Thankfully, many people have safely moved their dogs and cats to Australia, and there are plenty of resources and professional pet move specialists available to assist. If a move to Sydney lies ahead and you’d like to bring your furry family member along with you, here are a few tips to get you started.
Start Early and Research the Requirements
Pet owners moving to Sydney should start planning their relocation at least 6 to 12 months before they intend to relocate. Because it’s a complicated process, err on the side of caution by enlisting the help of an expert as soon as you know you’re moving in order to avoid any costly missteps.
Australia is a rabies-free country, which means that incoming pets must fulfil a series of time-sensitive requirements ending in a mandatory 10-day quarantine. This sounds a lot scarier than it really is, but it’s pretty important to have a good handle on the process in order to make the transition as smooth as possible.
Mike Cardno, Regional Manager for North America and Oceania at Pet Relocation, estimates that that entire process takes at least 180 days. “It’s really important to take into account that both vets and pet owners are involved,” he says, and that’s why hiring an expert as early as possible in the process is strongly recommended.
In terms of quarantine facilities, Pet Relocation has found the staff there to be very professional and the facilities well run. “We have every confidence that pets receive the special care they need while with the DAFF teams in Australia,” says Cardno. DAFF stands for Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, and the official quarantine facility is in Melbourne.
For official Australia Quarantine info click here.
Take Advantage of the Resources Available
For people who decide to handle all or part of the move themselves or want to get a head start on settling in, spend some time reading expat blogs (like this one!) and exploring social media like Twitter and Facebook to connect with people who have made this move before you and thus have great tips to share. Because moving pets to Sydney does take quite a bit of time and effort, many people ultimately decide to hire experts to handle the logistics for them. Handing a move over to someone who does this every day is an instant stress-reliever for pet owners and ultimately the pets themselves, as it leaves time and energy for other things.
Be Flexible
Preparing yourself to deal with the unexpected is easier said than done, but remember that pets pick up on your demeanour and will benefit if you’re able to remain as calm and organised as possible. Try to maintain a regular schedule for your pet in terms of eating and exercise in the weeks before the move, and in addition to planning as well as you can, acknowledge the fact that complicated pet moves might reveal a surprise here and there, but for every new question that arises, there is an answer to be found.
About the Author: This article was contributed by Caitlin Moore. It is very fortunate for us as Caitlin works at PetRelocation, based in Austin, TX. Pet Relocation provides safe, door-to-door pet transportation services worldwide and has received several customer service awards for their work in the relocation industry.
Disclosure of Material Connection: This is a “sponsored post.” The company who sponsored it compensated me via a cash payment, gift, or something else of value. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
What Are You Taking to Sydney When You Move? Do You Know Yet?
The truth is you don’t need to know right now, for sure, what’s going with you.
But you do have to get a shipping quote ASAP, especially now.
Why? Because international moving companies need to schedule your move to Australia far in advance, some ask for 6 months in advance. Yes, COVID has changed everything, including international shipping.
When filling out the form below…
- You don’t need a street address for where you’re moving to, only the city and country. What they really want to know is the main shipping port.
- Moving date is an estimate. You don’t need exact dates right now. Go with your best guess.
- Estimate volume is an estimate. Don’t bother with calculating your volume. Use one of the estimates below for your estimated volume.
- Studio or 1 Bedroom —> 20 m3
- 2 Bedroom —> 25 m3
- 3 Bedroom —> 30 m3
- 4 Bedroom or 3 Bedroom + Car —> 50 m3
- Use your “real” contact details for BOTH phone and email. Yes, the form is secure. If you don’t use your real contact details, then they can’t get in touch with you for your quote. Makes sense, right?
