International and Domestic Travel with Pets - Guidelines and advice

Things You Need to Know Before Undertaking

International and Domestic Travel with Pets

 
1. Can I take my pet overseas with me ?
 
Yes of course you can but unless you are travelling to another state within Australia including Tasmania, New Zealand, Norfolk Island or the Cocos Keeling Islands, your pet will need to go into quarantine for a minimum of 30 days on your return. The maximum length of quarantine will depend on the country you’re visiting. However AQIS (Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service) which oversees quarantine services cannot guarantee that dogs and cats taken out of Australia will be eligible for re-entry from any country.
Also be aware that pets returning to Australia from some countries will never be approved for re-entry under any circumstances.
 
When your cat or dog is exported from Australia they immediately relinquish their Australian health status. While overseas your cat or dog may be exposed to exotic diseases and depending on which country they have resided in may not meet Australian import requirements upon return.
 
Visit AQIS by clicking on this link for more details about what countries are approved and non-approved www.daff.gov.au/aqis/cat-dogs or call The Live Animal Imports Program on 02 6272 4454
Also click on this link to check the IATA Country specific regulations for shipping pets.
 
2. When do you want your pet to travel ?
 
Contact the airline you have selected to confirm that they will accept your pet on the day and flight that you propose. Some airlines restrict the number of animals on a flight so the more advance notice you give them the better.
Some airlines will not accept certain breeds of dog or cat, and some airlines do not accept pets for carriage at all, therefore your pet may need to travel with a different airline. For domestic travel within Australia, Jetstar and Tiger do not accept pets for carriage. This limits your choice to Virgin and Qantas.
If you intend shipping your pet as air freight, check with the airline to ensure the air freight facility is open so your pet may be accepted by you or the consignee.
It is preferable to ship your pet on a week day as all staff are working and liaison is easier all along the route.
The transport of snub nose dogs, such as Boxers, Pugs, Boston Terriers, Bulldogs, Japanese Chins, King Charles Spaniels, Lhasa Apso, Shar-Pei, Shih Tzu, Pekingese and cats such as Persian, Ragdoll, Turkish Van in summer is not recommended. These animals have difficulty in maintaining a normal body temperature in hot weather. Check with your airline first on their policy in relation to this.
 
3. Do you have a suitable container for housing your pet during the flight ?
 
Pet Travel is only permitted with the use of an IATA (International Air Transport Association) approved carrier or crate. This is applicable to both domestic and International travel. It is vital that your carrier/crate meets these requirements to ensure your cat or dog cannot escape while travelling. For detailed information on the IATA guidelines in relation to the transport of live animals by air CLICK HERE. The PP range of pet carriers that Pets Pantry carry are all IATA approved. CLICK HERE for a list and prices on the PP range of carriers that Pets Pantry offer. 
 
4. What is the appropriate sized carrier/crate for my pet ?
 
It is important you purchase or hire the right sized carrier/crate for the transport of your pet. This means your carrier/crate needs to have enough space for your pet to stand up in, turn around in while standing, sit erect in and lie down in.
 
 
fig 1. Measuring the length and height of your pet.
fig 2.. Measuring the width of your pet.
 
With reference to fig 1 and fig 2 above you will need to ascertain the following measurements:
 
Length of your Pet (A)
 
While standing up run a tape measure from the tip of your pet’s nose to the tip of their rump in a straight line. Do not include the tail in your measurement.
 
Total Height of Your Pet (B) & Length of Front Legs (C)
 
Measure your pet from the bottom of their front paw to the top of their head while they are standing upright. Include your pet’s ears in this measurement. This will determine how much height they need in the carrier/crate when standing upright.
Next measure the length of one of your pets front legs from bottom of the paw to the chest. This will help determine how much room they will need length wise to lie down in comfortably.
 
Width of your Pet (D)
 
Measure your pet’s width across the shoulders. This will give you an indication of how much room your pet has available to turn around in while in the pet carrier/crate.
 
Weight of your Pet
 
Finally you need to know your pet’s weight. Drop down to your local vet and place your pet on the scales or if you have accurate scales at home weigh and record your weight and then weigh yourself holding your pet. Subtract the difference.
 
Now that you have gathered all these measurements you are now able to work out what size carrier or crate you require.
 
Using the internal dimensions on the PP range of dog and pet carrier as an example we can work out which carrier is the most appropriate for your travel needs.
 
Carrier
 
Internal dimensions (cm)
Length x Width x Height
Suitable Breeds
Max Weight
PP20
 
49L x 32W x 36H
Cats, small puppies, rabbit, guinea pig
10kg
PP30
 
60L x 39W x 45H
Bichon, Jack Russell, Peckinese
15kg
PP40
69L x 39W x 51H
Cocker Spaniel, Cairn Terrier, West Highland Terrier
20kg
PP50
 
77L x 52W x 60H
Beagle, Whippet, Staffy, Small Border Collie
25kg
PP60
88L x 57W x 74H
Golden Retriever, Labrador, Siberian Husky, Australian Shepherd
35kg
PP70
110L x 60W x 78H
Afghan, Doberman, Airedale, Setter, German Shepherd, Rottweiler
50kg
 
Using the measurements you gathered compare them to the internal dimensions on the PP pet carriers as set out above. Add an additional 2 cm for the height (B) measurement taken. For length (A) add A plus ½ the measurement taken for leg length (C). For turn around space double the width measurement and add 2cm. So for example a dog that is 45cm long, 45cm high, has a leg length of 18cm and is 17cm wide at the shoulders the most appropriate carrier from the table is a PP40 ie the dimensions recorded are 54L (45 + 9) x 36W (17 x 2 +2) x 47H (45 + 2).
 
