PET EXPORTS LTD

Australia: Summary information and requirements for the importation of cats and dogs.

There are currently only three Quarantine Kennels in Australia based in Perth (Byford), Melbourne (Spotswood) and Sydney (Eastern Creek) so animals must enter Australia at one of these airports. For Adelaide, Brisbane and Cairns it is recommended that you use Sydney Quarantine. If you are unable to collect your pet(s), arrangements for movement of pets from these Kennels to other cities in Australia may be possible after the quarantine period but would have to be made in Australia. The kennels themselves will probably be able to help, as this is not an unusual request.

Perth and Melbourne are small quarantine kennels so you must confirm direct with them that there is space for your pet(s) before we make the booking with the airline. Sydney never used to have this problem but due to the unprecedented numbers of people emigrating to Australia with pets, Sydney is now occasionally suffering from the same problems as the other stations.

Waiting times can be more than 3 months from when you speak to them especially with cats.

Dogs

Step 1

Up to 9 months prior to export date apply for import permits – it is advisable to wait until 4-5 months prior. An Import Permit should be obtained from Australian Quarantine Import Services (Current cost A$280.00 for first cat or dog $A60.00 for all subsequent animals). Application forms can be obtained from the AQIS website http://www.daffa.gov.au/aqis/cat-dogs/application - the application must be faxed with card payment details or sent to Canberra (see below for contact numbers) or we can send you copies as required. All animals must be microchipped (ISO approved types only) before an Import Permit can be applied for. One application form must be completed for each animal. The Import Permit is currently valid for nine months.

Canberra - AQIS Live Animals Import - Permit Applications Fax: 0061 2 6272 3110

Canberra - AQIS Live Animals Import - Permit Applications Tel: 0061 2 6272 4454

Step 2

Preferably at least 3 months prior otherwise you will be taking a risk that there is no space.

Contact relevant Quarantine Kennel as soon as you know rough date you would like the animal(s) to travel and ensure that there is space for your pets and make reservation with them before making flight booking with us.

Sydney - Eastern Creek Quarantine Station, New South Wales Phone: 0061 2 9625 4566

Melbourne - Spotswood Animal Quarantine Station, Victoria Phone: 0061 3 9391 1627

Perth - Byford Quarantine Station, Western Australia Phone: 0061 8 9525 1763

Once we confirm the flight booking, go back to them and reconfirm exact date of arrival, import permit number(s), flight number and Airwaybill number (which we will provide). Follow up with e-mail to them.

See web page http://www.daffa.gov.au/aqis/cat-dogs/accom for more info.

Step 3

Ring DEFRA - See web page http://www.petexports.co.uk/defranumbers.html to find your local office number.

Ask for application form for cat/dog going to Australia along with vet regulations and specimen copy of Export Health Certificate.

Now you have date of export, apply to DEFRA for Export Health Certificate. This will be sent directly to your vet 10 days prior to the flight.

Step 4

At least 30 days prior to flight ensure that relevant vaccinations – see below -are up to date (ie last vaccinations no more than 11 months prior to flight date). If last vaccinations were done 11 months or more prior to flight date, revaccinate immediately.

Dogs - Make sure that vet does not give Leptospirosis vaccination, as this may affect one of the blood results.

Step 5

30 – 25 days prior to flight

Dogs only – do all 3 required blood tests and tick treatment – see below

Dogs may not be mated or inseminated after this point.

Step 6

If required, retest or treat dog and retest if it failed on any of the blood tests.

Step 7

4 – 0 days prior to flight

Vet to do final tick and tapeworm treatment and sign Part A of the DEFRA Export Health certificate.

Cats

As for dogs but vaccinations are for feline enteritis, feline rhinotracheitis and feline calicivirus showing vaccination at least 14 days before the flight and not more than 11 months beforehand. No blood tests.

Dogs and cats must be shipped in IATA approved transit kennels that allow the animal to stand up without touching the top of the box, lie down and turn around. It is a requirement that dogs are shipped as manifest cargo and not as excess baggage.

From the UK it is a requirement that dogs and cats complete 30 days in Quarantine.

