​As experts in helping people further their Construction & Engineering careers in Australian and New Zealand, we often get asked about travelling with pets. Where do you start? What needs to be done? Will your pet be okay during the flight? However, as you would expect pet transfers aren’t our forte! So, we recently sat down with the team from PetAir UK, to discuss the logistics behind taking pets to Australian and New Zealand and what can be done to ensure your pet’s journey is as stress-free and comfortable as possible. 

Entry Requirements and Paperwork

Each country has different entry requirements, so it’s best to research this well in advance (6-12 months) to ensure that all the veterinary requirements have been adhered too. As an example, in Australia and New Zealand this will mean organising vaccinations and blood samples up to seven months in advance of your journey.

The amount of paperwork will depend on the final destination of your pet. For entry to Australia and New Zealand, pets will need import permits, declarations, DEFRA export certificates and time sensitive veterinary appointments. 

Where Will My Pet be Held?

Because they are unable to travel in the cabin, pets travelling to Australia and New Zealand stay in the cargo hold. Although, they are obviously not just be thrown in with the bags! They’ll be taken to a special area for pets which is heated and pressurised for their comfort, so they have no idea they are 30,000 feet up in the air. As far as they know (with the exception of take-off and landing, which can be a little strange), they are travelling in a comfortable kennel. They also get a lot more legroom than us humans!

Finding the Right Crate

Ensuring the right size crate for your pets is the most important part of the journey, and bigger isn’t always best. Whilst it is fairly obvious that a crate that is too small will be uncomfortable, a crate that is too big can also be detrimental to your pet’s comfort. If the flight was to experience turbulence, then it is important that they can’t move excessively in the crate. Also, when feeling uncomfortable, pets tend to like darker and more confined spaces. Specialist pet carriers custom build their own travel crates on site with bedding and absorbent pads to ensure comfort. 

When you see pets arrive after being on long haul flights, you honestly wouldn’t know they’ve been travelling for hours. They come straight out of the kennel, wonder where breakfast is and that’s about the extent of their concern. 

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

PetAir UK is a unique pet travel service run by specialised vets and complemented by an exceptional team of animal healthcare professionals, the majority of which are fully qualified veterinary nurses for ultimate peace of mind. The team is happy to answer any queries or questions you or your vet may have. Contact Joanna/Emma on +44 1725 551124 or find out more here.