Dogs in Australia

[Guest Mike H]

Can only speak from our experience thus far (still UK side).

We contacted a large number of couriers & while they all replied jets4pets's reply was'nt just a quote on the price and a fact sheet. It was quite a detailed response to all the issues that we raised. When I took the response that we had recieved to our vet, he himself was not aware of all the pre-travel type stuff that the response detailed (not knocking the vet, he's very good - just impressed upon us what a thorough response it was).

So the top tip is, start making arrangements for your pet as soon as you know that you are commited to going.

We have not had our visas confirmed yet but we have started the process for Hoople (our dog). If we are unkucky enough (God forbid) not to be granted Visas, you don't pay the big money out until much nearer the time. So no great financial loss (as I said, God forbid).

 

Regards the travelling, & again, this is only my understanding. A dog cannot be sedated to travel (something to do with blood pressure/altitude?), but I am told that once in a darkened hold many of them sleep. Like all of you that have asked questions, this is the bit that we have tormented over & for pet owners I don't think there is an easy answer. There is going to be some amount of stress involved (for us & the pets) but the way that we have looked at it is that literally hundreds of pets are transported in this manner every year and the they arrive in Oz. So it's just another stress hurdle to cross.

 

Once landed (were heading for Melbourne) there is only on kennel (or pound as they are known) for that area where your dog must be held (& recieves an inoculation against some mosquito carried canine bug!). I am told that you can visit twice a week.

 

Look at this thirty day period as a chance to find suitable accomodation that allows pets (not too difficult seemingly - you pay a bond against damage & must 'Flea bomb' the residence!) and sort all the other stuff that we will need to do.

 

We have friends who have used this courier & the Melbourne pound and recommended both to us.

 

Jets4pets are not the cheapest quote (or most expensive) but sometimes I think you pay for the peace of mind (and to me a personal recommendation carries a lot of weight).

 

The bottom line is that it will cost more to transport you pet to Oz than it will cost you & your partner combined to fly! But could you go without them.....?

 

Hope this is of some use. Good luck, I'll post again if more stuff comes to light

 

Mike & Jayne (& Hoople!)

[Guest westwoodc]

Me too, we have a staffy and a bulldog, the bulldog is scared of everything and I really worry how she will cope 30 days without us in a completely strange place.

[Petals]

Dogs and cats need to be neutered here, if they are entire then the registration with the council is quite expensive. Hence the RSPCA here neuters pubs and kittens under 8 weeks so that there is no problem. They also have to be microchipped. Cats are registered with the council and get discs like dogs. Cats have to remain on our property 24 hours a day. Years ago we used to see dogs around and cats, however now that they have got strict hardly ever see a dog off a lead, only in leash free areas. They are hot on picking up the poo too. Once council here in Melbourne took a person to court with DNA evidence that it was his dog that was dropping his lot where he shouldn't.

 

I have three cats and am allowed to have three dogs because we live on acreage, so its not really a problem for me, the cats don't go next door at all, mind you one did to her regret as their dogs killed her.

[Guest51810]

Dogs and cats need to be neutered here, if they are entire then the registration with the council is quite expensive. Hence the RSPCA here neuters pubs and kittens under 8 weeks so that there is no problem. They also have to be microchipped. Cats are registered with the council and get discs like dogs. Cats have to remain on our property 24 hours a day. Years ago we used to see dogs around and cats, however now that they have got strict hardly ever see a dog off a lead, only in leash free areas. They are hot on picking up the poo too. Once council here in Melbourne took a person to court with DNA evidence that it was his dog that was dropping his lot where he shouldn't.

 

I have three cats and am allowed to have three dogs because we live on acreage, so its not really a problem for me, the cats don't go next door at all, mind you one did to her regret as their dogs killed her.

