AUSTRALIAN QUARANTINE AND INSPECTION SERVICE AQIS

Importing your assistance Dog in to Australia Overview

THE PROCESS FOR IMPORTING YOUR DOG IS SUMMARISED BELOW. DETAILS OF IMPORT REQUIREMENTS ARE CONTAINED IN STEPS 1-20. THESE STEPS MUST BE COMPLETED PRIOR TO IMPORTING YOUR PET.


SUMMARY

These conditions are for the importation into Australia of disability assistance dogs accompanying a disabled person. These conditions are designed to allow the performance of quarantine, as quarantine surveillance (details are set out in the Disabled Persons Declaration attached as Appendix 3), outside a government quarantine station so that the disabled person may have the use of his/her assistance dog during that period.

A Permit to Import must be obtained from AQIS before importation. To obtain a Permit to Import, an application must be completed and returned to the quarantine station in the same state that your dog will arrive in Australia. You will find an application form at the end of this information package. Importation must be made through Sydney, Melbourne or Perth only. Quarantine stations are listed at Appendix 4.

The Permit to Import that will be returned to you defines some additional import requirements. Just having the Permit to Import will not allow your dog into Australia. These additional requirements include tests, treatments and inspections that must be completed prior to export. AQIS accepts that these requirements have been completed satisfactorily when certified on Veterinary Certificates A and B provided with the Permit to Import. The original Permit to Import, original Veterinary Certificates A and B, and the required laboratory reports and vaccination certificates must be presented to a quarantine officer on your arrival in Australia. Your pet and all accompanying documents must be linked unequivocally by means of your pet's microchip number which must also be included on Veterinary Certificate A and B and the laboratory reports. The steps below provide additional information for completing the entire process.

STEP 1: GENERAL ELIGIBILITY

Dogs must have been continuously living in the country of export for a minimum of 6 months immediately prior to shipment, or since direct importation from Australia (please see the section on "Dogs and cats returning to Australia after less than 6 months residency in country of export" before proceeding). The dog must not have been under quarantine restrictions in the 30 days prior to export. AQIS may allow the importation of dogs from the European Union that have not completed 6 months residency in the country of export. The animal(s) must have been continuously resident for the 6 months prior to export in AQIS approved European Union countries. Documentation to support residency status must be provided to the Official Veterinarian endorsing Veterinary Certificates A and B.


Age/Pregnancy/Dangerous breeds.

Dogs must be more than six (6) months old at time of export. Dogs must not be more than 6 weeks pregnant, nor be suckling young at time of export.


Dangerous Breeds: Dogs of the following breeds are not eligible for importation into Australia:
dogo Argentino
fila Brazileiro
Japanese tosa
Pit bull terrier
American pit bull.

STEP 2: CHECK THE DATE OF LAST RABIES VACCINATION

The dog must be at least 3 months old at the time of the first vaccination. The vaccination must be given between 12 months and 6 months prior to export.


b) Subsequent Vaccinations Where the primovaccination or subsequent vaccinations were given more than 12 months prior to the date of export a booster vaccination must be given. The primovaccination certificate, or the most current rabies vaccination booster certificate must be presented to the Official Veterinarian when completing Section 7 of the application form.

STEP 3: MICROCHIP DOG

Dogs must be identified by a microchip that can be read by an Avid *, Trovan*, Destron* or other ISO compatible reader. The microchip must be implanted before any testing takes place.

STEP 4: FIND A "REGISTERED" VETERINARIAN, AN "OFFICIAL VETERINARIAN" AND A " GOVERNMENT APPROVED LABORATORY".

A registered (licensed) veterinarian has completed a tertiary degree to become a veterinarian and has been registered by either a state or federal government body; enabling them to work in a veterinary practice. In some countries a registered veterinarian can do most of the veterinary work for export eg. blood collecting, vaccinations. In other countries veterinarians must be government approved to perform export work.

