So. I was thinking. My wife says this is a bad thing for me to do for two reasons. Firstly, apparently it makes me grumpy. And, secondly, it seems to make other people grumpy too. (Or at least some people.)
My thoughts centred on exporting dogs to Australia. (I know, it’s sad, isn’t it?) It is quite an onerous thing to do. Canines must be vaccinated against rabies more than seven months before they travel and, three to four weeks later, require a blood test to confirm they have sufficient rabies antibodies to protect them against the disease.
The blood test must be done by a vet with an OV66 qualification, and they must read the microchip at the same time and send a photograph of it with the dog, all in clear view, to the Australian authorities.
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Travel is not permitted for 180 days after a successful titre test. Furthermore, the dog has to be similarly identified by a second OV66 vet, who cannot be related to the other. This second vet will have to complete the Export Health Certificate at a later date because the blood sampling vet is not allowed to!
Next, you have to apply to the Australian Quarantine Department for an import permit, which you have to pay for. Once the permit is in the bag, you need to book a ten day quarantine space in Melbourne. And pay for it.
On day 52-43 before the flight, your dog must be treated, by a certifying vet, with an appropriate tick treatment and vaccinated against leptospirosis, unless it has already been done. A second dose may be required in two weeks.
Dog owners who want to take their pet with them to Australia have to meet a long list of essential requirements before being given permission – in stark contrast to the UK. (Image: Unsplash.com)
Around now, you need to email the nice people at the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) and ask them for an application form and EXA form, so that you can apply to the Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) for an Export Health Certificate (EHC). This will be sent, not to you, but your nominated vet.
On day 30-22 prior to travelling, your dog must be blood sampled to ensure it is not carrying ehrlichia, leishmania and brucella. It will need another tick treatment and, possibly, a second leptospirosis vaccine.
Finally (you are worrying about how my brain works now, aren’t you?), five days before departing, your dog has to be health checked by a government-approved official veterinary surgeon (OVS), who will also treat again for ticks and worms and complete your EHC. And, em, charge you handsomely for doing so.
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And then, finally, it’s ‘bon voyage!’
And why do the Australian authorities demand all this palaver? Quite simply, it’s to keep unwanted diseases out. If you don’t want to comply, then they will not let your dog in.
It seems to me the UK authorities are far too lenient when it comes to pet travel into our country. For the sake of harmonisation, for example, we have given away our right to demand that dogs are treated for ticks before arriving. It’s nonsense!
And, once again, I see my wife was right on both counts.