Moving a Pet from Canada to Australia
Real Relopet International Customer Stories & Reviews
Moving a pet from Canada to Australia is a big undertaking. Between veterinary appointments, import permits, flight arrangements, quarantine requirements, and mountains of paperwork, it’s no surprise that many pet owners feel overwhelmed before the journey even begins. And when your beloved dog or cat is involved, it’s not just about logistics. It’s about making sure an important member of your family reaches their new home safely.
At Relopet International, a Canadian pet relocation company based in Vancouver, British Columbia, we’ve helped families navigate these complex journeys from Canada to Australia. But rather than simply telling you what goes into international pet transportation, we’d like to share something more personal: real experiences from pet owners who have made the journey with us.
From Luma the cat to Olive the dog, these five-star Google reviews offer an inside look at what relocating a pet to Australia is really like—and why professional guidance can make such a difference.
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Why Is Moving a Pet from Canada to Australia So Complicated?
Australia has some of the world’s strictest animal import regulations, designed to protect the country’s unique environment, wildlife, and agricultural industries.
Canada is classified as an approved Group 3 country for importing cats and dogs into Australia. That means pets must meet specific veterinary, identification, documentation, and quarantine requirements before entering the country.
The Australian Government recommends allowing at least six months to complete the import process. Depending on the pet’s circumstances, preparation may take longer.
What Does Pet Relocation from Canada to Australia Involve?
Although requirements vary, the process commonly includes:
ISO-compatible microchip identification
Rabies vaccination and antibody testing
Veterinary examinations and required treatments
Australian import permit application
Veterinary health certificates and CFIA endorsement
International flight and travel crate arrangements
Booking mandatory post-entry quarantine in Australia
Coordinating transportation after quarantine
Even small paperwork errors or missed deadlines can create serious complications.
That’s why working with an experienced international pet relocation company can be particularly valuable for families moving to Australia.
For the latest official requirements, consult the Australian Government’s step-by-step pet import guides and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency’s Australia export guidance.
Real Stories: Relopet International Customer Reviews from Canada to Australia
Every pet relocation is different. Some families begin planning months in advance, while others reach out after realizing just how complicated the requirements can be.
Here are five experiences shared by customers who trusted Relopet International with their pets’ journeys to Australia.
Luma the Cat: From Canada to Australia
For Luma’s family, moving internationally meant navigating an unfamiliar process while trying to make the best arrangements for their cat.
In her five-star Google review, Laura described working with Fiona from the Relopet team and highlighted something that can make a significant difference during an international relocation: catching paperwork mistakes before they become bigger problems. Fiona reviewed the documentation and identified several errors the family hadn’t noticed.
Laura also appreciated Relopet’s flexibility with pricing. Because she had already completed some preparation independently, the company provided a reduced quote reflecting the work still required.
Another important detail was Relopet’s connection with a cattery near Vancouver International Airport (YVR), where Luma stayed overnight before her journey. That accommodation helped the family manage a particularly difficult part of their schedule: they had to leave Canada a day before Luma.
Laura shared that having Luma safely home with them in Australia made the experience worthwhile.
What Luma’s story highlights: Professional pet relocation support can be valuable even when you’ve already started the process yourself. Document reviews, flexible service arrangements, and local accommodation coordination can help make a complicated move more manageable.
Olive the Dog: From Victoria, Canada, to Adelaide, Australia
Olive’s family knew that moving their dog internationally would be challenging. Her owner had previously worked at a veterinary clinic and initially wondered whether she could handle the travel arrangements independently. However, after working with Fiona at Relopet International, she realized just how many details were involved.
In her five-star Google review, Sarah explained that Relopet helped coordinate Olive’s relocation, including quarantine lodging and domestic transportation arrangements with another pet relocation company in Australia. Fiona provided step-by-step instructions, reviewed the necessary paperwork, and communicated directly with the family’s veterinarian to help ensure documentation was completed correctly.
The team also arranged a correctly sized travel crate with water attachments and worked with the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) to coordinate important appointments.
As she put it in her review:
“Transporting your pet internationally is an investment and investing in Relopet is worth it :)”
What Olive’s story highlights: Even pet owners with veterinary experience can benefit from professional assistance when navigating Australia’s complex import regulations. The details of documentation, government appointments, quarantine, and transportation all matter.
