Problem moving from Canada back to Australia - but bringing new family (wife, newborn + pet dog)
Posted by pittopottamus@reddit | expats | View on Reddit | 22 comments
Hi all,
As stated I’d like to bring my new family back to my homeland where we’ll have more support and greater opportunity to provide a better life for our new baby.
Unfortunately various pet shipping companies have quoted 10-15k to bring our dog. Wifey has a strong bond with the dog and bringing the pup is a must do to ensure a successful move.
Multiple airlines state they’ll only accept dogs internationally if they’re booked through one of these extortionate companies that arrange pet shipping, notably Air Canada, Air NZ and Qantas. Despite this, IATA states that you can arrange for the transport of pets internationally without one of these companies on their website.
I guess I’m just wondering if any of you have been through this process and have any tips or advice on how I should proceed because we’re hung up on this, and we only have a limited amount of time before we’re getting demovicted which will force us into an even shitter situation financially.
267MtlSyd@reddit
I’m in a similar situation myself and was wondering if you could provide an update on how you went with this? :(
pittopottamus@reddit (OP)
Yeah we couldn’t find an alternative and couldn’t justify the expense, thankfully my spouses mother took the dog so at least she stayed in the family
fluffypsychedelia@reddit
I couldn’t leave my dog behind ever. I’d max a credit card out if I had to. That’s family!
Cuppa-Tea-Biscuit@reddit
Importing dogs into Australia has quite a lot of complicated steps and had more requirements on 1 March 2023, which is roughly when many airlines changed to only accepting those which were being organised by pet shipping companies. While well intentioned, most of your suggestions would mean the dog wouldn’t meet requirements.
https://www.agriculture.gov.au/biosecurity-trade/cats-dogs/how-to-import/step-by-step-guides#group-3-country-cats-and-dogs
fluffypsychedelia@reddit
I know that Australia is much more strict .. pretty ridiculous if someone on the other side can provide all the relevant documents of vaccination and such. Also Australia is just as much of a dog loving country as the US.
I know the concern is about bringing rabies into the country, but again, If a dog has all the relevant medical information then it shouldn’t be an issue.
Cuppa-Tea-Biscuit@reddit
We’re prepared to take no risks with rabies, given that we’ve never had it here. If it got in, we have no idea how it will impact native wildlife, and it would change completely how we deal with them.
The rabies vaccine also doesn’t work quite the same way as others (hence the 6 months of rabies titre tests). Plus there’s all the other concerns.
And compared to what it would do to the place, we’re prepared for people to be inconvenienced bringing animals in. Part of it is to discourage people moving their animals internationally unless they’re really keen on it and are prepared to actually take precautions.
pittopottamus@reddit (OP)
Thank you for the ideas <3
Spirited-Dirt-9095@reddit
Use a pet transportation service. I know how expensive they are - I brought two dogs to Canada from the UK - but it's worth it to know that there will be no hiccups.
pittopottamus@reddit (OP)
We don’t have the money.
SoybeanCola1933@reddit
Why are you getting thumbed down???
pittopottamus@reddit (OP)
Idk probably a few Pat Bateman type folk
monbabie@reddit
I don’t know the Aus regulations but what about having you fly separately with the dog on a less direct flight maybe using like Lufthansa, even if you have to make additional transfers, and then having your wife and baby fly more directly ? Would that help?
videodroner@reddit
I’m not sure about Australia- but I did US to UK (UK requires all pets to be in cargo through a pet export company) and a workaround was groups of people chattering a private jet together to fly with their dogs in the cabin. The price can be about the same or cheaper depending on the number of people, etc. You can find them through Facebook expat groups.
Emmanulla70@reddit
You need to rehome your dog. Its tough to do. But you need to be practical. Find your dog the best home you can.
I am an incredible dog lover. I had to do this back some years ago, because the council declared my dog dangerous and wanted to kill her. she was the most beautiful dog. I found someone interstate who could take her. It had to be interstate as rules are that she had to be continued to be labelled dangerous in our state.
It was the most heartbreaking thing to do. I cried SO much. But for her? i had to do it. I wanted her happy & safe. The person she went to loved her to bits and took wonderful care of her. She died of old age only a few months ago.
As long as dogs are loved and cared for? They will be okay.Its much harder for them, then us.
All the best.
pittopottamus@reddit (OP)
I understand the sentiment but I think each situation is unique and if there were family or friends here that could take her in we’d do that but it’s not an option, she’s a very demanding dog that is wildly protective so without even considering the emotional aspect, rehoming her would be incredibly difficult.
Emmanulla70@reddit
Well.It will cost you a motza & hopefully dog wont be tramatised. Try to think of it from the dogs point of view.Dogs dont understand moving across the world, planes or quarantine.
Yourmominatotebag@reddit
I don’t have a solution but I can empathise. I had to rehome my 2 cats when I moved back to Aus because of the high cost of import. I just didn’t have the money. Hoping you find a solution that isn’t crazy expensive.
fluffypsychedelia@reddit
What about a ship that transports pets? Is that cheaper than an airline? It’ll take much longer for your pet though
zyine@reddit
This person did DIY for about $5k
pittopottamus@reddit (OP)
Thank you
Cuppa-Tea-Biscuit@reddit
You’re confusing gov requirements with the airline requirements. The airlines have got the restrictions in place since they have a realistic (ie low) view in the likelihood of people getting the paperwork all correct if they DIY and don’t want to be left trying to deal with a dog or cat that Customs won’t accept.
pittopottamus@reddit (OP)
I’m not confused about the requirements, not sure how you inferred that. I think the airlines that require the use of one of the companies probably do so for a few reasons; because it’s easier than vetting all the paperwork themselves, it absolves them of responsibility if/when something happens, and I’d bet on a personal relationship or two between execs in those airlines and owners of those pet travel providers.