Hi all,
I just bought a 3 year old male German Schnauzer from someone in Brisbane.
I'm looking for a way to have him transported to Melbourne. What are your suggestions?
What's an Affordable and Safe Way to Have a Dog Transported from Brisbane to Melbourne?
DontNeedThis on 06/04/2021 - 16:25
Last edited 06/04/2021 - 16:32 by 1 other user
Last edited 06/04/2021 - 16:32 by 1 other user
Comments
walk the dog. its about the journey
https://www.apollocamper.com/specials/relocations
Wait for a campervan relocation from MEL to BRS. Drive up there for a few dollars.
Wait for a campervan relocation from BRS to MEL. Drive back down for a few more.Could you please elaborate on this?
Hire car companies (especially camper van hires) allow people to transport them for very cheap prices. You need to pay for fuel but the rental itself is pretty cheap. You could keep an eye on cheap flights and fly up and then just do a relocation one way. Brisbane is a pretty big hike from Melbs.
You’d want to probably check if you are ok having a dog in the van. You could just stop along the way at camp grounds for very cheap.
It would actually be a pretty good way to bond with your new best friend.
If you are buying from a breeder, they might have a company they use for their puppies. I’m curious how you are going about this without seeing the dog in person and if you aren’t buying from a breeder, who the seller is and why are they selling?. (I realise this is outside the scope of your question)
Thank you very much for your elaboration. The dog belongs to my ex's grandmother and I have lots of memories with him. She just decided to sell the dog as she can't walk him anymore. However, it ended up being more a giveaway than a sale because she knows and trusts me. I know I said "I bought" the dog, but that's because I wasn't feeling like explaining all this.
@DontNeedThis: Right ok that makes more sense. Good on you for giving him a new home.
If it were me I’d fly up and road trip home with him. https://www.apollocamper.com/be-inspired/pet-friendly
From my experience, transporting a large dog is not cheap on Qantas/Virgin because you need a special crate and they don’t fit in the standard ones. I know this because I got my previous golden retriever in a similar situation.
Poor guy hated being in the crate.
@Randxyz123: I found Jetpets, says it costs $610. I'm not sure if that's a good price. I really prefer doing what you've suggested, but I couldn't find any "relocation" needed from Brisbane to Melbourne. I'm fine with $610, but I'm worried about the experience for the dog.
@DontNeedThis: drive your own car up yourself, and drive back with dog?
fly up yourself, rent a car, drive back with dog?
rent a car, drive up yourself, drive back with dog?
@DontNeedThis: Seems like you have info from others but I was going to suggest airtasker or a Facebook group. Surely someone is making the drive, pet people can be good Samaritans. Then again, if anything happened to it…
I'd kinda trust strangers more than a "pet moving company" but I'm weird like that.
@DontNeedThis: They are fine. I used them to relocate my 4 dogs to Queensland from Sydney 4 years ago.
There's only one restriction as if the dog is over certain height they won't allow it in the cage. Because of the animal comfort and because then the next cage size would put the price up considerably.
That’s actually really awesome. Pity the only one for Melbourne is to Alice Springs
Just out of curiosity, can I ask why you purchased from someone so far away?
Probably got a good deal, classic ozbargainer.
This is a special dog to us.
But not special enough to make it comfortable on the long journey by being there for it, instead having it be terrified the entire journey being transported in a dark cage by a stranger.
Right.
If you mean by a plane, you cannot bring your pet with you on a flight until further notice. If you mean by a car, first I don't have a car and second it's a 4 day trip to there and back. I have a job. So cut your psudo-clever BS and try to be helpful.
Qantas and virgin offer fabulous cheap pet transportation service that you can book yourself. You could also drive but if just incase the dog isn't too car friendly and gets car sick then that would make for a long terrifying journey. Cheers
Thanks for your prompt response. Do you know how I can go about using Qantas or Virgin for this? I wasn't able to find a link.
Try a website called Google.
https://freight.qantas.com/pets.html
From 19 Aug 2020, all pet and animal bookings will need to be made through a pet travel specialist. Find out more.
https://freight.qantas.com/pets/brachycephalic-breeds.html#s…
It's Qantas freight as pharkurnell said. Looks like they're not taking normal bookings. What a shame!
Maybe try virgin Australia pet transport. Try to book the dog on early or late flights on days that have pleasant weather forecast and follow their guidelines regarding feeding, hydration, crate etc.
CheersThanks. Apparently none of them do this at the moment and the only way to do it is through pet transport services.
Someone I know had their dog transported interstate using a professional pet transport company and the dog came out of the plane shaking uncontrollably and looking traumatised, they said it never really went back to its usual self and developed a habit of hiding in dark corners. I imagine the luggage area of the plane is super shaky and loud with engine noise/other dogs etc. not to mention being alone in an unfamiliar cage. If I were in a similar situation I'd drive with plenty of breaks along the way, even if it takes a few days.
Yeah, I'm not sure about airplanes either. Specially considering that there will be many other dogs.
They only transport up to 4 dogs at a time in each plane.
holy sh!t
i had a cat flown by qantas itself, unescorted, interstate, like 25 years ago
cat was completely fine
did they not medicate the dog?
Not sure but I guess it also depends on temperament, and for some pets medication would only help to some extent.
Sounds scary.
Noted, thanks.
omg omg omg !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Mate used a specialized pet transport company for his old German Shepard from Melb - Newcastle.. Had no issues what so ever.. Wasnt cheap, but got there in good shape.
Do you happen to know which one?
Na sorry cant help ya, was about 5yrs ago
Probably more affordable to buy a dog in the state you live in
True, but this is a special dog to us.
It seems that they're not transporting pets anymore.
Thanks. I asked for a quote a few days ago and they haven't responded yet.
Also, don't forget Pet Insurance…
(woof).Thanks
Sounds out of left field but I'm sure a trucker would like a companion for his next trip. Even if he's only going so far as Sydney he could liaise with another trucker going to Melbourne. Would be a great story to tell.
For bonus points, when the dog arrives gather the friends around and watch the movie Red Dog - just mind you're laughing, not crying.
Sounds great in theory, but I don't think it will be easy to find a trucker for this.
Shouldn't you have thought about transport before buying a dog on the other side of the country?
Thank you all for your help. I've decided to go with Jetpets.
You might want to consider consulting a vet before the trip, they should be able to examine the dog, its medical history etc. and recommend suitable medication or some other thing to help calm nerves during the flight and all the handling leading up to it.
Thank you. Will do.
Let us know how you go - I'm sure it will be helpful to some other pet lover.
I found this online but have not tried:https://dogmovers.com.au/
Thank you.
Our last cat came from Melbourne to Brisbane with Dogtainers. That was the company the breeder used and her kittens go all around the country. It was $250 including the crate. They will also pick up and deliver to you but we collected ourselves.
He was pretty happy to get out of the cage. An eye infection reoccurred and was attributed to the stress of the trip. He is a chilled cat.
The company itself was good though.
Thank you.
Contact an antiques dealer… they have many people upon their books that transport various items between these two cities.
I say this bc your pet could be transported within the day.
Interesting! Would antiques dealers do that?
Drive to Brisbane and pick him up?
You will bond on the way back.