Moving out of country...

[linz06]

I'm looking for advice from anyone who has moved to another country with their furbabies...
I have always always ALWAYS wanted to travel. I have always put it off due to some guy I happen to be dating, or school, or anything else that comes up. Well, I've finished college and I'm not married and I don't have kids so I think this is my time. I've been doing a lot of research into moving to Australia. The job market is great and people with my education and experience are in high demand, plus I hate cold!
...But I could never ever go without Layla. I'm only planning on being there for a year, and my parents would definitely take her in, but I couldn't go that long without my baby. I've looked into what is needed to take her with me and it would cost me about $800 for a vet check and 30 day quarantine when I first get there, which is no problem money-wise but OH MY GOSH my baby would be so scared in quarantine!!! I have no idea what quarantine facilities are like, and what the rules are... would I be able to visit her? How would she be treated?
I'm not planning on applying for jobs until before Christmas (because I don't want to leave before Christmas) and I'm not applying for a visa unless I have feedback from possible employers, so there's a chance I won't even go. But I thought I'd do my research now in case I should put the idea out of my head completely. Has anyone else been in this situation?

[4doggiemama]

"Bumping" this for you. My daughter has been to Australia and loved it. She'd like to go back there to work for a year or two after she gets her pharmacy degree. Heard, though, that she'll have to pass a whole series of exams. Wonder if she'll be up to that after 6 yrs. of pharmacy school? (2 will be internship.)

[linz06]

Thanks I have a few friends who have been there as well and told me it's absolutely something I should do. I also found out that I have a cousin who lives there! So I've been emailing him and getting more information on good areas to live in. I'm scared of getting my hopes up too high though!

[Felina]

I lived in Australia for two years and found and married my husband there. I loved it and the people were so nice! I'd go back in a heartbeat to live if I could afford the move.

I don't know anything about bringing pets to the country though but hopefully you find some good information about it.

Good luck!!

:^)

[linz06]

Thank you! The more encouragement I get, the more excited I get about the idea!

[brittahnee]

not sure if its the same there, but in trinidad where my dad works, dogs that come from another country must be quarantined (spelling?) for a certain amount of time before being allowed in the country

[linz06]

From what I've read, they have to be quarantined for 30 days upon arrival in Australia. I have no idea what quarantine is like

[brittahnee]

Originally Posted by linz06

From what I've read, they have to be quarantined for 30 days upon arrival in Australia. I have no idea what quarantine is like

i'm not sure what it's like either, but i'm quite sure a cage is involved

[linz06]

I actually just found some information... each kennel has outside access and it's heated in the winter months... you can't see the dog after arriving at the airport because it's transferred right away... then you have to wait 24 hours before visiting. You can only visit certain times during the day and only 2 times a week. Oh and there's only 3 quarantine stations in the whole country... Sydney, Melbourne, and Perth... none of which are close to the area I'd like to be.
This makes me feel sick

[scoobiedooiscoo]

i think i would rather leave the dog with someone that i knew . quarintine sounds to stressful when you compare them.

[linz06]

I think so too... I think it would be selfish of me to bring her and make her go through that just because I want to go. Now I'm not sure what to do. I'm at work and I'm so wrapped up in this I almost feel like I'm going to cry! I want to go SO BAD, but I don't think I can go for a year, I can't leave her for that long. I really don't know what to do now.

[MeganS]

Could you maybe sit down and have a talk with your vet about if there is ANY way to get around the quarentine? Any special shots she might be able to have...or anything. Or at least maybe have the quarentine shortened.

I don't really know what to say. I've never traveled out of the country with a pet before. This sounds like an amazing opportunity and I hope it works out for you.

[brittahnee]

i don't want to make this decision harder for you,
but i spent just one month across the country,
away from my boyfriend and sophie.
i missed her every minute of every day,
more so than i missed my boyfriend (hey, i could call him!)
sometimes he would put me on speaker and let me talk to her,
but being away from her was pure TORTURE!
i was so scared she had forgotten me,
but when i got back so was so excited to see me.

[linz06]

Yeah I'll definitely have to get more information on anything I could possibly do for her... I have a feeling there's no way to get around the quarantine though. Even if she's fine here, maybe she'd pick something up from another animal on the flight or something. And they want 30 days to make sure no signs of any diseases show up. I wonder if she would miss me if I left her with my parents. I left her there for a week when I went to Mexico and I missed her so much I almost cried the last night we were there! lol I think I'M the one with seperation anxiety!
But on the other hand, if I decided to shorten my stay to maybe just 6 months, then I could do a lot more travelling and see more of the country without worrying about taking Layla with me, or having people watch her for me.
I just don't know if I could step on a plane and know I won't be back to see her for a long long time. I'm way more worried about leaving her than I am about leaving my parents and my friends!

[wookie]

Originally Posted by linz06

Yeah I'll definitely have to get more information on anything I could possibly do for her... I have a feeling there's no way to get around the quarantine though. Even if she's fine here, maybe she'd pick something up from another animal on the flight or something. And they want 30 days to make sure no signs of any diseases show up. I wonder if she would miss me if I left her with my parents. I left her there for a week when I went to Mexico and I missed her so much I almost cried the last night we were there! lol I think I'M the one with seperation anxiety!
But on the other hand, if I decided to shorten my stay to maybe just 6 months, then I could do a lot more travelling and see more of the country without worrying about taking Layla with me, or having people watch her for me.
I just don't know if I could step on a plane and know I won't be back to see her for a long long time. I'm way more worried about leaving her than I am about leaving my parents and my friends!

Oh Wow, I would feel the same way as you do. I can't even sleep at night without anyone one of my doggies. I don't even care if the hubby is sleeping next to me or not, but I can\not sleep if I can't feel my doggies sleeping all over me. But that's probably not helping you. Just know that you are NOT completely insane and there's definitely other people out there that can sympathize with you.