEQ Facility. PEQ will notify pet parents by email after your pet arrives at the facility within 24 hours of arrival.

Pets are housed in individual climate-controlled pens at the PEQ. If you import multiple pets, PEQ staff will house them in adjacent pens if they are the same species. Pets are fed commercial dry food at the PEQ. If your pet requires a special diet, you must submit a request outlining why your pet needs it. Once approved, pet parents must procure the food in Australia and send it to the PEQ. Do not send food with your pet. PEQ staff will destroy any accompanying food, toys, bedding, etc, for biosecurity reasons.

PEQ staff will ensure your dog gets adequate exercise in the dog runs. They will also groom and bathe pets during quarantine. If your pet needs special care and medical treatment, write to PEQ at [email protected] while reserving quarantine space outlying the special care and medical attention required. 

Fees for a 10-day stay at PEQ are $500, and the 30-day stay will cost you $1500. Every additional day your pet stays at the quarantine centre will cost $50 per day.

ARRIVING IN AUSTRALIA

Pets from Group 2 and 3 countries can fly on any airline but must arrive directly at Melbourne International Airport. The pet must travel in the cargo hold as manifest cargo in an IATA-approved crate.

During their journey, pets can transit through any country if they stay on the aircraft after touchdown. If your cat or dog needs to tranship (change aircraft) during their journey, they may do so only in the following cities: Amsterdam, Copenhagen, Dubai, Frankfurt, Hong Kong, London or any other Group 1 or 2 countries.

The pet must stay in the international part of the airport and must remain in a place where contact with other animals is minimal. If your pet’s crate is opened during transhipment, it must be sealed again by a competent authority in the transhipment country with a certificate detailing the circumstances.

After your pet arrives at Melbourne International Airport, DAFF officials will collect your pet and transfer them directly to the Mickleham Post Entry Quarantine Facility. Pet dogs and cats from Group 2 countries must stay at the Centre for at least ten days before they are released to your care. Pets from Group 3 countries must remain at the quarantine centre for 30 days unless a competent authority has identified them before export. If your pet shows signs of illness or other conditions that could increase their risk of spreading disease, their stay at the quarantine centre will be extended.

Pet Transport in Australia and Beyond from the Company You Can Trust

When you're looking for a company to provide safe and reliable pet transport in Australia and beyond, you can count on Petraveller to get it right. Since we started our business, we've safely relocated more than 15,000 pets to cities right across the world. Whether you're moving to another country for work or making a permanent move, we'll ensure that your beloved pet can join you with the minimum of fuss.

People choose us for their international pet transport needs because we really care about making the whole process as easy and straightforward as possible for both you and your pet. From providing the correct documentation to ensuring your pet is comfortable throughout their journey, you can rest assured that when you choose Petraveller, your pet will be in the safest possible hands. This means less stress for you and less stress for your pet.

PET IMPORT TO AUSTRALIA

Bringing a pet into Australia is challenging due to the complicated biosecurity and import regulations. It is recommended to contact an experienced pet relocation company to assist your pet with the move. A pet relocation company in your origin country can help you navigate the rules and regulations and make the entire process stress-free.

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Our number one priority is getting your pet home safely. Every cat and dog travelling with us is treated with exceptional and personalised care.

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Bringing cats and dogs to Australia

You can only bring your cat or dog into Australia under strict import conditions. These safeguard our agriculture, environment, native and domestic animals, and our people. They are based on rigorous scientific analyses to manage biosecurity risks.

Our biosecurity rules have changed

From 1 March 2023 there are new quarantine requirements for importing cats and dogs to Australia. These will affect the time some pets spend in quarantine.

Learn more about the new measures .

Read frequently asked questions about importing cats and dogs .

Import conditions

You must import your cat or dog directly from an approved country.

The conditions your cat or dog must meet can vary depending on the approved country. Your cat or dog must also undergo veterinary preparations and certification in the approved country before you import them to Australia.

From 1 March 2023 there are new measures in place for importing cats and dogs into Australia.

Find out more about how to import your cat or dog .

Microchip numbers in cats and dogs

Cats and dogs intended for import to Australia must be identified by a microchip that can be read by an ISO compatible reader.

It is vital that you ensure accurate recording of microchip numbers in cats and dogs intended for import to Australia.

Read about recording accurate microchip numbers in cats and dogs intended for import to Australia .

Other animals and reproductive material

Find out how to import other live animals and reproductive material .

Post entry quarantine facility and bookings

Find out more about the post entry quarantine facility in Mickleham, Victoria.

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The Ultimate Guide to Travelling Australia with a Cat: What You Need to Know

If you’re thinking about travelling Australia with a cat, there are a few things you need to know to make the trip successful. From choosing the right accommodation and transportation options to ensuring your cat stays safe and comfortable, there are a lot of details to consider. In this blog post, we’ll provide you with the ultimate guide to travelling Australia with a cat so that you can embark on your adventure confidently and safely.

The Importance of Pet Insurance for Travel

Tips for keeping your cat restrained during travel, getting your cat comfortable with the carrier, tips for handling stressed or carsick cats, making the flight journey comfortable for your cat, evaluating the surroundings outside the room for your cat’s safety, pre-travel essentials for your cat.

Before you go on your journey, there are a few essentials you need to consider to ensure your cat’s comfort and safety. Travel, especially car travel, can be stressful for cats. Familiar items and carriers or crates can help ease this stress. Choose a comfortable pet carrier and secure it for your cat. Check their pet policies in advance if you plan to stay at caravan parks or other accommodations. Some cats may experience upset stomachs during travel, so having medication on hand is a good idea. If your cat has anxiety issues, consult your vet on the best methods to keep them calm.

Travelling with your dog or cat can be a delightful experience. However, it’s essential to prepare for unexpected circumstances. This is where pet insurance comes in. It’s a valuable tool to safeguard against any unforeseen incidents or health issues that might occur during your travel. Having your pet insured not only provides financial protection but also ensures peace of mind, knowing that your beloved pet is covered. Therefore, while planning your Australian trip with your cat, don’t overlook the importance of pet insurance.

Preparing for the Journey: The Cat Travel Checklist

Taking your feline friend on a journey can be a thrilling experience, but it requires careful planning and preparation. Preparing a comprehensive travel checklist is crucial to ensure a stress-free trip for both of you. This list should include all your cat’s essentials during the journey, from food and water bowls to toys and a comfortable carrier. With a well-prepared checklist, you can look forward to a smooth and enjoyable journey with your cat.

Vet Check-ups and Necessary Medications

One of the most critical steps in preparing to travel with your cat is scheduling a vet check-up. This visit should ideally be done well ahead of time to ensure your cat’s health is in optimal condition. The vet can carry out general health checks, update vaccinations, and provide necessary medications for your cat. This is especially important if you travel internationally, as certain countries may require proof of specific immunisations.

Packing Essentials: Creating a Pet Travel Bag

A dedicated pet travel bag is a must when travelling with your cat. This bag should contain all your cat’s essentials during the journey. From food and water to toys and a comfortable blanket, pack everything that can make your cat’s travel experience comfortable and stress-free. Creating a well-equipped pet travel bag is essential in ensuring a smooth journey for your feline friend.

Identification Measures: Protecting Your Cat

When travelling with your cat, it’s crucial to have identification measures in place. Microchip implantation is an excellent method of ensuring your cat’s safety. Unlike collars, which can accidentally come off, microchips stay put. However, keeping the registration information up to date is vital, especially before going on extensive trips involving frequent location changes, such as travelling across Australia. You could also consider acquiring temporary tags that contain your contact details and the destination address. These can be invaluable in unforeseen circumstances, such as if you and your cat become separated during your journey or at the final destination.

Keep your cat restrained during car travel for their safety and peace of mind. Many cats experience anxiety during travel; some may even suffer from an upset stomach due to motion sickness. Making your cat as comfortable as possible during the journey is essential. Familiar items can help soothe your cat and make the car travel experience less stressful. Use carriers and crates to keep your cat restrained and secure. These should be appropriately sized and placed in a secure location within the vehicle, ideally the passenger seat, to ensure your cat’s safety.

Choosing the Ideal Carrier for Your Cat

Choosing a suitable cat carrier is important when travelling with your cat across Australia. The carrier serves as your cat’s safe space during the journey. It should be sturdy, comfortable, and the correct size to adequately restrain your pet. Whether you’re stopping at caravan parks or cruising along the highway, your cat’s carrier will become their temporary home, so making the right choice is essential.

Importance of Correct Size and Safety Features

The correct size carrier is crucial for your cat’s comfort during long journeys. The carrier should be big enough for your cat to stand up comfortably, turn around, and lie down easily without feeling cramped. A carrier that’s too small could make the journey stressful, while a carrier too large may cause unnecessary movement, potentially leading to injury. Safety features are equally important. The carrier should have a secure latch and adequate ventilation to ensure your cat’s well-being throughout the trip.

Understanding Different Types: Hard Carriers, Soft Carriers, and Crates

It’s essential to understand the various types of carriers available: hard carriers, soft carriers, and crates. Hard-shell carriers are durable and suitable for handling more robust situations. They’re also easier to clean if your cat has any accidents during travel. Soft carriers, on the other hand, can provide a more comfortable and cosy environment for your cat but may not offer the same level of protection during a sudden stop or crash. Crates can be a good option for larger cats or those who prefer more space. They offer excellent ventilation and visibility but ensure they are safely secured within the vehicle.

Getting your cat accustomed to the carrier is important before you set off on your Australian adventure. Start by placing the carrier in your cat’s favourite spot in your home. Ensure the door is open and allow your cat to explore the carrier at their own pace. You can encourage this by placing their favourite treats or toys inside. Over time, your cat will feel more comfortable in the carrier. If you’re having trouble finding the right carrier, pet stores offer a wide range of options to suit different cat sizes and preferences.

Making the Travel Experience Comfortable for Your Cat

Your cat’s comfort should be a top priority when preparing for your journey. There are several ways to achieve this, but the key is to be well-prepared. Remember, your feline friend relies on you for their safety and well-being during the trip. The more you prepare, the less stressful the journey will be for both of you.

Easing Your Cat Into the Idea of Car Travel

Car rides can be distressing for cats, especially if they are not used to them. To make your cat more comfortable with car travel, take them on short drives around your neighbourhood. Gradually increase the length of these drives over time. This will help to familiarise your cat with the motions and sounds of being in a moving vehicle.

Planning Your Travel Route Around Comfortable Stops

Planning your route around comfortable stops is essential when travelling with your cat. This includes rest areas where your cat can use the litter tray and stretch their paws. Look for stops near parks, as these offer quieter and more natural environments that may be less stressful for your cat. Remember to pack a travel-sized kitty litter tray and clean it regularly. If you plan to travel with your pet across Australia, consider bringing a collapsible litter tray for easy storage.

It’s not uncommon for cats to become stressed or carsick during travel. Consider raising the carrier to window level if your cat is prone to motion sickness. This allows your cat to look outside, which can help alleviate symptoms. Cover the carrier with a light cloth if your cat becomes stressed to create a calming, dark environment. Also, schedule regular breaks to allow your cat to get fresh air and stretch their legs. If symptoms persist, consult with your vet about possible medications or treatments.

Flying with Your Cat: What to Expect and How to Prepare

So, you’re planning a trip, and your furry friend is coming along for the adventure. Air travel can seem daunting for cat lovers, but there’s no need to worry. We’ve got some tips that will help make the journey smoother.

Understanding Airline Pet Policies

Travelling with pets varies significantly between airlines. Each has its own set of rules and regulations, so it’s crucial to do your homework before booking any flights. Some airlines may allow small pets travelling in the cabin, while others might require them to travel as checked baggage or cargo. It’s also a good idea to ensure your cat wears an identification tag containing your contact details during transit. This could be invaluable if you and your cat separate during the journey. We recommend you contact your airline directly for their specific policies on travelling with cats.

Packing Essentials for the Plane

Proper packing is key for a successful plane trip with your cat. It’s about making them comfortable and ensuring their safety and well-being during the journey. Essential items to pack include a travel litter box, disposal tools, your cat’s medical documents and identification tags. Also, bring along some familiar items from home, like their favourite toys or beds. These can greatly help in making them feel secure during the long journey.

To make your cat’s flight journey as comfortable as possible, consider using calming sprays designed specifically for cats inside their carriers just before boarding. This can significantly reduce anxiety levels associated with flying. Also, try to book direct flights whenever possible to avoid unnecessary layovers and reduce the overall stress for your cat.

Finding Cat-Friendly Accommodations in Australia

Once your cat is ready for the journey, the next task is finding a suitable place to stay. In some locations, it can be challenging to find pet-friendly accommodation. Hence, as soon as you know your travel dates, try to book your accommodation. This is particularly crucial during busy travel seasons and school holidays. While many hotels and motels welcome pets, only a few might have pet-friendly rooms. Also, be aware that ‘pet-friendly’ often means ‘dog-friendly’; unfortunately, not all pet-friendly places are cat-friendly. Therefore, you may need to expand your search to include caravan parks, B&Bs, and private holiday homes. Most popular booking sites allow you to filter for pet-friendly properties, so ensure to check the ‘pets allowed’ box in the search filters. However, always double-check directly with the property owner or manager that cats are indeed welcome.

Researching Pet Policies and Contacting Establishments

It’s vital to be informed when travelling with pets, especially when heading to Australia with your cat. Different establishments have varied pet policies, some may be more accommodating. A key part of your travel preparation should involve researching these policies, ensuring they are pet-friendly and will cater to your cat’s needs. It’s also a good idea to contact establishments directly. This gives you a chance to ask specific questions and better understand their rules. Remember, what works for guinea pigs might not necessarily work for cats!

Just as important as the inside of your accommodation is what lies outside. When choosing a place to stay, you need to consider your cat’s safety. Check if busy roads nearby could pose a potential risk, or if there are green spaces where your cat can enjoy supervised outdoor time. Remember, your cat might need some time to adjust after a long journey. Keep an eye on them, note any changes in eating habits and be aware of any signs of stress. Always seek veterinary advice if needed.

Final Thoughts on Travelling Australia with Your Cat

Despite concerns about car travel and the rigorous requirements for bringing your cat along, many cat parents find the experience of exploring Australia with their feline companions to be utterly rewarding. The beauty of Australia and the comfort of having your furry friend at your side can turn any trip into an unforgettable adventure. It’s all about preparation and understanding the unique needs of your cat. With the right information and a positive mindset, you can make your Australian journey with your cat a fantastic memory to cherish.

Making the Most of Your Australian Adventure with Your Feline Friend

Travelling with your cat in Australia can be a wonderful experience, given the country’s pet-friendly spaces and many activities to enjoy with your furry friend.

Pack a pet travel bag with all the necessary items to keep your cat comfortable and safe during the journey. And remember, despite the meticulous planning and careful compliance with rules, the most important thing is to enjoy this unique adventure with your feline friend. It’s about making treasured memories and exploring the stunning landscapes of Australia together. So, take a deep breath, embrace the journey, and make the most of your Australian adventure with your feline friend!

Wade & Dani

Hi! We’re Wade and Dani, We’re currently travelling around Australia in our 2017 Mercedes Sprinter Camper van and sharing our best experiences, stories, reviews and adventures as we go along. Make sure to check out our socials

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Taking your pet to Australia

Taking your pets to australia.

Australia, is a remarkable and diverse country renowned for its unique wildlife, stunning landscapes, and vibrant culture. However, when it comes to the transportation of pets to this captivating continent, there are stringent regulations and protocols in place to safeguard its delicate ecosystem and protect its native species. Australia's approach to shipping pets is rooted in a commitment to biosecurity, ensuring that any introduction of foreign animals poses minimal risk to the environment and public health. Planning your pets travel to Australia is complicated and time consuming and takes around 8 months from start to finish. This is mainly due to there being a mandatory 180 period from the first blood test until being able to travel, therefore planning well in advance is strongly advised.

