Importing Australian Champion Alizmah Livingstone – Our story!!

After a lot of thought, consultations, and research, I decided to import a stud cat from Australia.  I contact numerous Australian breeders and judges for recommendations on who to buy my stud cat from.  I was recommended by various different people to Heather & Colin Mahoney from Alizmah Cattery located in Hobart, Tasmania, Australia (www.alizmahcattery.com).

When I contacted Heather, she was delighted to hear that I was interested in one of her kittens.  She had various kittens available at the time, but informed me that only 2 of the kittens, both boys met her high requirement on standards, and might be suitable for export.  This was a clear indication to me that I was recommended to a professional breeder that takes great pride in breeding and showing her Cornish Rex cats.

On the 1st of March 2006 Heather e-mailed me the pictures and pedigrees of the two boys.  My husband and I decided that we preferred Livingstone, the black boy and informed Heather that we would like to book him.  We secured the kitten with a 50% deposit that was paid via an international bank transfer.

On the 20^th of March 2006 Livingstone was microchipped and his Rabies vaccination was administered.  He had his blood test on the 21 April 2006 and CSIRO, Australian Animal Health Laboratory, confirmed a satisfactory Rabies antibody titre.  With great excitement the countdown of the 6 month period started.  Livingston completed his passport scheme in Hobart.  

Heather agreed to show Livingstone as often as possible to ensure that he was well socialized and comfortable on the show bench.  She did such a brilliant job that he has been awarded his title as Australian Champion and as a kitten, is currently in first place and most likely to win the Group 3 Kitten of the Year Award from THE CAT ASSOCIATION OF TASMANIA. The results can be viewed on their website, www.catinc.org.au 

At the end of September, one month before his departure date, Heather contacted me to find out what I was feeding my cats so she could gradually introduce Livingstone to the same food.  At this point Livingstone was fed Kangaroo meat.  Heather informed me that her cats love the Kangaroo meat and that it is a very lean meat and extremely good for the cats.  Livingstone was also on occasion fed some beef and chicken, which he adored.  Needless to say, there are no Kangaroo’s in England and she had to introduce him to Hills dry food.  The transition went very well and he is enjoying his Hills dry food.

As October crept closer I had to make a decision about Livingstone’s transport to the UK.  Heather recommended Dogtainers as a reliable company to deal with Livingstone’s travelling arrangements. Dogtainers covered all the customs requirements for importing Livingstone into the UK. 

I requested a quote from Dogtainers that included:  delivery to Hobart airport, domestic freight to Sydney, supply of IATA standard crate, AQIS visit and documentation, overnight stay in Sydney, international lodgement and administration, international freight costs, security and airline surcharges.

On the 4^th of October 2006, Abigail from Dogtainer requested personal details from both Heather, myself and Livingstone.  These included:  Address details, contact numbers, passport numbers, purchase price, Livingstone’s breed, age, weight, colour, and sex. 

On the 24^th of October, Dogtainers confirmed Livingstone flight details and travel itinery with both Heather and myself.

On Wednesday, 25 October I received a phone call from James Cargo requesting me to complete the HM Customs C5 form. A completed C5 must be attached to the import entry that they submit to HMR & Customs.  They e-mail the C5 form to me on the same day and with the clear notes for completing the form attached to their e-mail, I completed the form in a few minutes and immediately e-mailed the signed completed form back to them.

James Cargo was very efficient and e-mailed me a detailed map showing where I should collect Livingstone, with guidelines on how long the process can take and contact numbers.

Heather took Livingstone to the airport on Monday morning to be there at 05:30 for his lodgement at Virgin Blue freight. Livingstone departed Hobart airport in Tasmania, Australia at 07:00 on Monday the 30/10/2006 for Sydney where Dogtainer collected him to board overnight.

During his boarding in Sydney Livingstone had to undergo his final vet treatment for worms and fleas and after that he was issued with his General Health Certificate.

In Sydney he was lodged for international departure at 13:35 before departing for England.  There is a 10 hour time difference between England and Australia.  Livingstone flew on a direct flight with British Airways and departed Sydney in Australia at 16:35 on Tuesday, 31/10/2006 and arrived at Heathrow, London, UK on Wednesday, 1 November 2006 at 05:55.

Dogtainers used James Cargo in England to receive Livingstone at Heathrow and dealt with all the clearance, and customs formalities.  If required, James Cargo also offer a delivery service direct to your door utilising their fleet of temperature controlled DEFRA approved vehicles. 

James Cargo Services Limited, Tel:   +44 (0) 1753 682244, Fax:  +44 (0) 1753 683407, web: www.jamescargo.com

Upon arrival at Heathrow, a representative from James Cargo, collected Livingstone from the aircraft and took him directly to the Animal Reception Centre, where DEFRA State Veterinary Service checked him and his paperwork. Once DEFRA State Veterinary Service had completed their checks, they issued James Cargo with a CVED(’s) and they were then able to complete the final part of the process and submit all of the paperwork with HM Revenue & Customs on my behalf. After Customs cleared and released Livingstone, we could collect him and take him to our home in Norwich. The whole process from the time of flight arrival takes approximately 5 hrs.

Livingstone travelled in an air conditioned pressurized cargo area of the plane in his IATA standard crate and had access to water throughout the journey.

The documents for travel were secured to his IATA standard crate.  These included copies of vet work and clearance documents.  All his other documentation was sent to me by post.

To ensure there were no delays with collecting Livingstone from Heathrow, we traveled down to London on Tuesday, 31 October 2006 and stayed with a friend.  At 8:00am on Wednesday morning, the 1 November I phone the duty import staff at the Animal Reception Centre and checked on Livingstone’s progress.  They confirmed that he arrived safely and informed me that he should be ready for collection between 9:30 and 10:00.