Georgs, I noticed in the T&T article on Heidi & Wolfgang Hass that they had their dog with them when visiting Northern Territory Australia.? Everything I've heard about bringing a cruising dog to Australia involves 90 days quarantine or euthanasia;?how did they do it??
Dave & Dorothy Nagle
DavidEllis Diesel Duck 462-02
Hong Kong

I spoke with Heidi Hass on this topic. I may be confusing my conversation
with her, with a conversation with someone else, so apologies if I am giving
information about the wrong person.

They were in Australia long enough that it was worth it to them to
quarantine their dog. Their dog was taken from them and shipped across
country to a quarantine center. It was returned in poor condition. They are
returning to Australia and will be going through quarantine again, but plan
this time to purchase a motor home, and live during quarantine in the
parking lot of the quarantine center. Apparently you are allowed to visit
the dog daily, and they will do so.

I have spoken to both Australia and New Zealand several times. They are very
firm in their position on dogs. At a minimum we will need to stop for fuel
in Australia. According to the customs people, I will need to arrange
offshore delivery. They don't even want us at a fuel dock with the dog on
board! If anchored, I need to pay an inspector to arrive daily to verify
that the dog is on the boat.

Our dog is too old to be put through quarantine, so other than seeing
Australia through binoculars, it will be an "off shore fuel delivery" for
us.

We're currently working on the paperwork to get our dog into Japan. It is
difficult but possible, and there won't be a quarantine. On the negative
side, I recently spoke with a cruiser who did everything required by Japan,
but was then still forbidden to take his dog ashore.

-Ken Williams
Sans Souci, Nordhavn 68

Ross said: "... Hate to sound negative but why bring a dog??.."

Our dog Shelby has traveled over 20,000 miles with us. Our kids are grown
and out of the house, so she is our family. When the day comes that she is
no longer around, we won't get a new dog until our cruising in
dog-unfriendly places is over, but until that day, we have no choice.
Leaving a dog her age alone while we go gallivanting around the world just
wouldn't be right.

-Ken W
Sans Souci, Nordhavn 68

Mark said: "... Just a thought, can you put your dog in your dink offshore,
take him/her for a ride during fueling..."

That's a great question Mark, and a good idea! Duh... why didn't I think of
that. As we get closer, I'll ask the Australian authorities. As to private
kennels for quarantining the dog, it's also a good idea, but nothing I've
read has referred to any. If I speak with the people in immigration again,
I'll ask.

New rules were recently published for Australian quarantine, and they seem
slightly more forgiving than the prior rules.

Here are the latest rules:

http://www.daffa.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0013/112045/category-4-inform
ation-package.pdf

By jumping through a few hoops it is possible to qualify for a 30 day
quarantine. It's still more than we can put our dog through, but probably
reasonable for younger dogs.

-Ken W
Sans Souci, Nordhavn 68

If you go to this web address it will explain everything you need to know
about bring animals into Australia. www.daff.gov.au/aqis/cat-dogs