Quarantine for Dogs

Current costs (checked 26/07/06) A$526.50 for first dog and A$376.50 for subsequent dogs. Other charges include A$95.00 or A$120.00 Airport removal fee per consignment. Examination of the animal is A$71.00 per animal per half-hour. Lodgement of a quarantine entry form is A$10.00 per animal. Documentation clearance is A$27.00 per quarter hour per animal. Veterinary treatment and supplies are extra and at cost.

Quarantine for Cats

Current costs (checked 26/07/06) are A$406.50 for first cat, A$316.50 for subsequent cats. Other charges include A$95.00 or A$120.00 Airport removal fee per consignment. Examination of the animal is A$71.00 per animal per half-hour. Lodgement of a quarantine entry form is A$10.00 per animal. Documentation clearance is A$27.00 per quarter hour per animal. Veterinary treatment and supplies are extra and at cost.

Check http://www.daffa.gov.au/aqis/cat-dogs/fees-charges/guidelines for up to date charges.

Dogs and cats must be accompanied by the following paperwork:

A) AQIS Import Permit – does not have to be completed by vet – DEFRA form supersedes and replaces health certificate.

B) An Official Export Health Certificate (this must be applied for from DEFRA (formerly the Ministry of Agriculture) - see bottom of sheet for telephone number).

Only part A is to be completed and certified by your LVI within 96 hours of the flight (Part B will be completed by Portal Veterinarian).

C) Clearance of notifiable diseases certificate (EC618 or 618NDC) from DEFRA.

This comes with the Official Export Health Certificate. The vet MUST give you this certificate, as the Portal veterinarian requires it to complete part B, not your vet who only completes part A of the Export Health Certificate. If the vet disagrees get them to read part B in full (which the Portal Veterinarian must complete) and/or phone Pet Exports.

D) Written declaration as required, to support the export health certificate. Include description of the dog (breed), age, whether male or female, neutered or not, whether pregnant and whether resident in the UK from birth or at least last 6 months or since importation from Australia.

Cats must also be accompanied by the following paperwork:

1) Vaccination card/certificate for feline enteritis, feline rhinotracheitis and feline calicivirus showing vaccination at least 14 days before the flight and not more than 11 months beforehand.

Dogs must also be accompanied by the following paperwork:

1) Vaccination card/certificate for distemper, infectious hepatitis, canine parvovirus and parainfluenza (D,H,P,Pi) and showing vaccination at least 14 days before the flight and not more than 11 months beforehand. Vaccination for Bordetella bronchiseptica (kennel cough) is also required, however this lasts for only 6 months and should a dog turn up in Australia without it, then the dog will be vaccinated in Australia at the owner's expense.

2) Blood samples to be tested for Brucella Canis (SAT test), Ehrlichia (IFAT test) and Leptospirosis (L. interrogans serovar canicola MAT test) must be submitted to the relevant authority (VLA, Weybridge, Surrey) within 30 days of the flight. The vet must also treat the dog with a long lasting acaricide (for ticks) within 24 hrs of the blood sample for Ehrlichia being taken.

Negative results at the relevant titres must be obtained for all tests.

If the dog has been vaccinated against Leptospirosis and returns a positive result (at titre 1/100 or 1/400 but no more) then a second blood sample taken not less than 14 days after the first must be submitted to the relevant authority. This is to show either the same result as the first or lower.

If any other positive results are obtained treatment will be required before re-testing.

New requirement for dogs: Any Import permit issued by Australia issued after 1st September 2007 will now require dogs to be blood tested for Leishman’s disease (IFAT test) also within 30 days of the flight. If the import permit has been issued prior to this then there is no requirement for this test, however it would be advisable to do it from now on.

The blood test results MUST accompany the Export Health Certificate.

The full set of requirements must be obtained from your local DEFRA Animal Health Divisional Office – see web page http://www.petexports.co.uk/defranumbers.html . Please request from DEFRA a Specimen copy of the Health Certificate as the things that have to be done become somewhat clearer than just referring to the notes.

Last updated 30/06/2008

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