Pet owners are feeling stressed, confused and hopeless at the Australian government's sudden, draconian measures that are effectively banning many of us from bringing our pets with us to Australia. The restrictions have also left animal welfare charities concerned.

New pet importation rule changes are being applied retrospectively which means most of us are forced to start the costly application process again - which can take more than six months! 

We’re calling on the Australian government to show fairness and remove the retrospective measures on the policy .My beautiful dog, Ruby, who means the world to me. I’m a health professional registered in Australia and I’m ready to return but I’m stuck due to unreasonable new measures.

I can’t imagine having to leave Ruby behind but I have work commitments in Australia that I can't for long. Under the new application process, Ruby will need another unnecessary rabies test and can’t enter Australia until August. This means I need to organize for her boarding which is quite expensive, an additional cost not everyone can afford.

I can understand the need for new rules to keep Australia free from rabies, even though the disease hasn’t been reported for 150 years. But since there is NO immediate rabies risk in Australia, it’s cruel to put us through this time-consuming process again. We had already committed to the long process and were abiding by the guidelines, but now to be told that we need to do this all over again because the government changed their mind - I am gutted.

The UK, Canada and the US have all commented that these new rules are quite unnecessary. Animal welfare groups are concerned about the welfare risks on our beautiful pets. 

From March 1, animals must get their identity confirmed and if they can't, they must spend 30 days in quarantine, like my Ruby. I'm concerned about long waiting times to book pets into quarantine. But more than that, I'm concerned that there are no vets or nurses to take care of our pets - quarantine is no place for our furry friends.

It’s common for them to lose weight due to adjustment and anxiety issues. Ruby is already underweight - I’m scared and worried for her health in such an environment. 

I hear of other pet owners who’ve already spent years and thousands of dollars in their pursuit to move to Australia with their pets. We shouldn’t have to go through this.

Previously, dogs were dying in Australian quarantine because of sudden rule changes that increased quarantine times without warning. I hoped the government would learn and have more humane, empathetic rules in place. 

We are tired of these unreasonable and impractical rules. Please sign and share the petition for fairer pet policies.