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| How did your dog handle quarantine?; Worried about transporting mine. | |
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| Topic Started: Feb 9 2008, 09:37:16 PM (1,489 Views) | |
| KimInMellie | Feb 9 2008, 09:37:16 PM Post #1 |
True Blue Mate
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I'm really going back and forth (and back and forth and back and forth) over whether or not to bring my dogs over to Australia from Texas. They've already started the vaccination/testing process, and are on time for their RNATT and all the other rigamarole, for a May import date. The thing is, I keep experiencing a kind of guilt when I think about putting them through a plane trip and then 30 days in quarantine. Winston, my springer spaniel, is about 8 years old and is a fairly laid back sort of dude, but he's a rescue pup and I don't want to put him through any more trauma than is absolutely necessary. Ralphie, my Shih Tzu, is about 3 and is a sweet little spaz, but I don't think he'd do well in quarantine all by himself so I know that the only way I'll bring him is if I decide Winston can make the trip. I should mention that my mom and dad are serious dog lovers who live on lots of acreage and have already told me that they will provide my canine babies a loving home, and in fact my mother has fallen in love with Ralphie and jokingly threatens to "dognap" him on a regular basis. On the other hand, as DDFH has so eloquently stated, they're my dogs and I should think about what I want, as he believes that the pups will adapt to any situation. Of course I want them with me, but not if the whole experience is going to scar them for life!
 For those of you who have brought your dogs Down Under, what's your sense of how they dealt with the trip, and how long did it take them to settle into their new home life after quarantine? For those who chose not to bring them, what was your reason for not doing so? Knowing what everybody's decision processes have been on this would really help me out. I've already been in touch with IPTLAX, and they'll be handling things from LA if I decide to move ahead with importing my little furballs. Also, luckily for me, our home in Newport is literally a 5-minute bike ride from the Melbourne quarantine facility, so I would be able to visit them regularly while they're there. I've been going back and forth on this for weeks! Am I just overthinking the whole thing? :headscratch: All stories and thoughts are much appreciated.  Um ... Winston doesn't actually have demon eyes. :mrgreen: |
 Go that way really, really fast. If something gets in your way, turn. -- Charles De Mar | |
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| JenbeTas | Feb 9 2008, 11:45:29 PM Post #2 |
Hippie Wannabe sailing the deep blue sea
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This will be of absolutely NO help but............ AWWWWWWWWWWWWW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  Sorry, I didn't move my dog so I'm afraid I'm not much help. We just couldn't afford it. I wondered too, at the time, even if we could have been able to afford it if it would b traumatic for her.I did have to tell you how gorgeous they are though! |
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| alect | Feb 10 2008, 03:25:12 AM Post #3 |
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True Blue Mate
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We have decided not to take our dogs to Melbourne from LA - they are going to live on my brother in law's farm in Virginia. We have a 16 year old Schiperke (who is surprisingly still spritely and relatively healthy for that age) and a 7 year old Maltese. Our original intent was to take them with us and I contact IPTLAX for quotes and process. In the end the following factors dissuaded us from taking them: - cost - $8-9k for both total - with all the other expenses and a growing family and no job yet in Australia we couldn't justify that much money - flight - it's a long flight, and although the lovely lady at IPTLAX assured me that they have almost never had an issues with elderly or otherwise pets during the flight, we still did not think that a 14 hrs flight, plus the time before and after would be great for either of them, but especially the older dog - quarantine - although 30 days is shorter than it used to be, it's still a long time. And it would entail us/somebody else before we arrive visiting them almost daily. Rachel is pregnant so that would be difficult with everything coinciding. We have only ever kenneled them once - all other times we had pet sitters come to our house. So I don't think they would be particularly happy - age - with the older dog being 16 years+, it is more than likely that even if he made it OK, he would have that much time in Australia before he passed away - why put him through all that stress for so little time left. INstead he will have some very happy days on a farm where he can run around and play with the other dogs. - splitting them up - although they were originaly "only" dogs, they have become pals since Rachel and I moved in together, and we would definitely not have split them up - going through the process alone would be much worse for either of them IN some ways it was a selfish decision but in other ways it was selfless - ie why put them through stress for an unknown but short time for at least one of them. We know they will love my inlaws and vice versa, even though they will miss us. It's not an easy decision, but one you have to make. Good luck in making yours. |
| Los Angeles to Melbourne with my Yank wife (and dual daughter plus twins in the oven) | |
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| canaandownunder | Feb 11 2008, 08:38:21 AM Post #4 |
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True Blue Mate
