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.

Yes we got finance from VW. Be prepared to declare your inside leg measurements to them however!

It is a really difficult dilemma and I feel for you. One company we had a quote from did offer a two level service, the most expensive, they took care of all the paperwork etc, the other one you did all the paperwork and then took kitties to them for them to actually do the shipping etc to the airport. I think it was Pet Air. Why not put a question for Bob on here about the costs and practicality of doing this yourself. We took three cats with us and it cost £2500 for the shipping and about £2k for three in quarantine. Good luck whatever you decide!

We did ours with BUPA, you have to pay the month's premium upfront and you wont have to make any further payments until the policy actually starts, but this gives you the cover letter which will satisfy the needs of the Visa. Then when you are actually here you can then cancel the policy, but check out for any cancellation clauses. Also bear in mind in NSW you have to have ambulance cover. This isn't covered by Medicare.

Hi Crimson, I was never wanting to 'have a go' at responsible pet owners by this thread. And I am pleased your friend's Lab has worked out well also.:biggrin: If we weren't stupid cat people we wouldn't have spent stupid money on bring out a 16 year old grumpy tortie female, a bonkers 11 year old Burmese and the stupid 'schizo' 2 yo burmese x singapura (not being insulting to people with mental health issues as i have spent time in mental health research especially connected with first episode psychosis so not being horrid about these illnesses). Yet I have a cat with with similar symptoms! Go figure! Before we left I spent some time with my sister and we ended up in the pet dept of Harrods and they were selling chiahuas at £2k per puppy!!!!! That is the first time for a very long time i have seen dogs sold in a 'pet shop'. They did have a lot more space and seemed 'happy' but .... As I said this isn't having a go at responsible pet owners, just irrisponsible pet shops!

Crimson, don't worry about posting! It's really nice too know that there are some responsible pet shops out there! And being a mad cat person, I totally love that you have lovely cats as pets! Lol! one of mine a burmese x singapura is 'schirzoprehnic' and she came from a breeder (a very long and boring story!) So, sometimes it doesn't always work out! There were some kittens at my local pet store recently and they were lush, and I was chatting to a nice Aussie lady, and she agreed with me and did say that hopefully they will find a nice owner to look after them properly. So I do know there are a lot of responsible owners no matter where they get their pets from.

We are renting with three cats. I just discounted anything that said no pets, and just mentioned them to the agents at viewings etc. We didn't have to pay a pet bond, but did have to sign a pet clause.

Hi I found this out today, sorry if people already know, but for newbies might be useful. The vet advised me to register out cat's mircochips with the following agency, they are like Petlog back home: Australian Animal Registry (http://www.aar.og.au). Really easy to do online and cost $8 per animal. So now if they should 'heaven forbid' go missing, at least when they get scanned we can be reunited!

Our oldest went to the vets today for her booster jabs and the vet was very pleased with her health and overall condition bearing in mind her age. So if your vet says your cat is good to go, there is probably no reason why not!

Our oldest cat is 16 and has settled well. If there had been any doubt about her health and ability to travel we would not have brought her with us, we would have had her put to sleep. As hard as that is, we had to make sure she came for the right reasons, if there are any because I suppose you are always bringing your pets out for selfish reasons. I would not have rehomed her as there are enough unwanted pets in the UK why add a grumpy elderly cat to that list. She would never have found a home. You can get the normal cat food out here so don't forget you have 30 quarantine days to get them their favourite snacks! Our youngest cat doesn't go out as she is too stupid to let out, the middle one did go out back home but we have kept her indoors. She is a little grumpy about it sometimes. The oldest goes out in the yard, but doesn't get out. If you are in any doubt about your cats health and ability to travel have an honest conversation with your vet. I don't think I would ever have forgiven myself if she had not have made it through the flight.

It's nice to read a good ending to what at first was a post with a lot of emotion attached to it. Good luck back home!

Good luck! The next two days will be a massive whorl! Just don't stay in one place too long otherwise they will pack you as well! There will always be something you forget to do as well! Oh and make sure they don't pack bottles of cough medicine, ours pack a bottle of medicine which leaked in the box! Yuck!!!