The USA requires that only registered veterinarians who are also accredited by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) prepare animals for export. Ensure that you contact a USDA-accredited veterinarian to prepare your dog for import to Australia. In the USA most registered (licensed) veterinarians are also USDA accredited. An official veterinarian is either a government officer employed or accredited by the government veterinarian administration (eg USDA) in the exporting country, or a veterinarian specifically authorised or accredited to perform certification for animals for export. Official veterinarians may or may not work in private practice. Official veterinarians are able to sign certificates on behalf of the government's veterinary administration.

A registered (licensed) or accredited veterinarian will prepare your dog for export to Australia and fill in the details of this preparation on Veterinary Certificate A. An official veterinarian must endorse Veterinary Certificate A and complete Veterinary Certificate B. The official veterinarian must also complete, sign and stamp Section 7 of your application form before it can be forwarded to AQIS.

Veterinary Certificates A and B must be completed in English and where necessary in a language understood by the official veterinarian.

"Government approved laboratories" are approved by the government veterinary service for testing samples from animals destined for export. AQIS allows the use of Government approved laboratories in countries other than the country of export. If necessary the Australian Animal Health Laboratory can do all testing for you. Fax: + 613 5227 5555 Ph: + 613 5227 5329

To locate appropriate veterinarians and laboratories, contact the government quarantine, agriculture or food departments in the country of export. Alternatively, contact AQIS.

ADDITIONAL TESTING REQUIREMENTS FOR DOGS AND CATS FROM MALAYSIA ONLY

All dogs and cats from Malaysia must be tested for Nipah virus by the Serum Neutralisation test at CSIRO AAHL,Victoria, on a blood sample collected within 45 days prior to export, with negative results. The result of this test must be faxed to the manager of the quarantine station (in the state in which the pet will be quarantined) not less than 1 week before the expected travel date.

Cats and dogs may not be sent to Australia without written confirmation by the quarantine station manager that the Nipah virus result is acceptable. The written confirmation must be attached to the import permit and accompany cats and dogs to Australia.

For further information, please contact Lyndel Post at Live Animal Imports in Canberra on 61 2 6272 5387.

STEP 5: RABIES NEUTRALISING ANTIBODY TITRE TEST (RNATT)

The RNATT report must be presented to an official veterinarian when completing Section 7 of the application form. A copy of the RNATT report should be submitted with your application for permit to import.

STEP 6: PRELIMINARY TESTING

It is strongly recommended (however not mandatory) that your dog be screened for Brucellosis, Leptospirosis and Ehrlichiosis before proceeding. Dogs that return a positive result for any of these diseases will not be eligible for entry into Australia. See step 10 for details of testing should you choose to proceed at this stage. If you do screen your pet for these diseases at this stage you should also commence tick treatments immediately to ensure that your dog remains free of these diseases. Tick treatment is covered in step 11. To ensure that your dog remains free of Brucellosis it must not be mated or artificially inseminated after testing.

STEP 7: APPLY FOR A PERMIT TO IMPORT

Your dog will not be allowed to enter Australia without a valid AQIS Permit to Import. Dogs that arrive without a permit will be re-exported immediately to the country of origin. Please down load and complete an application form from the AQIS web site. When completed the application form must be sent to the quarantine station in the same Australian state that your dog will arrive into (Appendix 4). Please ensure that you have done the following:
1. Included payment in Australian dollars (see Appendix 4 for fee schedule) for Permit to Import in the form of a cheque, or credit card details, made out to "The Collector of Public Monies AQIS".
2. ? Completed all details in Section 2 of the application in regards to premises at which the dog will be kept in Australia (herein called the Nominated Address). The premises must be suitable for the keeping of the dog under the conditions of quarantine surveillance listed in the attached Disability Assistance Dog User's Declaration (see Appendix 3).
3. ? Section 7 of the application form has been complete, signed and stamped by an Official Veterinarian.
4. ? a copy of the RNATT report must be attached to your application form.


