Bring birds overseas!

[taupelove]

Hi all,

I am new to this forum! I signed up because I was hoping to get some feedback on traveling with birds overseas.

In a nutshell this is our dilemma:
We are in Australia, we are moving to the US, but there is ALOT that goes into bringing our two birds (cockatiel and a budgie) over to the US.

The paperwork is one thing, but what I am worried about it putting them on a plane for 12 hours or so and then it is mandatory to put them in quarantine for 30 days...this is killing me.

I am so scared that they will die either on the plane or in the quarantine. I won't be able to help them if they need me, I won't be able to see them for 30 whole days...it hurts to think about it! I love my birds so much and I just feel so stuck.

Has anyone ever had to do anything like this? I would love some input as I don't know of anyone who has ever done this. I also have not seen anyone posting anything like this online!

Thanks

[Honesty]

and welcome to the forum.

It sounds like you have quite a dilemma on your hands and I can quite see why you are so worried about it

I have never been in this position, so I am unable to help you with this one, but I am sure there are others that may be able advise you on this!

[spiritbird]

Wish you could just put them in your pockets. Being without them for 30 days is better than re-homing where you will not see them at all. I would also seek the advice of an avian vet about how the birds should fare in all this. Good luck and thanks for joining us.

[Mare]

It sounds like you've been researching. Have you contacted the US Dept. of Agriculture? My situation was different, I was planning to bring my umbrella cockatoo to Baja, Mexico, for a month or more, then back to the US, crossing in Calif., in a vehicle. The problem wasn't getting into Mexico, it was getting back into the US. and ONLY because he is considered an endangered species. If U2s were not on the endangered species list, it would not have been an issue. As long as I had his medical records in order, it was doable without quarantine but expensive and a hassle. For around $260, a USDA representative would be called in to inspect his papers and we would be able to cross.
It might be worth contacting them, if you hadn't already, to see what they have to say.

We took two horses down to Mexico, many years ago, and they had to be quarantined for two weeks at a race track in Tijuana, before we could get them back across.

[taupelove]

Hi everyone! Thanks for the replies.

I have been researching a lot, I just want to make this go as smoothy as possible! I will see what they say about the quarantine, but so far everyone who I have called and emailed, have said that they need to be quarantined for the month. Trust me, I would do almost anything to avoid doing that 0 my heart is breaking at the thought of being away from them. I will keep you updated!

[Feathers First Aviary]

I would be more concerned about the quarantine than the flight, I've had birds on flights for 12+ hours already, in fact we have a conure going on a 14 hour flight tomorrow, I don't know anything about the quarantine facilities though. I would ask who will be taking care of your birds, what kind of environment they will be in, will food/water/toys be changed as needed, will they be allowed out of their cages or confined for the entire month, will they be exposed to other birds while in quarantine, etc. I would also ask if there is any way possible you can avoid quarantine, maybe if you have the birds disease tested before the flight? Either way, if they were my birds, I would have them tested before and after, especially if they are going to be exposed to other birds while in this quarantine facility.

[Turquoise]

Welcome to the forum taupelove. I don't have anything I can add about international travel either. Like Sara mentioned the flight would not be as worry some usually as the quarantine. Not knowing how your babies were being taken care of would be a nightmare. Wished I could help you on this, but I haven't traveled with mine except after picking them up from the breeder or one was flown to me from Washington state. And we drove them home in our car.