General Information, Entry Procedure and Requirements

No pet can travel to Australia that has not been vaccinated against Rabies, therefore this should be the first vaccination requirement which begins the import process. One month after the Rabies vaccination, or straight away if already vaccinated, you will require a blood sample for a Rabies Neutralising Antibody Test (RNATT). This tests that antibodies have been produced and that the vaccination is working. The date the blood arrives at the Laboratory for testing is the date the mandatory 180 day countdown begins to the first opportunity to ship your pet. Once this test result comes back, you need a further declaration by another vet to verify the results. Once received, you will then be able to apply for the import permit, book quarantine and reserve flights.

Pre Flight Tests

Once an estimated departure date is set, you can then work backwards to meet the required blood tests and treatments which must be undertaken at specific stages prior to departure, with a slightly different process for Dogs and Cats.

Starting around 60 days before the flight, various tests and vaccinations must be undertaken within specific timescales before the flight. These include testing for Leptospira, Leishmania and Brucella Canis, as well as two courses of internal and external parasite treatments. Finally, the Export Health Certificate (EHC) is completed within 5 days of export.

Starting around 45 days before the flight you will need to undergo treatment for internal and external parasites (no blood tests required) before the Export Health Certificate (EHC) is completed within 5 days before the flight.

Entry into Australia and Quarantine

All pets must enter Australia via Melbourne Airport (MEL), regardless of whether your new home will be in Sydney, Brisbane, Perth or anywhere else in the country. They will spend their quarantine period, currently 30-days (unless the Dog/ Cat is returning to Australia where it is reduced to 10-days) in the Government run post-entry quarantine facility at Mickleham, close to Melbourne airport. After their 30-day period in the Post Entry Quarantine (PEQ) facility is finished, an appointment is made for you to collect your pet. If you are not able to collect the animal yourself, we can arrange, through one of our partner pet transport agents in Melbourne, the collection and onward ground or air transport to your new home.

Need any Help?

We're sure you have lots of questions about organising travel for your pet. Please don't hesitate to contact us if you have something specific you would like to ask, or make get a quote by using our quick online quote form.

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Taking Your Pet Cats And Dogs To Australia – A Definitive Guide

Taking your pets to Australia might be considered one of the more stressful parts of your journey down under. As an extended part of many families, leaving the care of your dogs or furry feline friends in the hands of strangers requires a little research and a lot planning.

This article was originally published over ten years ago, so with this in mind, we’ve reviewed this article and have updated it to keep it in line with more recent practices.

Taking Our Cats To Australia

We have two cats which we’ll be taking with us to Australia. In reality, it would be a thousand times cheaper to buy two new cats when we get out there, but the cats have been part of the family for a number of years now so they’ll be making the trip down under with us.

At the time we moved to Australia a government department called AQIS which stands for A ustralian Q uarantine and I nspection S ervice, were the folks in Australia that dealt with animal imports. Following a period operating under the name DAFF Biosecurity, it has since been absorbed into divisions in the Department of Agriculture and Water Resources.

They have some handy information and forms which need to be completed if you’re taking your dog or cat with you to Australia. The more applicable sections of the site can be found by clicking here (page opens in new window) however I thought it’d be useful to document the primary steps associated with taking your dog or cat to Australia with you.

Cats and dogs may only be imported to Australia from approved countries. Conditions for importing cats and dogs from approved countries vary depending on the country of export. These conditions may involve a more extended quarantine period, restricted breeds or similar.

Fortunately for us, the UK is seen as a pretty ‘clean’ country from a pet perspective with only New Zealand being viewed better where no quarantine periods are required at all.

The UK is classed as a Category 3 country. Group 3 countries are described as approved countries and territories in which rabies is absent or well-controlled. As a group three country,  our cats needed to spend 10 days quarantine in Australia (it was 30 days when we moved) before picking them up to take them to our new home.

Other Category three countries include (long list this):

Antigua & Barbuda, Argentina, Austria, Bahamas, Belgium, Bermuda, British Virgin Islands, Brunei, Bulgaria, Canada, Canary and Balearic Islands, Cayman Islands, Chile, the Republic of Croatia, the Republic of Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Gibraltar, Greece, Greenland, Guernsey, Hong Kong, Hungary, Ireland, Isle of Man, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Jersey, Kuwait, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Macau, Malta, Malaysia (Peninsular, Sabah and Sarawak only), Monaco, Montenegro, the Netherlands, Netherlands—Antilles & Aruba, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Puerto Rico, Qatar, the Republic of South Africa, Reunion, Saipan, Serbia, Seychelles, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Korea, Spain, St Kitts and Nevis, St Lucia, St Vincent & the Grenadines, Sweden, Switzerland (including Liechtenstein), Taiwan, Trinidad and Tobago, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom, the United States (including the district of Columbia, Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands (but excluding Guam and Hawaii, Uruguay.

Moving your Dog To Australia?

I know not everyone is a cat lover so if you are looking to move to Australia with your dog then you’ll be pleased to know that the approach is pretty much identical for both cats and dogs.  When it comes to steps, there are several that you’ll need to go through before sending your beloved pal to the other side of the world and the same process applies whether you are shipping a dog or a cat to Oz.  So let’s get into it.

Shipping your pets to Australia

The process of shipping your pets to Ausralia cam be broken down into seven key stages.

Stage 1. You need to make sure that your dog or cat is eligible for export to Australia:

Your Dog or cats must have been continuously living in the UK or similar for a minimum of 6 months immediately before shipment. Your pet must not have been under quarantine restrictions in the 30 days before export, and your pet must be at least 12 weeks old at the time of shipping.

If your dog or cat is pregnant, they must not be more than six weeks pregnant nor be suckling young at the time of export, and finally, certain breeds of dogs cannot be exported into Australia. These breeds tend to be the more aggressive breeds such as:

Dogo Argentino, Fila Brazileiro, Japanese tosa’s, Pitbull terrier, American pit bull or the Presa Canaria.

I know that many of these breeds make great and loving family pets, but I’m afraid the Aussies don’t see it that way so If you have any of these breeds then, unfortunately, you’ll need to leave them at home.

Also, other animal hybrids, e.g. Bengal cats or wolf crosses are not eligible for import, unless they are proven to be 5th generation or more away from any pure-bred non-domestic ancestor.

Stage 2. Get your dog or cat microchipped for identification purposes

The chip must be able to be read by an Avid, Trovan, Destron or other ISO compatible reader (your vet will be able to confirm this). Fortunately, we’ve had both of our cats done. Pop over to your local vets to get this sorted. I think for our cats it cost about £25 each.

Stage 3. Get your permit

Your pet will not be allowed to enter Australia without a valid AQIS permit to import. The AQIS import permits are only valid for six months from the day that AQIS receives your application so make sure you get your timing right and don’t apply years in advance. The AQIS import permit will be sent to you immediately following approval by AQIS of your application.

For those of you on a tighter timescale, you can ask for the import permit to be faxed, a copy of the import permit may be used. A permit will be sent to the person/company that you nominate as the ‘exporter’ on your application form so if you’re using one of the companies specialising in pet export then make sure you provide their details on the form.

Keep in mind that even though you will have received your permit to import your pet into Australia, it does not guarantee a space at your preferred Quarantine Station so Bookings must be made for your pet/s at these stations. There are currently three main quarantine stations covering the whole of Australia:

Eastern Creek Quarantine Station which covers Sydney and the New South Wales regions, Spotswood Quarantine Station which includes Melbourne , Victoria and Byford Quarantine Station which covers Perth and the rest of Western Australia .

Stage 4. Your pets health check

Similarly to us humans, your pet also needs to undergo health checks by a government-approved body before being allowed into the country.

An Official Veterinarian is a government officer usually employed by the government veterinarian administration (e.g. in the UK – Department of Environment Food and Rural Affairs). These official Veterinarians generally do not work in private practice but can sign certificates on behalf of the government’s veterinary administration. Again, your local vet may be the best port of call for this. Although they may not be able to do all the checks themselves, they should be able to point you in the right direction

Stage 5. Make your pets travel arrangements

You can only get your pet into Australia through the following airports, Mascot Airport in Sydney (New South Wales), Tullamarine Airport in Melbourne (Victoria) or Perth Airport in Perth (Western Australia).

AQIS does not place any restrictions or the airline you choose to use, however, your pet must travel as ‘Manifested Cargo’ (not in the cabin) and in an International Air Transport Association (IATA) approved container for dogs and cats.

Please note you will be charged an additional fee of $25 if your pet arrives in Australia outside business hours (8:00 am – 4:00 PM). You are also required to seek the approval of the relevant quarantine station for after-hours pick-ups before import.

Stage 6. Get your pet vaccinated

Vaccinations must be valid for the entire period spent in quarantine in Australia. If vaccinations expire before your pet’s release from quarantine they may be re-vaccinated at the owner’s expense.

Dogs must be vaccinated against distemper, infectious hepatitis, canine parvovirus (parvo), para-influenza and Bordetella bronchiseptica (kennel cough).

If the Bordetella bronchiseptica (kennel cough) is not available in the country of origin, dogs may be vaccinated for kennel cough on arrival in Australia at the owner’s expense. Note Vaccinations against Leptospira interrogans.var. canicola is not recommended within six months of export as your pet’s high antibody response will most likely result in it being ineligible for shipping to Australia.

Cats must have been vaccinated against feline enteritis (feline panleucopenia, feline distemper), rhinotracheitis and calicivirus.

Stage 7. Final Vet Checks

Before sticking your pet on a plane (usually less than a week before) your pet needs to have some final health checks. The first step is often a visual inspection; if everything’s OK, then Veterinary Certificate A will be completed.

On the day of your pet’s departure, the final checks will be made by a vet, the result of which will be the completion of Veterinary Certificate B.

The Official Veterinarian who signs Veterinary Certificate B records the identification number of the seal on Veterinary Certificate B and physically seals your pet into the cage. After this has been completed your cat or dog would not be released from its cage until it gets to Australia.

A water container is fixed inside the cage with an external funnel with a hose leading into the water container to allow water to be replenished without opening the enclosure. Your pet would then be put onto the plane at which point its new adventure really begins.

Not that straight forward is it? Well, thankfully the Australian Department of Agriculture has all the information on their website which you can find by clicking here (link opens in new window). There are also numerous pet ‘migration agents’ who will manage the whole process for you (for a fee).

Shipping yourself, your cat and/or your dog to Australia was never going to be a straight forward process but I’m sure you’ll all appreciate being back together at the other side.

Are You Taking your pets to Australia?

If you are taking your pets to Australia. We’d love to hear from you. Post in our comments below.

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Hi, I am an Australia and currently living in Dubai. I want to take my Bengal cat back to Australia with me next year. I adopted him and am unsure even if he is a pure Bengal as he is exactly same as a domestic cat but i hear you have to prove he is 5th generation or more. How does one prove this?

Can anyone let me know how I can get my dog, a terrier to Australia from Bangkok, Thailand as I am relocating there. Thanks

My husband and I are moving from Singapore to Brisbane with our Border Terrier in February 2015 for 2 years. Would it be very hard to find rental that allow dog?

I am looking to move down under in early 2015 and am nervous about the quaritine process i looked at the daff website and unless im wrong (which i hope i am the UK is a cat 4 country and takes 6 months

is this correct?

Hi Pete, no mate. Unless it’s changed you only need to keep your cats in quaranteen for 1 month if your from the UK.

That was the case with us a few years ago anyway. Perhaps give a UK company called airpets a ring to double check. They are based in london (google for the details) :)

Thanks mark you’re a legend

How often were you allowed to Visit your pets in quarantine and was it just through a cage or could you cuddle them

Hi Pete. Mondays, Tuesdays and Fridays are the visiting days. Full cuddles also allowed! :-) Check out this .pdf for more info (for Byford anyway). http://www.daff.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0005/1833251/byford.pdf

Just read up on some fantastic news. Oz have changed the rules on importing cats and dogs. There used to be 6 categories for quarantine but that has now changed to 3 categories. Also the best news is the 30 day quarantine period has been reduced to 10 days which has made me a very happy man.

That’s fantastic news Pete and one worth of me writing an updated article. Can you confirm the source please?

It’s gone from six catagories to three and from 30 days to 10

Hi, does anyone no how much it cost for the check ups and to send the dog from cyprus to perth,Australia? My dog is a poodle/Perrier . I just want to no a rough estimate..

Fiona it really depends ,would they be ok in coach as opposed to 1st class ,and would dinner and a movie suffice, or would they prefere to see a live show ? . sorry ,was looking for cat info. but couldn’t resist : )

Hey everyone,

I am moving from Sweden to Australia in 6 months with my partner and our two cats.

We have been students and therefore are very budget conscious. The cost of quarantine alone is so high, that I’m worried that we won’t be able to afford the whole process. But there is no way we will leave our beloved cats behind (even if they were from a cat shelter and cost next to nothing!).

Can anyone help on the cheapest way of getting animals from Europe to Australia? Obviously we would prefer to fly on the same flight as the cats, but I’m very pissed to learn that Australia won’t let animals in that have travelled in cabin or as checked baggage.

Any help would be extremely appreciated!

Thanks in advance,

Hi Lucy, I’m afraid your stuck with an approved pet carrier unfortunately. I can’t offer any other additonal advice other than shop around for the cheapest quote.

Good luck with your hunting, moving to Australia is a very expensive process but will be worth it, for both yourselves and your pets!

Thanks for the reply Mark! We have found a freight company (Trust Freight) that will arrange the flight part of the journey and the price they quoted was pretty reasonable.

I have one other question – when you travelled with your two cats, did they have separate crates or were they together? Our little ones are sisters and get on very well thus we would prefer to have them together as we thought it would be more comforting for them. But then I have heard that there is the danger that one freaks out and injures the other and it got me worried! What is your view on the matter?

Thanks in advance!

Hello Lucy, are you in Australia yet? and your cats? how did it all go? We are moving to Australia from Italy in December 2012 and are also taking our two cats. Did you put them in the same cage in the end? Did you travel in the same plane as they did? Would love to hear from you as we are very worried about the whole process we have to put our babies through. Regards Ringo

Hi Lucy.if you don’t like Australian laws regarding your cats STAY IN SWEDEN.DON’T MOVE TO AUSTRALIA.

Hi Lucy not sure if this will reach you as I notice its years since this posting just wondered how you got on with your move. My brother lives in sweden and wants to move to Australia with his cats. He has been told they need to have a rabies shot 6 months prior to coming, only he is having difficulty with this because Sweden is a rabies free country and the vet there told him they don’t have the vaccine…how did you get around this problem?

We are planning on taking our 8 year old labrador over with us when we complete the visa process. However, from speaking to someone recently, it was mentioned that a lot of pets that immigrate with their owners do not survive long due to the inexperience of dealing with the heat and native animals. I would hate this to be the case and was hoping to seek reassurance on this matter.

Did anyone use drugs to sedate their pets. I have two cats. I am really worried about the long journey from USA to Australia. Any suggestions?

I, too, have a very pit-bull who stands out as the most supporting animal I’ve ever owned. Quickly, a fresh dog breed will arrive along for your media to blast, as they have carried out rotties and dobies in past years. Unfortunate that media sensationalism breeds much inaccurate information.

G’day

I’m planning on emigrating from Ireland to Oz. We have 2 female Bichon Frise dogs who are both very attached to us.. I am really concerned about how stresssed they wil be on the long flight down under and subsequently spending 30 days in quaranteen. They are 2 and 3 yrs old. Has any1 brought their pets on such a long journey? I would love to hear about ur experience. Would you recommend a mild sedative for the journey?? Do they get much attention in the quaranteen base??- as they do love to be loved. :)

Hi Niamh, lots of info on our site if you care to have a browse or do a quick search in the top search bar ;)

With regards to Sedatives, these would not be allowed. Also, they would get as much attention there as an Kennels really allow visiits from the ‘parents’ are allowed at all stations.