The following documents must be attached to the application: 1. ? supporting documentation in relation to the disability of the disability assistance dog's user.
2. ? documentation from a member school of the International Federation of Guide Dog Schools, or a member school of Assistance Dogs International, or another organisation recognised by the national government of the country in which the dog was trained, as a school for training assistance dogs. This document must record the permanent identity of the dog and attests that the dog has graduated from that school
3. ? a copy of the "Disabled Persons Declaration" attached to this document as Appendix

If testing for brucellosis, ehrlichiosis and leptospirosis has been completed at this stage, a copy of the laboratory reports should also be submitted with your application.

STEP 8: PERMIT TO IMPORT

The permit will be posted to you immediately following approval of your application by AQIS. The permit includes Veterinary Certificates A and B. These contain details of additional requirements that must be completed prior to the export of your dog. This information sheet will also take you through the steps required to complete the Veterinary Certificates. You should note that the permit is valid for 2 months only, and will be tailored around your dog's expected date of arrival in Australia. The original Import Permit must be sent with your dog to Australia.

STEP 9: COMMENCE TRAVEL ARRANGEMENTS

Please note AQIS can not guarantee that your dog is eligible for entry until the Permit to Import is issued. Most airlines will not confirm travel until an AQIS Import Permit is forwarded. Your dog can only come into Australia through the following airports:
Kingsford
Smith Airport in Sydney (New South Wales)
Tullamarine Airport in Melbourne (Victoria)
Perth Airport in Perth (Western Australia)

However once cleared through AQIS your dog may be taken on any domestic flight within Australia. You should allow at least 2 hours for AQIS to clear your dog. Connecting domestic flights should not be booked within 3 hours of the dogs arrival in Australia. Your airline can help you with requirements for the transport of your dog. Disability assistance dogs may either travel as manifest cargo in the hold or as a passenger in the cabin. If your dog travels as manifest cargo it must travel in an IATA approved container and have water and absorbent bedding supplied. Please ask your airline for more details. If your dog travels in the cabin you must supply a collar, leash, food and water containers. During transport to Australia dogs must not be trans-shipped (change aircraft or vessel) without the prior consent of AQIS. Consent will not be granted if dogs are to be trans-shipped through a country where dog-mediated rabies is endemic, or a non-approved country (see Appendix 2 or consult the AQIS web page). AQIS strongly advises booking direct flights due to health and welfare concerns, such as dogs missing connecting flights and remaining in airports for extended periods. Trans-shipment may also require approval from the quarantine authority in the country of trans-shipment. The dog's user must accompany the disability assistance dog to Australia. The Australian Government accepts no responsibility for animals that escape en route, and all transport costs are at the expense of the importer.

STEP 10: BRUCELLOSIS, EHRLICHIOSIS AND LEPTOSPIROSIS TESTING

If you have screened your dog for these diseases within this time frame you may use these results. If not your dog must be re-tested within 45 days of export.


Note:

You will have to refer to and complete Step 11 within 24 hours of the collection of the blood for the ehrlichiosis test. Arrange for a veterinarian to draw blood samples from your dog for brucellosis, ehrlichiosis (tropical canine pancytopaenia) and leptospirosis and send to a government-approved laboratory.


Brucellosis:

Your dog must be tested for Brucella canis infection by serum agglutination test (the use of any other test requires prior written permission from AQIS) on a blood sample collected within 45 days prior to export. The test must produce a negative result (less than 50% agglutination at serum dilution of 1:100). Once blood is collected for this test your dog must not be mated or inseminated until after its arrival in Australia.


Ehrlichiosis:

Your dog must be tested for Ehrlichia canis infection by the indirect fluorescent antibody test (the use of any other test requires prior written permission from AQIS) at a serum dilution of 1:20 on a sample collected within 45 days prior to export. The test must produce a negative result.


