nicolaj

Hi, I'm sure this has been asked a number of times, but can anyone suggest pet shippers in Sydney? We are moving to Singapore later this year and obviously the cats are coming with us. Thanks for for any help.:biggrin:

It is totally gross!!! Apart from the fact the ranger 'put them down' at the tip, then just to throw them on the tip with all the general household waste is disgusting! I mean there must be regulations regarding the disposal of biological waste material. Vets must have to adhere to specific regulations when it comes to disposing of pets they have put to sleep and no doubt so do butchers and slaughter houses. So why does this person think a few 'stray' dogs are any different?

I suggest you talk to one of the many good pet relocation agents around, they will put your mind at rest. Let's face it many of us bring our pets out from the UK to Australia without mishap and there is no reason why it will be any different going back the other way. There are only a few airlines licensed to carry animals, I know Qantas and BA both carry animals. They are put in a special section in the hold, which is kept warm although I think they do dim the lights in the section to help keep the animals calm. I'm not 100% sure about the regulations regarding vaccinations and quarantine in the UK, but I think you will need to get puss vaccinated against all the usual stuff, but I think they will need feline lukemia and also rabies, although I don't think you need to go through all the blood testing. If they have all the vaccinations done then I don't think they need to go into quarantine in the UK. This is only my very very vague understanding of how it works, you really need to speak to some pet relocation agents for more information. I think they can travel on the same flight but again it depends on who you are using to fly home with. They will be checked on the stop-over section and re-watered as well. There is no reason why a healthy two year old cat should not be able to undertake the journey. To put it into perspective, our oldest cat was 16 when she flew out last November, the youngest was 2, and they are all non the worse for wear.

Hi Was just wondering if anybody had used a cat sitter when they have been away? Just looking at catteries for our three, but the ones we like are all quite a drive away and so I was thinking about cat sitters. If you have used one, who were they and would you recommend their service? There are a number of them on the internet and they all 'talk the talk', but fancy websites aren't all that matter! We want to know our little pride are going to be well looked after and the people who you are letting into your house are trustworthy! Thanks :biggrin:

Hi Folks Hubby wants to start scuba diving, never done this before, so I suppose we are wanting reviews of dive schools in Sydney so he can do his PADI and go from there. We are heading to Cairns in November when my sister and her partner are over, so I think he would like to get this completed and a couple of dives under the belt before we head on up there. Obviously if there are any that you wouldn't touch with a barge pole, then PM me as I don't want to get anybody into trouble! Glowing reviews below! Thank you guys!

We used Golden Arrow for our three cats, and couldn't fault them. Good luck with your journey and whoever you pick to transport your furry friends!

Agree that Taronga zoo is good and also the Sydney Wildlife Centre in Darling Harbour are great!

Some great advice and sharing of experiences. Can't ad d anything else. Just good luck, it's going to be an emotional journey for you all as a family, but hopefully you will find the right answer for all of you.

Think long and hard before you jump back in. Look into the costs of your Uni' course in the UK and in Aus. You may get stung for international student rates, which are breathakingly expensive. If nursing is what you really want to do, might be worth sticking it out back in the UK and then plan properly for a permanent return to Australia. Get your qualification and work experience under your belt, look after the money your partner has come into, and as others have said work on getting your visa sorted out in the UK during this time so hopefully you can then make a move back. Don't know your story, but just skimming the posts you moved back to the UK for a reason, if it was financial, then just because you have come into some cash, won't make it any better out here when it runs out. I don't know how long you have been back in the UK, but just like moving out here it will probably take a good 12 months to settle back down in the UK. Of course you also need to help out your partner as well and get to the bottom of why he is feeling so depressed, and if it is because he is struggling to settle, then again using your sensible head, plan properly for a return to Aus so hopefully he wont feel quite so trapped. Listen to your sensible head and good luck with what ever you decide to do.

Hi 3fatcats, yes if you are in the area or cbd, then pm me and we could sort something out. I am starting to make a few friends, but they work! So it would be nice to meet new people who are like me and have time on their hands in the week.

Wondered if there were any ladies in Balmain/Rozelle fancy meeting up for lunch/coffee during the week? I'm 41 and living in Balmain with my husband and three cats. I don't have any children, but don't hold that against me! LOL!!! We have been in Sydney for nearly 6 months, so if there are any newbies out there who want to meet up, or any 'oldies' as well, I'd love to hear from you.

We got here November and purchased the car in January. Took a few days to sort out, they want things like proof of earnings from your employer, so a letter from them which you will probably need for rental anyway. Details of bank account, and we also provided a few extra details such as a copy of the visa approval, passport, medicare card. They also wanted a copy of a payslip as well, but if you are paid forthnightly then this shouldn't be too much of a problem. They also asked details of any assests you have, such as property, even if this is back in the UK and other liabilities etc so don't be surprised if they ask you loads of strange questions. You wont get an instant decision like you do in the UK it has to go off and be 'underwritten' and it is doubtful they will do a 'balloon' style loan either it will probably be just a straight forward fixed rate type of loan. We also got away with only a $1k deposit as well, but the more you can put in the better.

Yep, computers are a dark art to Golden Arrow! But don't let that put you off, they shipped out three cats and couldn't fault them. They just like to talk to you about your needs.

Basically the closer to the beach you want to be, the more it will cost you, and the more competition there will be for property, along with the inevitable blood bath and rent bidding wars. We originally began to look along the Hornsby train line, Turramurra, Pymble, Wharringa etc. We saw a lot of dumps and some nice properties (usually owner occupied) in the region of $750pw, but you need to consider where you will be working and how easy it is to commute to CBD. If you are a little way from the train station, you probably need to drive and parking is not always good. The thing I found was the area seems to be devoid of footpaths so walking to the station would be restrictive. Another worry was feeling isolated in these areas, you really do have to drive to go for a night out etc and if your partner does not work they could feel very isolated if you don't have a car to get out and about. We ended up in Balmain, which suits us, loads of transport into the CBD as hubby works in CBD. Also great for a night out or to go back into the city to enjoy the theatres, cinema etc and a taxi ride is only about $20 dollars rather than $40+ for the Nothern Shores. Don't discount the southern shore areas as there are some nice suburbs, and you will never be that far from a beach if you want to visit. To be honest it is really very hard to recommend areas as what suits one just isn't right for another. Have a look at this site (http://www.cityhobo.com/cities/sydney) gives a bit of an overview of different suburbs.