Emma's Cat: A Less Stressful Move from Canada to Australia
Not every review needs to be long to tell an important story. In her five-star review, Emma described the experience of moving her cat from Canada to Australia as one of the most stressful parts of the family’s relocation.
She credited Fiona and the Relopet team with making the process easier and less overwhelming. Emma particularly appreciated Fiona’s responsiveness, updates, and willingness to stay on top of the arrangements throughout the journey. The family felt supported from beginning to end, and Emma thanked the team for helping make the relocation possible.
What this story highlights: Consistent communication matters. When families are separated from their pets during international travel, knowing that someone is monitoring the process can provide valuable reassurance.
Pierrot the Cat: From Canada to Australia with Careful Coordination
For Pierrot’s family, moving to Australia meant trusting a relocation team with both the practical and emotional aspects of transporting their beloved cat.
In his five-star Google review, Pierrot’s owner described how Relopet International helped coordinate the journey from Canada to Australia, including veterinary documentation, flights, timelines, quarantine requirements, and the many details involved in moving an animal across the world. The family specifically thanked the team for their professionalism, care, and support, highlighting their attention to detail, calm communication, and the reassurance they provided throughout the process. Most importantly, Pierrot arrived safely in Australia and was able to settle into his new life with his family.
What Pierrot’s story highlights: International pet relocation is both a logistical and emotional journey. Having knowledgeable professionals who communicate clearly and respond with care can make an enormous difference.
Crapule the Cat: From Montreal to Brisbane, Australia
Crapule’s journey is another example of just how much preparation can go into moving a cat to Australia.
In his five-star Google review, Crapule’s owner shared that the entire process took more than six months of preparation.
Throughout that time, Relopet International’s team guided the family through Australia’s strict biosecurity and pet import requirements. They appreciated the team’s professionalism, availability, and willingness to answer questions throughout the relocation. They also highlighted Relopet’s competitive pricing, explaining that some other companies had provided quotes almost twice as high.
Despite the long preparation process and the complexity of the move, Crapule arrived safely in Australia and settled into his new life with his family.
What Crapule’s story highlights: Moving a cat from Canada to Australia requires patience and careful planning, but experienced guidance can help families navigate the requirements while understanding their transportation options and costs.
What These Five Pet Relocation Reviews Have in Common
Five pets. Five different families. Five successful journeys to Australia. While their experiences were unique, several themes appeared repeatedly in their reviews.
1. Detailed Documentation Makes a Difference
Australian pet import regulations leave little room for error. For pet owners, having someone review documentation and coordinate requirements can help reduce the risk of avoidable delays.
2. Communication Helps Reduce Relocation Stress
Moving overseas is stressful enough without worrying about whether your pet’s travel arrangements are progressing as planned. Across these reviews, customers repeatedly praised Fiona and the Relopet team for prompt responses, clear instructions, regular updates, and reassurance. Professional communication doesn’t eliminate every uncertainty, but it helps families understand what is happening and what comes next.
3. Every Pet Relocation Needs an Individual Plan
Luma needed overnight accommodation near YVR before departure. Olive required coordinated quarantine and onward domestic transportation in Australia. Crapule’s relocation involved more than six months of preparation.
These experiences show why international pet transportation isn’t a one-size-fits-all service. A suitable relocation plan needs to account for the pet’s requirements, the family’s schedule, and the destination’s import regulations.
4. Professional Help Can Be Worth the Investment
Several reviewers mentioned the financial side of relocating a pet to Australia. Luma’s owner appreciated receiving a quote adjusted to reflect the preparation she’d already completed. Crapule’s family found Relopet’s pricing competitive compared with other companies they contacted. Olive’s owner emphasized the value of professional expertise after realizing how complicated the process would have been to manage independently.
While international pet transportation can be expensive, understanding what is included in a quote—and what work you may already have completed—can help you make an informed decision.
What Should You Know Before Moving Your Dog or Cat to Australia?
These customer experiences illustrate the value of preparation. There are also several important Australian import rules that every prospective pet owner should understand.