Hi Niamh, Did you relocate with your dogs? I am looking to do the same from Dublin to Oz and would love to hear how your found it

Thanks, Lyndsey

I’m considering moving to Aus and have a Bengal cat, but unfortunatley no pedegree papers to prove she’s over 5th gen. Is there anyway around this 5th gen rule or is it set in stone?

Thanks David

Set in stone I’m afraid David.

Only thing I could suggest is check with AQUIS direct. Contact details here:

http://www.daff.gov.au/aqis/about/contact

Good luck mate! If there is a loop-hole please let us know.

I am in the same boat. Did you manage? Please let me know.

I moved to Rockhampton (in Queensland) with a Bengal in December. Try AirCare if you are in Auckland (aircarepets.co.nz) or you can check the AQIS site. I can’t remember what the rules are, but there was a quarantine for a few weeks.

cheers, Steve

Any loop holes?

Just the one month

My whife and I are in the process of moving to Perth. Whe were wondering how long does our cat have to stay in Quarintine?

kind regards Rudolph

Hello Peter

Your correct, I’m afraid that having pets does reduce the number of properties made available to you but they are still out there.

Very often, dogs are the main concern for many landlords so if you call the agent and advise that you have a cat then you may find a few more doors open up for you.

Even if it’s a ‘house cat’, if you mention that your car will spend most of it’s time outdoors this will also help :)

It’s common practice to pay a ‘pet bond’ when your renting a house with pets although this is normally only in the region of $75 – $100. If it’s not mentioned then offering to pay a larger bond to cover hair removal etc will also assist you find a property.

Don’t panic just yet. You should be fine.

My wife and I would be moving to Perth with our two cats from Minneapois, USA. I am familiar with the requirements of AQIS for transporing cats and we are going through the procedure. However, what’s alarming is that on the web, I am not finding properties that allow pets. We are planning to rent for a while since property price is so high. Please could you tell us what’s it like to find rental properties with pets? Any recommendations? Many thanks for any suggestion. We are vety concerned about this long trip that the cats would have to make and then they must have a nic eplace to live with a nice back-yeard. How difficult is that?

Can anyone advise on whether I can take my dog into Aussie on a Pet Passport from teh UK and if so for how long, is there a Govt contact to confirm regulations thereafter re quaranteen regs.

Don’t worry about my previous question – Vet. Cert. A & B come WITH the PERMIT, not the APPLICATION for Permit… I’m a dummy.

Did anyone find out where to find Veterinary Certificate’s A & B? They are not included in the Permit Application as stated in the instructions…

Arthur, if your refering to the UK pet passport which enables pets to travel within the EC countries then the answer is no I’m afraid.

Australia does not currently recognise this passport.

As well as the post we have made at getting down under, further info of interest can be viewed on the AQIS Website by Clicking Here

Hope this helps

Oh and Amy Thanks for providing the answer to your own question, we could do with a few more of those :D

Hari, you’ll need to contact a specialist pet removal firm. You’ll find links to these elsewhere on this page..

we are planning to take our dog to australia, pls quote, his dimensions are 400 mm x 540 mm x 400 mm, We are moving from Auckland to Brisbane.

How much would it cost for 3 cats to go to Melbourne?

Another website which makes it easy to find pet friendly accommodation is rent.com.au. They have a great Pets Allowed search filter to make it easy to find properties that allow pets. The site also lets private landlords advertise so you get to see properties that you won’t find on realestate.com.au.

I had a quick look and there we a couple of options near freo!

Good luck house hunting.

Give realestate.com.au a search here:

http://www.realestate.com.au/cgi-bin/rsearch?s=wa&t=ren&snf=rbs&a=sf

We’ve found in the main it’s pretty good for detailing if Pets are available but as I’ve mentioned in previous posts, ring the agent to check first prior to taking the time to do a viewing.

Check out my posts on cats (some of which cover renting|) by clicking on this link: https://www.gettingdownunder.com/tag/cats

Good luck with your search

Wondering if anyone has any advice on looking for a pet friendly place to rent in the fremantle area. any advice would be greatly appreciated, such as what web-sites to check, which specific areas might be a better better to focus our search in, and so forth. Thank you!

Hi Wendy, yep, I thought as such. Both descriptions are listed in the official restricted breeds list. I’d assume its because they wanted to ensure that all bases are covered :)

Hi, just checking why you’ve quote pit bull terrier and american pit bull terrier in the list of breeds not able to inport, they are the one and same breed

Thanks for the useful information! I’m actually an Aussie who emigrated to the US but we’re thinking about going back there to work, and we have three cats! I can see it will be an expensive process for them…

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Guide to Moving Your Pets to Australia

Connie Powell January 10, 2022 Paw Pet Travel Tips & Advice

Are you moving your pets to Australia but haven’t fully organised how you would do this, yet? Don’t worry, here is a little advice to get you with traveling your pet to Oz.

Full article with thanks to: shipit.co.uk/blog/guides/australia/pet-transport-to-australia

When you decide to move the family Down Under, of course, that involves the pets as well. After all, we all deserve a lifetime of shine,  Neighbours  and  Home & Away , right?

But of course, as an island nation with a fragile ecosystem of its own, Australia has very strict rules about importing pets to the country. The good news is, bringing your cat and dog is straightforward, you just have to be aware of the rules and follow them closely – and you will have to accept it is not a cheap process.

If you wish to make the move to Australia and you are traveling with pets, here is everything you need to know…

Who Makes the Rules for Moving Your Pets to Australia?

The import of animals is controlled by the  Australian Department of Agriculture and Water Resources  and the website has detailed information and a step-by-step guide to being sure you have completed all the stages to import your pet successfully.

The UK falls into Group 3 of countries that are allowed to import cats and dogs. We are described as a country in which rabies is absent or well-controlled. As a result, we need to apply for an import permit for our animals.

BICON , the biosecurity import conditions system, also approves the importation of horses from selected countries, including the UK.

How to Import Cats into Australia

If you are looking to bring your cat to Australia, it will have to spend 10 days in quarantine upon arrival, no matter what. Any pet arriving without the correct permit could be held for longer, subjected to additional testing, exported or even euthanised and you will be expected to cover that cost. So it pays to get it right the first time.

You will need to complete 15 stages to successfully import your cat to Australia and you must ensure that all vet-related activities are carried out by a government-approved vet and all testing by a laboratory recognized by the UK government.

Make sure you begin the process early as to complete all the tests and approvals you will need at least a few weeks, particularly because you can’t travel with your cat until at least 180 days after a successful rabies blood test.

Moving Your Pets to Australia – The Process

Firstly, your cat must be microchipped, with a device that can be read by an Avid, Trovan, Destron or other ISO compatible reader. And your cat must be scanned and recorded with each veterinarian visit, just to keep all documentation in check.

The next stage is to give your cat a rabies vaccination and then wait three to four weeks before returning to the vet for a blood sample and testing by an approved laboratory. These results will then be valid for up to two years but you must wait at least 180 days after the satisfactory test before you export it to Australia.

After a government-approved vet has signed the RNAT (rabies) test declaration, you will need to apply for your import permit, at least 42 days before the date of travel, this will then be valid for up to 12 months.

When booking the flight for your cat, take note that it must arrive at  Melbourne Airport  (and no internal connections are allowed) as it is here where your cat will be kept in quarantine for at least 10 days at the  Mickleham  post entry quarantine facility. Make sure you book this service in advance.

The Australian Department of Agriculture also advises: “The department recommends that your cat receives a vaccination that protects against  feline enteritis  (also known  as feline panleucopenia  or  feline distemper ), rhinotracheitis and calicivirus and is valid for the entire post entry quarantine period.

Another thing to take into account is parasite treatment. Two treatments must be given at least 14 days apart and within 45 days before the date of export. The second treatment must be given within five days before the date of export. An external parasite treatment must also be started at least 21 days before the date of travel.

A final veterinary check and health certificate must also be emitted within five days of travel and you must ensure your pet will travel in an  International Air Transport Association  (IATA) approved crate for cats.

Here’s a quick summary of the above steps:

• Ensure your cat is microchipped.
• Rabies vaccination and test performed at least 180 days before export.
• Apply for an import permit at least 42 days before export (valid up to 12 months)
• Make arrangements for quarantine. Your pet must arrive at Melbourne airport. Links and info can be found  here .
• Consider vaccinating your pet against  feline enteritis  as recommended by the Department of Agriculture.
• Treat your pet for both internal and external parasites.
• A final check and health certificate must be issued within 5 days of travel.
• Ensure your pet will travel in an IATA approved crate.

How to Import Dogs into Australia

If it is your dog that will accompany you Down Under, the process is not dissimilar to the one outlined for cats by the Australian government.

Your dog will need to be flown to Melbourne as it will have to spend at least 10 days in the  Mickleham  quarantine facility. You will also need an import permit. Without that, you could face paying for your dog to be held for longer, subject to additional testing, exported or even worse, euthanised.

You will be expected to use only government-approved veterinarians and laboratories for all stages completed before your dog’s transport. Make sure to check the  list of dogs not allowed  into the country. These include American pit bull terriers, the dogo Argentino and Czechoslovakian wolfdog.

As with cats, your dog will need a microchip that can be read by an Avid, Trovan, Destron or other ISO compatible reader.

You will also need to vaccinate your dog against rabies and then wait three to four weeks for a blood test known as an RNAT test to ensure it has worked. Your dog can’t travel until at least 18 days after this test is successfully carried out and an approved vet must sign and stamp the RNAT declaration.

Once this is done, you must apply for your import permit and also book the quarantine accommodation in Melbourne for your dog’s arrival. Keep in mind you must book a direct flight to Melbourne as they can’t be transported with Australia via domestic flights.

A whole raft of further tests is needed before export. Your dog must be treated with a product that kills ticks and fleas on contact at least 21 days before blood collection for  Ehrlichia canis  antibody testing (which must take place within 45 days of travel).

Then, if your dog is not de-sexed, it must also be tested for  Brucella canis  within 45 days of travel. Other tests to be done within the same period are the test for  Leishmania infantum  (known as leishmaniosis) and  Leptospira interrogans  (known as leptospirosis), although the latter can be avoided with a vaccine.

The final steps involve a two-step internal parasite treatment with the stages administered at least 14 days apart and within 45 days of export. The second treatment must be given within five days of travel. A final vet visit within five days of travel ​is also required for a clinical examination and a veterinary health certificate.

• Check that your breed is allowed into Australia using  this list .
• Ensure your dog is properly microchipped.
• Vaccinate your dog against rabies and have appropriate blood tests carried out.
• Apply for import permit.
• Make arrangements for quarantine in Melbourne. All pets imported to Australia must fly directly to Melbourne.
• Ensure all necessary tests are carried out before export. These include treatments to kill ticks and fleas, as well as tests for  Brucella canis  if your dog is not de-sexed.
• Treat your pet for both internal parasites.
• Perform a final visit to the vet for an examination and a veterinary health certificate.

Importing horses

If you have a horse in the UK, the good news is you can take it to Australia with you by applying for an import permit.

Also, before travel, your horse will have to spend at least 14 days in an approved pre-export quarantine station, during which they will be monitored and tested for diseases. They will also have to arrive in Melbourne when travelling to Australia, as, like cats and dogs, they will have to spend time at the Mickleham quarantine facility, this time for at least 14 days.

The organisation and process for importing horses are very different, and is overseen by Australian Biosecurity Import Conditions.

The Australian government also recommends you use a commercial horse import agent as the process can be extremely complicated and prohibitively expensive.

An agent will be able to take care of the many stages for you, ensuring all veterinary tests have been carried out, organising the pre-travel quarantine and other documentation ensuring your horse hasn’t come into contact with various types of rabies or  equine encephalomyelitis  and other parts of the drawn-out process such as parasite tests, which have to take place within 24 hours of travel.

We offer free advice on pet travel within or outside the UK, so whether you’re looking for worldwide pet travel services or European travel – we give you our honest, expert advice.

If you choose us for pet travel, don’t worry – your animal companion will be in safe hands from start to finish.

Simply get a quote from us for more information.

Your One-Stop Centre for Migration to Australia

Moving your pets to Australia – Pets Abroad UK

Moving pets to Australia

Learn more about Pets Abroad UK and how they can ensure your pets travel to Australia safely! If you’re moving pets to Australia, Pets Abroad tell us what you need to prepare.

Tell us what your roles are and how you started Pets Abroad

We decided to leave Australia in 2016 and wanted to start up Pets Abroad, having a history involved in pet travel as former Melbourne Quarantine vet and sending many animals around the world from Australia!

When we arrived into the UK we just got into it and spent several months exploring what we needed to do and sent our first pet, a cat named Fatama to Los Angeles on 05 SEPT 2017 – however our history in the pet travel field from Australia really helped us set up quickly and being a vet/nurse team, we were able to offer a unique service to clients, particularly sending pets to Australia where I had spent nearly a decade as the quarantine vet in Melbourne!

Pets Abroad therefore offer something unique for UK origin pets – we can help people directly with their vet preparation, liaise confidently with their own vets to ensure the complex preparation is done correctly!

You need to start the vaccination process early, but how soon do you need to get your pet vaccinated before emigrating?

MINIMUM 7 months preparation – When moving pets to Australia, pets need a rabies vaccine a month before a rabies blood test. The blood test needs to be done more than 180 days before eligible travel. Most UK vaccines are 3 year rabies vaccines, but the blood test only lasts 24 months from the day of blood draw, provided it’s a positive result of course! Then there is a series of vet visit for cats and dogs in the 6 weeks prior to travel, and we would work with clients own vets to set a vet plan based on the actual travel date we organise for you!

If you think you will travel in the next 12 months then start ASAP with vaccines and blood tests – no need to commit to a date until about 4 months prior to actually travel but at least you start the mandatory 6 month countdown from blood draw date.

How long does it typically take to get a pet to Australia, do they have to stay in quarantine for long?

Usually it is a 6-12 month process when people decide to make the move – they need that full 7 months to get the minimum dates for entering Australia, but in reality its usually a little longer – requires a lot of planning, many vet visits etc and a lot of contact with us! Pets usually fly on a broken journey such as London to Middle East (UAE/Qatar) then to Melbourne – the routes are subject to airline availability and often have 6-18 hours transit pending flight connections available.

PEQ – Quarantine is 10 days from the date of entry and then they are released for collection or transfer around the country! There used to be a facility in Sydney and Perth, but these were closed a few years ago and ONLY Melbourne exists for the foreseeable future.

What is the process of shipping your pet to another country?

Australia have 4 main classifications for countries that regulate the preparation:

• Category 1 (NZ, Cocos Islands, Norfolk Island) where pets can move freely with minimal requirements
• Category 2 (most Pacific, and some Caribbean islands that are rabies free – with minimal rabies requirements)
• Category 3 (most of the developed world where rabies is well controlled and government vet services are provided) – THE UK/EU/North America etc
• UNLISTED countries – many poorer or developing countries where rabies is not controlled or vet services are poorly developed – these pets must travel to a category three country first and then repeat rabies vaccines and blood tests before traveling to Australia

Are there any pets that can’t be shipped to Australia?

Most dogs and cats can and that’s about it really – Australia restrict most other animals or the biosecurity requirements are essentially prohibitive (ie. costs about $45,000 to secure the avian PEQ facility if you wanted to try to import a single bird!). MOST fighting dogs and hybrid dogs are also banned: Domestic/non-domestic animal hybrids (e.g. wolf-dog crosses) are not eligible for import. This includes, but not limited to:

• Czechoslovakian wolfdog or Czechoslovakian Vlcak
• Saarloos wolfdog or Saarloos wolfhound
• Lupo Italiano or Italian wolfdog
• Kunming wolfdog or Kunming dog
• Domestic/non-domestic animal hybrids (e.g. wolf-dog crosses) are not eligible for import. This includes, but not limited to:
• Kunming wolfdog or Kunming dog.

