Export & Preparation for Overseas Travel

Taking Your Small Friend Overseas?

So, you’re taking your small friend overseas, how exciting! There are many things to organise when travelling internationally with your pet, from flights to quarantine requirements in both Australia and your destination country. At Small Friends Veterinary Hospital, we are accredited to help you meet the veterinary requirements for overseas travel. We have been preparing animals for export for over 15 years, so we’ve seen it all and can answer all your questions.

Cat being prepared for international travel at Small Friends Veterinary Hospital
  • Quotations

To obtain a quote for Small Friends Veterinary Hospital to complete your small friend’s veterinary travel preparation, please click here.

  • Export Information

We recommend contacting the Department of Agriculture Fisheries, and Forestry (DAFF). They provide official guidance on legal requirements and paperwork for exporting your small friend from Australia and importing them into your destination country. As a privately owned hospital, we are unable to advise on official paperwork.

DAFF Contact Details:

Please note that each country has its own specific requirements for animals entering, and these can change at short notice. We make every effort to stay up to date, but final instructions must be received from DAFF.

  • Destination Requirements

Each country has its own requirements for pets entering, and these can change at any time.

Available Destinations:

  • New Zealand
  • United Kingdom
  • United States of America
  • Canada
  • Hong Kong
  • Singapore

The information here is intended as a guide only, and all import requirements will be checked to ensure they are up to date at your small friend’s first export appointment.

  • FAQs
My Small Friend Hates Travelling. Can They Be Sedated for the Plane Journey?

Sedating small friends for air travel is not recommended. Although baggage handlers and airport staff take good care of your small friend, they will not be accompanied by a human during transit. Sedation could leave your pet in an unsafe position, such as with their head in a water bowl, without anyone there to help. It is much safer for your small friend to travel fully alert so they arrive safe and sound.

Travel crates must meet strict criteria to protect your small friend. The crate needs:

  • Adequate room for comfort

  • A manageable size for handlers

  • “Paw proofing” so your small friend cannot stick their paws out

DAFF can provide official guidance on crate requirements.

On arrival in some countries, all bedding may be destroyed to prevent disease transmission. To make your small friend as comfortable as possible:

  1. Purchase or hire the correct crate early

  2. Keep the crate at home so it absorbs familiar scents

  3. Feed your small friend inside the crate daily

  4. Use bedding you are prepared to leave behind

This will help your small friend become familiar with the crate and feel comfortable during travel.

For safety reasons, each small friend generally needs their own crate. There may be exceptions, but official guidance must come from DAFF.

The time between landing and reunion depends on your destination country and the number of animals arriving that day. Do not open the crate in the airport terminal, as your small friend may be anxious and try to escape. Wait until the designated area for pet collection to ensure their safety.

Appointment timing is critical. Each treatment, blood test, and health check must follow the schedule mandated by your destination country. These dates are just as important as the procedures themselves, so appointment protocols must be strictly followed.

No. To meet veterinary requirements, all treatments and blood tests must be performed by an AQIS-accredited veterinary surgeon. This ensures your small friend meets the legal criteria for travel.

Ready to Take Your Small Friend Overseas?

Our experienced team can guide you through every step of the export process. Get in touch to start your small friend’s overseas journey

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