Last week: Tips for Traveling to Mexico and South America With Your Dog

Australia has 19 steps that you need to follow before you can travel with your dog, but we’ll only list the general rules. Be sure to give yourself plenty of time to prepare for your trip and visit the Australia Quarantine and Inspection Service (AQIS) website for specific guidelines.

These are some of the items that should be included on your checklist:

General Eligibilty – Dogs must be at least 6 months old and and no more than 3 weeks pregnant.

Microchip – Dogs must be identified by a microchip that can be read by an Avid, Trovan, Destron or other ISO-compatible reader. The microchip must be implanted before any testing takes place.

Rabies Vaccination – All dogs must be vaccinated against rabies within the 12 months prior to the trip and when your dog is at least 3 months old.

Locate an Official Government Vet and a Government-Approved Vet and Laboratory – Official government veterinarians are authorized to sign certificates on behalf of their government’s veterinary administration.

Rabies Neutralizing Antibody Titre Test (RNATT) – The RNATT must be performed by a government-approved vet and lab. The date when the blood sample is taken will determine the amount of days your dog is to stay in quarantine. One Hundred Eighty days must pass from the day the test was taken before your pooch can be released from quarantine.

Official Government Veternarian Must Complete RNATT Declaration – Copies of the RNATT laboratory report and rabies vaccination certificate need to be shown to the official government veterinarian in order for the RNATT declaration to be complete.

Apply for an AQIS Permit – Be sure to attach all supporting documents to your application. The permit is only valid for six months from the date of issue.

 Book Tentative Quarantine Accommodations – As soon as you receive your AQIS import permit, you should contact the Animal Quarantine Station and make a reservation for your dog.

Travel Arrangements – Dogs can only arrive in Australia via the following airports: Sydney (New South Wales); Melbourne (Victoria); or Perth (Western Australia). Be sure to try and book your flight during the airport’s collection hours.

Confirm Your Qurantine Accomodation Booking – You will need to provide: a valid AQIS import permit number; flight number and date of arrival in Australia; air waybill number; contact number; and any details about your dog’s specials needs, if applicable.

Blood Testing – Be sure to have your pooch tested for ehrlichiosis (tropical canine pancytopaenia), brucellosis, leishmaniosis and leptospirosis.

Internal and External Parasite Treatment – Within four days prior to your trip, your dog must be treated with products approved for the treatment of nematodes and cestodes, as well as ticks and fleas. It must be effective against roundworm, hookworm, whipworm and tapeworm.

Upon arrival to Australia, AQIS will provide housing, bedding, food, water and care for your dog for the duration of his stay. But you must pay all quarantine costs prior to your dog’s release.

Under the legislation of the Australian Customs and Border Protection Service, the following breeds are not allowed into Australia:

Dogo Argentino
Fila Brazileiro
Japanese Tosa
Pit Bull Terrier
Perro de Presa Canario or Presa Canario

More information can be found on the AQIS website.

PHOTO: Jen 64

Next week: Tips for Traveling to India With Your Dog

Category : International Travel &TRAVEL TIPS