Looking after My Cat While I Am Overseas

cheapcheapverycheap on 06/08/2024 - 10:51
Last edited 06/08/2024 - 15:11 by 1 other user

Dear OzBargain, I seek your advice on what to do with my cat while I am on a 12-month job secondment overseas.

I would like to bring him with me as he is old and FIV positive but I have been warned the cost of exporting and importing a cat in Australia is prohibitively high. I am thinking of putting him up at a cattery for the time but I thought of him being alone in a cage for 1 year makes me sad and anxious.

Have you had any experience of bringing your cat with you and back to Australia. Specifically to the US?

Any advice is appreciated, also I am based in Melbourne.

Thank you

Pets Cat

Comments

  • Duckie2hh on 06/08/2024 - 10:52
    +4

    Bring him along

    • cheapcheapverycheap on 06/08/2024 - 10:53

      thanks! I do not even know they do long-term stay.

    • HeWhoKnows on 07/08/2024 - 13:20
      -3

      Its a very personal question

      Yes, pets travel just fine on planes.

      Op needs to ask the airline how much???

  • Duckie2hh on 06/08/2024 - 10:54

    What breed of cat?

  • sumyungguy on 06/08/2024 - 10:55

    Have you got any quotes yet? https://www.jetpets.com.au/overseas-pet-travel/usa/

  • jv on 06/08/2024 - 11:03
    +1

    How much does it cost? Approximate cost for importing a cat or dog into Australia can range from $8,000 - $30,000AUD depending on the number of pets you are Importing and the country they are being imported from.

    https://www.agriculture.gov.au/biosecurity-trade/cats-dogs/f….

    Then there will cost importing into the USA too…

    • TEER3X on 06/08/2024 - 12:08
      +1

      Good point. Almost certain fees bringing back will be much higher.

      • jv on 06/08/2024 - 12:09
        +1

        quarantine may take a while too…. Not sure about coming from the USA, but in some cases, it can be months.

  • MrThing on 06/08/2024 - 11:11
    +8

    plenty of single cat ladies in the US "according to some people"

  • mskeggs on 06/08/2024 - 11:16

    This is a great example of how capitalism fails compared a community approach. There isn't a service that can be bought that provides as good an option as finding a friend or family to look after the cat while you are away.

    How to find such a minder? A colleague posted on our work chat channel. A friend literally just asked around. And I've seen flyers on noticeboards asking the same. I'd be amazed if there weren't Facebook groups for this too.

    It would be nice to cover their expenses.

    • cheapcheapverycheap on 06/08/2024 - 11:36

      I will try, but because my cat has FIV and old so I am worried many are unable to help.

    • Gervais fanboy on 06/08/2024 - 12:06

      Oh right because one has to sever all family ties as a precursor to living and engaging in a capitalist economy.

      • mskeggs on 06/08/2024 - 12:57
        -2

        No, but what is the market alternative to finding a friend or family? $5k+ boarding bills or thousands for quarantine.

        The market does not work for everything, and we try and make it the solution to every problem - often with terrible outcomes.

        • Gervais fanboy on 06/08/2024 - 13:29

          But if we were living in a communist economy/society, you reckon people would be more trusting of strangers looking after their beloved pets for as long as a year?
          So what’s your point?
          You have highlighted a problem with an impossible solution and blaming capitalism for it.

          • mskeggs on 06/08/2024 - 19:01

            @Gervais fanboy: The individualist approach, Thatcher’s “there is no such thing as society” fails so often, and let’s down those who rely on it.
            If you rely on commercial relationships to manage your needs you are subject to the fine print of the contract and the products on offer in the market - and if they cost many thousands of dollars, and fail to meet your needs because they are not very profitable, too bad.

            If you rely on friendships and family ties, and doing favors and caring for one another, when you need something people are happy to help.

            It would be a super sad existence for me if I didn’t have many people who would do a favor like minding a pet while I took an international secondment for a year.

            There are some things the market does well, I like a transparent and regulated market for commodities. But if I want someone to check in on a sick relative, or put out my bin if I’m away, lend me a 4wd for Easter camping, or help coach the under 11s - then the market doesn’t offer good solutions, but friends and family do.