AND for cats:

• Savannah cat, derived from crossbreeding domestic cat (Felis catus) with Serval cat (Felis serval)
• Safari cat, domestic cat crossed with Geoffroy cat (Oncifelis geoffroyi)
• Chausie, domestic cat crossed with Jungle cat (Felis chaus)
• Bengal cat, domestic cat crossed with Asian Leopard cat (Prionailurus bengalensis).

Bengals are allowed if proven more than 5 generation pedigrees can be provided. Rabbits, guinea pigs, reptiles and snakes are forbidden.

Are there any age restrictions for pets?

Yes – pets must be minimum 10-12 weeks of age to be accepted by an airline but the restriction is actually based on how long it takes to get the rabies work done. Essentially they must be 90 days minimum to get a rabies vaccine and pass a blood test a month later and then wait 6 months to travel – that works out to be a minimum of approximately 10 months of age to get a dog/cat into Australia.

As we all know very well, Coronavirus has had a huge impact on everything, what happens if you ship your pet and your flights have been cancelled?

Yes, it happens for sure but it’s actually quite rare. We are well prepared for delays if they do happen from time to time, but COVID really hasn’t caused many issues – indeed most flights are cargo only so COVID restrictions don’t really impact the necessary cargo flights.

We have kennels on site so can board pets as needed, but usually the airlines just move to the next flight is there is an issue with a particular flight. PEQ as well are very good at accommodating last minute changes if needed.

Can pets travel with their favourite toy or blanket?

Pets are not allowed toys or leads or harnesses or collars etc IN a crate, but we often do attach these items to the outside for use in quarantine. Heavily soiled items may be destroyed by PEQ so you may not get them out of quarantine!

What happens before, during and after the flight?

Well pets go through the same security checks, weighing and X-RAY screening as most other cargo – they are kept once checked in, at the airlines pet reception facilities in the cargo area of the airport before being taken to the aircraft 90 min before the flight. On the aircraft they are loaded in the specific area dedicated area of the belly and water bowls topped up. Lights are dimmed, air conditioning set at about 22C and they rest for the journey!

What is your customer care code?

We care like no other – we have deliberately employed and made up of several vets and vet nurses in our team, at our kennels and people that care for pets is theirs and our focus, goal and dedication. We will make sure that we look after your pets like no other company and this becomes really important where pets are anxious or on medication where our team really understand what vet care provides to the preparation for a journey!

Finally, do you have any advice that you would give to our clients thinking of bringing their pets with them?

DO it! They are your family!

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Moving a Pet to Australia

Rules and regulations for moving cats and dogs to australia, rabies vaccination, rabies titer blood test, 180 day waiting period, rnatt declaration, other vaccinations, import permit, quarantine reservation, other required blood tests (dogs only), babesia canis treatment (dogs only), internal & external parasite treatments, pet travel documents & requirements, health certificates, banned breeds, age restrictions.

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Ultimate guide to moving pets, international airline pet policies, top destinations in australia.

• How Starwood Can Help

What Pet Travel Documents Are Needed to Travel to Australia?

**As of March 1, 2023 , the Australian Department of Agriculture, Fisheries & Forestry has implemented changes to the import requirements for cats and dogs . These changes have been reflected in this guide.

The Australian Department of Agriculture provides step-by-step guides to help you, but you’ll find all the basics below.

One exciting fact is that Australia mandates that all imported pets must arrive as manifest cargo, under the care of a professional animal transporter . That's where we come in! We will be your reliable companion throughout the entire process, starting from our initial conversation, providing guidance and assurance, handling Australian customs, and ensuring a smooth quarantine experience. Say goodbye to worries about making mistakes or overlooking important details and say hello to a delightful and tail-wagging journey.

Please note that all required vaccinations, treatments, and blood testing must be completed by a USDA-Accredited Veterinarian.

All pets are required to have an ISO-compatible microchip before completing any other requirements for Australia. A government-approved veterinarian (USDA Accredited) must scan the microchip at every visit and it must be reported accurately on all of your pet's paperwork.

**Microchips that begin with 999 are not acceptable.

AS OF MARCH 1, 2023 : Your pet's identity must be verified by the competent authority (the USDA in the United States) in the country of export. This must be completed BEFORE the blood draw for the rabies titer test. This is a multi-step process that is outlined on the USDA website . Starwood also offers assistance with this step, to ensure it is done properly.

Pets who have had their identity verified with the USDA will be eligible for a 10-day quarantine period. If your pet's identity is NOT verified by the USDA, then they will require a 30-day quarantine period.

Cats and dogs must be immunized with an inactivated rabies vaccine in an approved country when they are at least 84 days old. Three-year rabies vaccines are acceptable, as long as they are given according to the manufacturer's guidelines. The vaccine must be kept continuously up to date from the time of vaccination until export - don't let it expire!

Cats and dogs must complete a Rabies neutralizing antibody titer (RNAT) blood test at least 3-4 weeks after the rabies vaccination. A passing result is >/= 0.5 IU/mL.

The RNAT blood draw must be completed by a government-approved veterinarian (USDA-Accredited) and the blood samples must be sent to an approved laboratory (The Rabies Laboratory at Kansas State University in the USA). The testing laboratory must complete a fluorescent antibody virus neutralization ( FAVN ) test or a rapid fluorescent focus inhibition test (RFFIT).

The RNAT test is valid for 12 months from the date of the blood draw.

Cats and dogs cannot enter Australia until at least 180 days after the blood sample arrives in the lab. There is no exception to this rule. 

There are NO exceptions to the 180-day waiting period.

If you don't want to do a blood test, dogs must be vaccinated for Leptospirosis in a series of two shots following manufacturer guidelines - with the second vaccine or annual booster given at least 14 days before travel. Unvaccinated dogs must be tested for Leptospirosis (see other blood tests).

Dogs coming from the US must receive full canine influenza virus (CIV) immunization, at least 14 days before departure. You must follow manufacturer guidelines with a primary vaccination + booster given 3 weeks later.  All boosters thereafter are valid for 1 year. 

If your pet will be boarding at all prior to or after travel, then they will still require these additional vaccinations:

• FVRCP (Feline Viral Rhinotracheitis, Calicivirus & Panleukopenia)
• CIV (Canine Influenza Virus)
• Leptospirosis
• DHPP (Distemper, Hepatitis, Parvovirus, Parainfluenza)
• Bordetella (kennel cough)

Dogs and cats entering Australia must have an import permit unless you are coming from New Zealand or Norfolk Island. You can only apply for the Import Permit after you have received the USDA-endorsed RNATT Declaration, Rabies Titer Results (FAVN), current rabies vaccination certificate, and identity verification details.  It's recommended that you apply for the import permit at least 42 days prior to export, but the earlier, the better. You can apply and pay online via the Biosecurity Import Conditions System .  If you hire Starwood to assist with your pet's travels, we can handle this on your behalf. 

The import permit is valid until the RNAT test expires.

Once you have received the import permit, then you can arrange your pet's quarantine reservation.

Kindly note that quarantine space is limited and they process applications in the order they are received. Quarantine has been booked at capacity lately and may not be able to accommodate the date you request. It's possible your pet will be approved to arrive at a later date, depending on quarantine availability.  

Dogs are required to complete additional blood tests and the blood draw must be done by a USDA Accredited Veterinarian and submitted to an approved lab. It is NOT recommended that your vet use an intermediary lab as they are not all approved for export testing and this may cause problems or delays.  We strongly recommend that you use Protatek Reference Lab .  The below tests are solely for dogs; cats only require the Rabies Titer Test (FAVN). All of the results for these tests must be negative or your dog cannot travel to Australia.

These tests must be completed within 45 days prior to travel:

• Leishmania Infantum : Using  either an indirect fluorescent antibody test (IFAT) or an enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA)
• Leptospira interrogans serovar Canicola (only required if the dog is not fully vaccinated for Leptospirosis): A Microscopic Agglutination Test (MAT) is required. The result must be negative at a serum dilution of 1:100.
• Brucella Canis (for intact dogs only - if your pet is spayed or neutered, this is not required): Any of the following test types are accepted - rapid slide agglutination test (RSAT), a tube agglutination test (TAT) or an indirect fluorescent antibody test (IFAT) . If your dog is intact, they cannot be mated from 14 days prior to Brucella testing until export.

Both cats and dogs must be treated for internal and external parasites prior to travel.  These treatments can only be administered in-office by a USDA Accredited Vet using an approved product .  Failure to follow these requirements or letting the treatments expire can result in a delay in your pet's travels and/or non-compliance issues with the USDA or Australian Government.

External Parasites

• Dogs must be treated for external parasites ( fleas and ticks) at least 30 days prior to export.
• Cats must be treated for external parasites ( fleas and ticks) at least 21 days prior to export.
• The treatment must be kept up to date according to manufacturer guidelines through the time of export.
• The USDA-Accredited vet should examine your pet for fleas/ticks at every visit. If any fleas or ticks are found, they must be removed and the treatments started over.

You can find a list of approved products here . 

Internal Parasites

Dogs and cats must also be treated for internal parasites (both nematodes and cestodes) twice prior to travel. The first treatment must be completed within 45 days prior to travel and at least 14 days prior to the second treatment. The final treatment must be given within 5 days of travel. You can find a list of approved products here .

Starwood typically handles the final exam, health certificate, and final parasite treatment on your behalf.

Pets arriving to Australia must travel with the following documents:

• Microchip verification documents
• Rabies vaccination certificate(s)
• General vaccination certificates
• Endorsed RNATT Declaration
• Parasite treatment letters
• Rabies titer test results
• Other required blood test results
• Copy of the import permit
• Endorsed Australian health certificate

If your pet requires medication, special food, or special care while in quarantine, then additional forms must be completed by you and your veterinarian.

If you hire Starwood to assist with your pet's relocation, we will take care of the final exam, paperwork, and USDA endorsement on your behalf.

What Are the Pet Restrictions for Australia?

Australia does not allow the import of domestic/non-domestic animal hybrids.

Hybrid cats include, but are not limited to:

• Savannah cat - domestic cat ( Felis catus ) + Serval cat ( Felis serval )
• Safari cat - domestic cat + Geoffroy cat ( Oncifelis geoffroyi )
• Chausie - domestic cat + Jungle cat ( Felis chaus )
• Bengal cat - domestic cat + Asian Leopard cat ( Prionailurus bengalensis ).

**In some cases, Australia may permit the import of Bengal cats if they are five generations or more removed and proper documentation is provided.

The following dog hybrids and pure breeds cannot be imported to Australia:

• Czechoslovakian wolfdog / Czechoslovakian Vlcak
• Saarloos wolfdog / Saarloos wolfhound
• Lupo Italiano / Italian wolfdog
• Kunming wolfdog / Kunming dog
• Dogo Argentino
• Fila Brasiliero
• Japanese Tosa
• American Pit Bull Terrier / Pit Bull Terrier
• Perro de Presa Canario / Presa Canario

Dogs and cats may not be more than 30 days pregnant or have suckling young at the time of travel.

Do I Need a Microchip for My Pet to Travel to Australia?

Yes. All pets must have a microchip that is ISO-compatible. If your dog or cat already has a non-ISO microchip (or a number that starts with 999) your vet can implant a second one. Microchips must be implanted & scanned before any other treatments are completed. The correct microchip number MUST be reported on all of your pet's paperwork.

As mentioned above, Australia now requires your pet's identity/microchip to be verified prior to any other treatments in order to qualify for a 10-day quarantine. 

What Are the Quarantine Requirements for a Pet Traveling to Australia?

All pets arriving to Australia must spend at least 10 days at the Mickleham quarantine facility in Melbourne upon entering the country. This is why your pet must fly into Melbourne airport, rather than arriving at some other city in Australia. A PEQ staff member will meet your pet from the plane and escort them directly to the quarantine facility.

You must reserve quarantine space in advance, and it is first-come, first-serve. Post Entry Quarantine (PEQ) has been fully booked months in advance, so you may not get the date you are hoping for. 

As of March 1, 2023 : Pets who have had their identification verified by an official government veterinarian in the country of export, or have originated in Australia are eligible for a 10-day quarantine period. All other pets are eligible for a 30-day quarantine period.

Your pet’s import permit must be received before you can reserve quarantine space. And proof of full payment for quarantine is required to book your pet’s flight to Melbourne.

Starwood can take care of the quarantine reservation and payments on your behalf.

Are There Any Area Specific Pet Requirements in Australia?

You must use a kennel that is IATA-compliant to ship your dog or cat to Australia. To make your furry companion feel as calm and comfortable on their journey, get the crate early so they have plenty of time to become familiar with it . Keep in mind that any bedding that arrives with pets in Australia will be destroyed for biosecurity reasons.

If you have a service dog, they may ride with you in the passenger cabin, provided they meet the country’s eligibility criteria for assistance dogs . The dog must be clean and well-behaved in public and must have been trained to assist persons with disabilities by alleviating the effects of the disability. Training facilities outside Australia must be a member of the International Guide Dog Federation or Assistance Dogs International. You must provide:

• The handler’s medical history form (completed by your doctor)
• The assistance dog training form (completed by a representative of the dog training institution)
• Proof of the dog's certification/accreditation from the dog training institution

We noted above that Australia requires you to use a professional pet transport company because all animals entering the country must arrive as manifest cargo. Starwood is extremely well-versed in moving pets to Australia, so we're here to help!

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Door to door pet transportation services to Australia include:

• Dedicated Pet Travel Support Team to coordinate your pet's move
• Liaise with your veterinarian & review documentation
• Provide an IATA-compliant travel kennel with kennel bowls, personalized labels, identification, and emergency notification instructions
• Obtain the RNATT Declaration with endorsement from the USDA
• Apply for the Australian Import Permit
• Make the quarantine reservation & pay quarantine fees
• Book flight(s) and pay air cargo charges
• Transportation to/from the airports
• Final veterinary exam, completion of the Australian health certificate, and final parasite treatments
• USDA endorsement of the final documents
• Customs clearance
• Pick up from quarantine, if required
• Domestic transportation within Australia upon release from quarantine, if required
• Provide a detailed travel itinerary
• Real-time updates while your pet is in transit

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Blog » Transporting Dogs & Cats to Australia

Transporting Dogs & Cats to Australia

Australia is the single most popular destination for Brits moving abroad. It’s hardly surprising; expats living in Australia report that they feel safer, have more disposable income, more free time and a better quality of life. What’s not to love? On top of all this, the Australian climate makes for a fantastic outdoor existence – surely one that your dog or cat will love, rather having put up with cold, damp Britain.

So if you’re heading off to Oz shortly and need to know about taking dogs to Australia  you’ve come to the right place. The first, and arguably most critical, point that you need to know is that you’re going to have to plan well in advance of your departure. Unlike some other world destinations, taking your cat or dog to Australia requires at least 6 months of pre-planning. It is hardly an impulse decision therefore; it requires time and planning if your pet is to join you on your antipodean adventure.

The reason for this length of planning is that Australia requires both cats and dogs to have received a rabies vaccination not less than 180 days before travel. This is arduous enough but there is more that you need to be aware of. Firstly you’ll need to wait around 4 weeks if this is your pet’s first rabies vaccination to allow your pet to build up resistance that can be measured and confirmed by a veterinary professional.

From here your dog or cat will need to undergo what is known as an RNAT test. RNAT stands for Rabies Neutralizing Anti-body Titre test and serves to prove that your pet has built up the necessary level of rabies antibodies required by the Australian government.

