Helping your cat settle into a new home

Helping your cat settle into a new home | Cat Tips | Jetpets

It’s certainly no secret to cat owners, that sometimes cats can feel uncomfortable in new or unfamiliar surroundings. If you are introducing your cat to your new home, then it is important to take it slow and control your cat’s exposure to the new stimulus. When introducing your cat to a new home, try to create one room in your home where you can let the cat out of their travel crate and allow them to explore these new surroundings at their own pace.

Ensure that the doors and windows are closed to eliminate them escaping the area and place familiar items such as blankets or toys around the room.

Another great tip is to utilise a Feliway diffuser. Feliway diffusers are a fantastic way to create a peaceful and calming environment which can make adjusting to new stimuli less stressful for cats. Cats communicate through natural pheromones and the diffuser works in much the same way as a regular fragrance diffuser, spreading this comforting pheromone message in the cat’s environment.

Just screw the pheromone vial into the Feliway diffuser and plug it into an electrical socket and leave to diffuse the pheromone continuously. Ensure that the diffuser isn’t blocked by cupboards or doors to allow for complete permeation of the new environment.

As your cat begins to adjust to the new environment over the course of several days, start to introduce them to more and more rooms in your house and monitor their behaviour. You can even utilise multiple diffusers to create that comforting environment throughout the house.

By controlling your cat’s environment and using a Feliway Diffuser you can decrease the time it takes to get your cat use to their new surroundings, which means more time enjoying your pet’s company.

Helping your cat settle into a new home | Cat Tips | Jetpets

Keeno and Levi arrive in Tasmania

Keeno (left) and Levi (right) explore their new enclosure at Zoodoo zoo.
Keeno (left) and Levi (right) explore their new enclosure at Zoodoo zoo.

The Serval cat might not be as widely known as their distant relations, the Cheetah, but these wild cats are some of nature’s most successful hunters. The Serval cat is native to Africa and can often be found near wetlands and savannahs. Known for their long legs, extended necks and rotating ears, the Serval is highly evolved to hunt in the long grasses and reeds with its perfect spotted camouflage.

Last month Jetpets had the pleasure of transporting not one, but two of these amazing animals. The male Serval cats, Keeno and Levi were flying out of Melbourne airport and were on their way to their new home at Zoodoo Zoo in Tasmania.

The Servals flew in style with special travel crates that allowed them to view their surroundings, receive plenty of airflow and have access to a constant supply of fresh water.

Jetpets Pet Handler, David Garvey poses for a photo while checking on Keeno and Levi before their flight.
Jetpets Pet Handler, David Garvey poses for a photo while checking on Keeno and Levi before their flight.

The Servals destination was a purpose-built enclosure constructed at Zoodoo Zoo and has been created to meet the Servals every need with large logs, tall branches and numerous high up ledges, perfect for perching on and sunbathing.

“Keeno and Levi have adapted to their new surroundings exceptionally well and both were eager to explore their enclosure and climb trees and branches when first released. The two boys will eagerly approach staff to receive lots of pats and cuddles and cannot resist playing with the toys they always bring too”, Elyshia Wignell, Exotic Animal Leader at Zoodoo Zoo.

Levi (left) and Keeno (right) explore their new enclosure after their flight from Melbourne.
Levi (left) and Keeno (right) explore their new enclosure after their flight from Melbourne.

While Servals are often considered solitary animals in the wild these two handsome cats are becoming more accustomed to having company.

“Keeno is the more dominant of the two Servals and Levi can be seen sometimes hanging back a little when Keeno is playing with the keepers. However, Levi is very confident, smoochy and absolutely adores attention, said Elyshia.

While it is more common for us here at Jetpets to transport cats of the domestic variety, the last 18 months have seen us involved in the transport of two White Lions, Caracals, Cheetahs and even a Snow Leopard.

Our experience with Jetpets was wonderful, from organising the booking, to the animal’s care…we had no problems with the service we received. The entire Jetpets team has been a pleasure to deal with from start to finish and we would have no hesitation with sending or receiving animals through this service”, said Elyshia.

Keeno playing among the various logs and perches in his purpose-built enclosure.
Keeno playing among the various logs and perches in his purpose-built enclosure.

