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This recent e-mail from a listener in Hawaii

Aloha,

I currently live in Honolulu, Hawaii, and I have an offer of employment in Sydney. 

I have Norwich Terrier and a Miniature Schnauzer, both about 4 years old, who would be moving there with us. While the 30 day minimum quarantine is daunting enough, I'm more concerned about their trip over. 

Airlines are required to transport them in the cargo compartment for the 11 hour trip. Having worked for an airline, I recognize all the things that can go wrong and it worries me greatly. 

What would be the recommended mode of travel for my two small dogs? Passenger ship? I want to mitigate the risk as much as possible. 

Thanks for your help,
Dayna

PTR co-host Kaye Browne saw her real concern and replied. 
If you have any other hints or experience - get in touch!

Hi Dayna,
Welcome to Australia! Well – soon anyways!

We’ve put some links to the best known and most used companies that regularly transport pets around the world so that you can choose the one you feel sounds the best. 

We’ve also included a link to our friend Dr Katrina’s experience of using an airline to transport her puppy (all good).

Believe it or not, it’s a good thing that your puppies are actually mature dogs now because they’ll probably sleep the whole way and be much more comfortable than you upstairs in the passenger part of the plane. 

A couple of tips I’ve heard from ‘breeder’ friends who send their much-loved and very expensive dogs or bitches on planes to be mated somewhere – and then also have to have new dogs go through the quarantine process here;

Get the dogs used to the crate they’ll be travelling in as soon as possible by having it inside your home with its door open so that they come and go – and very quickly they’ll get to like their ‘artificial den’. Dogs love the security of having of small enclosed space much more than we do. Goes back to their ‘wolf’ origins.

If possible – check out a holistic vet (there’s bound to be one in Hawaii – if you have travel get back to us and we’ll see if ours knows someone there) and ask about a homeopathic or herbal calmative eg Bach Flowers ‘Rescue Remedy’ or another internationally recognised brand ‘Brauer’s Calm’ – it’ll be great for the doggies AND for you!!! I swear by mine in stressful times. 

The quarantine people are great – the dogs will think they’re on a holiday – they’ll be able to see and bark at all the other dogs and have a great time. We had to leave our doggies at a friend’s kennel (Pet Resorts Australia) when we had 5 weeks in the US over Xmas – they loved it – and so the 4 weeks for your guys will race by!

Unless your vet specifically says to do so – don’t sedate your dogs. The darkness in the air-conditioned cargo hold, combined with the continuous sound of the engines will make them sleep like babies!! Actually – better than babies.

As for the boat trip – would you be going on the boat too? 
Cos otherwise you’d have to rely on unknown people to walk them etc. Much better to have a quick flight.

Lastly – do let us know what you decide to do – and once you’re all here tell us about the experience!

Cheers! - Kaye and Brian

Websites: 
http://www.jetpets.com.au/9-1-1.php 

http://www.dogtainers.com.au/international.html 

http://www.petmovers.com.au/ 

http://www.qantas.com.au/info/flying/beforeYouTravel/specialNeeds/travellingPets 

The following link is a story by a very well known TV vet here in Australia. 
She had to transport her puppy and was worried about doing so – but it all turned out well. She used Jetpets.
http://www.drkatrina.com/yourpet/Dogs-healthadviceandtips/Airtravelandyourpet.aspx

Dayna - Get in touch with when you land in Sydney and we'll see how things went for your and your doggies!

Photo:
'Biggles Dog' (is not Dana's dog!)
Do you own this photo - we'd love to credit you - Contact us please