            Looking after a pet that costs a fortune to take with you (or to board in a kennel) is a good example of a problem where the market solutions are poor.

            • CaptainJack on 06/08/2024 - 19:46
              +1

              @mskeggs: What does this have to do with capitalism? Do you think the existence of a free market prevents you asking friends for favours? Or the central planners in Venezuela would lend you a 4wd for your camping trip?

              • mskeggs on 06/08/2024 - 20:08
                -1

                @CaptainJack: I think a reliance on economic relationships has been greatly promoted at the expense of non-economic.
                I’ll call it capitalism as short hand for investor funded, profit seeking corporate services versus community non-economic relationships.
                I absolutely do think that poorer family and community relationships (like moving away from family and friends for work, needing two full time incomes to pay for a home) are a direct result of relying more on commercial relationships (I can use childcare in a new town to look after the kids so I can work overtime to pay for a costlier house).
                The opposite of saying would you rely on the Venezuelan corrupt government to give you a 4wd is if you were short of money and needed a feed would you rather rely on your mate or the ceo of the company who sells you food?

                If I’m critical of capitalism, don’t assume that means I think authoritarian communism is preferable. Likewise, I’ll assume you don’t want untreated effluent in the rivers if it benefits shareholders.

                • CaptainJack on 07/08/2024 - 09:55
                  +1

                  @mskeggs: Gotcha. I share the same concerns around loss of community and the like. It does seem like society was a tighter knit place in the 60s and 70s. I don't really blame capitalism but I see how it could contribute. Not all capitalist actors are large, soulless corporates - in my case I work for a very small company and am grateful for the paycheck that feeds me, but also have a beer and a burger with the company founder most Fridays, usually paid for by him.

            • Gervais fanboy on 06/08/2024 - 22:35

              @mskeggs:

              But if I want someone to check in on a sick relative, or put out my bin if I’m away, lend me a 4wd for Easter camping, or help coach the under 11s

              Yeah, that’s what friends and families are for.
              I don’t know what your living arrangement is but for the rest of us, we have got loved ones around us (most of us do atleast).
              When was the last time you did something big for the people around you? Or your local community?
              Anyways, maybe get the ball rolling and eventually infinite kindness will come back to embrace you.
              This is how it works in our evil capitalist Australia and also in the saintly pure Communist China.

              You have a very innocent and adolescent view of the world which I actually respect but maybe you need to get out there more, our society isn’t how you perceive it to be.

    • Agarwal on 06/08/2024 - 13:19
      +8

      Do you mean catipalism?

  • p1 ama on 06/08/2024 - 11:37
    +4

    Getting a pet is a commitment, not dissimilar to having kids, becoming a foster parent, becoming a carer…etc. - the commitment sometimes means that you need to make sacrifices, either financial, or things that you may wish to do but will not be able to.

    Seems like a perfect example here - either you will have to pony up to bring your cat with you, or you can choose to not do the international secondment.

    • cheapcheapverycheap on 06/08/2024 - 11:43
      +5

      I have looked after my cat for over 12 years and made plenty sacrifices along the way. I am prepared to take him with me.

    • shaybisc on 06/08/2024 - 17:50
      +1

      A cat is an animal and if the economic cost of keeping that animal passes a certain threshold …

      • cfuse on 07/08/2024 - 12:07

        I feel the same way about abortion. Think of the savings!

  • Benoffie on 06/08/2024 - 11:52
    +2

    If you had a house still, it would be easier as there's plenty of pet sitters/pet nannies available. But without that, kennel or take. The problem is the return, especially from the US. You would have to start the process 6 months prior and anticipate a 30 day quarantine.

    • TEER3X on 06/08/2024 - 12:12
      +1

      For my dogs it was a year prior, but it was one way from the US.

      From memory it cost me about $8-$10k for both dogs all in, but that was before COVID and prices have jumped.

      • CaptainJack on 06/08/2024 - 19:47
        +1

        Wow. What does that 10k actually pay for? Or is it just meant to be a deterrent?