Once the test results have been approved you then just need to wait at least 180 days before departing for Australia.

Hopefully, by now you’re starting to see why it is so necessary to plan well in advance if you’re planning to export your dog or cat from the UK to Australia.

While all this may sound like bad news there is a glimmer of hope on the horizon. For one, Australia recently relaxed its previously infuriating quarantine requirements, which meant even on arrival your pet would remain in a quarantine facility for 30 days – often at considerable cost.

These days the quarantine requirements have been halved, meaning that your dog or cat will need to remain in quarantine for half the time that it used to. This does make life rather easier than it used to be, and ensures that your dog will be running riot across those beautiful sandy beaches weeks earlier than they otherwise would.

Note that these quarantine rules apply to all dogs and cats – even those in perfect health that have successfully met all of the vaccination-related requirements of the Australian government.

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Looking to travel abroad with your cat or travelling with a pet after Brexit? Find out more in our guide.

Should i travel abroad with my cat.

While it is legal to travel abroad with your cat and re-enter the UK - as long the mandatory requirements are followed - it is important that you carefully consider the welfare of your cat before doing so. Cats are generally very stressed by travelling and become disorientated in a new environment without the familiar smells of their home territory. They are more likely to get lost or distressed. Taking your cat abroad for a holiday isn't a good idea, but there are some times when travelling with your cat may be unavoidable. If you're emigrating to another country or considering a new place of residence, you'll need to make sure you plan carefully to ensure your cat travels safely. 

If you decide to take your cat abroad, it is best to speak to your vet before travelling to see if any preventative treatments are advised for the specific area you are travelling to. UK pets are even more vulnerable than local animals as their immune systems have never previously come across the exotic infections mentioned above. It would be an avoidable tragedy if they became sick, or even died or transmitted disease to other animals on their return. If a cat becomes sick on return from travelling, owners must seek veterinary advice straight away.

What you need to know about taking your pet abroad

You can enter or return to the UK with your pet cat if it:

• has been   microchipped
• has a   pet passport or third-country official veterinary certificate
• has been   vaccinated against rabies   - it will also need a blood test if you’re travelling from an ‘unlisted country’

It is currently illegal to bring a cat to the UK from any country overseas without it either going through quarantine or being imported via the Pet Travel Scheme (PETS). PETS was introduced to allow people to travel with their pet cat, dog or ferret.

The regulations were changed at the end of 2011 so they are now less stringent, in line with the rest of Europe. The requirements for travel vary depending on which country you are visiting. Details can be found at  www.gov.uk/taking-your-pet-abroad . Always check the latest information. Animals entering the UK without a valid pet passport must spend time in quarantine on arrival, until they have complied with the requirement of PETS.

The quarantine regulations and the PETS are designed primarily to protect the UK’s human population from rabies; they are not in place to protect pets from all risks. There are many other potentially fatal infections found in parts of Europe and the wider world which are not present in UK pets, such as:-

• Babesia, transmitted by ticks, which causes fever, lethargy and anaemia in cats
• Ehrlichia, transmitted by ticks, and which also causes fever, lethargy and anaemia in cats
• Heartworm, which affects a cat’s circulatory system and lungs

As the changes in the regulations have made it simpler to travel with a pet, the number of animals travelling has increased, with fewer controls, and we are likely to see more exotic disease in the UK.

Regulations may change once Britain has exited the EU. For more information about travelling with your cat after Brexit, see below.

Bringing cats to the UK

The change to the Pet Travel Scheme may also encourage well-meaning cat lovers to bring cats home from holiday; many are affected by the plight of animals abroad, particularly when they witness first-hand the poor conditions that some of these animals are in and naturally they want to do something to assist them. While this might be perceived as helping the individual, it is very stressful for them, it risks the introduction of disease, and there are many unwanted cats in the UK as it is.

The best way to help the greatest number of these animals is to support organisations that are carrying out work locally such as running neutering programmes and providing education. These are the most effective ways of improving animal welfare in the longer term.

Remember to update your cat's microchip

It is vital to update the details stored on your microchip’s database with contact details for the country you are in. In the UK you can do this by contacting Petlog – on 0844 4633 999 or via   petlog.org.uk  – or Anibase – on 01904 487 600 or via   www.anibase.com   – simply putting your cat through PETS or quarantine does not automatically update your records, so it is important that you remember to do this.

Your cat may face a further period in quarantine or even euthanasia by the authorities if he becomes lost, you cannot be traced and his legal entry to the country cannot be ascertained. For your own records also keep your cat’s unique microchip number safe.

How can I travel with my cat after Brexit?

If you're looking to travel with your cat after Britain leaves the EU, read the Government's information on pet travel to Europe after Brexit. To ensure you can travel with your cat after Brexit, you should start to prepare at least four months before your travel date. 

In the event of a No Deal Brexit, current EU pet passports issued in the UK will not be valid for entry to the EU. 

Cat owners need to prepare the following before travel:

• ensure your cat is microchipped
• ensure your cat's rabies vaccination is up to date
• allow at least 30 days after your pet's last rabies vaccination before returning to a vet for a blood test to check it has worked
• wait three months after a successful blood test before travelling
• return to a vet within ten days of travel for an Animal Health Certificate

Please note: If your pet's vaccinations are kept up to date, you won't need to repeat the blood test for each journey.

To prepare for changes, visit  www.gov.uk/guidance/pet-travel-to-europe-after-brexit

Getting a health certificate 

You must take your cat to a vet no more than ten days before travel to get an animal health certificate. For this, you'll need the following:

• proof of your cat's vaccinations
• proof of the date your cat was microchipped
• a successful rabies antibody blood test result

Your cat's animal health certificate will be valid for:

• 10 days after the date of issue for entry into the EU
• onward travel within the EU for 4 months after the date of issue
• re-entry to the UK for 4 months after the date of issue

Arriving to the EU

If you're travelling with a cat, you'll need to enter the EU through a designated Traveller's Point of Entry. You will need to present proof of:

• your cat's microchip
• their rabies vaccination
• successful blood test results
• tapeworm treatment
• your cat's health certificate

This may change after Brexit. For the latest Government advice, updates can be found at www.gov.uk/guidance/pet-travel-to-europe-after-brexit

Settling your cat into a new home

Moving home can be a tricky time for your cat - especially if you're moving to a different country. Cats can easily become disorientated by a new environment. Some careful planning will ensure that your cat settles in quickly, ensuring less hassle for your home.

Find out more: moving home guide

Related topics

Moving house  

Going on holiday  

Travelling with your cat

Updated 2024 Guide: Understanding Australia’s New Pet Import Requirements

New guidelines for relocating pets to australia: key updates effective february 29, 2024.

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has announced significant updates regarding relocating dogs and cats to Australia. These changes, effective from February 29, 2024, aim to streamline the process while ensuring the safety and well-being of pets during their relocation journey. Below, we break down these updates into clear categories for better understanding.

Identity Verification and Rabies Neutralizing Antibody Titre Test (RNATT)

Second microchip scanning as identity verification date:.

Australia has revised its procedure for pet identity verification. The date of the second microchip scanning will now be considered the official date of identity verification.

This adjustment means pet owners must ensure their pets are microchipped correctly and that the second scanning is done according to the timeline required by Australian authorities.

Timing for Blood Collection for RNATT:

Following the update, blood samples for the Rabies Neutralizing Antibody Titre Test (RNATT) can be collected after the second microchip scanning. This provides clarity and flexibility in preparing pets for their move.

Completing Part 3 of the identity verification process remains mandatory despite this change.

Updates to the APHIS Pet Travel Website and VEHCS:

The APHIS Pet Travel Website along with instructions in the Veterinary Export Health Certification System (VEHCS) will be updated to reflect these new guidelines.

Vaccine Expiry Dates

Flexibility with vaccine expiry dates:.

In a move to simplify documentation, the expiry dates for vaccines (including rabies, leptospirosis, etc.) may be left blank on the export health certificate if they are not specified on the vaccination certificate.

VEHCS instructions will be updated accordingly to guide pet owners through this change.

Import Permits

Clarification on import permits:.

The USDA has clarified that guidance on import permits issued before March 1, 2023, will be removed from the APHIS Pet Travel Website, as it is no longer applicable.

Going forward, all dogs and cats must have their import permits issued after March 1, 2023. This ensures that all pets entering Australia meet the latest import requirements.

Implications for Pet Owners

These updates facilitate a smoother relocation process for pets moving to Australia. Pet owners must stay informed about these changes and prepare to ensure compliance with the updated regulations. As always, the welfare and safety of pets are paramount, and these guidelines are designed to support that objective.  

Australia's New Requirements for Dogs and Cats Traveling from the United States | PetRelocation

​30-Day Post-Entry Quarantine for Dogs and Cats from the United States

Dogs and cats from the United States (except Hawaii and Guam) will be eligible for 30 days in post-entry quarantine upon arrival in Australia. Once the identity verification is implemented, pets that complete this verification will be eligible for ten days in post-entry quarantine upon arrival in Australia. Dogs and cats from Hawaii and Guam must seek advice from Australia before proceeding with any other steps ( [email protected] )​

Export Health Certificate

Regarding the export health certificate, the pet's USDA Accredited Veterinarian must complete the applicable model health certificate (these will be posted on the pet travel website once updated). It's crucial to remember that the pet's veterinarian must be a USDA Accredited Veterinarian in the state where they perform the work .

​We’ve mentioned a few times that bringing a cat or dog to Australia can be complicated and lengthy, taking careful planning and attention to detail to handle successfully.

Learn more about import permits, quarantine, and other helpful tips to build a successful move plan for your pet.

Pet Import Requirements for Australia Vaccination Requirements Obtaining an Import Permit  Health Certificates and USDA Endorsements   Crate Training and Traveling as Manifest Cargo   Quarantine Information Breakdown of Costs for Moving Dogs and Cats to Australia Moving Pets to Australia from Non-Approved Countries  Pets Other Than Cats and Dogs Pet Export Requirements for Leaving Australia

Pet Import Requirements for Australia

Your pet’s requirements for import into Australia is largely determined by the country your pet will be coming from. Australia groups countries into four separate categories: Group 1 (New Zealand, Norfolk Island, and Cocos Island), Group 2 (approved rabies-free countries or territories), Group 3 (approved countries or territories where rabies is absent or well-controlled), and Non-Approved Countries . As the group number increases, the rules and regulations you must follow to import your pet also increase.

Vaccination Requirements

When traveling to Australia, you must closely follow vaccine and blood test regulations to ensure your pet meets the requirements to obtain an import permit (below). All pets need a microchip, rabies vaccine, titer test, and internal and external parasite treatment . Dogs, however, will also need additional vaccines and blood tests. 

Estimated costs for vaccinations : There are at least five veterinarian visits required for a move to Australia. Depending on your own veterinarian's fees, we estimate approximately $1,500 USD for these services.

Obtaining an Import Permit 

After your dog or cat has passing results for the Rabies Antibody Titer Test, endorsed by a government entity, it’s time to apply for an import permit using Australia’s BICON (Biosecurity Import Conditions) System.

Once you have created an account, follow BICON's prompts to apply for your pet’s import permit. You’ll be required to upload the following documentation: 

• Rabies vaccination certificate
• Rabies Antibody Titer Test results
• RNATT Declaration from your country’s government 

Most import permits take 10 to 20 days to be assessed, but it can take longer in busy seasons or if you have a complicated import permit application. For example, if your pet comes from an unapproved country, there will be more steps and dates to assess. You can usually expect an additional 14 days for approval. 

If you have hired PetRelocation to assist in your move, your dedicated relocation coordinator will arrange the import permit. 

Estimated costs for the import permit: The Australia Department of Agriculture (DAFF) charges $480 AUD for the first pet, and $240 AUD each additional pet.

Health Certificates and USDA Endorsements  

For export from the United States to any foreign country, your pet must have a country-specific health certificate issued by a USDA-Accredited Veterinarian. This health certificate must be sent to your state’s USDA office for endorsement. It must be issued within 5 days of travel and endorsed by the USDA . Ask your veterinarian if they have the proper USDA accreditation. Failure to do so could result in extra time and expenses associated with additional appointments and testing. If you are working with a PetRelocation coordinator, we will work closely with your veterinarian to meet all complicated requirements. 

Estimated costs for endorsements: There are two endorsements needed when moving pets to Australia. The first,  the RNATT, costs $121 USD per pet. The final paperwork endorsement should be completed no more than 5 days prior to departure at the port USDA office, which costs $150 USD per pet.

Crate Training and Traveling as Manifest Cargo  

Pets traveling into Australia may only arrive as manifest cargo . This is for your pet’s safety and accountability. “Manifest cargo allows for traceability of your cat or dog,” states the Australian Government Department of Agriculture website . 

This means it’s important to start acclimating your pet to their travel crate early and practice crate training often.

Estimated costs for manifest cargo airfreight: Manifest cargo flights for pets are based on dimensional weight (or how much space your pet takes up in the aircraft). For international flights, these fees can range from $1,000 USD for a Chihuahua and up to $4,500 USD for a Great Dane.

Quarantine Information

Pets arriving in Australia undergo a mandatory 10-day stay at the Mickleham quarantine station. Visitation is not allowed. As of March 1, 2023, new requirements state that dogs and cats from the United States (except Hawaii and Guam) will be eligible for 30 days in post-entry quarantine, with the possibility of reducing it to 10 days with identity verification .

​.Once your dog or cat arrives in Australia, they will be transferred directly to the Mickleham quarantine station for a mandatory 10-day stay. Quarantine may seem like a scary time for your pet, especially since no visitation is allowed, but Mickleham offers great accommodations and care to pets during their quarantine stay.  A specific handler is often assigned to each pet to ensure the handler can closely monitor any changes during the pet’s quarantine period and react appropriately.

To learn all about the Mickleham facility, staff, and costs, read our blog post about preparing for your dog or cat’s stay at Mickleham. We also encourage you to visit the Australia website covering this information here .

Please note: Australia's quarantine facility is at full capacity as of December 15, 2020. The earliest availability for arrival in Australia is June 2021. 

Breakdown of Costs for Moving Dogs and Cats to Australia  

While this is by no means an extensive list of the possible costs you could incur when relocating your pet to Australia, this chart should help you understand what you should be prepared for when budgeting for a pet’s move. 

Moving Pets to Australia from Non-Approved Countries 

If you are planning to move your pet to Australia, the country of export is an important factor. Australia's Department of Agriculture will not allow pets to arrive directly into Australia from countries declared " Non-Approved ".

If your pet is currently in a non-approved country, it is still possible to move him or her to Australia. First, you should have your pet's blood drawn for a TITER or RNATT test in the country in which they currently reside. This blood sample should be sent to an approved lab for testing. Then, at least 60 days before your desired departure date for Australia, your pet must relocate to an approved country. If PetRelocation is arranging your pet's move, we suggest relocating them first into the United States .  If you cannot accompany your pet to the United States, PetRelocation can arrange boarding and veterinary consultation. 

Estimated costs boarding pets arriving in the United States from "un-approved" countries:   Boarding one pet is $40 a day and veternary visits and consultations are estimated at $1600. The minimum cost for boarding and veterinaty accomodations for one pet is $4,000. Please be mindful this is in conjunction with other costs and services listed above. 

Pets Other Than Cats and Dogs

It may not be possible to bring pets other than cats and dogs into Australia unless traveling from New Zealand. Australia has strict policies when it comes to importing other species in order to protect the current animal population and environment. It is best to check the BICON (Biosecurity Import Conditions) System to see if your pet is permitted for import into Australia.

We do recommend referencing the DAFF (Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry) website for guidance on your pet’s travels to Australia, but it is important to keep in mind that your origin country’s export procedures and nuances are not included in the information provided.

