What you need to know about travelling with your pet in Australia
When you’re heading out on holiday, it’s normal to want to take your family along – including, occasionally, the four-legged, furry kind. But how easy is it to bring your fur-babies with you for your holiday if you’re travelling to Australia? Here are some of the things you need to know about bringing your pet on holiday with you.
If you’re coming from overseas, it can be a lengthy process to bring your dog or cat into the country.
Australia has very strict quarantine laws, with different regulations depending on which country you come from. So, whether or not it’s possible to bring your pets along to enjoy your Aussie holiday will depend on your commitment to the idea and the length of your stay.
Currently, animals must spend a minimum of 10 days in an Australian Quarantine Facility, with the possibility of a much, much lengthier stay (of 30+ days) if a tick is found on your animal. If you’re only in Australia for two weeks, you might be better off leaving your pet behind with a sitter.
If you’re planning on spending more time Down Under, your animal will need to be micro-chipped, vaccinated, healthy and neither pregnant nor suckling young. Australia also has breed restrictions for dogs, with breeds like the dogo Argentino, American Pit bull terrier and Japanese tosa unable to enter the country. The same applies for wild animal/domestic animal hybrids – such as wolf hybrids or wild-cat hybrids.
If you’re eligible, you’ll need to go through a series of tests to determine whether your animal is able to come to Australia, such as testing for rabies, Ehrlichia canis and Brucellosis, among other things.
It may seem like a lot, but since these conditions don’t exist in Australia, quarantine officials are keen to keep them out.
Once you arrive in Australia and your pet has hung out in quarantine for 10 days, you’ll be free to explore the country together! It’s a long process, but if you’re going to be in Australia for a long time then it’s may be all worth it.
Note that there are fees involved in holding and processing your animals throughout quarantine. More information about bringing your pet to Australia can be found on the Australian Department of Agriculture website.
Keep your details up to date
There’s nothing worse than losing something on a holiday, but imagine if that something was your four-legged friend! Before you head off on your holiday, make sure your animal’s microchip details are up to date. You can also get an ID tag with your mobile number so if someone finds your animal they can contact you right away.
It’s important to keep your animal comfortable
Long trips can obviously be uncomfortable for dogs and cats, so take your pet’s favourite toys – this way, when you prepare to settle into your pet-friendly accommodation, you’ll be able to give them something familiar to help them settle. A comfortable bed is also a great idea, so they have something familiar to sleep on.
Treats for one and all!
Bring along your pet’s favourite treats and hand them out liberally. You want your pet to associate this new place with a good thing, and giving treats is a great way to do that. Practicing some basic obedience commands with your dog – such as sit, lie down and roll over – will also help your dog feel more at home.
Show your pet around
When you arrive at your pet-friendly accommodation, take some time showing your animal around. Walk them through different rooms, letting them explore and feel more comfortable in their surroundings. Show them the backyard or the litter tray, but don’t get too frustrated if they have an accident or two – remember, this is all new for them, too!
Be tick smart
Paralysis ticks can be found all over Australia, but particularly in coastal areas. If you’re travelling along the coast, contact a local vet to find out what the tick situation is and be sure to protect your pets from ticks if need be.
If you’re coming from overseas, it can be a lengthy process to bring your dog or cat into the country.
Australia has very strict quarantine laws, with different regulations depending on which country you come from. So, whether or not it’s possible to bring your pets along to enjoy your Aussie holiday will depend on your commitment to the idea and the length of your stay.
Currently, animals must spend a minimum of 10 days in an Australian Quarantine Facility, with the possibility of a much, much lengthier stay (of 30+ days) if a tick is found on your animal. If you’re only in Australia for two weeks, you might be better off leaving your pet behind with a sitter.
If you’re planning on spending more time Down Under, your animal will need to be micro-chipped, vaccinated, healthy and neither pregnant nor suckling young. Australia also has breed restrictions for dogs, with breeds like the dogo Argentino, American Pit bull terrier and Japanese tosa unable to enter the country. The same applies for wild animal/domestic animal hybrids – such as wolf hybrids or wild-cat hybrids.
If you’re eligible, you’ll need to go through a series of tests to determine whether your animal is able to come to Australia, such as testing for rabies, Ehrlichia canis and Brucellosis, among other things.
It may seem like a lot, but since these conditions don’t exist in Australia, quarantine officials are keen to keep them out.
Once you arrive in Australia and your pet has hung out in quarantine for 10 days, you’ll be free to explore the country together! It’s a long process, but if you’re going to be in Australia for a long time then it’s may be all worth it.
Note that there are fees involved in holding and processing your animals throughout quarantine. More information about bringing your pet to Australia can be found on the Australian Department of Agriculture website.
Keep your details up to date
There’s nothing worse than losing something on a holiday, but imagine if that something was your four-legged friend! Before you head off on your holiday, make sure your animal’s microchip details are up to date. You can also get an ID tag with your mobile number so if someone finds your animal they can contact you right away.
It’s important to keep your animal comfortable
Long trips can obviously be uncomfortable for dogs and cats, so take your pet’s favourite toys – this way, when you prepare to settle into your pet-friendly accommodation, you’ll be able to give them something familiar to help them settle. A comfortable bed is also a great idea, so they have something familiar to sleep on.
Treats for one and all!
Bring along your pet’s favourite treats and hand them out liberally. You want your pet to associate this new place with a good thing, and giving treats is a great way to do that. Practicing some basic obedience commands with your dog – such as sit, lie down and roll over – will also help your dog feel more at home.
Show your pet around
When you arrive at your pet-friendly accommodation, take some time showing your animal around. Walk them through different rooms, letting them explore and feel more comfortable in their surroundings. Show them the backyard or the litter tray, but don’t get too frustrated if they have an accident or two – remember, this is all new for them, too!
Be tick smart
Paralysis ticks can be found all over Australia, but particularly in coastal areas. If you’re travelling along the coast, contact a local vet to find out what the tick situation is and be sure to protect your pets from ticks if need be.
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