 

Wow, sorry to hear that. What happened with you and the owners? I guess there was nothing that could be done. Cats were always coming into our garden and i used to worry a bit, i wouldnt trust lucy 100% with one. Saying that, it would have to be a very slow cat for her to get anywhere near it! They used to sit on the shed roof in the pitch dark winding her up but i didnt realise they were there till i put the garden light on lol

[ali]

This thread is from 2006

[Xenon4017]

I don't think Australians are dog-unfriendly in that they'll cross the street to avoid them. But having a dog does bring some limitations. Trying to find a rental will be more difficult. Some places exclude dogs. No one excludes you because you don't have a dog. Obviously holiday accommodation has the same issue.

 

In spite of the fact that there are quite a lot of spaces where dogs are allowed, many Australians just keep their dogs in the yard permanently, which I think is a pity.

 

There are beaches where dogs aren't allowed. There are also dog beaches where you can let your dog run around and paddle in the sea.

 

As far as bringing a dog into the country, the flight and quarantine is generally no problem.

[GOTTY]

We brought our staffie and our westie with us (wouldn't have come if they didn't) and I seem to remember we used Petair ..... Alfie our westie was fine but Gus our staffie struggled with the flight (chewed out of two cages) and hated quarantine but they are fine now, they are our family here and not sure if we could have got through the last few years without them as no matter how crap you feel, you come in and they are all over you with their big smiley faces, you can't help but smile .... I adore my boys (as you can tell) and if you can bring your pets then do it, you won't regret it. Aussies don't have the same attitude to dogs as we do (well none of the ones I have met do) .... lots are outside dogs (which bark all sodding day usually cos they never get exercised) and some are kept in awful conditions (tiny cramped back yards full of poo and wouldn't know a walk if it hit them) so be prepared for sayings like 'you brought your dogs over, god what for you could have got new ones' .... pillocks!!

[fourcorners]

Although this thread is old I think it's still valid and some info may have changed since 2006. For example I expect it is harder to rent with a dog now especially in very urban areas.

 

Originally I really wanted to get a dog here as I had to leave my cat behind (he was 19 at the time and my partner was allergic to him so he was best left with my mum). I still really would like a pet but we have decided not to get a dog because of the following reasons:

 

1. We are both away from home during the week from 6am until 5pm and not being able to give it enough attention

2. Our dog would be a family indoor pet and not kept in a back yard like most Australians keep their dogs - this would make it harder to find a rental

3. Part of the benefits of keeping a dog are getting regular walks but the areas you can actually go and let them off the lead are few and far between

4. If you do go out in the bush, the abundance of wild dog baits mean it is unsafe to let a dog off the lead as you'd end up with a dead dog

5. The possibility of us moving back to the UK in a year or two - wouldn't like the expense of relocating said dog

6. Most dogs I know here are quite dirty and smelly - I think this is because they are kept outdoors and the earth is red - this is not the life I would want for my pet

7. We like going to national parks where dogs are not allowed (I should probably put this higher up the list!)

 

Growing up in the UK we took our dogs almost everywhere. I share the view that Australians, whilst very fond of owning dogs, do not have the same connection to their pets as many British people would understand. They like having a dog that lives in the backyard and 'protects' the house, but the dog isn't really a big part of the family. Of course there are exceptions - all the nice people in park who take their dogs out are the exceptions. But there are hundreds more dogs stuck in backyards that rarely get out for walks.

[starlight7]

Dog unfriendly? Quite the reverse. Many are cat-unfriendly though which is a shame. There are far too many woofers here- bark all night, drive you nuts.

[Candygirl]

It was never an option for my girls not to become Aussies. I have had quite a few remarks from people and even pet owners saying "are you mad and how much, you could get new ones".

 

We have decided to use Bob at PetAir and have to say thus far he has been brilliant and has really held our our, well my hand. He has given us some much information and advice.

 

My Beagle is not going to like the flight or being stuck in a kennel, but I will make it up to her. We have bought a travel crate for dogs and we have been enticing her into it in the hope that when she has to go in the "real thing" she will be OK about it. I am very anxious about the dogs going over, but have read lots of reports from owners who have sent their dogs (good and bad) and the majority of pets and owners get through it unscathed.

