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Keep up-to-date with the latest Pet Travel and Jetpets news.

Adopting Digger – A PetRescue Success Story

Posted on May 16, 2019 by Jetpets

Through our partnership with PetRescue we often promote pets who are up for adoption on our social media channels, which is exactly what we did with Digger (because who could resist those gorgeous puppy dog eyes).

It wasn’t long at all before Digger was adopted, and we were very excited and proud to hear that he was going to be much loved by one of our very own Pet Travel Consultants, Kelsey.

Digger came from a Herd 2 Homes Foster carer in Queensland. Digger travelled with Jetpets from Brisbane to Melbourne where he met Kelsey for the first time at our Jetpets Transit Lounge.

Kelsey said “we weren’t actively looking for a dog but when we saw Digger appear on Jetpets Facebook page, my partner Alex spotted him and asked me to apply to adopt him.”

I think it is fair to say it was love at first sight when Kelsey met Digger at our Jetpets Transit Lounge, and he absolutely loved all the cuddles and attention he received at Jetpets HQ in the afternoon.

Digger has now been with Kelsey for a week, and he has settled in very quickly. He is a calm, friendly pup who has not had any issues meeting other fur friends and people.

“Digger is a nervous/timid boy, but we are working on reducing the nerves and building confidence through socialisations and different stages of training, mainly for car rides and new/ public environments,” said Kelsey.

“He is already getting the hang of “sit” & “down” commands. We are working on “off” commands since he loves to jump up to tables and bench tops (especially if food is there). Typical puppy traits, but he is not so crazy compared to most puppies, since he is nearly 5 months too.”

Digger is already so spoilt, and his favourite part of the day is cuddles with his humans in bed each morning. He is also getting along very well with the Golden Retrievers, Jaydee & Sunny.

We love hearing stories like this, and through the Jetpets Companion Animal Rescue Awards we encourage you to share your happy ‘tail’ with the nation and show Australia how pet adoption changes lives for the better!

To find out more about Jetpets Companion Animal Rescue Awards, please visit https://rescueawards.com.au/submit-an-entry/advocate-peoples-rescue-story/

Bubbles travels to TV set in style with Jetpets

Posted on March 21, 2019 by Jetpets

Recently, we were lucky enough to take care of Dave “Hughesy” Hughes’ Rescue Dog Bubbles, as she travelled to Sydney to record a segment for Channel Ten TV Show, “Hughesy we Have a Problem.”

Bubbles is a fantastic traveller who loves spending time in her Jetpets Pet Travel Crate, but she also enjoyed the many cuddles she received from our Pet Handler Marni.

Our Pet Handler Robyn chaperoned Bubbles on set of the show, and we were thrilled to see Bubbles rocking a Jetpets bandana throughout the segment.

For such a sweet girl, we have no idea what Bubbles problem is! I guess we will all have tune in to Channel Ten on Sunday night at 9pm to find out.

https://tenplay.com.au/channel-ten/hughesy-we-have-a-problem

Satu the Well Travelled Tiger

Posted on March 21, 2019 by Jetpets

Here at Jetpets most of our feline happy travellers are much loved family cats. However recently we were lucky enough to take care of the world’s largest member of the cat species – a Tiger!

Meet Satu, a 13 year old Sumatran Tiger.

Jetpets transported Satu from Queensland, to Ballarat Wildlife Park on a Qantas Freighter Aircraft. Satu travelled overnight and arrived at his new home in the early hours of the morning.

Satu is a very confident, strong and bold 13 year old Sumatran Tiger that has moved several times in his life. He was born in Germany, and travelled to Australia to be a part of the Australiasian Breeding Program.

“Satu just takes it in his stride. His journey from Queensland to Ballarat Wildlife Park was organised with Jetpets. We can not thank Jetpets enough for achieving everything we asked for to make Satu’s journey safe. The staff were amazing and supportive to our every need,”said Ballarat Wildlife Park chief tiger keeper Robbie Doyle.

Whilst living in Queensland for four years Satu fathered one litter with a female Sumatran Tiger named Maneki.