Pet Export Requirements for Leaving Australia

Leaving Australia with a pet is a much simpler process than entering. However, If you’re planning on returning to Australia after your pet travels abroad, it could be a lengthy process, and if your pet is not a cat or dog, it may be impossible. Before moving from Australia we recommend reading the rules to re-import pets on the website here .

Ready to speak with an expert about your pet’s move? Contact us to get in touch with our dedicated Australia team to plan a safe relocation for your pet!

01206 330332 Get A Quote

Unique pet travel company, owned & run by a qualified Animal Behaviourist

Fetchapet have over 30 years experience exporting pets safely to Australia. Whether you need to ship your dog or cat – we’ll get them there safely and comfortably. Click below for free quote.

Pet Travel Australia | Pet Transport to Australia from UK

Fetchapet are experts at flying dogs and cats to Australia. With 30 years’ experience in international pet exports, we will fly your pet in safe and comfortable IATA compliant pet travel crates.

We offer a bespoke pet export service for customers seeking to send their cat or dog from the UK to Australia.

Our pet export specialists can arrange for collection of your pet/s from your home anywhere in England, Scotland or Wales. Alternatively, you may deliver to our premises, or one of our representatives can meet you at Heathrow airport.

We can attend to all pre-export documentation on your behalf, including the submission of the import permit application and making the quarantine reservations on your behalf.

What to Expect When Sending your Dog or Cat to Australia

Fetchapet arrange the airline booking to correspond with pet quarantine reservations in Australia. The only Australian Government Quarantine establishment is located in Melbourne.

For animals intended for other Australian destinations, we have a network of other IPATA agents that can help with the onwards journey after quarantine.

Pre-shipment veterinary work can be undertaken by our own Veterinary Surgeons including blood tests, DEFRA Export Health Certificates and parasite treatments. We are also happy to guide you and your own Vet through the process to ensure complete compliance with the rules for pets entering Australia. Please note it currently takes a minimum of 7 months to prepare dogs and cats to enter Australia. Please contact us for more information.

Pre-shipment boarding is available for dogs and cats for long or short periods at one of our partnered kennels, where we have full access to the animals so we can ensure all tests and treatments are undertaken as required.

IATA compliant air travel kennels are manufactured in our own workshops and each kennel is tailor made to suit your pet’s measurements, ensuring maximum safety and comfort during the journey.

All clients are most welcome to come and visit us to meet the Fetchapet staff who will be looking after your pet as they travel from the UK to Australia. We have fantastic dog walks right on the doorstep and are happy to take you for a relaxing country walk to discuss your requirements and show you how we can deliver a different approach with our truly bespoke pet export services. Our cat owners are just as welcome to come and visit us for a cuppa and a chat. Please join us on our Facebook page for the most up to date news and travelling pet stories.

Please feel free to browse our website for more information on sending your cat or dog to Australia, or contact us for additional details.

To apply for a quotation please click here

FAQ’s

The cost to fly your dog to Australia ranges from £2200-£7000, depending on a variety of factors. You can find out exactly how much it will cost by clicking here .

Returning Australian dogs will be quarantine for 10 days at an extra expense of approximately £1200 per pet – all other pets are quarantine for 30 days on arrival from the UK at an extra expense of approximately £1700

The cost to fly your cat to Australia will usually be between £2100– £2300. You can find out exactly how much it will cost to fly your cat by  clicking here .

Returning Australian cats will be quarantine for 10 days at an extra expense of approximately £1200 per pet – all other pets are quarantine for 30 days on arrival from the UK at an extra expense of approximately £1700

Note all prices are for 1 pet – this does not automatically double for 2 pets so please contact us for prices

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Bringing Pets To Australia

Are you thinking of moving to Australia with pets? If so, you should know that bringing pets to Australia requires a significant amount of time and preparation.

Importing pets to Australia will most likely be one of the most complicated and expensive tasks you’ll ever have to face!

To help you get a grip on the process of shipping a pet to Australia , we prepared an essential guide to move down under with pets.

Pet Microchip

Dogs and cats entering Australia must have an ISO compatible microchip. The microchip should be implanted at the beginning of the process, before any vaccines are given.

Most microchip numbers are 9, 10 or 15 digits long.

Microchip numbers that start with 999 aren’t acceptable.

Pet owners should make sure the microchip is scanned at each veterinary visit. The scanned microchip number must be recorded correctly on all the pet’s documents.

If the pet has two microchips, both microchip numbers must be placed on all the docs.

Vaccinations Needed To Bring Your Pet To Australia

Pets must be vaccinated with an inactivated rabies vaccine that:

• was given in an approved country when the pet was at least 90 days old
• is valid at the time of export
• is approved for use by the competent authority in the country of export.

Australia accepts rabies vaccinations that are valid for 3 years, if given according to the manufacturer’s instructions.

It is recommended that your dog receives a vaccination that protects against Distemper, Hepatitis, Parvovirus, Parainfluenza and Bordetella bronchiectasis.

If you are planning on bringing a dog to Australia from the US, your dog must be vaccinated against Canine Influenza virus.

If you have a cat, it is recommended that your cat receives a vaccination that protects against Feline Panleukopenia/Distemper, Rhinotracheitis and Calicivirus.

Dogs and cats must be treated with a product that kills ticks and fleas on contact.

This external parasite treatment must be done in dogs at least 21 days before blood is collected for the Ehrlichia canis test and the dog must receive continuous protection from external parasites until the time of export.

If you have a cat, this external parasite treatment must be done at least 21 days before the date of export.

Dogs and cats should also be treated twice against internal parasites (nematodes and cestodes). The two treatments must be given at least 14 days apart and within 45 days before export.

The second treatment should be given within 5 days before the export date.

If your dog has ever visited mainland Africa, it must be treated against Babesia canis with a single dose of imidocarb dipropionate (at a rate of 7.5 mg/kg body weight) or two doses (at a rate of 6.0 mg/kg body weight) given at least 14 days apart.

These treatments must be done by subcutaneous injections and given within 28 days before export.

Rabies Antibody Titer Test – 6 Months In Advance!

Unlike most other countries around the world that require a rabies antibody test, Australia doesn’t require you to wait 30 days between the rabies vaccination and the blood sample collection.

The Australian authorities recommend you wait 3-4 weeks after the vaccine was done.

If your pet has a history of regular rabies vaccinations, you may even collect the blood sample sooner.

We recommend waiting 30 days so that the blood test will be valid for futures uses.

The blood test must be done in an OIE approved laboratory. The lab must use either a FAVN (fluorescent antibody virus neutralization) or RFFIT (rapid fluorescent inhibition test) test.

A result of at least 0.5 IU/ml is needed.

The blood test is valid for 12 months from the blood sampling date.

If you’re bringing pets to Australia from a country in category 2 or 3, your pet won’t be able to enter Australia until at least 180 days pass after the blood arrives at the testing laboratory.

After the blood test is done, an official government vet must complete, sign and stamp a RNAT test declaration .

Other Blood Tests Needed To Enter Australia

Within 45 days before the date of export, dogs must be tested for Brucella canis (Brucellosis).

If your dog is desexed it doesn’t need to perform this test. If your dog isn’t desexed, a blood sample, using a RSAT (rapid slide agglutination test), a TAT (tube agglutination test) or an IFAT (indirect fluorescent antibody test) must be done within 45 days before the date of export. The result must be negative.

A Leishmania infantum (Leishmaniosis) test is also required for dogs. This test must be done using either an IFAT (indirect fluorescent antibody test) or an ELISA (enzyme linked immunosorbent assay) within 45 days before the date of export. The result must be negative.

If your dog was vaccinated against Leptospira interrogans serovar canicola, a Leptospira canicola (Leptospirosis) test isn’t required.

If your dog wasn’t vaccinated, your dog must be tested for Leptospira interrogans serovar canicola using a MAT (microscopic agglutination test) within 45 days before the date of export. The results must be negative (less than 50% agglutination) at a serum dilution of 1:100.

Update : From November 1, 2022, dogs entering Australia won’t need to be tested for Ehrlichia canis.

Health Certificate

The veterinary health certificate (Appendix 1 of your import permit) must be done within 5 days of the date of export

An official government vet must sign and stamp all the pages of the health certificate.

Import Permit

Dogs and cats require an import permit from the Department of Agriculture and Water Resources.

Dogs and cats from Norfolk Island and New Zealand don’t require an import permit.

Pet owners should submit their import permit application, as well as full payment and all supporting documents (Rabies vaccination certificate, RNAT test result and RNAT test declaration form).

If medication is needed, a veterinary medical form should be submitted as well.

It takes at least 20 working days to process an import permit application.

Import permits are valid for up to 12 months from the date of issue.

Please note that the import permit should cost about $480 AUD for the first cat/dog and about $240 AUD for each additional cat or dog in the same consignment.

Dangerous & Banned Breeds In Australia

Dogs of the following pure breeds can’t be imported into Australia:

• Dogo Argentino
• Fila Brasileiro
• Japanese Tosa
• Presa Canario

Domestic/non-domestic dog hybrids (such as wolf-dog crosses) are not allowed to be imported in Australia. This includes, but not limited to:

• Czechoslovakian Vlcak
• Saarloos Wolfhound
• Italian Wolfdog
• Kunming dog

Domestic/non-domestic cat hybrids are generally not eligible for import. This includes, but not limited to:

• Savannah cat

Please note that in certain circumstances, it may be possible to import a Bengal cat to Australia. This is usually permitted if the owner can prove that the Bengal cat was removed from its wild ancestor at least five generations ago.

Entering Australia With A Pet

Bringing pets to Australia by air, can only be done as manifest cargo .

Pets can’t fly in cabin or as excess luggage.

Pets can only land in Melbourne International Airport where they will be transferred to the post entry quarantine facility.

Pet owners can import cats and dogs to Australia on board private yachts, if a valid import permit has been granted in advance. The Department of Agriculture and Water Resources assesses such requests on a case by case basis.

Dogs and cats must not me be under quarantine restrictions at the time of export. They also can’t be more than 30 days pregnant, nor be suckling young at the time of export.

Dogs and cats can only be imported into Australia from an approved country. Dogs and/or cats that aren’t coming from a country listed below will need to do the whole process in an approved country. In other words – they must be in an approved country at least 180 days prior to the export to Australia.

Group 1 : New Zealand, Norfolk and Cocos (Keeling) Islands

Group 2 : American Samoa, Bahrain, Barbados, Christmas Island, Cook Island, Falkland Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, French Polynesia, Guam, Hawaii, Iceland, Japan, Kiribati, Mauritius, Nauru, New Caledonia, Niue, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Singapore, Solomon Islands, Kingdom of Tonga, Tuvalu, Vanuatu, Wallis and Futuna.

Group 3 : Antigua & Barbuda, Argentina, Austria, Bahamas, Belgium, Bermuda, British Virgin Islands, Brunei, Bulgaria, Canada, Canary and Balearic Islands, Cayman Islands, Chile, the Republic of Croatia, the Republic of Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Gibraltar, Greece, Greenland, Guernsey, Hong Kong, Hungary, Ireland, Isle of Man, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Jersey, Kuwait, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Macau, Malta, Monaco, Montenegro, the Netherlands (including Antilles & Aruba), Norway, Poland, Portugal, Puerto Rico, Qatar, the Republic of South Africa, Reunion, Serbia, Seychelles, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Korea, Spain, St Kitts and Nevis, St Lucia, St Vincent and the Grenadines, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, Trinidad and Tobago, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom, the United States (including the district of Columbia, Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands) and Uruguay.

Quarantine In Australia – Minimum 10 Days!

All cats and dogs from group 2 and 3 must arrive on an international flight into Melbourne International Airport to undergo a minimum of 10 days in quarantine Mickleham Post Entry Quarantine Facility.

New rule : dogs and cats must pass an “identity verification” before doing the rabies blood test.

Pet owners will need to take their dog/cat to their country’s competent authority so that he/she could scan the pet’s microchip.

Dogs and cats that won’t be verified before the collection of the blood sample will undergo a minimum of 30 days in quarantine. Those that will be verified on time will only undergo 10 days in quarantine.

Pets cannot stay at the quarantine facility beyond their eligible release date.

It is recommended to make a reservation for quarantine as soon as the import permit is granted.

Please note that quarantine will easily cost more than $1,500 AUD.

Importing A Pet Into Australia – FAQ

Here are some frequently asked questions about importing a pet into Australia:

Question #1 : How much does it cost to fly a dog to Australia?

Flying a dog to Australia is super expensive. The price depends on many variables such as your origin country, the airline your dog will fly with, your dog’s breed and weight, etc.

If you would like a quote for sending a dog to Australia, please send us an email. We’ll do our best to reply quickly and to of course offer you the best service possible.

Question #2 : Can I move to Australia with my dog?

In general, if you obey all the import requirements stated in our guide, you’ll be able to move your dog to Australia.

Question #3 : Can I visit my dog in quarantine?

Unfortunately, visits are no longer permitted in Australia’s quarantine facility.

Question #4 : Can I buy a seat on a plane for my dog?

As stated in our guide, pets can only fly into Australia as manifest cargo. Therefore, purchasing for your dog a seat on a plane isn’t possible.

Question #5 : Why do I have to wait 180 days after the rabies antibody test before I can import my dog/cat?

It can take up to 180 days for an animal infected with rabies to show signs of the disease. Since there’s no reliable way to tell if the animal has been infected with rabies, this is the only effective way to keep Australia free from rabies.

Need Help Bringing Pets To Australia?

All this information is provided by Pets2Fly to assist pet owners around the world with bringing pets to Australia.

Can pet owners do the import process by themselves? Yes, it’s doable.

Do we think pet owners should do this process without the assistance of a pet shipping company? If it was our pets, we wouldn’t send our pets to Australia without consulting a pet travel expert.

Importing pets to Australia isn’t easy. It is considered one of the most difficult countries in the world to import pets. One tiny mistake will cause you a lot of trouble and aggravation. There is a big chance that one mistake will require you to redo the process!

The Australian Department of Agriculture encourages pet owners to use a pet transport agent as it may be simpler and more effective than undertaking the process alone. The Department recommends using an IPATA member.

Pets2Fly is an IPATA member and we lead to more successful outcomes and therefore, probably, lower your overall costs.

Please don’t hesitate to contact us!

We would love to hear from you!

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Destination Destination Afghanistan Albania Algeria Andorra Angola Antigua and Barbuda Argentina Armenia Australia Austria Azerbaijan Bahamas Bahrain Bangladesh Barbados Belarus Belgium Belize Benin Bhutan Bolivia Bosnia and Herzegovina Botswana Brazil Brunei Bulgaria Burkina Faso Burundi Cabo Verde Cambodia Cameroon Canada Central African Republic (CAR) Chad Chile China Colombia Comoros Congo Costa Rica Cote d'Ivoire Croatia Cuba Cyprus Czech Republic Denmark Djibouti Dominica Dominican Republic Ecuador Egypt El Salvador England Equatorial Guinea Eritrea Estonia Ethiopia Fiji Finland France Gabon Gambia Georgia Germany Ghana Greece Grenada Guatemala Guinea Guinea-Bissau Guyana Haiti Honduras Hong Kong Hungary Iceland India Indonesia Ireland Israel Italy Jamaica Japan Jordan Kazakhstan Kenya Kiribati Kosovo Kuwait Kyrgyzstan Laos Latvia Lebanon Lesotho Liberia Libya Liechtenstein Lithuania Luxembourg Macedonia (FYROM) Madagascar Malawi Malaysia Maldives Mali Malta Marshall Islands Mauritania Mauritius Mexico Micronesia Moldova Monaco Mongolia Montenegro Morocco Mozambique Myanmar (Burma) Namibia Nauru Nepal Netherlands New Zealand Nicaragua Niger Nigeria North Korea Northern Ireland Norway Oman Pakistan Palau Panama Papua New Guinea Paraguay Peru Philippines Poland Portugal Qatar Romania Russia Rwanda Saint Kitts and Nevis Saint Lucia Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Samoa San Marino Sao Tome and Principe Saudi Arabia Scotland Senegal Serbia Seychelles Sierra Leone Singapore Slovakia Slovenia Solomon Islands Somalia South Africa South Korea South Sudan Spain Sri Lanka Sudan Suriname Swaziland Sweden Switzerland Syria Taiwan Tajikistan Tanzania Thailand Timor-Leste Togo Tonga Trinidad and Tobago Tunisia Turkey Turkmenistan Tuvalu Uganda Ukraine United Arab Emirates (UAE) United Kingdom (UK) United States of America (USA) Uruguay Uzbekistan Vanuatu Vatican City (Holy See) Venezuela Vietnam Wales Yemen Zambia Zimbabwe

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Bringing your pet dog, cat or ferret to Great Britain

These rules apply to Great Britain (England, Wales and Scotland). There are different rules on pet travel into Northern Ireland .