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We moved 4 of our dogs to Australia and they came through quarantine just fine. Granted, 2 were together in each run - so they had each other. Their handler at the quarantine station was wonderful. I'd call once a week to check on them and he would tell me stories about each of them. I was also delighted to see how much they liked him when we went to pick them up. It was obvious that this particular handler spent time with them and kept them happy. It was a no-brainer for us to bring the dogs. I have bred and shown purebred dogs all my life. I have to say the couple of months without a dog around (when they were in quarantine) were the weirdest months of my life. I wasn't worried about the flight - all of the dogs we brought had flown before and they were all crate trained and felt very comfortable in their crates for the flight. It's a very personal decision and one that only you can make. I'm very happy that we brought 4 of ours. The best part was when we picked them up from quarantine - we were basically showered with kisses and affection. |
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Chris "If it ain't broke, don't fix it." From Conyers, Georgia to Upwey, Victoria www.rivroc.com <a href="http://www.TickerFactory.com/"> <img border="0" src="http://tickers.TickerFactory.com/ezt/d/4;54;101/st/20080312/e/Leaving+the+land+of+Oz/dt/16/k/1b53/event.png"></a> | |
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| Australican | Feb 11 2008, 09:49:45 AM Post #5 |
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Anklebiter
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I decided not to put my Alaskan Malamute through the long trip and quarantine process (then 6 mo). Since indoor climate control is really iffy down here, he would have been miserable. Instead, a year before my recent move, I placed him for adoption online through a malamute rescue league. They had really strict standards for the adopting family with a year's probation, etc. Anyway, Murphy was adopted to a family who had a female mal already, and he took to them right away and will continue to romp in the snow each winter. That was the ONLY way I could be at ease with the whole thing. Suzanne 
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| KimInMellie | Feb 11 2008, 01:57:12 PM Post #6 |
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True Blue Mate
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Thanks for your stories. If I'm reading everyone right, it seems that for those of you who chose not to bring your dogs, there were other factors at play -- the cost of the move, the health and age of your dog(s), climate -- in addition to the quarantine period. There's no WAY I'd even consider bringing my pups down under if they had to face a 6 month quarantine like yours did, Suzanne! I've been to the quarantine facility at Spotswood, where Winston & Ralphie would be staying, and though it definitely has that institutional kennel feel, it was clean, the runs were large, and the staff seemed caring. As I've said, the facility is only a short distance from where I'll be living, so it'll be easy to visit them there. Their physical health won't be affected long-term by the transfer, I don't think. Really the ONLY concerns I have are the plane ride and how they'll come through quarantine, in terms of feeling abandoned by me or other issues like that. I suppose I'm repeating myself a little ... I think I just need to make a decision and move forward with it; they'll have a good life either way, it's just a matter of where that will be. Like you, Chris, I've had dogs around just about all my life and being without them makes me feel a little untethered. I do have a bit more clarity on this issue, so :ta: all for that. If anyone else has stories of their pets in quarantine, good or bad, I'd love to hear them. |
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Go that way really, really fast. If something gets in your way, turn. -- Charles De Mar | |
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| canaussie | Feb 11 2008, 02:57:09 PM Post #7 |
True Blue Mate
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Going to jump in on this one. There has been recent chatter around my home about moving back to OZ. We have a dog that will be 2yrs old in May. I wouldn't leave her here. The other day my 7yr old daughter asked how Kirra (the dog) would get there. I explained that she would go on the plane, but be down in the bottom of the plane where the suitcases are. She then asked lots of questions...ie will she have water, do I think she will bark, will there be other dogs with her, will she be scared, etc. Was an interesting conversation and one where I had to ease her mind that the dog would be fine. And honestly, I think she would be. I haven't even looked into the cost because I'm sure I'll be afraid to ask. A month in quarantine is way better than the 6 months and probably go quickly. My thoughts are that she (my dog) would probably wonder what the hell was going on and where did her family go. Might be a bit upsetting at first but I think she would be ok. Good luck with your decision. |
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Paula (dual Canadian/Australian) married to an Aussie since 1999 and mummy to an Aussie since 2000 | |
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| rhimb | Feb 11 2008, 07:05:42 PM Post #8 |
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True Blue Mate
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My husband and I brought our two dachshunds and a cat from Houston to Perth... well, actually they went to Melbourne for quarantine because Perth was booked out so far in advance. Unfortunately, that meant that we couldn't go visit them every week, but I was at least able to call and check up on them. We did go pick them up from Melbourne ourselves, though. While I'm glad that we brought them here, I don't know if I would do it again. I joke with my husband that we're not moving again until all the animals have passed on. My dogs were both 6 years old at the time of the move, and they are both crate trained. Even though they are crate trained, they have been crated together since they were little pups, so they weren't used to being separate from each other. We dealt with IPTLAX, and when we dropped them off at the airport in Houston to head to LAX, they weren't too pleased to be in separate crates and see us leaving them. My