Zoodoo Zoo offers the chance to get up close and personal with a wide variety of animals. Offering the chance to “get closer to most animals than you ever thought possible”, Zoodoo Zoo is the perfect destination for a fun family animal experience. If you would like to have your own Serval experience, please click through to Zoodoo zoo’s website in the link below for more information.

http://zoodoo.com.au/

Pet Behaviour Tips for Travelling Pets from Animal Behaviourist, Dr Jo Righetti

Pet Behaviour | Jetpets | International Pet Transport | Pet Carrier
Dr Jo Righetti and her pup Chilli relaxing in the park

Interpreting our beloved pet’s behaviour can sometimes be a puzzling challenge for the untrained and until our dogs are able to talk to us, (fingers crossed for soon), it’s best to rely on advice from professionals. Dr Jo Righetti is one of Australia’s leading pet behaviourists and has been providing pet lovers with insightful professional advice on their pets for over 20 years.

With Dr Jo Righetti joining us as a sponsor for the Jetpets Companion Animal Rescue Awards 2018 we thought it would be a great opportunity to ask Dr Jo Righetti if she had any tips or advice for those wanting to travel with their beloved pets.

  1. Relaxing your pet

Many pet owners report that when they are experiencing stress, often their pet will pick up on it and alter their behaviour. To ensure that your pet doesn’t take on your stress try to eliminate situations that cause you stress when at home with your pet.

Dr Righetti:

“Pets may pick up on your stress, so try to remain as calm as you can when travelling or preparing to travel. Make written lists and tick them off as you complete them. Double check your pet’s travel arrangements in the lead up to the day of departure. Check their ID. If you are confident in your pet’s arrangements, then you can relax and begin to enjoy your travel.”

  1. Avoid sedation

You might think sedating your pet during transit could avoid anxiety or stress but in fact sedating your pet can lead to serious problems arising during travel. When a pet is sedated they are more likely to have breathing interference or a reaction to the medication. Sedation also results in pets not being able to drink water provided in their crate leading to dehydration risks.

Dr Righetti:

“Most pets do not require to be tranquilized during travel. If you have an anxious pet, discuss with your veterinarian ways to relax your pet without tranquilizers.”

  1. Crate train before travel

Our pets can be more susceptible to stress and anxiety when placed in an unfamiliar situation such as a travel crate. You can show your pet that there is nothing to fear by spending some time crate training your dog. Jetpets can bring your travel crate to your door in the weeks prior travel to give you the time you need to acclimatise your pet to the pet travel crate.

Dr Righetti:

“Make your pet’s crate as pleasant as possible by introducing your pet to it in a gradual, positive way. Allow your pet to enter the crate on their own, enticing them with taste treats or a favourite toy. Place their bed or a blanket in there too. Each time they go into the crate, extend the time they spend there. Begin to close the door, taking care not to frighten your pet and, again, extend the time they spend in their crate.”

 

Watch our step by step crate training video

  1. Introduce new stimulus slowly

Many of our clients use our services when they are moving interstate or internationally, often for a job or life change. Sometimes this can lead to a pet becoming uneasy in their new surroundings. Slow it down and introduce new environments or a new home to your pet gradually. This can lead to your pet becoming more comfortable in their new surroundings.

Dr Righetti:

“When pets have anxiety or stress about any aspect of life, the best way to deal with this is through desensitisation. This means gradual and controlled introductions to the frightening stimulus. If your pet is moving to an area without a garden, for instance, then get them used to new ways of exercising prior to this change. If you have to set up a new home, then you may find it beneficial to board your pet for a few days or have them stay with a friend, while you sort out your living arrangements. Then you can bring your pet into their new but more familiar area where they have their bed, blankets toys and food dishes. And, of course, the most important thing in your pet’s life is you! Stay as calm as you can. Keep your pet’s routines the same.”

  1. Saying goodbye and saying hello

Saying goodbye to our pets to go to work can sometimes be difficult but what about if it is for a few days or even weeks? The trick here is to make it part of your pet’s routine well beforehand to avoid the puppy tears.

Dr Righetti:

“Say goodbye matter-of-factly to your pet. Practice beforehand if this is hard. Put your pet in their crate, say goodbye and quickly walk away. If your pet has had this done a hundred times before, they will not react. Plus, you can give them a treat to occupy them and make it positive. When you say hello, it’s difficult not to go over the top but this can create anxiety in your pet. So, keep calm and ensure you pet is healthy on your reunion and is safe when you let them explore.”

Pet Behaviour | Jetpets | International Pet Transport | Pet Carrier | Pet Problems Solved
Dr Jo is the founder of one of Australia’s most trusted dog behaviour websites petproblemsolved.com.au

Doctor Jo Righetti is the founder of the fantastic pet resource petproblemsolved.com.au. With loads of professional advice and information on pet behaviour its your number one resource for any pet problems you may need solved.

