How to transport a large dog from Queensland to Perth

Hi everyone, hope someone out there can help.
We are in the process of adopting a dog from a rescue centre at Fraser Coast, Queensland & need him transported to Perth.He is a very large boy 110cm height X 135cm length but only weighs apx. 35 kgs. - a Great Dane / Staghound.Problem is that no company has a ready made crate for him to go in + he is too big to be accepted on a domestic flight - which only leaves the option of road transport. Do any of have any suggestions on how to solve this dilemma. We don't want to give up on him & have a home & land plenty big enough for him to enjoy.
We have always had Great Danes so his size is something we are well used to ( our last one had to be put down last November - age 14 )
Hope that you may come up with some solutions. Thanks.

Comments

  • truckies?

    not quite the journey for yours, but our dog was carried on a truck in a box under the trailer tray albeit only a 6 hour journey. it was a freebie too (farm reject kelpie).

  • uship quite often has animals for relocation. suggest you post a job.

  • +1

    Long shot but what about Airtasker? It has been done in the past.

  • +9

    I used to work for Qantas freight and I can guarantee it can go from Brisbane to Perth via airfreight (it may be flown via Melbourne or it may go direct). They lash the crate down to a flat bit of metal called a 'PAG unit loading device'. As for crates, they do exist I've seen great Danes before travel via airfreight. I'd be contacting jetpets and exploring your options with them. You can go to other companies including Qantas freight directly but jetpets are by far the most experienced, caring, knowledgeable and yeah.. Would recommend. Happy to answer any questions you may have.

  • +2

    Not sure of the exact details but JetPets and Virgin offer discounted (sometimes free) relocations for rescue pets.
    Some info here: www.jetpets.com.au/blog/2016/09/13/virgin-australia-jetpets-…

  • Is this Steve Herbert?

  • Try K9 Couriers Dubbo (on Facebook).

  • Best quote from JetPets so far is $2400 + over $500 for a custom made crate as they don't have one big enough.
    Determined to get this poor dog , who has had no real quality of life with a proper home through his 2 yrs. of life, back here to Perth. He has been in the rescue centre since a puppy, was adopted once but as he was still growing ended up dumped at a local pound & back to the rescue centre. There simply HAS to be a way to get him here. We can't afford or justify the prices quoted so far - but do know that airlines do give allotted free flights for rescue dogs on a limited basis.
    Are any of you in that industry where we could apply ?

    • +4

      gofundme!

      Ill throw in $20 for the cause with the promise of photos on delivery :D

      • +1

        +1 I'll put in $20 as well.

        Air tasker? Seriously there might be someone driving that way. Ask the rescue if they know of any trusted volunteer organisations

        Otherwise road trip. If I didn't have a full time job. I would 100% fly to Brisbane, drive with you, and even take a driving shift.

        Are you able to do a road trip? Maybe do a go fund me for fuel?

        Edit: Found a company called dogtainers

        From a quote on their website a crate is $60

        It seems very cheap to me….

    • +1

      Yeah I expected it to be ridiculous. If you could get a crate yourself and you could actually fly to Perth via Qantas you have the option to book it as a 'passengers pet' essentially (QF PAX PETS to be specific). From memory its $60 for under 10kg, $80 for 11-20kg then a certain value per kilogram over the 20kg mark (it may be like $4 a kilo after that im really not sure sorry) but its way cheaper than the jetpets option. You'd have to book yourself on a flight in which the aircraft is an airbus A330 (the pet has to go on the same flight as you). If you weren't to fly with it i'd say you'd be looking at maybe $400-$500 if you were to book it direct with Qantas Freight

      Otherwise, as previously mention you could actually give the dog to a truck driver thats doing a backload from your area to Perth and hope he/she makes it. But this option would still require a crate of some sort anyway.

  • I live in VIC and have had clients have their dogs flown interstate via a company called Jetpets which I have heard great reviews about. Not sure regarding costs ect but they do have very large cages. The most recent animal I saw was a large ~35kg Weimaraner which fit comfortably in his crate.

    • edit - my bad didnt realise you already got a quote from them.

  • +3

    Thank all of you - no absolute solution found yet, but rescue centre in Fraser Coast is now looking to apply for a free flight & we have registered with Uship for a road trip quote ( although not happy re him travelling all those thousands of kms. by road).Still need to locate a crate for his size, if anyone can suggest anywhere.
    Have been quite emotional from all your kindness & help. We will definitely post photos WHEN ( thinking positive) we get the poor boy home to us.
    Meanwhile any more ideas etc. please post.

  • ask scotty to fire up the ozbargain helicopter?

  • Plot out a route from Fraser to Perth by road with overnight stops at pet friendly motels after every 400-500kms.
    Take around 10 days off work.
    Fly to Fraser Coast.
    Rent a car and mention you have pets.
    Grab a harness and seat buckle (the one which clips to the seat belt slot in one end and connects to the harness on the other)
    Carry food+water and as long as he is trained you can walk him out for pee pee and poo poo business during short stops.
    Turn the AC on… enjoy the road trip and bond with him :)
    Have a friend/family member accompany you so you can swap and drive.

    Plane travels are scary for the pets from what I have heard…I wouldn't put my pets through air travel unless they are sitting on my lap.

    • This is by far the best idea. You don't need a crate that way. Rent a 4x4 like a pathfinder or something. Large boot for him to lie down.

      Take a toilet break every 3-4 hours.

      • Might be better to rent a van, easier to clean out in case of incidents.

    • bit convoluted, but there are relocation vehicles available right now Bris->Syd, Syd->Adl, Adl->Per.
      You may strike it lucky and get something a bit more direct if you search wider.

      or you might find a dog friendly traveler to take the dog and/or both you and the dog:
      http://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/brisbane-city/rideshare-trave…

  • -1

    I look at dogs in other states and i just chose not to get them because of the cost of transport. Why do people do this and expect freebies? If I REALLY wanted a dog then I would pay to move heaven and earth to get it. If you can't afford to pay then you can't afford the dog.

    • He's home - we flew him back 10 days ago, at our expense. Very happy boy to finally have a home where he is taken care of & loved. So gentle for a dog of his size. He goes off to the dog park with his little brother ( another rescue dog we flew in from Broome 3 years ago ) & has his head out of the sun roof of the car with ears flapping in the breeze. Already putting on some weight - haunches are filling out, ribs not so pronounced & back bone also not so pronounced. Don't know if I can put a couple of photos on, but will ask Hubby if he can.

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