        • MTAB on 07/08/2024 - 08:01
          +2

          We sent our cat back from Qatar in 2008.

          At that time the costs were about $1200 for vet fees in Qatar, $9000 for airfare (business class+) for unaccompanied cat which by regulation had to have a supervised comfort stop on the way and $2000 for compulsory quarantine in Australia.

          To top it off our return flight to Australia landed two days after the end of the quarantine period so we asked to pay for her to stay the extra days. This was not allowed so we had to contract a vet clinic to pick her up and keep her for these days necessitating us hiring a car to collect her and flying back with her to home in Cairns (costing about $1200 more).

          Total cost of about $13400.

          But she was worth it, sadly passing away in 2023. A good innings for a street kitten dropped off as a four-week old at our place by her mother in 2003.

  • TALL1one on 06/08/2024 - 11:54
    +10

    You have any family or friends that could look after him for 1 year? - state you'll pay for food and some looking after costs too.

  • websterp on 06/08/2024 - 12:13

    Find a cat lady with no kids. Plenty in the US I hear. While you are there ask J.D. Vance and he'll put you in touch with the right people.

    • Gunnar on 06/08/2024 - 16:24

      The US equivalent of Nick Scali?

    • try2bhelpful on 07/08/2024 - 16:15

      He would probably just shoot the cat.

  • Gervais fanboy on 06/08/2024 - 12:17

    on a 12-month job secondment overseas

    What if you refused to go and just kept working as is.. would that impact your career growth?
    Or are you wanting to go mostly because you wanna travel?

  • hasselbladsnapper on 06/08/2024 - 12:31
    -2

    I hate to say this, he is old and you need to prepare for his demise, you could take him with you for your 12 month stay. With the stress for him and indeed the cost involved a swift departure at a vet before your return may well be the best for all. I had this decades ago when I migrated from the UK, we opted for the euthanase path, it was good for all and our cats were not subjected to a very long process to travel. Not an easy one, but age is also the factor!.

    • jetblack on 06/08/2024 - 13:21
      +15

      wtf did I just read?
      Re-home the poor thing, it doesn't need to die because your life circumstances change.

      • cfuse on 07/08/2024 - 12:15
        -1

        I've had to put down a cat that nobody else would take and it sucked.

    • miwahni on 06/08/2024 - 21:30
      +2

      My oldest cat is 18 and I recently lost a 20 year old cat. He could have many years left in him yet.

  • altomic on 06/08/2024 - 14:29
    +1

    I brought a cat back from when i lived in Japan. Flight alone was $1400. Then the cat needed to go into quarrantine for 6 weeks (i think, or 12 weeks, it was 20 years ago). Quarrantine fees were ~$20 a day.

    So, cost is a factor

  • nomoneynoproblems on 06/08/2024 - 14:48
    +2

    A whole year? I’d take it with you. If you’re getting seconded overseas, chances are you’re very good good at your job and highly paid working in a large multinational. You’re probably being paid relocation costs and I would negotiate that this cost be covered.

  • dtc on 06/08/2024 - 14:53
    +2

    It would surprise me if you cant find someone to look after your cat for 12 months, especially if you pay them. The main issue is going to be if there are large vet fees etc, how the person looking after the cat can be satisfied you will actually pay them - not sure if there is an easy way around that, unless your vet practice allows you to set up an account or something (also you may need to just accept the cat will be given the care it is given)

  • barbarella on 06/08/2024 - 15:34
    +2

    Try to get someone to look after him here…it would be way too stressful for him to do the travelling etc…
    Look on the facebook pet-sitting sites and you might find a kind person willing to look after him while you are away if you supply the food etc.

  • Gunnar on 06/08/2024 - 16:30
    +2

    How old is your cat? I know you’ve said you had him for 12 years? If it’s 12 that’s not super old for a cat - with no health issues DSH house cats can go close to 20 years. FIV I think it may be 15 plus.

    If you’re going to take it over The thing is be worried about is how it would go with the flight. It’s a long time for a cat to be alone - mine would freak TF out.