*major airports in Australia

Jetpets Transports First Full-Size Sea Turtle

Jetpets assists in Olive Ridley Sea Turtle rehabilitation program
Jetpets assists in Olive Ridley Sea Turtle rehabilitation program

Jetpets are no stranger to servicing unique animal transportation needs and when we were recently contacted by Sydney’s Sea Life aquarium we were excited to learn that we would be transporting a female Sea Turtle named, “Extra Virgin”.

You might be wondering, “Why such a strange name for a turtle?”, so please allow me to explain.

“Extra Virgin” is a member of the Olive Ridley species of marine turtles. The species are known by their olive-green hue…hence the comedic nickname.

According to the World Wildlife Federation’s (WWF) website the Olive Ridley turtle’s status is considered “vulnerable”. This is due to several reasons including how fragile their breeding cycle is, with hatchling turtles returning to the same place they were born to lay their own eggs once the reach maturity. As these hatchling locations are so specific and infrequent, any damage or change to their environment could adversely affect the entire species. The turtles are also impacted by plastic rubbish, commercial fishing practices, poaching and water pollution.

Extra Virgin will return to the ocean after she completes her rehabilitation period
Extra Virgin will return to the ocean after she completes her rehabilitation period

With such precious cargo in our care it was imperative that we pulled out all the stops to ensure that Extra Virgin reached her destination safely.

Through consultation we were able to assist in preparing Extra Virgin’s travel crate to make it more comfortable during her flight to QLD. We also liaised with the airlines to ensure that she spent no unnecessary time in crate.

Extra Virgin was being transported to undertake rehabilitation for a minor injury at her new home at Sealife on the Sunshine coast. Once she has fully recovered she will be released back into the wild to re-join the rest of her species.

Extra Virgin Is placed in to her rehabilitation tank after her journey
Extra Virgin Is placed in to her rehabilitation tank after her journey

special mention also needs to go to Jetpets’ Pet Handler Kellie, who did a fantastic job of picking up Extra Virgin and getting her safely to the rehabilitation tank to begin her recovery.

If you would like to visit Sealife on the Sunshine coast you can visit their website here to get all the details.

African Painted Dogs

There’s some new dogs in town at Tasmania Zoo in Launceston and things are going to get wild. Two brothers Dwama and Kondo and a female, Inda have arrived recently from Perth Zoo courtesy of Jetpets. African Wild Dogs or Painted Dogs as they are sometimes called are one of the world’s most critically endangered mammal species on earth.

African Painted Dogs | Jetpets | Flying Animals | Dog Transport | Pets International

“Our team have informed me that they travelled well, safely and have since settled into their Tassie home”, said Perth Zoo’s Danielle Henry.

For generations humans have hunted the dogs believing them to be vermin while domestic animals have passed on disease like rabies which have decimated the population in Africa. The species, once numbered close to 500,000 and spread across 40 countries, have unfortunately now dwindled to 5000. Which is why the work being done at Perth Zoo and Tasmania Zoo is so important.

African Painted Dogs | Jetpets | Flying Animals | Dog Transport | Pets International

The dogs are a fascinating species displaying keen hunting instincts akin to a SWAT team, being able to lay traps and ambushes for their intended prey or chase them down over vast distances. Their signature mottled coat gives them incredible camouflage amongst the shady clumps of trees and grasses while the patterns signify individuals, with no two dogs having the same pattern distribution. Their satellite like ears are able to pinpoint sounds of animals changing direction which helps the pack track their prey despite not being able to see them through the thick brush.

While the three new additions to Tasmania won’t be a part of a breeding program, by performing this interstate transport these three individuals from Perth Zoo it will free up more space and resources for new individuals to be raised while also raising awareness of this important and incredible species.

“Perth Zoo champions the cause of African Painted Dogs. Our curator set up and runs an NGO Painted Dog Conservation Inc. which aims to protects these dogs in the wild. Amongst other activities he employs locals who conduct anti-poaching patrols and snare removal from the African landscape which causes the painful deaths of many Painted Dogs” said Danielle Henry.

If you would like to see this amazing species and learn more about the conservation effort you can visit Tasmania Zoo’s website to arrange a visit or if you would like to donate to Perth Zoo’s conservation efforts you can do so by visiting their website.

African Painted Dogs | Jetpets | Flying Animals | Dog Transport | Pets International

 

 

 

 

 

 

Jetpets assists in the establishment of new Cheetah Breeding Program in Sydney

Recently Jetpets had the pleasure of assisting in the relocation of two female Cheetah from South Africa to their new home at the Wild Animal Encounter Conservation Centre in Hawkesbury, north of Sydney. The Cheetah sisters, Ziva and Zane are joining a brand new conservation breeding program for Cheetah being established at Wild Animal Encounters.