Satu and Maneki were then recommended to move to Ballarat Wildlife Park to live and be part of Greg Parker’s new dream, the new Conservation Precinct Area. These two beautiful and majestic Sumatran Tigers are now great ambassadors for their wild cousins and now help the staff at the Ballarat Wildlife Park educate thousands of guests about the plight of the Tigers. They are also great motivators to help raise much needed funds to save their wild cousins, with only 300-500 hundred wild Sumatran Tigers known to still live in their natural habitat.

Since arriving at Ballarat Wildlife Park, Satu has settled in with ease, cruising around all the enclosures marking his territory, chuffing at the female tiger Maneki and getting to know his new keepers.

His appetite for food is great, he has gained 1 kilogram in weight since arriving over one week ago at the wildlife park and his keepers are spending a lot of down time chilling around Satu as well as bonding via training.

Why we love our dogs so much

Posted on February 24, 2019 by Jetpets

We were feeling the love here at Jetpets HQ this month as we celebrated Valentines Day, not just with our human partners and children, but with our furry friends as well.

We know we love our dogs because they are adorable, they greet us with excitement, they give wonderful cuddles and they are extremely loyal. But we wanted to find out if there was a scientific reason behind why we love our dogs SO MUCH… we did a bit of further investigation and found out why.

There really is no other love like the way we love our dogs. It truly is unwavering and as we found out, it is mutual, our dogs love us just as much in return.

Researchers found that the same hormone, oxytocin, spikes in both human and canine brains when a dog is gazing at its owner.

Oxytocin is known to play a strong role in triggering feelings of unconditional love and protection when parents and children look into each other’s eyes or embrace.

So the findings suggest that we love our pets in the same way as we love family members, and our dogs return their devoted affection.

Researchers from the University of Tokyo and Duke University in the US believe that oxytocin has been strengthening the bond between a man and his best friend for millennia, suggesting it evolved during the domestication period of dogs which began around 34,000 years ago. This research was published in the journal Science.

So it is no wonder our feelings for our pets are so strong!

Here at Jetpets, we understand that pets are part of the family unit, and one of the best parts of our job is reuniting families with their pets at their destination. No doubt it is at this part of the travel journey that the oxytocin levels are at an all time high for both owners and their dogs, and we can tell because the smiles and tail wagging say it all!

Proud to Support RSPCA Victoria

Posted on February 24, 2019 by Jetpets

RSPCA Victoria has had an enormous influx of cats and kittens throughout kitten season and has over 1,500 cats in care at the moment.

This large number of cats and kittens needing care meant RSPCA Victoria was at capacity, increasing the pressure on staff and resources.

We were contacted by RSPCA Victoria to help with transporting dozens of these kittens to Canberra where there were better opportunities to find them loving forever homes through RSPCA ACT.

RSPCA Victoria’s Head of Operations, Tegan McPherson said, “This is a really valuable opportunity to work with our interstate colleagues and with Jetpets, and the collaboration has had a positive impact on the welfare of these kittens by fast-tracking their journey into new forever homes.”

We took care of the first litter of kittens last week. The kittens had an early morning check in at our Melbourne Transit Lounge, where our Pet Handlers were in awe of them, as they are far too cute. They then travelled on a direct flight from Melbourne to Canberra. This will become a regular occurrence over the next few months as we endeavour to help as many kittens as possible.

We are really proud of our new partnership and the exciting impact we can have on multiple rescue pets’ lives.

Visit https://rspcavic.org/

Tenzing’s Big Adventure

Posted on February 24, 2019 by Jetpets

“Gentle, playful and friendly”. That is how Hamilton Zoo Keeper Delwyn Crombie described young red panda Tenzing – and that is certainly the experience we had when we took care of him during his transfer to Tasmania Zoo.

Born at Hamilton Zoo, Tenzing is three years old. From six weeks he was supplement fed, due to difficulty competing for his mothers milk with his much bigger twin sister Jamuna. Although he remained with his mum, Tenzing became a very friendly animal through regular contact with his keepers and became an ambassador for the red panda species.

