Rabies outbreak in Malaysia

In view of the confirmed outbreak of Rabies in Malaysia, AVA has temporary suspended all importation of pet dogs, cats and small mammals into Singapore with immediate effect.

This measure will extend to the species of pets which are susceptible to the disease, including rabbits, chinchillas, dogs and cats. This is a necessary measure taken by AVA to ensure that Singapore remains free from rabies. 


This restriction does not apply to pets moving from Ireland. It ONLY relates to the movement of pets originating or transiting Malaysian ports.

Pilot Diverts Flight To Save Dog From Freezing To Death

An Air Canada pilot became one dog's hero on Sunday when he diverted a flight to save the dog's life.

Flight AC085 was carrying 232 passengers from Tel Aviv to Toronto when the pilot noticed one of the cargo hold heaters was malfunctioning, said Peter Fitzgerald, a spokesperson for Air Canada. The unnamed pilot realized that Simba, a seven-year-old French bulldog traveling in the cargo hold on his first flight, was in possible danger of dying.

"The temperature was falling, as it is very cold at the high altitude where our planes fly," said Fitzgerald. "While a heater is not normally a critical component, on this particular flight there was a live animal in the hold. With the altitude it can become very uncomfortable, and possibly the situation could have been life threatening if the flight had continued." 

 

 

Source

Important notice relating to the importation of Dogs and Cats into Australia

We have received the following update from Dr Patrick Cass BVSc (Hons), Veterinary Office - Animal and Biological Import Assessments Branch, Department of Agriculture Australia.

"The Australian Government Department of Agriculture has recently noticed an increase in the number of dogs imported to Australia that have been administered inappropriate external parasite treatments as part of their pre-export preparations.  The products that have been used are oral formulations containing fluralaner, spinosad or afoxolaner. 

Australian import conditions require the use of external parasite treatments that kill ticks and fleas on contact. This means that the parasite is not able to bite the dog (or cat) in order to be exposed to the active ingredient and therefore, greatly reduces the chance of transmission of vector-borne diseases.  As a general rule, oral external parasite treatments do not meet Australian import conditions and should therefore not be relied upon for exporting dogs and cats to Australia.

The department’s website includes a table of acceptable parasite treatments for use in preparing dogs and cats for export to Australia - http://www.agriculture.gov.au/cats-dogs/step-by-step-guides/parasite-treatment.  We strongly advise all prospective exporters to consult this list prior to beginning export preparations.  The list is not exhaustive but where an exporter wishes to use an unlisted product they should contact us first to check that it will be appropriate."

Pets-On-Board is a division of EFL International Distribution Ltd based in Dublin, Ireland.

Please visit us at the following link for details of our services. http://www.efl.ie/efl/pettransport.php

Issued 20th April 2015

Pet Quarantine in Sydney Australia

The Department of Agriculture, animal division has issued the following information which will come into effect later 2015.

"The Australian Government Department of Agriculture has decided to cease taking bookings at our Eastern Creek Quarantine Facility for arrivals after 16 October 2015. 

This is in keeping with the consolidation of Post Entry Quarantine to one facility in Melbourne. For further information on the new Quarantine Facility in Mickleham Victoria please click on this linkhttp://www.agriculture.gov.au/import/future-post-entry-quarantine-arrangements.

If you wish to book your animal into Eastern Creek (for arrival before 16 October) or need information on Quarantine Facilities in Melbourne please click on this linkhttp://www.agriculture.gov.au/cats-dogs/quarantine-facilities-and-fees/post-entry-quarantine-facilitiesor alternatively you can use the contact details below.

            Phone: +61 3 9391 1627 (VIC) or +61 2 9625 4566 (NSW)

Fax: +61 3 9391 0860

Email: Invoicing, Bookings & General Inquiries

Hours: Monday – Friday (8.00am - 4.00pm)

Weekends and Australian Public Holidays – Closed."

Pet Travel is Safest in Years

According to the latest data (http://www.dot.gov/airconsumer/february-2015-air-travel-consumer-report) released from the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT), 17 animals died during transport on U.S. airlines in 2014; the lowest number in years.

In 2014, U.S. airlines reported 17 fatalities and 26 injuries when transporting animals. Back in 2010, 39 deaths were reported.

The International Pet and Animal Transportation Association (IPATA) estimates that at least one million pets travel on U.S. airlines every year.

"Of course, we wish that no pet would die during transport," says Manuel Leunda, IPATA president. "But as we look at the bigger picture, the numbers are incredibly low and decreasing every year. Air travel is the safest and most humane mode of travel for their pets."

"One reason for the declining number of incidents may be that more people are using professional pet shippers than ever before," says Sally Smith, who has operated Airborne Animals for 25 years. " As a professional pet shipper, I depend on the airlines to provide a safe and reliable service for the pets entrusted to me by their owners. I couldn't be successful in this business if I didn't."

Beginning on January 1, 2015, the DOT expanded its rule regarding reporting the loss, injury or death of animals during air transport. The agency will be collecting information from more carriers and including in cabin baggage, accompanied baggage and unaccompanied air cargo shipments and breeder shipments. Read IPATA's press release (http://www.ipata.org/articles/us-dept-of-transportation-n...) for more on the changes.

IPATA, the non-profit trade organization dedicated to the care and welfare of pets and animals during transport, supports air travel for pets through commercial airlines cargo systems as being the safest, most expedient and humane means of moving animals throughout the United States and around the world. Through its global network, IPATA works with local governments, policymakers, and the airlines directly to make sure pet travel is as safe as possible and to ensure that the number of fatalities continue to decrease. IPATA members are the local point of contact for a specific pet move, and know which agencies and airlines should be contacted and used regarding that move.

Source PRLog - Feb. 25, 2015 - HAWKINS, Texas