Moving to New Zealand, what to do with my dog?

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Hols180

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Hi,

I'm not really much of a poster, but I need some second opinions and some advise.

I'm moving to NZ at the end of Jan with my boyfriend, he will be farming over there, I will be living with him and finding some work once we are out there.

For me the move is more of an experience, I havent been out there before and want the adventure, my OH has lived out there before and is pretty sure its where he would like to settle, but we're not making any long term decisions yet.

So here is my dilema, I have a lovely 3 year old cocker spaniel...do I take her with me? The cost is around £1000 for the flight, (no quarentine needed in NZ though, which is obv a plus point) or do I look into rehoming her here in the UK? My main reason for being unsure about moving her to NZ with me is incase I end up wanting to return home after a year or even sooner, and that wouldn't be fair on her.

Just the thought of rehoming her has me in tears, but I know I have to make a decision soon. My parents can't keep her as they work abroad alot of the year so aren't at home enough. Where do I even start?

What would you do? Has anyone moved overseas with their animals?

Thanks for reading.
xx
 
I'd take mine with me. I'd pine for him otherwise!

However if you do go along the lines of rehoming she is still a young dog, so should be able to find somewhere. I'd probably go with a breed rescue as I think normally they try to rehome to dogs directly house to house, so no time in kennels.

Tough decision for you:(
 
It is a tough decision. I would take her with me - she is young and fit and strong. I moved here from South Africa and brought my JRT cross with me. It was really hard as he had to do 6 months quarantine but I dont regret it at all. That was ten years ago and he was pts last Jan at 14. He was like my child I had rescued him at 3 weeks when his mother was run over and he did everything with me I couldnt bear to leave him with anyone there as my mum and brother came over here with me. Good luck with your decision and your move. x
 
Take her with you!! I couldn't bear to leave mine behind, it's bad enough that for now they have to live with my mum, just around the corner.

We had a lady get in touch with us who was moving to NZ and had a Hungarian Wirehaired Vizsla (mum's the club sec) and was looking for someone to look after her for however long it was so she avoided being kenneled until the right time had passed for her to go over - something to do with that being how they do it instead of quarantine. So Nina came to stay for ages and we all got attached to her then mum and dad took her off for her to go back to her mum. She still keeps in touch and they got another one whilst over there -after Nina had gone over and settled in.

Good luck with your move
 
Id take her with you without a doubt!! I moved to spain years ago and i took my westie with me, and didnt even give it a second thought as i couldnt be without her!!

I moved back to england a few years ago and i left my labbie with my dad but that devastated me, but its for different reason. My mother died a few years ago, and even tho the labbie is mine, i felt she was company for him living on his own, and at 67and inactive i thought it was an excuse to give him a walk and company. Broke my heart but i couldnt bear to leave him living on his own either!

Any other situation id have my dog here asap, so do it!! :) You wont regret it
 
If you were emigrating then yes take her with you without thinking about it. However it sounds like you haven't truely decided whether you want to stay there or not, so I'd try and find her a foster home for a few months while you make your mind up. Perhaps someone at your yard would foster her? I'd take a friend's dog in this situation. Thi thing is, if you take her and decide you don't want to stay, the dog has to go through another long stressful journey, and then quarrentine at this end, which is a long time for a dog.. To me, you need to be really sure before you drag the dog over there, otherwise its not fair. I've known quite a few friends that emigrated to Australia, and two years later were back home again...
 
Honey08 said:
If you were emigrating then yes take her with you without thinking about it. However it sounds like you haven't truely decided whether you want to stay there or not, so I'd try and find her a foster home for a few months while you make your mind up. Perhaps someone at your yard would foster her? I'd take a friend's dog in this situation. Thi thing is, if you take her and decide you don't want to stay, the dog has to go through another long stressful journey, and then quarrentine at this end, which is a long time for a dog.. To me, you need to be really sure before you drag the dog over there, otherwise its not fair. I've known quite a few friends that emigrated to Australia, and two years later were back home again...
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This is exactly my dilema, because I don't know if we will stay there for 1 year, 3 years, 10 years or forever! My parents can keep her for about 3 and a half months which will help.
There is no quarentine in the UK from NZ and vice versa, so this is good, but it still doesnt take away from the fact it will cost around £1500 each way plus the stress on her.

