There’s no denying that moving overseas can be a stressful process, sometimes made even more stressful if a furry family member is involved. Naturally, as pet owners, we worry about the safety of our pets in someone else’s hands. At Overseas Packers & Shippers, we provide a comprehensive pet moving service that ensures your much-loved pet is in good hands with our careful and experienced team. We organise boarding, transportation and necessary veterinary checks to make your move that little bit easier. Moving people and their pets from Australia to the UK is one of our most popular services. Therefore, we’re sharing below the process of moving your pet from Australia to the UK.
1. Can you bring your pet?
The UK Government allows Australians to bring their pet cat, dog or ferret to the UK if it has been microchipped, has a third-country official veterinary certificate and if it has been vaccinated against rabies. If you do not follow these rules, your pet will unfortunately be refused entry to the country. In addition, the time frame that your pet arrives into the country will determine the type of movement it is undergoing. If your pet arrives 5 days from its owner’s date of arrival, this is called a “commercial movement.” On the other hand, if your pet arrives outside the 5-day period, this is considered a “non-commercial movement.” It’s important to consider this as commercial shipments can only be cleared in London and are not allowed into any other part of the UK. Finally, you will be responsible for any fees and charges that result from failing to follow protocol, so it is strongly recommended that you follow these rules for the safety of you and your pet.
2. Get your Pet Microchipped
Because your pet must be microchipped to be allowed entry into the UK, this should be a priority if your pet doesn’t already have a microchip. Microchipping for pet travel can only be performed by a vet, a vet nurse or student or someone who has been trained in microchipping before the 29th of December 2014 (with practical experience). However, it’s highly important to consider the type of microchip you choose for your pet. Airlines, train and ferry companies in the EU can only read microchips that meet International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO) standards ISO 11784 and ISO 11785. Therefore, if your pet’s microchip does not meet these standards, authorities will not be able to read it. If authorities cannot read your pet’s chip, they could be refused entry or put into quarantine.
3. Rabies Vaccination
The next step is to ensure your pet is vaccinated from rabies. Pets over 12 weeks old are eligible for a rabies vaccination and this must be done after they’ve been microchipped, otherwise they will need to be vaccinated again. Because Australia is a listed country, you only need to wait 21 days after the vaccination before bringing your pet to the UK. In addition to the initial vaccination, your pet must get regular booster vaccinations to guarantee its immunity.
4. Tapeworm for Dogs
Before entering the UK, Dogs must be treated for tapeworm and have it recorded on their EU Health Certificate every time the dog enters the UK. The tapeworm treatment must be given no less than 24 hours and no more than 120 hours (5 days) before you enter the UK and must be checked and approved by agriculture. If you do not follow this rule, your dog can be refused entry or put into quarantine.
Important: Cats from Australia
If you’re bringing a cat from Australia to the UK, you must sign a declaration confirming your cat has not been resident on holdings where, during the past 60 days cases of Hendra virus have been confirmed.
Being an international moving company, Overseas Packers & Shippers can help you navigate the process of moving your pet overseas by offering professional advice and organising vaccinations and paperwork. To learn more about our pet moving service, contact our friendly team on 1300 732 686.