family was there to send us off as well, and I think I cried more at having to leave my furbabies barking than leaving my family... Anyway, they did not do well in quarantine. They were in quarantine over the month of October 2006, and I think it was colder there than they were used to. They did have a heat lamp over their little bed, but all that did was dry Chase's skin out really bad. They both looked quite pathetic when we finally got to see them to bring them home. Pepper was skin and bones, whereas she is usually my pleasantly plump little sausage girl. It really broke my heart seeing them like that, but once we got them home with us, things were totally fine. They settled right back in and packed the pounds back on! Maybe I should also mention my dogs had never been in a kennel before they were put in quarantine either, and I will never put them in a kennel again. There may be some good ones out there, but I can't bare the thought of them not having that one-on-one attention that they need. Anyway, I think that sort of sums our experience up, but please feel free to PM me with any questions you have! I'm happy to help! P.S. The cat wasn't phased by quarantine at all... if anything, she came home fatter!!! |
| Rhianna | |
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| Bindie | Feb 11 2008, 11:41:12 PM Post #9 |
True Blue Mate
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We took our dog through quarentine about 3 years ago. He didnt like it much, but he survived it. I actually think it's easier NOT to visit, myself. We made the trip from Canberra to Sydney twice and I found it hard to leave without my dog. The station in Sydney was fine. It was clean and the handlers seemed to care about the dogs. Both times we went, the same handler was on so at least there was a bit of consistancy for my dog. He came out only slightly worse for wear and quite happy to be with us. Hope this helps! xo |
 The future is no place/to place your better days, DMB Canberra, ACT since 2004 | |
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| rhimb | Feb 12 2008, 12:41:02 PM Post #10 |
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True Blue Mate
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I agree with Bindie about it being easier not to visit too. We didn't have a choice in the matter, but looking back, I think it worked out for the best that way. It would've been very stressful for all of us if I had to lock them back up and couldn't take them home every time I saw them. |
| Rhianna | |
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| KimInMellie | Feb 13 2008, 10:42:48 AM Post #11 |
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True Blue Mate
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Just thought I'd let everyone know ... I've decided to turn Ralphie & Winston into Australians. :mrgreen: After weighing the pros (primarily, having them around to love & spoil, rather than giving that task over to someone else) and cons (um, see posts above  ) I realized I just wouldn't feel right leaving them behind as long as I felt comfortable that they could safely make the trip.I talked with a pet transporter, Pacific Pets, and got the scoop on what the pups' time would be like from LAX to MEL, and though I know it'll be trying for them, I think they'll make it through just fine. (I'd tried to contact IPTLAX first, but was never able to connect with anyone there, despite several attempts via email and phone spanning back to last November.) Nathan at PacPets told me that Qantas won't take snub-nosed dogs for transport (poor little Ralphie ) which means that they'll have to go Air New Zealand ... and that requires a stopover in Auckland. Yuck, but luckily it's only a three-hour stop. Also, I'd been wincing in fear of what the cost might be, but for both dogs it only came to $2,700. Not small change, but not the $6K plus I was preparing myself for (though I know there will be quarantine costs on top of that).I felt comfortable that Pacific Pet Transport is a competent agency, but if anyone has any experience with them or has heard anything please let me know. And thanks everyone for all the insights! :ta: |
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Go that way really, really fast. If something gets in your way, turn. -- Charles De Mar | |
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| alect | Feb 14 2008, 03:42:40 AM Post #12 |
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True Blue Mate
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That is a good price but be careful as to what it includes and excludes. OUr quote was for everything, including vet services in US, certification and an estimate of quanartine for 30 days. |
| Los Angeles to Melbourne with my Yank wife (and dual daughter plus twins in the oven) | |
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| KimInMellie | Feb 14 2008, 04:17:30 AM Post #13 |
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True Blue Mate
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I'll be paying US$450 to transport the dogs from Houston to LAX (air freight Cotinental Airlines.) My other out of pocket costs are approximately US$700 for veterinary and related costs, A$340 for the import application fee, and A$1300 for 30 days of boarding. The US$2700 is for an overnight stay in LA, transport to and from the overnight boarding facility, USDA completion of Veterinary Certificate B and final endorsement of all the paperwork/sealing of crates, air freight costs from LAX to MEL via Auckland, and Pacific Pets' administrative fee. The total cost comes to something like A$5600 (around US$5200). It ain't cheap, that's for sure. :eek: And I've just read that Air New Zealand doesn't accept pets for transport from private individuals, only from pet transport specialists (see this PDF file from the Air New Zealand web site), so even if I wanted to cut costs by doing it all myself I couldn't. Still ... for me, it's the right decision. Also, if I maintained my indecisive position for much longer I would have driven myself and those around me crazy! :aak:
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Go that way really, really fast. If something gets in your way, turn. -- Charles De Mar | |
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| sigrid | Feb 15 2008, 04:48:39 PM Post #14 |
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Anklebiter
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Funny how that goes, because we went with IPTLAX, because they were the only onces who returned an e-mail. Our little dog (jack russell) just went through it all in December 07. She did just fine. It was hard putting her on the plane. When in Sydney we visited her as often as we could (she was only half an hour from where we were). I found it nice to visit her. She did ok when we left and went crazy for half an hour when we came. I am really glad we took her, she is loving Australia, hunting the flies and gekkos and she really wants to catch a megpie. Hope it all goes ok for you. Sigrid |
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| AmyFromCO | Feb 22 2008, 09:28:21 PM Post #15 |
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True Blue Mate
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Hi, Wanted to chime in with our experience. Our Westie (age 5) did quite well with his 37 days in quarantine. He was in Sydney and had a great carer whom I called at least once a week to see how he was doing. He seems to have adjusted fine although he is freaked out a bit by all the strange noises outside at night. He is also absolutely terrified of bug zapper noise. (Poor guy) We used JetPets in LA and Donna was so helpful calling me and keeping me up on how his transit went. (He had to spend one night in LA, because of timing of flights) I wanted to use IPTLAX but they were fully booked when we wanted to use them. Our Dog was a show dog for a while and so he had traveled and been in strange places before with the breeder (co-owner of the dog) This may have been why he fared so well. ~Amy |
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| Dev | Feb 22 2008, 11:32:54 PM Post #16 |
"No day but today."
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I'm very happy you did, too!
And (if your other dogs have the same reaction as mine has to you) pee! :rollin: |
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Devon ----------------------- "What a shame that bitter irony has no nutritional value." 
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| dave2006 | Feb 23 2008, 05:27:09 PM Post #17 |
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True Blue Mate
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Our cat stayed at the Spotswood quarantine facility. All in all I think she received reasonably good care there. They are very strict on enforcement of what I consider pretty strict visiting policies (I believe it was no more than two visits a week and no visits allowed on weekends, which sucks if you have a job and also want to see your pet). They are also not keen on having people visit over lunch. The cat kennels are adequate but certainly nothing flash; I know ours was not particularly happy there for 30 days; her happiness when we finally got to bring her home was unprecedented. I think she was a bit traumatized over the whole affair, for a couple of months afterward she was noticeably much more clingy than she had been before, following us around, etc to make sure we weren't leaving her again. But I think after about 6 months she was pretty much back to normal. |
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| MegaMegs | Feb 27 2008, 06:14:23 AM Post #18 |
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Chinwagger
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I too am beginning the process of transporting our pets to Australia (Seattle-> Perth). We have a Pug and a lab mix so I am worried about the Pug's flat face and flat nose travelling for that long. We've started crate training and while they deal with it- they're not happy campers! The pug is sooo co-dependent- ie always touching me, has to sleep next to me etc. I can't imagine leaving them though and think long term they will be happier with us in Perth that the alternative. ITPLAX took a long time to get back to me, Donna at JetPets was very prompt. It seems that ITPLAX won't talk to me anymore until I register with them and place a deposit (half of the total fee), whereas JetPets does not require a contract and payment is not due until time of travel. Both companies quoted around the same price ($3600 not including quarantine costs- another $1500? and veterinary stuff before) and I can't see any differences between the two. IPTLAX was also very helpful though and seems to really know their stuff. Good luck to all and please keep in touch! I'd really like to hear how everything is going and tips for those of us in the same boat! Thanks!! |
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| alect | Feb 28 2008, 12:36:52 AM Post #19 |
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True Blue Mate
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We have just spent a long weekend at my BiL's farm where our dogs are now living. All in all we are certain we made the right decision not to take them. They seemed to happy there with the other dogs and animals and all the room to run around. Plus the roadtrip from LA to Virginia by truck must have been tough on them since some of the behaviour was really out of the normal, and the older dog was limping on one leg (probably his fake hip) after lying down on it for too long. Made us think they would not have done so well on a longer trip to Oz. |
| Los Angeles to Melbourne with my Yank wife (and dual daughter plus twins in the oven) | |
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| shylady | Feb 28 2008, 09:50:05 AM Post #20 |
oldYank
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Good choice, alect :hugs: As a vet, I couldn't subject my old guy to the trip, either, he's happy and well on my niece's farm, and I know he's well cared for! :cheers: Lisa |
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"I could’ve turned a different corner, I could’ve gone another place... " ku,'09 | |
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