How I flew my Shetland Sheepdog from Australia to England is probably one of my most asked questions. I have compiled all the information I was looking for, and couldn’t find when I was going through the process.
Firstly, we few over to London and waited 3 Months before sending our dog over. This was because we wanted to ensure we had appropriate accommodation, a pet friendly apartment, before her arrival. Not to mention all the other requirements we needed to do as humans to move!
Pet Travel Requirements for Dogs and Cats
- Rabies Vaccination – must be current and issued a minimum of 21 days prior to departure.
- Microchip implanted.
- Tapeworm treatment – at least 24 hours prior to departure, only required for dogs.
- AQIS export paperwork, health certificate and final veterinary inspection.
Recommended Vaccines
- C3 vaccine for dogs – vaccines should be given at least 14 days old before export.
- F3 vaccine for cats – vaccines should be given at least 14 days old before export.
There are Two Options
Flying the pet via Crate
This is essentially checking the dog into the flight, as if it were luggage. This option is a lot cheaper, it is charged by the airline, but there is no extra care. As I mentioned, the flight is 24 hours with a connection and I wouldn’t of been on the flight, as we came earlier, so this was not the option for us.
Or
Hiring a company to manage the Pet Transport
This is the option we chose. I was concerned about the fact that there was a stopover on our journey, there is no alternative because Australia is so far. So I wanted that extra care. Not to mention all the paperwork. So. I went with the company Dogtainers. Don’t let the name fool you, they do other pets too!
How Long is the Flight From Australia to the UK for Pets?
In general, you can expect the flight to last between 18 and 24 hours, depending on where you’re coming from and where you’re going to. For your pet’s comfort, we always book the most direct flight available. When a direct flight isn’t available, we ensure your pet is taken care of during their layover
Before the flight
We tried to get Bambi used to her crate, by putting her toys, and food inside. I also took her in life/elevators, to get used to moving in a confined space.
I also made sure all her paperwork was up to date, and she had her health certificate. You get this from a certified Vet, as I would already be in London.
Dogtainers picked her up 24 hours before the flight, to ensure she had eaten at the right time, as no food is allowed on the flight for them, it can be a choking hazard. They also give her bathroom breaks before the flight, during the layover and at Heathrow.
Where do Pets Stay During Flight Layovers?
If your pet is travelling on a long-haul flight with a layover, either the airline officials or our team will take care of them on the ground, depending on how long the layover is.
- If the layover is short, your pet may be lodged on their connecting flight to continue their journey.
- If the layover is more than 3 hours, your pet will enjoy a supervised comfort stop, and the team on the ground will perform a welfare check to ensure your pet’s well-being.
- If the layover is more than 5 hours, our team can pick up your pet from the airport and bring them back to our offices for a break and a stretch, before returning them at the right time to board their next flight.
- If it is an overnight layover, your pet will either stay in a supervised pet area at the airport, or they can stay with us and we’ll take care of them until their next flight.
Cost?
Unsurprisingly this is not a cheap endeavour. Each pet is unique and has its own unique needs, so the prices will vary based on that. But as a guide, for my 8kgs Shetland Sheepdog, is cost $2000 AUD, or £1600
What’s Included:
- Specialised advice from a dedicated pet travel consultant.
- Managed bookings for your pet on the most direct route to your destination, including flights.
- Guidance on choosing the best size travel crate for your pet.
- Options to buy or hire an airline-approved travel crate from IATA specified stock.
- Time for your pet to adapt to their travel crate before moving day.
- Advice and schedules for pre-import blood tests and vaccinations (including rabies).
- Endorsements and vet checks with overseas animal health authorities.
- Comfort stops for your furry friend before boarding flights.
- Options for road transport in our temperature-controlled pet travel vans, to drop-off and collect your pet.
- Assistance with arranging official veterinary certificates.
- Photo updates of your pet before take-off, and check-in with you once they’ve arrived safely.
Was it worth it?
Yes, I would go through the whole process 100 times if it meant having my dog with me. I have no regretted it for a second. I also believe she has a better quality of life here, the UK is much more dog friendly, you can see how many adventures she has been on since our move! Also, having a dog during lockdown made it bearable, seeing her face everyday, buzzing that we are working from home and no going out. Marvelous.
Resources
I am aware that not everyone will be doing the same journey as Bambi, so I have included some international resources, so you can check what the rules are for your country and situation.