Zoo Moves | Jetpets | Global Pet Travel
With less than 7000 Cheetah remaining on earth, captive breeding programs are vitally important as insurance populations to safe guard against extinction of species such as Cheetah.

The success of the Cheetah Breeding Program in Sydney rests in the very capable hands of Wild Animal Encounter’s company Director, Ben Britton who you may recognise as the host of Australia’s Nat Geo Wild program.

Ben’s name has become synonymous with exotic wildlife education and throughout his 20-year career Ben has starred in several documentaries and television programs aimed at educating the public on animal behaviour and conservation.

“I’d like to thank Jetpets, and in particular the Sydney team for their assistance with this project. The Cheetah have arrived safe and sound, and both animals are out exploring their new environment…”, said Ben.

Wild Animal Encounters is not government funded and they rely heavily on donations and the support of the public to continue their important work promoting conservation both in Sydney and in Botswana, where they have been working for over 10 years to conserve wild cat populations. Private tours of their Conservation Centre in Sydney offer the unique opportunity to meet these amazing creatures while supporting the important work Wild Animal Encounters does.

We wish Ziva and Zane the very best as they explore their new environment and we will endeavour to check in with them in the future to bring you any updates.

For a limited time, you can meet Ziva and Zane, just visit www.wildanimalencounters.com.au for more details.

Jetpets Assists in Chimpanzee Breeding Program

On the remote western edge of Africa, in the country of Sierra Leone, lies a great belt of tropical rainforest home to some of the worlds most unique and beautiful animals, Chimpanzees. Due to significant pressure from the illegal bush meat trade, rising human populations and deforestation, these populations are under threat.

Chimpanzee Breeding Program | Jetpets | Zoo Moves | Pet Transport | Pet Imports | Pet Movers

Monarto Zoo in South Australia is working directly with the Jane Goodall Institute and the Tchimpounga Chimpanzee Rehabilitation Centre to combat the threats to this amazing population. Monarto Zoo’s Chimpanzee breeding program was recently bolstered by the addition of two new females from Taronga Zoo in Sydney.

Hannah and Lani were transported by Jetpets last month to join their new brothers and sister at Monarto Zoo and they are settling in, in their own unique ways.

Hannah was initially nervous in meeting her new troop but quickly overcame her social anxiety to settle in to a mothering role.

“They are doing really well and have settled in better than we could ever imagine. Hannah is just amazing with Enzi (our 2 ½ year old male chimp). She can be seen at times carrying him around, and he really likes her a lot. Our alpha male Tsosti has taken a liking to Hanna and is supportive of her in any disputes”, said Monarto Zoo’s Team Leader Althea Guinsberg.

While the playful and social, Lani, has taken to grooming her new-found friends after sitting back and observing for a while.

“Lani is doing well; in the beginning she was not happy and that affected her appetite, but this did not take long to change and soon she was foraging with the troop. She gets on well with our one adult female Galatea and the two have some great grooming sessions. Gombe, one of our males, also loves grooming with Lani and they get on really well”, said Althea.

With Chimpanzees being classified as an endangered species with approximately 150,000 to 300,000 chimps remaining in the wild it’s never been a better time to support the conservation work being done by Monarto Zoo and their partners. If you would like to donate and assist in the important work they do, you can do so by visiting this link or if you are in South Australia stop by Monarto Zoo for the ultimate chimpanzee experience.

Chimpanzee Breeding Program | Jetpets | Zoo Moves | Pet Transport | Pet Imports | Pet Movers

Is your furry family member travelling?

There’s many benefits in using a pet travel service.

Travelling within Australia or overseas? Need flights booked for your pet? Require a door to door service? Regardless of the travel scenario there’s countless benefits in using a pet travel service, rather than attempt to organise it yourself. Here’s just some of the benefits in having the Jetpets team arrange and look after your pet throughout their entire travel journey.

Pet Travel Benefits | Jetpets | Dog Transport | Importing dogs to Australia | Pet Carrier Service

  1. Place your pet in the care of pet lovers.

We know that you are trusting us to care for your much loved, precious family member. Our pet loving team includes pet travel consultants, resident vets and pet handlers, and we are specialists when it comes to pet travel.

We will take the time to get to know your pet and find out if they have any special requirements.

  1. Pet welfare, comfort and safety comes first

Everything we do centres around the welfare, comfort and safety of your pet.

Our resident vets are located at transit lounge locations throughout Australia. For overseas travellers our vets can complete the entire vet work schedule and ensure strict country of entry requirements are met.