Leptospirosis:

Your dog must be tested for Leptospira interrogans var. canicola by serum agglutination testing, by either a or b.

a) Unvaccinated dogs must be tested within 21 days of export and must record a negative (less than 50% agglutination at a serum dilution of 1:100) result.

b) Vaccinated dogs may either be tested once within 21 days of export and record a negative result (as in "a" above) or be tested within 45 days of export and again not less than 14 days after the first test. When two tests are performed, both tests should record a result of not more than 1:400. The second test must not show an increase in titre above the first test.

After blood is taken for the Brucellosis test, your dog must not be mated until after it has been released from quarantine surveillance in Australia. Please retain these certificates. Contact AQIS if your dog does not meet the requirements of these tests.

STEP 11: EXTERNAL PARASITES

Your veterinarian must treat your dog with a long lasting acaricide that is registered for the control of ticks, eg Frontline® [ Fipronil ] or Permoxin® [.Permethrin] Oral products and medicated collars are not satisfactory. Ivermectin® and Macrocyclic lactone products, (oral, injectable or topical) are not satisfactory treatments. Washes and rinses are generally acceptable. The treatment must be repeated according to the manufacturer's instructions in order to prevent infestation with ticks and mites from the first application until export. Dates of treatment will need to be recorded on Veterinary Certificate A. Re-application of the acaricide will usually have to take place between 2 week and 4 weeks after the first application depending on the manufacturers recommendations. Dates of treatment will need to be recorded on Veterinary Certificate A. Your pet must remain free of external parasites until export.

STEP 12: GENERAL VACCINATIONS

Dogs must be vaccinated against distemper, infectious hepatitis, canine parvovirus (parvo), Bordetella bronchiseptica (kennel cough) and para-influenza. Vaccinations against Leptospira interrogans.var. canicola is optional. Please retain these reports.

STEP 13: BOOK PRE FLIGHT INSPECTION

The pre-flight examination of your dog, which includes completion of Veterinary Certificate A, must take place within 72 hours prior to departure by a registered (licensed) or accredited (USA) or Official Veterinarian in the country of export. If the animal is from the USA, book pre-export inspection of animal with the USDA (located at LA airport or at regional locations).

STEP 14: INTERNAL AND EXTERNAL PARASITE TREATMENT

Arrange for a veterinarian to treat your dog for internal parasites with an antihelmintic effective against nematodes and cestodes eg Drontal ®. The active ingredient and the dose rate must be recorded on Veterinary Certificate A. If the tick treatment commenced in Step 11 was not effective for fleas and mites, your dog should be treated for fleas and mites now. The dog must remain free of ticks, fleas and mites until export. Dates of treatment will need to be recorded on Veterinary Certificate A.

STEP 15: DOGS THAT HAVE LIVED IN AFRICA ONLY BABESIOSIS

Dogs must be treated with imidocarb dipropionate (Forray-65®, by Hoechst) or (Imizol® by Coopers) at a rate of 7.5mg per Kg body weight by subcutaneous injection. Details must be recorded on Veterinary Certificate A.

STEP 16: NOTIFY AQIS OF THE ARRIVAL OF YOUR DOG

At least 5 days before your dog arrives in Australia the following must be faxed to AQIS in the state that your dog will arrive in Australia. Arrangements will be made for an AQIS veterinarian to meet your dog on arrival.
1. A copy of the AQIS Permit to Import 2. Name of the disabled passenger accompanying the dog. 3. Copies of the laboratory reports for brucellosis, ehrlichiosis and leptospirosis 4. A copy of the leptospirosis vaccination (if required) 5. Veterinary certificates for the repeated treatment of ticks 6. Flight details, including airline details, flight number, port of departure, port of arrival time and date of arrival. Please also record whether your dog will arrive as manifest cargo or in the cabin.
7. Australian city / state For the attention of Fax number Sydney / New South Wales Phillip Widders + 612 9364 7350 Melbourne / Victoria Denis Hayes + 613 9338 0844 Perth / Western Australia John Johnston + 618 9455 3052