Tenzing’s latest adventure saw him transfer to Tasmania Zoo as part of the breeding program to continue the conservation efforts for the species. On transfer day, Tenzing was well prepared and hopped into his travel crate remaining calm and relaxed. He travelled from Auckland to Melbourne where he enjoyed refreshments from a Jetpets Pet Handler during his stop over before continuing to Tasmania.

As you can see in the photo, there is no doubt Tenzing’s imagination would have been running wild as he enjoyed watching the world around him on the journey.

He has now settled into his new home. “Tenzing is doing well,” said Keeper Rochelle Penny. “I’d happily say he had a great trip over. He arrived into Launceston very calm and relaxed, after arriving he came straight out and began eating. I’d say he had worked up an appetite.”

Tasmania Zoo is a privately owned, local family-zoo situated 18kms from Launceston. They are dedicated to continuous contribution to wildlife conservation and to the education of the community at large.

Tasmania Zoo exhibits the largest collection of rare, exotic and native species in Tasmania, and with their newest addition Tenzing, is definitely worth a visit if you are in the area. You can find out more by visiting their website here.

Behind the Scenes

Posted on January 15, 2019 by Jetpets

Here at Jetpets one of the most frequently asked questions by fur parents is ‘what happens once I drop my pet off to you?’

Our Jetpets transit lounges are located within close proximity to major airports around Australia. Once a pet has been dropped off to our transit lounge, you know they are in the care of our pet handlers, who are all animal lovers and will ensure that your pet is taken care of every step of the way. All pets spend time in designated pet areas (outside of their travel crate), and will be taken for a walk to stretch their legs and are always kept completely hydrated.

Our resident vets are located at our transit lounges to complete all necessary vet work for our international travellers, and to keep an eye on all pets who are travelling within Australia.

When it comes time for your pet to be checked in for their flight, our pet handlers will place your pet into their travel crate and transport them to the airport. All pets are checked into the freight department of the airline they are travelling on. Our pet handlers have great relationships with the airline staff to ensure this process is as smooth and simple as possible.

Your pet will be checked in for their flight, weighed in their travel crate, and will wait in a climate controlled area before they are taken to be loaded onto their flight.

Pets are last to be loaded onto the flight. The pet cabin is air pressured, climate controlled and dimly lit, just like the main cabin. Your pet will experience the same sounds and feelings as us, except they have a lot more leg room! Their travel crate is securely fastened to avoid movement.

Upon arrival at their destination, pets are first to be offloaded from the aircraft and will be taken to the freight department at the airport. Here a Jetpets pet handler will greet them, stretch their legs and ensure they are hydrated before the most exciting part, their onward journey to their new home and to be reunited with their family.

The Most Popular Pet Names From The Last Year

Posted on January 14, 2019 by Jetpets

Are you welcoming a new puppy or kitten into the family in 2019? Feeling a little stuck for inspiration of what to call your new furry best friend? Pet Insurance Australia have released the most popular cat and dog names from the past year, to get your creative juices flowing.

Here they are:

Top female dog names

Bella
Luna
Ruby
Molly
Coco
Daisy
Lucy
Rosie
Lola
Poppy

Top male dog names

Charlie
Max
Archie
Buddy
Ollie
Milo
Oscar
Bailey
Alfie
Cooper

Top female cat names

Luna
Bella
Coco
Molly
Lilly
Cleo
Mia
Willow
Lucy
Lola

Top male cat names

Charlie
Simba
Oscar
Max
Milo
Leo
Jasper
George
Archie
Tigger

New names

Kiki
Narla
Arschar
Arya
Babushka
Moxi
Cheeky
Porkchop

What will you call your new furbaby? Share with us on Facebook.

How To Keep Your Pets Cool on Hot Days

Posted on January 1, 2019 by Jetpets

Summer is well and truly here, and while we love the warmer weather, the holiday season, lazy days by the beach and more, it’s important to remember to keep our pets cool, especially in hot temperatures.

Not sure what you need to do?

Here are a few great tips and tricks to help you keep your pets cool, hydrated and healthy during the warmer weather.

