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Bringing cats and dogs to Australia - Past alerts
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Byford Quarantine Station
Date this alert was on the Cats and Dogs homepage: 13 March 2013 - current
Alert conditions still apply unless otherwise notified.
The Byford Post Entry Quarantine Facility in Western Australia, which houses cats and dogs, has temporarily ceased the intake of animals until 31st May, 2013, in response to an unacceptable bushfire risk.
If you are planning to import your animals to Australia there are alternative quarantine facilities available that offer equivalent levels of animal care and biosecurity. These facilities include:
- Eastern Creek Quarantine Facility (Sydney, New South Wales) or
- Spotswood Quarantine Facility (Melbourne, Victoria).
Prohibited Breed and Domestic Animal Hybrid Importer Declaration (previously known as the Importer Declaration)
The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries & Forestry wishes to advise all clients importing cats & dogs into Australia that, the Prohibited Breed and Domestic Animal Hybrid Importer Declaration must be completed by a person listed within the importer details of the import permit application form.
Decision to close Byford until fire danger passes
Date this alert was on the Cats and Dogs homepage: 28 February 2013 - 13 March 2013
Alert conditions still apply unless otherwise notified.
Post entry quarantine is a part of the system that minimises the risks of exotic pest and disease entering Australia and affecting our animals.
The Byford Post Entry Quarantine Facility in Western Australia, which houses cats and dogs, has temporarily ceased the intake of animals until 31 May, 2013, in response to an unacceptable bushfire risk.
DAFF’s main concern is to ensure the safety of staff and animals at the facility at a time of heightened bushfire activity.
The decision to close the facility until 31 May aligns the potential reopening with the end of the restricted burning period in the Byford area.
Bushfires are a feature of Australian life and we do everything we can to be prepared for and manage the risk of fires.
In making the decision DAFF considered the facility’s location in an extreme bushfire hazard area and the fire mitigation measures already in place along with our concerns for the health and welfare of our staff and of the animals in our care.
During the closure, all animals will be accommodated in alternative DAFF quarantine facilities. Those with cats or dogs booked into the Byford facility should call +61 2 6272 4454 to find out more.
Media should contact 02 6272 3488 or email DAFF
Byford Quarantine Facility situation update
Date this alert was on the Cats and Dogs homepage: 15 February 2013 - 28 February 2013
Alert conditions still apply unless otherwise notified.
Post entry quarantine is a part of the system that minimises the risks of exotic pest and disease entering Australia and affecting live animals.
The Byford Post Entry Quarantine Facility in Western Australia houses cats and dogs.
A decision was made to temporarily cease intake at Byford quarantine facility for two weeks and to remove animals from the facility.
This is a temporary measure in place to ensure the safety of staff and animals during a time of heightened bushfire risk.
Our main concerns have been for the health and welfare of staff and of the animals in our care.
DAFF has put in place temporary arrangements to care for the cats and dogs from Byford in the coming days.
Bushfires are a feature of Australian life and we do everything we can to be prepared for and manage the risk of fires.
DAFF has undertaken work to reduce the fire risk around the Byford facility by removing vegetation, installing screen meshes to all animal pens to reduce the risk of embers entering the pens, and installing a water system, pumps and sprinklers to provide some protection and heat stress relief to animals.
This work was completed in 2012 in accordance with the Serpentine Jarrahdale Shire fire break notice. These works were overseen by the shire Emergency Services Risk Coordinator.
Those with cats or dogs at Byford, or those with animals booked for release or entry to the facility should call +61 (0)2 6272 4454 to find out more.
Media should email DAFF or phone 02 6272 3488.
Byford Quarantine Facility situation update
Date this alert was on the Cats and Dogs homepage: 14 February 2013 - 15 February 2013
Alert conditions still apply unless otherwise notified.
Post entry quarantine is a part of the system that minimises the risks of exotic pest and disease entering Australia and affecting live animals.
The Byford Post Entry Quarantine Facility in Western Australia houses cats and dogs.
Bushfires are a feature of Australian life and we do everything we can to be prepared for and manage the risk of fires.