STEP 17: COMPLETION OF VETERINARY CERTIFICATE A, INCLUDING PRE-EXPORT INSPECTION

Please read over Veterinary Certificate A prior to the appointment. Your dog will have to be presented for inspection. Your dog will be required to be free from clinical signs of infectious or contagious diseases, including transmissible venereal tumors and external parasites and be fit to travel. Veterinary Certificate A is to be completed by a registered (licensed) or in the case of the USA an accredited veterinarian, or an Official Veterinarian. If the veterinarian whose name and signature appear on Veterinary Certificate A is not an Official Veterinarian, Veterinary Certificate A must also be presented to an Official Veterinarian for signature and stamping (this can be done when veterinary certificate B is completed). Veterinary Certificate A must be written in English. Corrections to Veterinary Certificates will only be accepted if the original entry has been struck through and remains legible. The Official Veterinarian must sign each correction.

STEP 18: COMPLETION OF VETERINARY CERTIFICATE B,

The following documents must be presented to the Official Veterinarian at this time for signature and stamp (endorsing) and then travel with your dog to Australia.
1. The original permit to import (the permit needs to be sighted only) 2. The original Veterinary Certificate A. 3. The original or copy of the last rabies vaccination certificate. 4. The original or copy of the RNATT laboratory report. 5. Originals or copies of the general vaccination certificates required in Step 12. 6. Originals or copies of the Brucellosis, Ehrlichiosis and Leptospirosis laboratory reports, required in Step 10.

This Official Veterinarian must also complete, sign and stamp Veterinary Certificate B.

If your dog is to travel as manifest cargo in the hold of the aircraft then the Official Veterinarian who signs Veterinary Certificate B must also record the identification number of the seal on Veterinary Certificate B. Your dog will then be sealed into its cage. Under no circumstances must your dog be released from its cage once sealed. Ensure that your dog is prepared for travel before the cage is sealed (see Step 19). Corrections to Veterinary Certificates will only be accepted if the original entry has been struck through and remains legible. The Official Veterinarian must sign each correction.

STEP 19: CHECK DOG IN WITH THE AIRLINE.

If your dog is to travel in the hold then you must ensure that there is water available inside the travel cage for your dog to drink during the flight. An external funnel with a hose into a water container fixed inside the cage should be provided, allowing water to be replenished. Sufficient adsorbent bedding (bedding will be destroyed on arrival in Australia) should also be provided. The container should also be marked "Live Animal". Your dog will be checked in at the freight terminal, not the passenger terminal. If your dog is to travel in the cabin you must ensure that the airline has arranged for a passenger seat to be converted and that a receptacle for providing water is carried onto the aircraft. The original AQIS Permit to Import and original Veterinary Certificates A and B must travel with you to Australia. All laboratory reports and vaccination certificates (required as part of Veterinary Certificate A) must also travel with you. Laboratory reports and vaccination certificates may be either copies or originals but must bear the original signature and stamp by the Official Veterinarian. If your dog is travelling by ship please contact AQIS for instructions.

STEP 20: POST ARRIVAL CLEARANCE / QUARANTINE SURVEILLANCE

Neither the disability assist dog nor the user may leave the international airport before being cleared by an AQIS officer. A Quarantine Veterinary Officer (QVO) will meet you on arrival. The QVO will require: ? The original AQIS Permit to Import ? Veterinary certificate A and all attached certificates ? Veterinary certificate B.


The Disabled Persons Declaration:

Upon arrival in Australia the QVO will request that your dog be made available for examination. The QVO may require that the dog is retreated, or order it into quarantine at an Animal Quarantine Station, or re-export, if the documentation is incomplete or unsatisfactory, or if the dog is showing signs of disease or infestation with external parasites. If the documentation is satisfactory and the dog passes the examination, the QVO may endorse the Disabled Persons Declaration and may release the dog under quarantine surveillance. The QVO shall retain the signed Disabled Persons Declaration but will provide a copy to the handler. The dog must then serve thirty (30) days quarantine under quarantine surveillance. During quarantine or while under quarantine surveillance (the details of which are set out in the Disabled Persons Declaration) the dog may be subject to any additional testing or treatments, as specified by AQIS, at the importers expense. At the end of the quarantine period the dog will be released from quarantine control.