(And for our friends in the Northern Hemisphere, we haven’t forgotten you! Click here to read our top tips to keep your pets toasty warm over the cooler months. )

DIY ice treats:

If you’re after a fun way to keep your animals cool and hydrated, ice treats are a great idea to motivate your animal to drink water and stay cool in hot weather.

They are easy to make. Simply;

Place your pet’s favourite treats in an ice-cream container.
Fill with water. You may even like to add a little gravy powder for additional flavour.
Freeze.
Once frozen, tip the ice treat out of the container for your dog to enjoy the whole day long!

Kiddie pools:

If you have larger dogs, clam shell kiddie pools are an easy way to keep them cool when it’s hot outside. These pools are fun for your dogs to splash around, keep cool and drink plenty of water at the same time.

Just remember that if your pets share your yard with children, ensure you have all the necessary precautions in place, including fencing, in order to keep children safe around water.

Keep them indoors:

Summer is sure to bring some seriously hot days, so to ensure your pets are safe and healthy throughout these rising temperatures, it’s a great idea to keep them inside if you can, with the air-con on.

Smaller pets like rabbits, guinea pigs and birds are especially sensitive to hot weather and should be moved inside at any sign of high temperatures. Make sure you drape their cages in wet towels and place them in a bathroom or laundry that has cool tiles. Always keep ice packs or frozen water bottles on hand for animals to lean against and to regulate their temperature. Of course plenty of water is a must as well!

Wet their feet:

Another great thing to do on those scorching hot days is to wet your pet’s feet and spray a light misting of water on them. This will dampen them so that their body temperature becomes cooler. Feet are a great body part to focus on cooling as many animals control their temperature through their feet.

Exercise your pets in the morning or late evening:

Just like humans, your animals are susceptible to sunburn, dehydration and overheating. Make sure you walk your pets in the early morning or late evening when the temperature is at its coolest point. A good idea is to take your pets to your local beach, creek or river so they can paddle to cool down and get refreshed!

Kamina the Pygmy Hippo flies first class with Jetpets

Posted on November 30, 2018 by Jetpets

Here at Jetpets we often get asked “what is the most exotic animal you have ever transported?”

We have moved many amazing animals including cheetahs, sea lions, and recently two lionesses, but we did get a little excited when we were asked to take care of Kamina, a 20 month old Pygmy Hippo, as she travelled from Sydney to Darling Downs Zoo in Brisbane.

Pygmy Hippo | Zoo Moves | Jetpets | Global Pet Travel

Photo Credit: Darling Downs Zoo

There are two types of Hippopotamuses – the large Common, or Nile Hippo and the much smaller Pygmy Hippo. Pygmy Hippos are about half the height of Common Hippos and less than a quarter of the weight of their larger relations.

Even though Kamina is the smaller type of Hippo, in her travel crate she still weighed in at 750 kilograms before being loaded onto her flight.

Jetpets coordinated VIP airside access for Kamina and her Zoo Keeper, where she had her own quiet area to relax pre-flight. She was kept hydrated and was fed some tasty vegetables by her Zoo Keeper right up to the minute she was transported onto the tarmac.

Kamina was loaded into her allocated stowage compartment on a flight direct from Sydney to Brisbane, where she was introduced into her new environment at Darling Downs Zoo.

“Kamina travelled beautifully. We are impressed with how calm she is and not at all fazed by the relocation”, said Director of Darling Downs Zoo, Steve Robinson.

Kamina is one of only five Pygmy Hippos in Australia – and she is related to them all. She is the only Pygmy Hippo now residing in Queensland.

She is at the age where she would naturally become independent of her mother and has made the move to Queensland to eventually be a part of a breeding program. This is critical to the establishment of a viable insurance population of this endangered species in Australian zoos.

Photo Credit – Darling Downs Zoo

Pygmy Hippos come from forested areas within West Africa and are semi-aquatic. They do spend quite a lot of their time out of the water. Their numbers have dwindled dramatically in the wild due to deforestation, hunting for bush meat and as a result of wars in areas of Africa. Because they are so difficult to find in the wild, most of what is known about this species has been identified through studying them in zoos.

If you would like to visit Kamina or learn more about Darling Downs Zoos conservation efforts, you can visit their website here and arrange a visit.