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The pet import process to Australia definitely takes quite a bit of time and planning, but the good news is that it’s very safe for pets when the right precautions are taken.For example, though it’s a long flight, if your cats are in good health and you’ve taken the time to acclimate them to their travel crates, they’ll handle the trip just fine (they probably won’t love it, but they’ll be okay).As for quarantine, the facility in Melbourne is new, clean, and safe. The staff cares for the pets extremely well during the 10 days they’ll spend there, and once they’re home with you life will probably go back to normal very quickly.Going back to Canada won’t require as stringent a process, but you’ll still be taking your cats on a long flight and gathering some paperwork once again (Canada doesn’t require a quarantine).Note that this process isn’t cheap by the time you factor in all the vet visits, airfare, quarantine fees, etc., so you’ll also need to consider this as you make your decision. For permanent moves most people easily see the value in bringing their pets with them, but temporary moves require more of a decision process (as you already know).The bottom line is that these travel plans can be carried out safely, it’s just a matter of how much time and money you’d like to spend and how much activity you want your cats to experience.Here are a few more experiences to look over as you make your decision. It can definitely help to hear thoughts and opinions from real pet travelers who have made similar moves. Hope this helps!

Cats are creatures of habit and like the same familar space and the same hourly routine daily. Rare are cats that have the aplomb to go anywhere, anytime. Cats have a territory and are usually uncomfortable until they are acclimated for a few weeks to a new home. They cannot understand that you have to go somewhere for work, then back home. They could understand perhaps permanently moving to a new territory for somereason like food scarcity, but going here and there, to unfamilair territory and back is not at all in a cat’s comfort zone. Far better to leave them in their usual home, well supervised by someone who can not just feed them, but play with them and provide real affection at least daily.That having been said, I’d be careful about letting the cat outside to roam when you leave to travel. I had a pet cat that went looking for me after I’d been gone on vacation for a few days, camping some states away. He could not “feel” me being near and set out. I found his body along a busy road, a few blocks away from home. If my current cat could go outside, he’d go looking for me when I’m hospitalized. He meows loudly at the door at night if I’m gone for my husband to go outside and bring me back. He assumes I’m right outside somewhere, even if he sees us drive away in our vehicle.There is always the possibility in a hotel or staying with a friend that staff or others will accidentally or maliciously let your cat out. It would be very uncomfortable for your cat to be in a carrier 24/7, and air travel would be an extremely stressful experience. Car travel is stressful enough for cats that I have only done it when absolutely necessary, with one excpetion.I had a cat I adopted from a neighboring business that was born in their warehouse in a car. He considered cars “home” and would jump in with us and want to go riding, like a dog. We obliged sometimes, not often, because as any cat owner knows, cats can spook easily in unfamiliar territory and run in any direction. We ddi harness and tag him. Once he’d had a few trips to the vet, he didn’t care so much for car trips because he decided any trip could end up at the vet. I had negelcted to teach him the difference between the two types. A pre-breifing each time, using one of two different tones of speaking could have done that, allowing him to associate each with theb type of trip, but I didn’t think of that until much later.

By plane as carry-on if at all possible. Cats and small dogs can fly as carry one for sure. you would have to check the airlines on their requirement for those animals as well as if they allow others.If you have an animal that does not meet the carry on requirements then fly them as “checked bags” on the same flight as you. Make sure you see your pet loaded or have a flight attendant confirm that they have been loaded before the doors are closed.There are companies that will fly your pets for you but they cost more, a LOT more. Sometimes all they are doing is filing out the paperwork for you and getting the animal on the passenger plane as “checked bags”. Other have flights ONLY for pets but again, they are pricey!Really, these are you only options.Now to keep them safe.Make sure they have had time to get acclimated to their travel carrier. It should be set out and available for your pet to wander in and out at their leisure.Oh and that carrier had better be airline approved. For carry on that can be hard or soft but “checked bags” must be hard sided. Your furbaby must be able to stand up and turn around in it. Use zip ties to secure the top to the bottom of your carrier and for “checked bags” that the door is also zipped closed. You do NOT want your baby to escape!Carry on pets will need to come out of their carrier at security. You shoudl have them collared/harnessed and leashed. That way if they try to bolt you still have them. Make sure they are leashed to a break away collar like most cats have.Don’t drug your pet. The last thing you want is to drug your pet and have them have a reaction due to the elevation or to wake up in a panic cause they don’t know where they are.Most importantly keep in mind that you are the voice of your pet. You must make sure they are safe and being handled with care.