APPENDIX 1

Australian dogs may be eligible to return to Australia with less than six (6) months residency in the country of export, provided the animal has resided continuously in the country since being imported directly from Australia. This concession allows the animals to undergo the minimum period of post-entry quarantine (30 days) on return to Australia. The following additional conditions must also be met. BEFORE LEAVING AUSTRALIA
1. Microchip Dog Dogs must be identified by a microchip that can be read by an Avid*, Trovan*, Destron * or other ISO compatible reader. The microchip must be implanted prior to, or at the time of rabies vaccination in Australia.
2. Vaccinate dog against rabies Arrange for dog to be vaccinated with an approved inactivated rabies vaccine at least one (1) month and not more than six (6) months prior to leaving Australia. The dog must be at least three (3) months of age to receive this vaccine. Ensure that the microchip number appears on the rabies vaccination certificate.
3. RNATT prior to leaving Australia. Your dog will not be granted permission to return to Australia under this provision unless blood was taken for a RNATT conducted in Australia prior to export and recorded a positive result. See Step 5 for more information. This test should be conducted at least 30 days after the rabies vaccination, your dog's microchip number must appear on the laboratory report.
4. Follow steps 6-20 on this information sheet.

APPENDIX 3

I understand that the Quarantine Veterinary Officer may visit the Nominated Address at any time while the dog is under quarantine surveillance and, in signing this Declaration, I agree to co-operate in this matter with the Quarantine Veterinary Officer.
I understand that the dog will remain under quarantine surveillance for 30 days or such greater period as the Quarantine Veterinary Officer may decide.
I also understand that the Quarantine Veterinary Officer may exercise powers under the Quarantine Act 1908 without my prior approval including requiring the dog to be inspected, treated, tested or removed to an animal quarantine station.
I agree to pay all quarantine fees associated with the quarantine surveillance period.

Signature of the Disabled Person/ Person's Carer Date

Signature of Quarantine Veterinary Officer Date

Name and address of officer Official Stamp

APPENDIX 4

The application fee is payable at the time your application is forwarded to AQIS. An invoice for all other fees will be posted to you on arrival in Australia.

1. Lodgement of an application form $60.00
2. Lodgement of a quarantine entry form $12.00
3. Examination of dog at the airport and during quarantine surveillance $68.00 for the first ½ hour or part thereof for each officer performing the service and thereafter

$34.00 per ¼ hour or part thereof for each officer performing the service
4. Documentation clearance $30.00 per ¼ hour or part thereof for each officer performing the service

If your dog is directed into a quarantine station all costs associated with accommodation, feeding, testing and all other AQIS services are at the expense of the importer.

QUARANTINE STATIONS IN AUSTRALIA

Please return your application form to the quarantine station in the same state into which your dog will arrive. For quarantine at Eastern Creek (NSW) apply to:
Principal Veterinary Officer (Quarantine) Eastern Creek Animal Quarantine Station Wallgrove Road Eastern Creek, NSW 2766 Telephone: (02) 9832 4025
Facsimile: (02) 9832 1532
For quarantine at Byford (WA) apply to: Principal Veterinary Officer (Quarantine) Byford Animal Quarantine Station PO Box 61 Byford, WA 6201 Telephone: (08) 9525 1763
Facsimile (08) 9526 2199
For quarantine at Spotswood (Vic.) apply to: Principal Veterinary Officer (Quarantine) Spotswood Animal Quarantine Station PO Box 300 Newport, Victoria 3015 Telephone (03) 9391 1627
Facsimile (03) 9391 0860

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