 

My two dogs are used to living in a warm climate and prefer to be outside whenever they can, so I am sure that won't be a problem for them. Re the renting, if I were a landlord, personally I would prefer someone with a dog rather than a child, but that's just my experience.

[VERYSTORMY]

People bringing cats and dogs also need to be aware that many areas have restrictions on how many you can have. If you are bringing 3 dogs, you need to research which areas you can live in as it may be restricted.

[Tulip]

For me it was very difficult to get permission to bring my dog, as she's technically on breeding contract to my mother. Eventually persuaded her, as my dog is quite clingy and will love no one but me. She is quite simply irreplaceable and even if I had to live in a hole, she'd be coming with me!

We are also using PetAir and Rachel has been totally wonderful and helpful all of the time. I've paid the most part of Maisy's trip, just need to pay quarantine now!

I am lucky enough that we're staying with hubby's family so will have somewhere to stay with her until we find a rental that allows dogs. Likewise I don't plan on keeping her outdoors, as she isn't an outdoors dog. We've just got to do her final blood test now before she can go, strange how it's all coming together when six months ago I thought I'd never get it together and get her exported correctly! Her migration process has been way more stressful than mine.

[Love Shoes]

We brought our little dog, initially we had worked on the costings for two, but sadly one got sick and had to be put to sleep ..... :cry:

 

She did 6 weeks in quarantine in Sydney, then was flown from Sydney down to us, I think we used dogtainers ... $300 was the figure, which we both thought was reasonable ....

 

 

Not once did we ever think about leaving our dogs behind, they are our family, the six weeks whilst she was in quarantine was weird, because we both knew she was in the country but not with us, and every time we went for a walk or to see the kangaroos we would say '' coco will love this', she has fortunately settled in very well. At first she was a bit quiet, but after 6 weeks in quarantine we would expect to have lost some trust .. but now she is back to normal, licks and cuddles all round ...

 

The preparation for their trip can be a bit complex but if you are using a really good pet courier such as pet air they will assist withwhat is needed and when it is needed, we didn't use pet air, but did use a very good reputable company who we would recommend without hesitation ...

 

 

Finding a rental .... it wasn't easy, but I think a lot depends more on the agents, rather than the landlord's, be careful please if an agent says ' sign the contract, but if the owner comes round, or when it's inspection time make sure she is outside', one agent said that to me, I walked out of their offices .. disgusted .... and nearly in tears ... our landlord has two dogs so having a tenant with a small dog wasn't an issue, I personally wouldn't worry about dogs in my property if I was renting out especially if the property was unfurnished .... but not everyone sees things as I do .... I found an agent who was not dog unfriendly and stuck with this agent, also I built up a relationship with them which helped, as they recommended us highly to the owner, and we have now been in the same rental for 12 months and have no plans on leaving ...

 

 

So for us bringing our dog was imperative, if the dog couldn't have come, neither would I, and at first when we couldn't find a rental, we were both prepared to leave the country and go back home, my OH's employer laughed when he suggested this, that was until they realised he was being deadly serious ......

[calNgary]

People bringing cats and dogs also need to be aware that many areas have restrictions on how many you can have. If you are bringing 3 dogs, you need to research which areas you can live in as it may be restricted.

 

Its 2 dogs maximum around here but i believe you can easily apply for a permit to keep more, the amount dependent on the plot size i think.

 

​ Cal x

[Kapri]

We have decided against bringing our dog.

She is 13 and very anxious. The last time she stayed in kennels was 3 years ago and when we collected her she couldn't bark as she had barked so much she lost her voice! Since then, if we go away, she stays with family. We are worried the stress of the flight and quarantine would be too much.

. She is going to live with my Mum who she has known and loved since she was a pup.

We will know she is being well cared for and the kids will be able to see her on Skype.