For expat families wanting to bring their dogs or cats to Australia, you must understand the systems and pre-book your pets with the proper quarantine stations in each state of Australia. You must contact the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Forestry to make sure your pet is current on their vaccinations, has been micro chipped, and make sure your pet is from an approved country, and is an approved breed to bring into the country. The conditions will be different for disability dogs.

The length of time of quarantine depends on which country your pet is coming from.  For example, Cats and dogs from the Republic of South Africa are required to complete a minimum of 210 days in quarantine. Cat and dogs from Hawaii only require 30 days. Dogs and cats from New Zealand require 0 days. Each country has a category number and you can check that length of time on the DAFF website.

Research has shown me that the psychological impact of putting your pets in quarantine is much worse for the human owners than for the pets. The quarantine stations offer state of the art care, will accommodate older pets and even pets with medical conditions. You can visit your pets and you can mail approved toys. Pets are exercised and given play time.   Stories come back that pets are spoiled rotten and have plenty of one on one time. You will speak to their caregivers and can give them specific instructions. Your pet can have their favourite blankie as well. They adapt quickly to new situations.

 The cost involved depends on the length of stay and how many pets you have. 

Horses can be brought in if from approved countries and rabbits and specific bird species only from New Zealand.  My advice is to plan things well in advance and don’t feel too bad about putting your babies in quarantine. It will be worth it in the long term.