5. Preparing your pet for a stress free journey
 
Before taking your pet to the airfreight terminal it’s essential you familiarise your pet with the carrier/crate you intend shipping them in. You should line the crate with their favourite bedding or blanket, throw in their favourite toy and coax them to stand up in & lie down in the carrier/crate. Ideally encourage them to regularly rest or sleep in the carrier/crate a few weeks before their journey. This will minimise stress when they are finally secured on the plane. Animals behave perfectly fine when they are accustomed to the carrier or crate they will be transported in.
 
Reduce the quantity of food fed to your pet the day before departure but give it plenty of water
Take your dog for a walk before leaving for the airport and again before check-in. This will give you the opportunity for your pet to empty their bladder.
Except in the case of very young animals, your pet should not be fed for twelve hours prior to travel and should be exercised before being crated. Having said that if you're having trouble calming your pet, a light meal 2 hours before tendering the animal to the carrier will help.
 
6. Can my pet travel with me in the cabin of the plane ?
 
Generally not, although some airlines do allow small dogs and cats in the cabin. They must be suitably restrained. Most airlines prefer to transport them as special baggage in the heated and well ventilated hold. Do not worry, cats and dogs actually travel better this way because it is quieter and they will rest in a darkened environment.
 
7. Does my pet get water and food when they are travelling on the plane ?
 
It depends on the length of your flight. If it is a domestic flight with no stops then no they won’t. If it is an International Flight with scheduled stops then yes your pet will be provided with water and exercise on route.
The PP range of airline approved carriers are fitted with a funnel and water container so your pet will have water available ad lib on the flight. The water container will usually be filled before the flight leaves.
 
8. Health Issues
 
Ensure that your pet is currently vaccinated and has received a monthly treatment for fleas and heartworm recently. Dogs travelling to Northern Australia should be treated for ticks. CLICK HERE to purchase Advantix for ticks. CLICK HERE to purchase Frontline Plus which as well as flea control also offers limited tick control. If travelling overseas most countries require pets to have a current C3 of C5 vaccination for dogs and F3 or F4 vaccination for cats as well as a rabies vaccination.
 
Sedation and use of tranquilisers on pets being transported
 
It has been a long standing practice of the IATA and its carriers to discourage the use of sedatives and tranquilizers in animals transported either as cargo or as cabin baggage due to the potential for adverse effects during transport. This view is endorsed by veterinary organizations.

It is not recommend that your pet be sedated. If your pet is familiarised with the carrier/crate well in advance of their flight (see point 5) sedation is unnecessary. However if you do feel that this is necessary, you should seek veterinary advice on appropriate medication and dosage. Ensure you notify the airline when checking in that your pet has been sedated. You will need to supply the name of the drug, administration time and dosage level.
The most common sedative used is Acepromazine (ACP). ACP has been found to have the following consequences for travelling pets:
  • It relaxes the respiratory muscles making breathing difficult. This leads to over-exertion just for breathing, which lowers blood sugar and can also alter the body's temperature control mechanism.
  • Animals administered this drug often lose their righting ability, their sense of balance and ability to maintain equilibrium.
  • Depending upon the dosage, they can lose the ability to correctly position themselves within the carrier/crate and are susceptible to injury as well as obstruction of their airway due to an abnormal posture. This can also be dangerous as your pet will most likely will be exposed to increased altitude pressures, heightening the risk of respiratory and cardiovascular problems while travelling.
While sedatives have a number of legitimate clinical usages and can be helpful in minimizing aggressive behavior as well as facilitating the induction of anesthesia with other agents, its use without frequent or continual observation of the animal can lead to situations where your animal’s life can be threatened.
Snub nosed cats and dogs in particular are adversley affected by sedatives.
 
9. Dealing with airlines

Airlines have specific procedures in place for the acceptance, handling and delivery of animals. The environmental needs of the animals are duly considered during loading, off-loading or at a transit stop.

 

Animal shipper
 

You can either find an animal shipper who can make all the necessary reservations and take full charge from collecting your pet, boarding it if need be, taking it to the airport and having it met at the other end and delivered to it's final destination.

In some countries, this may be the easiest and surest method and some airlines will not accept animals handled by anyone other than a animal shipper. The airlines can usually give you a list of preferred shippers with whom they work.

It is possible however for you to make all the transport arrangements yourself. If you plan to do this check with the airline well in advance to ascertain their rules and any special requirements they may have for shipping pets.

Health Certificate

Most airlines require a health certificate for any animal they are transporting, whether it be in the cabin or as an unaccompanied shipment. The health certificate is prepared by your veterinarian and should stipulate that your pet animal is healthy and fit to fly.

Flight confirmation

Contact the airline you have selected to confirm that they will accept your pet on the day and flight that you prefer. Some airlines restrict the number of animals on a flight so the more advance notice you give them the better. Reconfirm at least 48 hours before departure.

Check-in

Find out how soon before the flight you have to check in. Pets become stressed with all the bustle at an airport, so keep it to a minimum.

  • If your pet is allowed in the cabin, check in as late as possible.
  • If it is going in the hold, check in early so that it can go to the baggage area and be put somewhere quiet and dimly lit in order to relax.

By following these guidelines and planning your pet's flight well in advance you will minimise stress on both yourself and your pet. This will give you time to plan and cope with any issues that arise well before the departure date.