Start Planning at Least Six Months Before Departure
Australia recommends allowing at least six months to complete the necessary import procedures. The preparation timeline may include rabies antibody testing, mandatory waiting periods, government appointments, and import permit processing. Starting early gives you more flexibility when coordinating veterinary care and travel dates.
Understand Australia’s Mandatory Pet Quarantine
Dogs and cats imported from Canada must undergo post-entry quarantine at the government-operated Mickleham facility in Melbourne. Eligible pets may qualify for a minimum 10-day quarantine period when the required official identity verification and other conditions are met. Without qualifying verification, the minimum quarantine period is generally 30 days. Additional time may be required if biosecurity issues arise. The exact conditions are determined by the Australian authorities and the pet’s import permit.
Make Sure Your Paperwork Is Correct
Canadian pets travelling to Australia must meet both Australian import requirements and applicable Canadian export certification procedures.
The CFIA plays an important role in official veterinary documentation, and certain steps must be completed within specific timeframes. For example, an optional official identity declaration that can help a pet qualify for shorter quarantine must be completed before the relevant rabies antibody blood test. This is precisely the kind of detail that can be easy to overlook when planning an international move for the first time.
Plan for Your Pet’s Journey Beyond the Flight
Your pet’s relocation may involve more than the international flight itself.
Depending on the destination and itinerary, arrangements may include temporary boarding before departure, transportation to the airport, mandatory quarantine in Melbourne, and onward travel to another Australian city. As Olive’s and Luma’s experiences demonstrate, coordinating these additional steps can be an important part of the relocation plan.
Why Choose Relopet International for Pet Transport from Canada to Australia?
Relopet International is an independent, Canadian pet relocation company headquartered in Vancouver, British Columbia.
We specialize in international pet transportation from Canada to destinations around the world, including Australia, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, and other countries with detailed pet import requirements.
As a member of the International Pet and Animal Transportation Association (IPATA), we understand the importance of professional standards, informed planning, and reliable international coordination.
Our services can include:
Personalized international pet relocation planning
Guidance on Australian import requirements
Veterinary documentation and CFIA coordination
Airline and flight arrangements
IATA-compliant travel crate guidance
Quarantine and onward transportation coordination
Ongoing communication throughout the process
But what we’re especially proud of is the feedback from families who’ve trusted us with their pets.
FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions About Moving Pets from Canada to Australia
Moving a dog or cat from Canada to Australia generally involves microchip identification, rabies vaccination and testing, an import permit, veterinary health documentation, CFIA endorsement, airline arrangements, and mandatory quarantine. Requirements vary by animal and circumstances, so always follow the current Australian Government import guide.
The Australian Government recommends allowing at least six months for preparation. Some relocations may take longer depending on veterinary procedures, documentation, permit processing, and available travel arrangements.
The cost depends on your pet’s size, departure location, airline arrangements, travel crate, veterinary requirements, import permits, quarantine, and onward transportation. Relopet International can provide a personalized quote based on your circumstances. Request a free quote to start.
Yes. Dogs and cats imported from Canada must complete mandatory post-entry quarantine at the Mickleham facility in Melbourne. Eligible pets may qualify for a minimum 10-day stay, while others generally require at least 30 days. The Australian Government determines the applicable requirements.
Yes. Cats can be imported from Canada when they meet Australia’s requirements. These include identification, veterinary preparation, import documentation, and quarantine. Additional conditions may apply, so check the latest government guidance before making arrangements.
Relopet International helps coordinate pet relocations from Canadian cities to Australia, including journeys originating in British Columbia, Quebec, and other provinces. Available arrangements depend on the pet, departure location, and airline routes.
Planning to Move Your Pet from Canada to Australia?
If you’re planning an international move with your dog or cat, it’s never too early to start preparing.
Australia’s import requirements are complex, but you don’t have to navigate them alone. From Vancouver and Victoria to Montreal and other Canadian cities, Relopet International helps families plan and coordinate their pets’ journeys to Australia.
Ready to start planning? Request a personalized pet relocation quote from Relopet International.
Tell us where you’re moving, when you hope to travel, and a little about your pet. Our team can help you understand the next steps.
Because the best part of every relocation isn’t the flight.
It’s the moment your family is together again 💙🐾