    You can check with the vet for sedation but you’d have to do bloods and what not which will be expensive.

    Personally I would ask friends and family to look after my cat if we had to do something like that (she’s 16 and I think the trip would be too much for her). Downside is if they’re cat people they would have to either not have a cat or have one who has FIV.

  • WordsToSayIt on 06/08/2024 - 19:39
    +1

    I have a 9 year cat who I adore and would do almost anything for. Had her since she was 4 months. I would probably die than be seperated for her for that long.

    Capitalism is a b1tch. It shouldn't cost a kidney to travel with pets

  • harshbdmmaster718 on 06/08/2024 - 22:44

    see this is where Neuralink 5G humanoid AGI androids will be perfect!

    even when overseas you can “zap” in at any time and pat your cat while it snuggles up to you on your lap of a hyper realistic version of yourself. then “zap” out and for the rest of the year the AGI pretends to be you and the cat is happy.

    only part I’m worried about is when you make a mistake when you get back and the cat accidentally sees two of you in the same room. then has mind breakdown because it realises it has been loving a terrifying skinwalker for a year.

  • Msfrugal on 07/08/2024 - 14:19
    +2

    Hi. I feel very sympathetic for you. It’s a difficult decision.
    Will you be coming back after the 12 months?
    I would consider as others have said asking family/friends.
    Otherwise you might be able to pop a post up on your local fb community page and see if there are any people in your area that would like to take him and love and care for him until you return?
    Your have the opportunity to meet them and see their home?
    You can always FaceTime and get photos sent so you know he’s doing well.
    I adopted my kitty 2 years ago from the shelter. Her former mum was elderly and had to have hip replacement and move to live daughter.
    She was anxious for the first week or so and then started to eat and she is my little shadow. She’s 7 on Sunday.
    I now have to go overseas to visit my elderly mum -last time was 2 months and next year it will be 3.
    I have housemates though who all love her and she adopts one of them to be her “person” when I’m away.
    The photos showing her getting cuddles and hanging out makes me so happy. She’s loved and happy.
    If I was going for 12 months I’d leave her in a loving home knowing she ok rather than go through the process of taking her with me.
    Best of luck and enjoy the secondment. 🌺

    • try2bhelpful on 07/08/2024 - 16:20

      Beautiful story. We try to get people to move in and look after our cats. We are going to Europe in September and my nephew will be doing it this time. The pictures are precious when you are travelling.

  • susannetsv on 07/08/2024 - 20:04
    +1

    I am in the process of doing this now and would not recommend it. My cats are only young and it's a very scary experience for them. Your cat will be yet another year older by the time you return. (or more if you decide to stay longer) The Quarantine website recommends you do not put older animals through this. I have included the link below so you can read up what the requirements are. It is also a very expensive for tests, agents, paperwork, quarantine, exports fees, import fees etc.

    If you have your own house or apartment, have you considered getting pet sitters, there are some websites that provide details of vetted pet sitters with references who can live in your place while you are away, take care of the animals, arrange facetime or Whatsapp video calls with your pet, look after your house and yard in return for free rent. If agreed they could also pay the utilities that they use such as electricity and internet.

    https://www.agriculture.gov.au/biosecurity-trade/cats-dogs

  • Cherry12 on 07/08/2024 - 21:34

    Do you have a trusted friend without pets that could look after him during this year? You could give some compensation.

    On preparation for my last trip, I found a sitter that would look after my cat on her home. I don't like strangers to house sit, so I preferred to pay her to keep him at her home. I agree that to keep him in a cattery for a year is sad, since often is a small space but in someone's house is not too bad.

    You could also reach a rescue, many rescues have catteries (at least in VIC), for over 30 days you get a discount and it's like $20-22 per day. Considering it's for a year, you could get a better price and they won't be cruel and leave him in a cage for a year, they could find alternative housing for him such as a foster.

    Don't give him up, at his age nobody would adopt him. Good luck!

    If you want, send me a message and can send you the info for the sitter I got for my cat or for the rescues that have catteries.

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