Such a difficult situation. In a way, I wish I knew somebody who I trusted that would be willing to have her, it would make the decision to rehome a lot easier.

I 100% will not leave her in a rehoming kennel, no way, never. Too horrible, she hates kennels anyway. And I would need to know where she has gone.

Thanks for everyone's replies, I wish I had lots of money, I wouldn't even think twice about it then! x
 
Why don't you see if there is a rescue centre for that type of dog, and speak to them? We've just re homed a lab from the labrador rescue, and they had a few that were from people that were emigrating. They know what type of home that type of dog wants, and vet everyone. Some of the dogs went from the previous owner to the rehomer without even seeing the kennels, so had no stress. Our new lab now has 20 acres and another lab as his new best friend, so he's doing great. Perhaps something to consider, so you can really give NZ a chance without worrying about the dog - be it in the Uk or NZ.

Ps, if you do take the dog, don't worry about the journey - I'm cabin crew for an airline, and we often have dogs in the hold on longhaul trips. You hear them barking when everything is loaded on, but rarely hear a peep from them on the trip, and the hold is heated.
 
Tough call. The dog I own now was originally only with me while his owners sorted things out a house in America and then they were going to take him with them. I ended up keeping him because of the cost (wahey!) but I still get emails from them, they miss him so much they're finding it tough to get another dog.

I, personally, would take her over. Yes, there's stress involved in the flight but you're not talking about a two-week vacation either.... Money is always a problem - but while you are there and when you find work you can be saving for hers (and yours!) emergency flight home in the case that you ever need one.
 
I really don't want to regret not taking her.

I have requested quotes from about 5 different international pet transporters so I shall wait and see what the total cost is going to be. I think I am also going to put the word out locally to see if anyone would be interested in rehoming a working cocker, if the right home came along then I would definitely consider it.

Will let you know! x
 
There is quite a lot you can do to help with the stress of the flight, if you talk to your vet there are calmers, sedatives, DAP difusers, etc., so in that respect I wouldn't think twice about taking her over and brining her back.

The cost is something only you can decide on.
 
Hols180 said:
They are pretty high maintenance dogs, completely worth it in my eyes, but certainly not the easiest of dogs to own, too intelligent for their own good!
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I already have a crazy springer (and a slightly calmer lab!)!! :D

I know about the nuttiness though - I have a friend with ones that work - I am desperate for a working cocker to do agility with - am working on the OH.... LOL!
 
if the dog were a child you wouldnt skimp on the air fare! please take the dog with you, and bring the dog back should you have reason not to stay!! good luck
 
oh i would hate to have to make that decision..mine would have to come with me but it depends on the dog
neighbours of mine went to live in Aussie last year and they decided NOT to take their two dogs..yes it was the exspence and i helped to find them good homes(they were sighthounds weather this make too much of a difference)
one dog just wouldnt of coped the other was young enough to find a home..luckily they found a home together

maybe think whats best for your dog as you know him the best or if he can stay at your parents for a little longer until you decide

good luck
 
I had a quote yesterday at just over £1000 as long as I sort the paperwork which does seem reasonable.

My plan will now be to leave her with my parents till mid May, by then I should be settled and know if I can have her with me (and maybe whether I think its going to be long term). I am still going to consider new homes until then though, if someone came along who wanted a gun dog to work with and train then I would be hard pushed to say no as she would love that, its what she's bred for, I just haven't got the skills to train her unfortunately (or the patience when she pretends she's deaf!)
 
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