Preparing Your Pet for Quarantine: What to Expect and How to Help
Quarantine is mandatory for pets entering Australia, New Zealand, and Japan (and several other destinations). It is not a punishment – it is a biosecurity check designed to protect these countries’ disease-free status. Understanding what it involves and preparing your pet appropriately makes a real difference to how smoothly the experience goes.
What Quarantine Actually Looks Like
Modern quarantine facilities are not neglectful holding areas. At Mickleham (Australia’s facility near Melbourne):
- Dogs and cats are housed in individual, climate-controlled kennels
- Daily exercise sessions are provided
- Animals are monitored by trained staff
- Veterinary care is available
- The facilities are cleaned to high standards
At New Zealand’s MPI facility in Auckland:
- Similar standards apply
- Individual exercise sessions
- Climate control
At Japan’s AQS facilities:
- Highly professional operation
- Individual kennels
- Staff trained in animal handling
The length is fixed (10 days in Australia and NZ, varying in Japan). If all documentation is correct, the release date is predictable.
Preparing Your Pet: Months Before
Crate training: This is the most important preparation step. An animal that is comfortable in a crate adapts to quarantine housing much better. Start months before travel:
- Leave the crate open as a rest spot with comfortable bedding
- Feed meals in the crate
- Practice closing the door for increasing periods
- Work up to the crate being locked for 4 to 6 hours without distress
Scent familiarisation: Animals that have a scent-comforting item (your worn T-shirt, a familiar blanket) in the quarantine kennel show lower stress indicators. Most facilities allow one or two soft items.
Food familiarity: Bring a two-week supply of your pet’s regular food. Quarantine staff usually use it at the start of the stay before transitioning to facility food if needed. Sudden diet changes during the stress of quarantine can cause gastrointestinal issues.
Packing for Quarantine
Check the specific facility’s guidelines – each has slightly different rules around what is permitted. Generally:
- A worn T-shirt or small blanket (launderable)
- 2-week supply of regular food
- Any prescription medications with clear instructions and dosing schedule
- Contact information (yours and an alternative)
- Comfort toy (check whether allowed under biosecurity)
Do not send expensive items – they may be destroyed under biosecurity protocols.
During Quarantine
Stay in contact with the facility. Request updates if you are not receiving them. For Australia’s Mickleham, you can call or email for welfare updates. Visiting is permitted during set hours.
Most pets adapt within the first few days. Dogs often show initial distress followed by adjustment. Cats are variable – some settle quickly, others remain anxious throughout.
Collection Day
On the day of release, arrive at the scheduled time. Your pet will likely be:
- Excited and vocal (dogs)
- Subdued and slightly disoriented (cats often)
- Thinner than expected (mild weight loss from stress and reduced appetite is common)
Bring a familiar carrier or lead. Drive directly to your new home. Keep the first day very quiet.
Contact your specific quarantine facility directly for current procedures and packing rules. This guide is accurate as of May 2026.