As you might know, our volunteers, Bernice and Donovan, have migrated to Australia (we miss them dearly at all our events now) and they brought their three pet-cats along (Creamy, Butty and Pants).
The process involved a very thorough (and expensive!) medical check-up, carried out in stages months before and prior to Bern and Don’s departure, Creamy and friends had to be flown off on an earlier flight. Then, they had to undergo a one month quarantine in a luxury hotel in Melbourne while Bern and Done set up their home in Adelaide. They would drive 800 km to visit the cats, but only on certain days and only during visiting hours.
Today…finally (!!), the one month quarantine is over and Bern and Don will be re-united with their cats!
Here are some photos from Bern of their 2nd visit to Melbourne to see their cats: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10151099245268931.432390.696908930&type=1&l=398606dee1
We wish Bern, Don, Creamy, Butty and Pants a very, very happy life in Adelaide and do come visit us when you come this way.
Comments
5 responses to “Migrating with pets (a photo-sharing from Bernice Chee)”
One month quarantine? They are lucky. When I was moving back from the US (2002), initially I was planning to move to Ireland first for a year or two — the quarantine then was 6 months for Ireland! Total would cost me around 30,000 euro or more.
Because of the cants, I moved right back to NL instead. There my 13 cats did not have to face quarantine! We only need the regular health check and injections, plus micro-chips.
I am planning for Australia too in 4 years time, and i am most worried about the quarantine period too. Kah Yein, would Bernice be able to share the details of the whole process so that i could plan early to bring my cats over too? Anyhow i could get in touch through email?
I’ll get you in touch with Bernice.
The current law for imports of Cats and Dogs to Australia is a total of 180 days of quarantine. Of which 150 days can be done in Malaysia (in your own home), with the mandatory remaining 30 days to be in an Australian quarantine center (Perth, Sydney or Melbourne). There are 2 blood tests needed for cats, one of them (Nipah Virus) is time sensitive, in that the blood has to be taken at least 30 days before the animal’s arrival in Australia, and the results has to be negative. Best to consult an experience vet who knows the procedures needed. I have a very good vet who’s aunt (the reception/admin) helped me to manage and plan out the timing for everything, including securing the flights as she has direct contact with DVS for the export permits and MasKargo for the flight booking. She does not do this on a fulltime basis, as this is an extra service she provides to the customers of the clinic at a very reasonable fee. Anyone who wants her contact, can drop me and email: bernice@chee.com
For the record (and the less informed) Australia’s requirement is also 6 months if you move them immediately after the first rabbies test. However, if you are allowed to serve 5 months of the quarantine in the home country before they leave but there is a minimum quarantine of 1 month. Ireland actually has the same requirements. So, for those who expect to leave for home the same time as your cats and expect that it’s just 1 month of quarantine, think again. It’s a long long process that requires a lot of planning and logistics management (and of course, cash).