DAFF has undertaken work to reduce the fire risk around the Byford facility by removing vegetation, installing screen meshes to all animal pens to reduce the risk of embers entering the pens, and installing a water system, pumps and sprinklers to provide some protection and heat stress relief to animals.
This work was completed in accordance with 2012 in accordance with the Serpentine Jarrahdale Shire fire break notice. These works were overseen by the shire Emergency Services Risk Coordinator.
DAFF relies on the advice of the Government of Western Australia’s Fire & Emergency Services Authority (FESA) to assess when it is appropriate to activate the facility’s bush fire plan.
We need to balance our ability to look after the animals as well as minimise risks to human life and the biosecurity risk posed to Australia’s animal and plant health.
No visitation will be permitted in the immediate future as we do not want to put additional people at risk if we need to prioritise husbandry of the animals should the fire situation worsen.
Those with cats or dogs at Byford, or those with animals booked for release or entry to the facility should call +61 2 6272 4454 to find out more.
Proposed changes to cat and dog import policy
Date this alert was on the Cats and Dogs homepage: 26 July 2012 - 25 September 2012
Alert conditions still apply unless otherwise notified.
DAFF Biosecurity is reviewing the policy that determines the import conditions for cats and dogs coming to Australia. The draft policy has now been released for public comment.
The draft policy and instructions on how to provide your comments are available at Review of importation of dogs and cats and their semen.
The review focuses on the exotic pest and disease risks associated with the import of cats and dogs. The review is based on rigorous scientific analysis and international experience regarding biosecurity measures including the use of rabies vaccination, approved treatments and laboratory testing. The proposed changes to the policy will support DAFF Biosecurity’s move to a risk-based approach for managing Australia’s biosecurity system.
Among other changes, the draft policy review proposes a reduced quarantine period for cats and dogs when they arrive in Australia.
All comments will be considered carefully before any changes to import conditions are introduced. When the new policy is finalised, an implementation date will be announced. In the meantime, the current import conditions will apply.
The current import conditions for cats and dogs are available at Bringing cats and dogs to Australia website.
Byford Animal Quarantine Station accommodation availability
Date this alert was on the Cats and Dogs homepage: 27 June 2012 - 13 February 2013
Alert conditions still apply unless otherwise notified.
Due to the size of the station and the limited number of cat and dog pens available, the Byford (Perth, Western Australia) Animal Quarantine Station may not be able to accommodate your pet on your chosen dates. DAFF Biosecurity recommends contacting the Byford Animal Quarantine Station to confirm accommodation availability before booking your travel arrangements. However, this does not guarantee you a booking, this will only be an indication of when accommodation is available at the time you make your inquiry.
Dogs require Bordetella bronchiseptica vaccination
Date this alert was on the Cats and Dogs homepage: 17 January 2012 - Current
Alert conditions still apply unless otherwise notified.
As of 1 March 2012, all import permits for dogs will be issued with a condition that vaccination for Bordetella bronchiseptica (kennel cough) is mandatory.
Rabies vaccination requirements for UK, Malta, Republic of Ireland, and Sweden
Date this alert was on the Cats and Dogs homepage: 19 September 2011 - 16 January 2012
Alert conditions still apply unless otherwise notified.
From 1 January 2012, cats and dogs from the UK, Malta, Republic of Ireland, and Sweden will be required to have a rabies vaccination and rabies titre test prior to entry into Australia.
For specific details, please refer to the Information Package 4 - Quarantine requirements for the importation of cats and dogs from AQIS approved countries in which rabies is absent or well controlled.
Rabies vaccination requirements for Cyprus
Date this alert was on the Cats and Dogs homepage: 19 September 2011 - 23 November 2011
Alert conditions still apply unless otherwise notified.
Effective immediately, cats and dogs from Cyprus are required to have a rabies vaccination and rabies titre test prior to entry into Australia.
Changes to booking and invoicing
Date this alert was on the Cats and Dogs homepage: 25 August 2011 - 16 March 2012
Alert conditions still apply unless otherwise notified.
Please be aware, due to change in departmental policy, from 1 February 2012, payment for quarantine accommodation for your animal/s will be due at the time of making a booking at your chosen quarantine station. Fees are subject to change without notice. It is the responsibility of the client to regularly visit the AQIS website for information on updates or amendments to AQIS fees.