Find out what you need to do if you’re travelling from Ukraine with your pets .

You can enter or return to Great Britain with your pet cat, dog or ferret if it:

• has been microchipped
• has a pet passport or health certificate
• has been vaccinated against rabies - it will also need a blood test if you’re travelling from an country that is not ‘listed’

You must use an approved route - unless you’re travelling within the UK or from Ireland.

You need to fill in a declaration if you are not going to sell or transfer the ownership of your pet.

Dogs must also usually have a tapeworm treatment .

Your pet may be put into quarantine for up to 4 months if you do not follow these rules - or refused entry if you travelled by sea. You’re responsible for any fees or charges.

There’s different guidance if you’re taking your pet dog, cat or ferret abroad .

If you bring a banned breed of dog into Great Britain it can be taken away from you by the police or local authorities and could be destroyed.

Check if you need to follow extra rules

You must follow extra rules (known as Balai rules) if any of the following apply:

• you’re going to sell, rehome or transfer the ownership of the animal
• your pet is arriving more than 5 days before or after you arrive
• you’re bringing more than 5 animals and are not attending or training for a competition, show or sporting event

Before you travel

Check if the company you’re travelling with:

• will accept your pet for travel - and how many they’ll accept if you have more than one
• needs any proof that your pet is fit and healthy to travel, for example a letter from a vet or certain information in your pet passport or health certificate

Authorising someone else to travel with your pet

Your pet can travel with someone else if you’ve authorised it in writing.

Bringing other animals

The rules are different if you’re bringing other animals into Great Britain .

Part of Bring your pet to Great Britain: step by step

Step 1 : check if you can bring your pet.

• You are currently viewing: Check if you can bring your pet
• Find out how you're allowed to travel to Great Britain
• Check different rules for guide and assistance dogs

Step 2 : Get your pet microchipped

• Check the rules for microchips

Step 3 : Get your pet vaccinated against rabies

• Check the rules about rabies vaccinations

You must wait for a set period of time after vaccination before you can travel.

Depending on the country you're travelling from, you might also need to get a blood test.

and Get tapeworm treatment

If you have a dog, you may also need to get tapeworm treatment before you travel.

• Check the rules about tapeworm treatment

Step 4 : Get a pet travel document

• Check which travel document you need

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How to bring your pet with you to the UK, US, Canada and Australia

Are you about to study abroad and are thinking of bringing your furry companion with you? This is understandable — after all, many people consider their pets as family and their companion can help you adjust to a new environment and life. 

First things first, however, is to check with your vet to determine if your pet is in good health to travel. Only then should you consider bringing your pet abroad. 

There are many steps and guidelines to note if you’re travelling with a pet, but fret not, we’ve got your back. Here’s everything you need to know if you’re thinking of bringing your pet to the UK, US, Canada or Australia: 

You should check with your pet’s vet first to determine if it is in good health condition to travel. Source: Iakovos Hatzistavrou/AFP

A guide to travelling with a pet to the UK, US, Canada or Australia

Great britain .

Bringing your furry companion to Great Britain (England, Scotland and Wales) is relatively straightforward. It also accepts most dog breeds and all cat breeds. 

Here are the requirements your pet has to meet to enter Great Britain: 

• It has been microchipped 
• It has a pet passport or health certificate (usually obtainable from vets) 
• It has been vaccinated against rabies
• It has been treated for tapeworm (dogs only)
• It has done a blood test ( if it’s hailing from countries that are not listed by the government)
• It will be travelling with an approved carrier (take note that every carrier has different guidelines)

If your pet does not meet any of the requirements above, it may be put in quarantine for up to four months — and you’ll have to bear all quarantine costs and charges. MoveHub — a global logistics company — notes that the overall quarantine cost is about £200 for cats and £300 for dogs. 

You also must ensure that your pet arrives no more than five days before or after you — otherwise, your furry companion will be classified as a commercial import. You’ll have to comply with a different set of tedious and complex rules . 

The Land Down Under practises strict rules on importing a pet cat or dog into the country. To enter Australia, your pet must travel — as manifest cargo only — to Melbourne International Airport to undergo quarantine at the Mickleham post entry quarantine facility for at least 10 days. According to the Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment , the quarantine will cost AU$2,000 minimum. 

The Australian government has also banned several breeds of cats and dogs, as listed by MyAustraliaImmigration : 

• Savannah cats, Safari cats, Chausies, and Bengal cats 
• Dogo Argentino, Fila Brasileiro, Japanese Tosa, American pit bull terrier or pit bull terrier, Perro de Presa Canario or Presa Canario, Czechoslovakian wolfdog (Czechoslovakian Vlcak), Saarloos wolfdog, Lupo Italiano (Italian wolfdog), and Kunming wolfdog

Here are the requirements your pet has to meet to enter Australia: 

• It has been vaccinated against rabies (within one year of entry to Australia)
• It has done a blood test 

Additionally, depending on the country you’re coming from, your pet may need an import permit (about AU$480) and additional treatments and vaccinations if you are not travelling from one of the 96 approved countries. Take note that if your pet is from an unapproved country, it is prohibited from entering Australia. 

Always check your carrier’s guidelines as well. Source: Sergei Supinsky/AFP

Canada has somewhat lenient rules for bringing a pet into the country. For instance, it is not compulsory for a pet dog or cat to be microchipped. 

It is mandatory, however, for all pets (except those from the US) to undergo an inspection upon arrival. This will cost about 30 Canadian dollars. Quarantine is not necessary unless your pet has medical problems that require attention. 

It’s worth noting that if your pet is from a country not listed on Canada’s rabies-free countries list, it must receive a rabies vaccination with proof of certification that it does not have rabies, written in English or French. 

The Canadian government, however, considers cats over three months of age and dogs over eight months of age rabies-free. A rabies vaccination isn’t necessary, but proof of certification is still required. 

CanadaMigrates also notes that a statement from a governmental authority or veterinarian proving that rabies has not existed in the originating country for six months must be presented. 

Here is a list of countries classified as rabies-free: 

• New Zealand 
• UK (England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland)

If your pet dog or cat is under three months old, it is exempted from Canada’s import requirements. 

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) sets different rules for bringing a pet dog or cat into the country. 

Here are the requirements if you’re bringing your pet dog: 

• It has been vaccinated against rabies (while dogs from rabies-free countries are not required to be vaccinated, the CDC highly recommends all dogs to get vaccinated for safety reasons) 
• It has the US or foreign-valid rabies certificate (a normal valid rabies certificate will have to go through more steps here )
• It must be at least six months old if it is coming from a high-risk country 
• It has been ISO-microchipped

The CDC controls the entry of dogs into the country strictly. It has listed more than 100 countries as high-risk countries . Suppose your pet dog is from a high-risk country and has a foreign-valid rabies certificate. In that case, you will also have to apply for a CDC Dog Permit Import online as well as obtain a valid rabies serology titer from an approved laboratory. 

Dogs from high-risk countries will also have to undergo quarantine at one of these airports: 

• Anchorage (ANC) 
• Atlanta (ATL) 
• Boston (BOS)
• Chicago (ORD)
• Dallas (DFW)
• Detroit (DTW)
• Honolulu (HNL)
• Houston (IAH)
• Los Angeles (LAX)
• Miami (MIA)
• Minneapolis (MSP)
• New York (JFK)
• Newark (EWR)
• Philadelphia (PHL)
• San Francisco (SFO)
• San Juan (SJU)
• Seattle (SEA)
• Washington DC (IAD)

Meanwhile, cats do not require a rabies or health certificate to enter the US. Some airlines and states, however, still need one or both of them, so do your research. 

Your pet cat may also be subjected to an inspection upon arrival in the US.

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In Australia, ‘Cats Are Just Catastrophic’

Feral cats take a heavy toll on the world’s wildlife, especially Down Under. The solution? Smarter traps, sharpshooters, survival camp for prey species, and the “Felixer.”

Frank Bernhardt, a pest control contractor for Arid Recovery, rode through the desert night in an all-terrain vehicle, searching for cats, in Arid Recovery in Roxby Downs Station, South Australia. Credit...

Supported by

By Emily Anthes

Photographs and Video by Chang W. Lee

This story is part of a series on wildlife conservation in Australia, which Emily Anthes reported from New York and Australia, with Chang W. Lee.

• April 16, 2024

Katherine Moseby wanted to be clear: She does not hate cats. “They’re a wily beast,” she said, as her truck rumbled down a desert road. “But I respect them. They’re pretty incredible animals. Amazing hunters. Very smart.”

That was precisely the problem, said Dr. Moseby, the principal scientist and co-founder of Arid Recovery, a conservation nonprofit and wildlife reserve in South Australia. Cats are not native to Australia, but they have invaded nearly every corner of the country. She gestured out the window at the dusty, red expanse, which bore few signs of life. But feral cats were absolutely out there, Dr. Moseby said, and they had a taste for the tiny, threatened marsupials that lived at Arid Recovery.

Even with extensive fencing, keeping the cats at bay requires constant vigilance. Over the previous few nights, a “pest control contractor” — a robustly bearded sharpshooter equipped with an all-terrain vehicle and powerful spotlight — had been riding through the Arid Recovery reserve, shooting cats.

When Dr. Moseby, who is also a researcher at the University of New South Wales, pulled up to the Arid Recovery office a few minutes later, she made her way to a small outbuilding to check on the shooter’s progress. A line of red droplets led down the stone path. “Fresh blood trail’s a good sign,” she said, before pushing open the door.

Inside, the carcasses of more than a dozen cats were piled in a large, shallow tub. The shooter was responsible for four of them, Dr. Moseby said, looking over the animals. The others had been caught over the preceding weeks and were being stored until researchers could examine the contents of their stomachs.

It was a scene to make most any cat lover squeamish, and Dr. Moseby, who grew up with pet cats, once would have been “outraged” by the idea of killing them, she said. But after repeatedly discovering the half-eaten carcasses of greater bilbies and burrowing bettongs, just two of the reserve’s vulnerable residents, she had come to a stark conclusion: “You have to make a choice between cats and wildlife.”

Cats are not villains. But they are hunters, and through no fault of their own they take an enormous toll on the world’s wildlife. They pose an especially acute threat in Australia, which has no native feline species but is home to a menagerie of slow-to-reproduce, snack-size mammals.

“Cats are just catastrophic,” said John Read, an ecologist at the University of Adelaide and Dr. Moseby’s husband. The two founded Arid Recovery in 1997.

Since European settlers, and their cats, began arriving in Australia in the late 18th century, at least 34 species of native mammals have gone extinct. It is the worst mammalian extinction rate in the modern world, and cats have been “a major contributor,” said Sarah Legge, a wildlife ecologist at Charles Darwin University and the Australian National University. “Our fauna just haven’t evolved to cope with cats.”

Pet cats do their share of damage, but the feral cat population is an especially intractable problem. The Australian government has labeled feral cats “a nationally significant pest” and declared “war” on the free-ranging felines more than once .

For decades, Drs. Moseby and Read have been on the front lines. They have devoted some of their efforts to developing new tools for reducing the ranks of feral cats. “We need to do it as efficiently and effectively and humanely as possible,” Dr. Read said. “But we need to do it.”

They also know that the cats are too entrenched to eliminate altogether, and that protecting native animals will require more than cat control. After all, there are two sides to the predator-prey relationship. And if cats are in Australia to stay, the bilbies and bettongs will need to find a way to live safely alongside them.

Building a better cat trap

The Arid Recovery reserve sits just outside Roxby Downs, a small mining town in Australia’s vast, desert interior. During a visit in early November — it was spring in the Southern Hemisphere — temperatures soared well past 100 degrees. A bleached kangaroo skeleton baked in the sun.

The reserve’s deep orange sand dunes are surrounded by a wire fence designed to keep out feral cats as well as foxes and rabbits, two other European invaders that have wreaked havoc on Australian ecosystems. That has made Arid Recovery an oasis for animals like the burrowing bettong, a compact cousin of the kangaroo that resembles a hopping, heavyset rat.

By the mid-20th century, the bettongs had died out on mainland Australia, thanks, in part, to predation from cats and foxes. Today, burrowing bettongs are confined to islands and fenced reserves like Arid Recovery.

These “ feral-free safe havens ” have become a cornerstone of conservation in Australia. But Arid Recovery’s founders viewed them as short-term solutions. “Our objective was always to try and get conservation happening outside fences,” Dr. Read said.

Over the years, they tried releasing bettongs and bilbies, which have the erect ears of a rabbit and the protruding snout of a very small aardvark, outside the reserve. They used traps, poisoned bait and sharpshooters to keep the local cat population low, but the outcome was always the same: a lot of dead bilbies and bettongs. “It’s just so disheartening going out every day, radio tracking animals that you’ve released, and then finding them dead under a bush,” Dr. Moseby said.

So the couple started searching for new solutions, using what they had learned about cat behavior. Years of feral-cat forensics, which included swabbing the carcasses of dead prey animals and cataloging the stomach contents of captured cats, had revealed that a small subset of cats, mostly large males, were doing most of the damage. “A lot of the cats that are killing these threatened prey are actually serial killers,” Dr. Moseby said.

In 2016, Drs. Moseby and Read and two colleagues proposed focusing on these repeat offenders by turning vulnerable prey into poisonous “ toxic Trojans .” Since then, they have been part of a scientific team developing small, poison-containing implants that can be injected beneath the skin of threatened prey animals.

The outer coating of the implant would dissolve, releasing a fatal dose of poison into the stomach of any cat that had made the mistake of dining on the wrong animal. That might be cold comfort to a bilby that just became dinner, but could save its compatriots from a similar fate.

In conjunction, Dr. Read has been leading an effort to design a better cat trap. As long as prey are plentiful, cats generally prefer hunting their own dinner to scavenging for human-supplied bait. “They’re often reluctant to go into a cage trap unless they’re starving,” Dr. Read said, noting that the best hunters are the hardest cats to trap.

What cats are not reluctant to do, however, is keep themselves clean, which is accomplished by licking their fur frequently. So Dr. Read created the Felixer, an automated, solar-powered machine that sprays a toxic gel onto passing cats. The devices are equipped with range-finding sensors, a camera and algorithms to help it distinguish cats from other animals. In one six-week field trial , a deployment of 20 Felixers appeared to kill 33 cats, scientists estimated. More than 200 of the devices have been deployed across Australia, Dr. Read said.

“I think it’s going to be a really important addition to the tool kit,” Dr. Legge said.

Indeed, even at Arid Recovery, keeping the cat population in check required a suite of tools, including conventional traps, camera monitoring and shooters. No approach was foolproof. “Sometimes we’ll have one cat we’re trying to catch, and it can take 12 months,” Dr. Moseby said.