Your pet travel consultant will create your pet’s travel itinerary and provide valuable tips to get your pet ready for travel, as well as stepping your through the entire process.

Our transit lounges are conveniently located near major airports in Australia and provide a relaxing and comfortable environment for your pet prior to their flight.

Our team provides great advice on the best sized travel crate for your pet. You can hire or purchase an airline compliant travel crate from Jetpets. For travel within Australia you can visit a transit lounge for guidance on the best sized travel crate, or for overseas travellers a pet handler can deliver one to your home well before travel. Our pet handlers provide great advice on getting your pet familiar with their travel crate.

For door to door services our pet handlers will transport your pet in comfort in our air-conditioned fleet.

For indirect flights we offer a comfort stop service, ensuring that your pet is taken care of every step of the way.

We are there if things don’t quite go to plan. Sometimes a flight does get delayed or cancelled, or a pet may soil their travel crate prior to flight. You needn’t be concerned as a pet handler will attend to it. They will also be there to top up their water container.

We have a strict weather policy to ensure all pets travel comfortably and safely. We have a dedicated pet travel consultant who proactively monitors the forecast and in instances of extreme weather will change the flight time if necessary.

  1. We select the best flight options

Wanting to travel on the same flight? We will do our best to accommodate this.

We have visibility of pet cabin space availability across our airline partners and will suggest the most direct flight option for your pet.

We monitor the weather and if your pet is travelling from or to a hot climate we will recommend a morning or night flight.

  1. Peace of mind

You can have complete peace of mind knowing that your pet is in good hands with Jetpets, and we are accessible 24/7.

  1. Value for money

With the level of expertise provided and care taken Jetpets represents exceptional value for money. There are also many complimentary aspects of our service that provide convenience to you and benefit your pet.

For interstate pet travel you can enjoy the convenience of our complimentary transit lounge to airport pick up and delivery service.

Terms and conditions apply.

For overseas travel our complimentary services include:

  • The convenience of our “front door” pickup by our trained pet handlers.
  • Pet handler home visit to assist in choosing the correct crate size for your pet, and leave it with you for pet familiarisation.
  • Our stay dry fleece mat provides an absorbent padded surface to keep your pet dry and comfortable in their travel crate.
  • Jetpets resident vets can complete a home visit and health check.
  • One-night boarding stay prior to travel.

Terms and conditions apply.

Follow us on Facebook and Instagram to see first hand our happy travellers.

Emotional reunion for couple sailing the Pacific Ocean

At Jetpets we pride ourselves on being able to transport any animal to any location in the world, so when the captain of the yacht “Sailing Nandji”, Jared Laver contacted us to reunite both himself and his partner, Bonita with their beloved Whippet Marley, we jumped at the chance.

Jetpets | Pacific Ocean | Global Moves | Jetpets Happy Traveller | International Pet Carrier

The challenge however was that Jared and his partner were currently sailing around the Solomon Islands on their yacht and Marley was travelling from Australia to meet with them.

While the decision to leave Marley behind in Australia for the first length of their voyage was unavoidable the pair were determined to be reunited with their travel buddy Marley somewhere along the way despite the challenges that this would pose but Bonita said it best when she said, “If you want to travel fast you go alone, If you want to travel far…you go together”.

Initially they had planned to arrange Marley’s travel themselves but after realising how complicated the requirements were, Marley’s veterinarian recommended they contact Jetpets to ensure that the important paperwork was completed correctly by the experts as an incorrect form could lead to a very expensive problem.

Jetpets | Pacific Ocean | Global Moves | Jetpets Happy Traveller | International Pet Carrier | Reunited

“If any of the paperwork was incorrect or if we made one mistake then Marley could be sent straight back”, said Jared Laver.

So Jetpets set to work making all the unique arrangements for importation in to the Solomon Islands as well as the specific vet work that was needed prior to travelling. Our pet travel consultant was made aware of the unique circumstances and was able to communicate with Jared and Bonita via email from their yacht in the Solomon sea, making the entire process possible.

With the pet travel arrangements all made, and triple checked we informed Jared and Bonita when Marley would arrive, and the pair excitedly made their way to the little airport to be reunited with Marley. Although they experienced flight delays the pair were successfully reunited with Marley later that day and little Marley was so happy to see them, wagging his tail so vigorously he was almost drumming inside the pet travel crate.

It’s easy to see the strength of the bond shared between these three world travellers and to be a part of their reunion is just one of the many rewarding reasons we do what we do. Please click through and watch the entire episode on their YouTube channel you won’t regret it, and make sure you have a box of tissues handy, it’s a bit of a tear jerker.