Changes to Booking and Invoicing Processes:
- The new booking and pre payment system is scheduled to be implemented on 1 February 2012.
- There will be no change to current payment processes
- A tentative booking will only be taken against valid Import Permit/s.
- An invoice will be created for set fees at the time of making the tentative booking.
- A tentative booking will only be confirmed when payment is receipted for this invoice.
- Approval to uplift will only be granted to animals with a confirmed booking.
- A second invoice for variable expenses will be generated during the quarantine period
- The second invoice must be paid prior to release of your cat/s and/or dog/s
The first (set fee) invoice includes AQIS veterinary inspections, document assessment and the daily rate for quarantine accommodation. These fees are the set minimum charges that can be calculated for your animal/s quarantine period.
The second (variable expenses) invoice includes the airline handling fees, parasite treatment (if required), additional days in quarantine or any other third party expenses incurred during the quarantine period. This second invoice will need to be paid in full prior to release of your animal/s from the quarantine facility.
If circumstances change during the quarantine period, AQIS can issue refunds or additional invoices to clients.
Quarantine Station Operating Hours Over Chistmas and New Year 2011-2012
Date this alert was on the Cats and Dogs homepage: 27 May 2011 - 09 January 2012
Alert conditions still apply unless otherwise notified.
The following arrangements will apply for the period from Monday 19 December 2011 until Tuesday 3 January 2012.
AQIS Holidays:
- Monday 26 December –Christmas Day public holiday
- Tuesday 27 December –Boxing Day public holiday
- Wednesday 28 December- Australian Public Service holiday
- Monday 2 January – New Years Day public holiday
Animal Arrivals:
The last collection of animals by AQIS from Sydney, Melbourne and Perth airports will occur on Wednesday 21 December 2011. Normal collections from the airports will resume on Tuesday 3 January 2012.
Visiting Hours:
The quarantine stations will be closed for visiting over the Christmas – New Year period.
Animal departures:
Animals can be collected from the quarantine stations as per the holiday and weekend collection hours for each station.
Please refer to the individual station pages for further details. It is recommended that you regularly check the AQIS website as information on the Christmas/New Year period will be updated throughout 2011.
Canine Influenza Virus (CIV) vaccination for dogs from the USA
Date this alert was on the Cats and Dogs homepage: 18 January 2011 - 19 September 2011
Alert conditions still apply unless otherwise notified.
Canine Influenza Virus (CIV) vaccination will be a mandatory condition for dogs being exported from the USA with an import permit issued after 1 April 2011. For more details refer to Information Package 4.
New fee schedule from 7 Aug 2009
Date this alert was on the Cats and Dogs homepage: 03 August 2009 - 07 January 2010
Alert conditions still apply unless otherwise notified.
All cats and dogs that enter Australian quarantine on or after 7 August 2009 will be charged according to the new fee table.
The fee increases are necessary to ensure that we can maintain our service levels to importers, as well as our commitment to managing the quarantine risks associated with imported animals through the implementation of post arrival quarantine.
To simplify the fee structure individual services currently charged and new services not previously charged have been merged into the daily accommodation rate for cats and dogs.
Proposed Increase To Daily Accommodation Fees
Date this alert was on the Cats and Dogs homepage: 30 April 2009 - 03 August 2009
Alert conditions still apply unless otherwise notified.
Please note that proposed increases to the fees and charges for the post arrival care and quarantine of imported cats and dogs at Government operated quarantine stations are likely to be introduced in May-June 2009. These fees are yet to be endorsed by the Government, confirmation of an implementation date will be provided once this has occurred.
To ensure that service levels provided to importers can be maintained as well as our commitment to manage the quarantine risks associated with imported animals through the implementation of post arrival quarantine, it is necessary for the program to increase the fees.
In order to simplify the fee structure and provide an easily determinable quarantine cost for importers, individual services currently charged and new services not previously charged have been merged into the daily accommodation rate for dogs and cats.
Please note that conveyance will no longer be charged and that all other charges outlined above will still apply.
15 Feb 2013