Surveys suggest that Australians view feral cats as threats to native wildlife, and that many support lethal control methods. But the killing of animals is always a fraught subject, especially when the targets look just like beloved family pets. Drs. Moseby and Read have received their fair share of hate mail, and some celebrities and animal rights groups have spoken out against Australia’s cat culling campaigns.

Some scientists have objected, too. Arian Wallach, a conservation biologist at the Queensland University of Technology, described herself as a “pro-cat conservationist” and referred to the country’s war on cats as “mass murder.”

Ecosystems are complex, Dr. Wallach said, and it’s not a given that the large-scale removal of cats would meaningfully reduce the odds of extinction for threatened species. At this point, she said, conservationists should accept cats as part of Australia’s landscape and think creatively about other ways to protect endangered animals. “If that’s what conservation has to offer is a big pile of dead cats,” she said, “then I really don’t think that my profession has much to offer at all.”

Survival lessons

Although Dr. Moseby is firm that Australia needs to reduce its feral cat population, she knows that conservationists cannot count on complete eradication. “It’s impossible,” she conceded.

So she has also been working to combat a problem known as prey naïveté. According to the prey naïveté hypothesis, a lack of prior exposure to cats means that some Australian animals may not be able to recognize or respond to feline threats.

Research suggests that fenced reserves and other safe havens may exacerbate the problem, by making it safe for sheltered populations to lose whatever defensive behaviors they did have.

Dr. Moseby’s unusual solution? Give threatened prey a crash course in survival by releasing feral cats into one of Arid Recovery’s enclosures.

In 2015, she did just that, adding five feral cats to a paddock full of bilbies and bettongs. Over time, she hoped, the bilbies and bettongs would learn how to avoid becoming victims, and the cats would accelerate natural selection by removing the weakest, least predator-savvy individuals from the population.

It was a risky tactic; the experiment would only work if the cats posed a legitimate danger. “We want cats eating some animals and coexisting with them and scaring them and hunting them and having near misses,” Dr. Moseby said.

After two years, the cat-exposed bilbies behaved more cautiously than bilbies that lived in a predator-free paddock. And they were more likely to survive when released in a new location with a high density of cats.

After five years, the bettongs in the cat paddock were not only warier than their more sheltered counterparts but also had larger heads and feet . “We think that’s either because they can escape better or that cats are more likely to prey on smaller animals,” Dr. Moseby said. “So it’s driving that selection for larger animals.”

Will it be enough?

The results suggest that it is possible to spur rapid changes in the bodies and behaviors of threatened prey, said Dr. Legge, who was not involved in the research. “But the question remains: Is that ever going to be enough to help these bettongs survive in the presence of cats?” she said. “It kind of seems unlikely. But I think it’s worth a try.”

Dr. Moseby and her colleagues are also investigating the possibility of using a native predator — the western quoll, a carnivorous marsupial — to sharpen the defenses of animals that have long been confined to predator-free safe havens. “We’re hoping that will be at least a steppingstone to improving their responses to cats,” Dr. Moseby said.

Testing that hypothesis will require a lot more time and data, so late one night last November, Dr. Moseby and Kylie McQualter, a postdoctoral researcher, set out to collect some.

Wearing headlamps, they traipsed through the predator-free paddock, working their way along a meandering trail of baited cage traps. In the prey naïveté studies, these animals served as controls; periodically trapping them allowed researchers to collect data on their physical traits and behaviors, which would serve as a point of comparison for the animal populations living alongside cats and quolls.

It was a successful night, yielding one bilby, three bandicoots and an embarrassment of bettongs, which sat, placid and unblinking, in trap after trap. The scientists worked quickly, using a hanging scale and calipers to take the measure of each marsupial before releasing it back into the desert night. But the bettongs were in no hurry to flee from these humans and their bright lights and strange scientific tools. “Off you go!” Dr. Moseby urged one.

It was easy to imagine how this docile demeanor might get a bettong into trouble in the unforgiving world beyond the fence. But here, few dangers lurked, and the bettongs eventually wandered off, some grunting softly as they disappeared into the dark.

Emily Anthes is a science reporter, writing primarily about animal health and science. She also covered the coronavirus pandemic. More about Emily Anthes

Chang W. Lee has been a photographer for The Times for 30 years, covering events throughout the world. He is currently based in Seoul. Follow him on Instagram @nytchangster . More about Chang W. Lee

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• Taking Dogs To Australia
• Taking Cats To Australia

With over 1.2million Britons now living in Australia, it’s clear that it’s a very popular place to emigrate to. However, a lot of expats feel that their journey wouldn’t be complete if they didn’t take their beloved pooch with them. Although it’s a long and tiring flight, which is a daunting time for dog owners, we are here to help take all of that stress away from you so that the experience is as relaxing as it can be.

Flying your dog to Australia is a slightly lengthier and more complicated process than most other countries. However, with our extensive experience and team of veterinary surgeons and healthcare professionals, we really feel that the stress of this big move is lifted off you. We flew over 500 pets to Australia in 2022, so your dog is in extremely safe hands.

Since 01st March 2023, the rules have changed slightly and now pets need to serve 30 days quarantine rather than 10 days, unless they are pets returning to Australia. Pets need to have their identities verified by a government veterinarian and due to the way government vets are organised in UK, this is not possible at this time, but we hope it will change.

We’ve put together a broken down step-by-step guide to help give you an idea of what needs to be sorted and prepared in order to export your dog to Australia. If you have any questions, or need more information about flying a dog to Australia, please don’t hesitate to contact us .

Have any questions or need more information? Call our experts on 01725 551124.

1. Confirm eligibility before starting the process  – Dogs must not be under quarantine restrictions or be more than 30 days pregnant or suckling young at the time of export. Some dog breeds, including pit bull terriers, are banned from Australia – check up on this. 2. Make sure your dog is microchipped 3. Check rabies vaccination – Your dog will need to have a valid rabies vaccination (when it was at least 90 days old). 4. Rabies Neutralising Antibody Titre (RNAT) test – This must be done between 180 days and 12 months before the export. Following the rabies vaccination, a vet must scan your dog’s microchip and collect a blood sample for the RNAT test. Your dog must have a valid RNAT test at the time of export. The blood sample MUST be taken by a UK official veterinarian – so be sure to check with your vets before they take the blood. 5. An Official Government Vet must complete the rabies vaccination and RNAT test declaration – Must be done before applying for the import permit. The vets at PetAir UK can do this for you if you choose for us to get your dog’s import permit. It is worth noting that the vets who complete the RNATT declaration and the vets who take the blood sample MUST be from a different practice – or the vets who help Petair export the pets can do this for you. 6. Apply for an import permit – This should be done after you’ve received the declaration, and at least 42 days before the time of export. You can apply for the import permit on the http://www.agriculture.gov.au website.

7. Book a post-arrival quarantine space – Go to http://www.agriculture.gov.au for more information on booking quarantine space. 8. Check other vaccinations – Your dog must be fully vaccinated against Leptospira interrogans serovar Canicola at least 14 days prior to export. 9. External parasite treatments – The dog must be given a product that kills ticks and fleas on contact by a vet at least 21 days before a blood sample for Ehrlichia canis is taken. 10. Testing for Ehrlichia canis, Leishmania infantum and Brucella canis (testing for Brucella canis is only needed if your dog has NOT been neutered) – The tests all must be done within 45 days before export, but at PetAir UK we will send your vet a schedule of treatments and tests in order to make things as simple for you as possible. 11. Internal parasite treatments – Your dog must be treated by a vet twice with an internal parasite treatment; the 2 treatments must be at least 14 days apart and within 45 days before export. The second treatment must be given within 5 days before export. 12. Pre-export vet examination – Your dog must be examined by a vet and found to be free of external parasites (e.g. ticks) and signs of infectious/contagious diseases within 5 days before export. 13. Completion of Veterinary Health Certificate by an Official Government Vet – this must be done by a completely separate practice to the vets who gave the initial treatments and took the blood samples. If you have trouble arranging this then please do let us know and we can help arrange a plan.

After your dog lands in Australia, they will be transported into quarantine. There is now a single quarantine station near to Melbourne where the pets travel to. After quarantine your dogs can be flown to your final destination in Australia and either we can help with this or you can arrange it yourself.

We can organise and arrange the move of your dog to Australia, and help you as much as you need with everything mentioned. Understandably, taking in all of this information can be difficult and may feel overwhelming, so if you’d like to speak to someone who knows exactly what they’re talking about, please phone our friendly team on 01725 551124 or  by email . You can also read more about how we can help you and how everything works across our website.

If you are thinking of taking your cat to Australia, call one of our experts on 01725 551124 who will be more than happy to answer any questions you may have

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Canberra is a very cool capital city. Sometimes known as ‘The Bush Capital’ as it is surrounded by incredible nature reserves and mountain ranges. The city is home to world-class dining and historic museums. Frequently voted one of the most dog-friendly cities in Australia, you’ll find plenty to do with your dog in Canberra. Local…

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Critics Have Seen Conan O’Brien Must Go, And They’re All Saying The Same Thing About The ‘Absurd’ New Travel Show On Max

Coco is back.

Conan O’Brien made a return to The Tonight Show recently, 14 years after he unceremoniously parted ways with NBC in 2010, but that’s not the reason one of the best late-night hosts ever has been back in the conversation. A viral appearance on the show Hot Ones has fans appreciating the comedian anew, sharing hit best bits from over the years on social media. Well, there’s good news for O’Brien loyalists old and new, as the travel series Conan O’Brien Must Go has premiered for those with a Max subscription , and critics are weighing in on if it’s worth the watch.

Conan O’Brien Must Go is a spinoff to the ex-late-night host’s podcast Conan O'Brien Needs a Friend and features the comedy veteran traveling all over the world to meet fans in destinations like Norway and Ireland. Longtime Coco followers may have an idea of what to expect, given THR writer Daniel Fienberg ’s description of the series as “smartly stupid fun.” The critic continues:

Conan O’Brien Must Go is a smartly dumb show — or a stupidly smart show — focused (loosely) on what is essential about travel. It’s a series about arriving in a new place open to meeting new people, learning new languages, tasting new foods and experiencing uncomfortable new circumstances … and then making fun of them, when all the while you’re mostly mocking yourself and the fears people have about stepping outside of their comfort zones.

The comedian’s self-deprecating humor and absurdity sticks out to the critics in the four-episode first season, with Decider’s Joel Keller saying Conan O’Brien’s willingness to put his ego aside and be completely silly is why his brand of comedy is still getting new life decades later. Keller writes:

That sort of self-deprecating, absurdist shtick is what has carried Conan for his entire career and three decades on, it still seems less like an act and more like the way Conan generally lives his life. It’s why it still comes off as genuine and really, really funny, whether you’ve been a fan of Conan since the ’90s or just became a fan in recent years.

Eric Deggans of NPR says Conan O’Brien’s talent is genius in that he can play the fool while leaving no doubt that he’s also the smartest person in the room. This quality is on display in every episode of Conan O’Brien Must Go , Deggans says, writing:

It's all an excuse for O'Brien to unleash his energetic wit, taste for silly absurdity and skill at drawing laughs from sympathetic — if often befuddled — strangers. Whether you enjoy this special will depend on how you feel about O'Brien's style, which can feel a bit like the world's best class clown doing everything possible to make you crack a smile.

Liz Shannon Miller of Consequence rates the series an A-, saying that if Conan must go, we must follow. The host keeps the energy high throughout the series and puts his new friends at ease by consistently making himself the butt of the joke. The critic says:

Whether playing football in Argentina or exploring his Irish heritage on the Emerald Isle, each episode is a playful, immersive delight. (Even the crew is having a good time; you can sometimes hear them laughing in the background.) And it all speaks to O’Brien’s abilities to not just find the funny in any moment, but connect with others.

Meredith Hobbs Coons of AV Club grades Must Go a B, agreeing with the above assessments that Conan O’Brien’s self-deprecation — in addition to his absurd and silly antics — are a joy to witness on screen again. Coons writes:

Yes, Conan stays Conan. He will always be a champion of the silliest, goofiest forms of comedy, with himself as the butt of every joke. It’s tough, when other people are brought into it, to tell exactly how enthused they are about their role in his brand of humor, especially when he’s in a new place and doesn’t speak the language. It’s worth mentioning that the vibes can be a bit off at times, and certain scenes seem to drag, as if he’s willing with all his might to draw comedy from them. But boy is it good to see Conan out there throwing his full, feral self (not just his voice) into the act again.

The critics seem to be in agreement that Conan O’Brien Must Go is a must-watch for fans of the famous talk show host. All four episodes are available now on Max — one of the best streaming services , per CinemaBlend’s staff — and be sure to check out our 2024 TV schedule to see what other premieres are coming soon.

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Heidi Venable is a Content Producer for CinemaBlend, a mom of two and a hard-core '90s kid. She started freelancing for CinemaBlend in 2020 and officially came on board in 2021. Her job entails writing news stories and TV reactions from some of her favorite prime-time shows like Grey's Anatomy and The Bachelor. She graduated from Louisiana Tech University with a degree in Journalism and worked in the newspaper industry for almost two decades in multiple roles including Sports Editor, Page Designer and Online Editor. Unprovoked, will quote Friends in any situation. Thrives on New Orleans Saints football, The West Wing and taco trucks.

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A dog at the centre of a major search effort after escaping animal transport handlers at Melbourne Airport has finally been reunited with his owners in Wales.

Milo the Jack Russell cross is settling into his new home in the United Kingdom after sparking a 17-day search and rescue effort in the industrial estate in Tullamarine .

"He was so excited to meet Nick and I today," said a relieved owner, Jason Whatnall.

"The hype and everything that's led up to this, I think it's all been a big adventure for him."

The international fugitive made headlines after Mr Whatnall took to social media appealing for the community to help find his lost furry friend.

He had only been at the airport for half an hour when he managed to escape his handler and race off.

A specialist animal rescuer came on board, driving around the industrial estate playing a recording of Mr Whatnall's voice through a speaker while businesses left food out to help keep him nourished and to try to lure him out of hiding.

Eventually, Milo was spotted sleeping underneath a shipping container and, with the aid of a special trap stocked with doggy treats, his life on the run came to a halt.

"Getting that call was a huge sigh of relief," Mr Whatnall said.

"Obviously being in the UK, I felt quite helpless and couldn't be there to search for Milo myself but thankfully the volunteers and community members stepped up to the plate."

Milo — who had lost 1.5 kilograms since going missing — was this week successfully loaded onto a plane to London and transported onto his new home in Wales where Mr Whatnall and his partner Nick were waiting.

"[Milo] was just crying and squeaking with delight, he couldn't wait to get out of the cage," Mr Whatnall said.

"He ran straight to Nick, we had cuddles and there's tears flowing and he jumped right up into my arms.

"We did it inside a house so it was safe, so we could really release him without him taking off for part two in London."

Mr Whatnall said the trio spent their first day back together playing and "hanging out".

"I think it's all catching up with him now," he said.

"He's a bit jet-lagged and needs a good sleep." 

Mr Whatnall said he planned on spoiling Milo with treats, including chicken and his favourite food, as the family forged a new life abroad.

Crafty canine ' would just bolt'

Animal rescuer Nigel Williamson and his colleague spent more than 84 hours combing the industrial estate.

He said Milo was an elusive target.

"While he was at large, he wouldn't go near anybody at all, we couldn't get within 300 metres of him — he saw a person and he would just bolt," Mr Williamson said.

"Once we had him out of the trap, he became very, very friendly and he returned back to his normal self."

Mr Williamson said he believed Milo used his Jack Russell instincts to hunt out rats and rabbits, and sifted through rubbish bins to find food.

He said a colleague who spent 39 hours staking out the shipping container yard made a video call to Mr Whatnall as soon as they retrieved Milo.

"Whether or not he recognised him or not, I'm not sure,": he said.

"[But] Milo was able to hear Jason's voice straight away and see him on the phone."

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