5 Best Pet Relocation Providers in Melbourne to Take Care of Every Paw and Paper
When my sister and her family decided to relocate to Houston, leaving their dog was never an option. He wasn’t just part of the household; he was part of everything that makes a house feel like home.
As soon as the move became real, the plan had to include him too—no exceptions. What they didn’t expect, though, was just how much goes into moving a four-legged family member across borders.
It’s not just about booking a flight, crate standards, and a surprising amount of behind-the-scenes coordination. That’s when they started looking into pet relocation services in Melbourne that families rely on to handle the process properly.
If you’re in the same situation and can’t imagine moving without your fur baby, these are the ones that made the cut.
How much does a pet relocation cost in Melbourne?
For local or interstate transport, pet relocation services usually charge around $300 to $1,500. Meanwhile, international relocations with full-service handling, such as paperwork and flights, often cost between $5,000 to $10,000.
1. Moorholme Pet Transport
Address: 45 Mcnabs Rd, Keilor
Contact Details: +61 3 9338 0823
Operating Hours: Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Moorholme Pet Transport started back in 1949 when founder, Stewart Moore, began arranging pet movements for diplomats and politicians—back when transport was either by road or sea.
Fast forward to today, and they’ve naturally evolved into handling both domestic and international air travel, but with the same level of care and attention to detail.
What stands out straight away is how much thought goes into making the journey as smooth as possible. For door-to-door transfers, clients value the use of luxurious vehicles, which makes a real difference for animals who might be a bit unsettled.
They also try to book the most direct flights whenever they can, and that means less time in transit and more time reunited with you.
These guys are great with communication as well. It’s pleasing to know that they’re quick to respond, keeping owners updated along the way.
The best part is that they don’t just disappear once the job is done. They often follow up after transport, just to check if they did their services right.
It’s worth noting, though, that this level of service does come at a premium.
They genuinely love animals and treat them like their own
“I recently used Moorholme Pet Transport, and the service was absolutely amazing. From start to finish, they were professional, caring, and incredibly reliable. It was clear they genuinely love animals and treat them like their own, which gave me complete peace of mind. Communication was excellent throughout the whole process, and my pet arrived safe, happy, and well cared for. I couldn’t recommend Moorholme Pet Transport highly enough – truly outstanding service!”
Sharon Sorensen, Google Review
The whole process was really effortless for us
“We had to bring our cats from the PEQ in Melbourne to their furever home in Sydney. From the first moment Leigh was really amazing. Questions have been answered really quickly, the whole process was really effortless for us. Door-to-door delivery was great. If our boys will need pet transportation services again, I definitely know who I will call…. Thanks guys… 🫶”
Marc Motti, Google Review
2. Pet Express Transport Services (PETS)
Address: 7/189B S Centre Rd, Tullamarine
Contact Details: +61 1300 073 839
Operating Hours: Monday – Friday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Pet Express Transport Services (PETS) is quite a practical option if you’re mainly looking to get all the formalities sorted without too much back-and-forth.
They coordinate veterinary examinations through a Department of Agriculture and Water Resources-approved vet, which removes one of the more confusing steps for owners who aren’t familiar with export requirements.
Another thing people find handy is that they supply the travel kennel themselves, along with essentials, like water bowls.
They also tend to be pretty detailed with the paperwork side of things. Clients appreciate the way they explain customs rules and quarantine procedures for the destination country, along with helping arrange the necessary import permits.
The only catch is that their updates can be a bit limited. Owners sometimes feel like they would prefer more frequent progress checks while everything is in transit.
They were in contact with me the whole time
“I would like to thank you for helping me to relocate my dog from Australia to Colombia. She arrived in very good condition, comfort stops were key. The entire process was straightforward, they were in contact with me the whole time to help me with the paperwork, and they have very friendly staff.”
Alejandra Martínez, Google Review
PETS communication was clear, consistent, and always reassuring
“We strongly recommend PETS helped relocate our dogs, from Melbourne to Houston. The boys arrived in the good condition. PETS communication was clear, consistent, and always reassuring. They always answered all of our questions, kept us informed throughout the entire process. PETS helped the process with their professionalism, patience, and genuine care. Thank you Tim, Haider and Andy for your help us to get through this difficult time.”
Wassana Dye, Google Review
3. Petraveller
Address: 1 Mareno Rd, Tullamarine
Contact Details: +61 1300 644 115
Operating Hours: Not Available
If you’re looking to move your furry friend somewhere like Singapore or across the ditch to New Zealand, Petraveller is a name that pops up constantly. They’ve carved out a bit of a niche for themselves by focusing heavily on international routes.
One thing you’ll notice immediately is their iconic red sky crates.
Unlike the standard plastic boxes you see at most airports, these are custom-built to be ultra-sturdy and provide heaps of ventilation, which is a relief for those who are worried about their pets feeling cramped.
To make the long-haul flight even more posh, they have upgraded the in-flight travel amenities, including soft bedding for comfort.
Clients also rave about having a dedicated pet travel advisor assigned to their case. It makes a noticeable difference because you’re not chasing different contacts for updates; everything comes through one person who keeps you in the loop.
They also offer a few add-on services that go beyond relocation itself, including grooming and even behavioural training.
Just a heads up: there have been a few mentions of delays when it comes to processing import permits, so timing can be something to keep an eye on.
The email updates and photos/videos made us smile
“We were extremely impressed with Petraveller. From the time we submitted the initial enquiry to our gorgeous Labrador Bondi landing home in Scotland, the communication was excellent. There was a very obvious sense of care and attention to detail. Instructions were clear, and we felt we knew exactly what was to happen when. Leaving her to fly home from Australia was an anxious time, but the email updates and photos/videos made us smile. I would have absolutely no hesitation in recommending Petraveller to fellow pet owners on the move. Thank you so much.”
Jackie Daly, Google Review
He was easy to communicate with and reassured me about my cat’s travel
“It was so great to work with Paul, he was easy to communicate with and reassured me about my cat’s travel. I was incredibly anxious since my cat was having some bladder issues leading up to the flight, but the team was giving me constant updates during his long travel from Australia to Norway. I am so very grateful for that. The entire process was so easy and smooth, I didn’t need to do much at all! Thank you so much to Paul, Jacky and the entire PetTraveller team for bringing my cat to me safe and happy. :-)”
Beatrice Normann, Google Review
4. Jetpets
Address: 64 Lambeck Dr, Tullamarine
Contact Details: +61 1300 452 115
Operating Hours: Open 24 Hours
When it comes to moving your cherished companions with a bit of a VIP flourish, Jetpets is often the first name that comes to mind for Melbourne families.
They’ve built a reputation for leaning into the luxury side of travel, treating the entire relocation more like a high-end holiday than a simple freight job.
A standout feature that fur parents truly value is their round-the-clock support line; having a real person to chat with at 3 in the morning when you’re triple-checking flight times is a total lifesaver.
If your pet happens to be on a late-night departure or an early-bird special, they don’t just sit in a hallway. Instead, they get to relax in premium boarding facilities and specialised transit lounges.
To make things even more seamless, they have a resident veterinarian on-site. This means your pet gets a professional once-over right before they head off, ensuring they are in tip-top shape for the journey without dashing to your local clinic.
Unfortunately, it’s worth keeping an eye on the details if your pet is a bit of a messy traveller. While the crates are sturdy and safe, some feedback suggests that the upkeep of bedding and pet hygiene during the actual transit isn’t always their top priority.
I was pleasantly surprised about the excellent quality of care and services
“I flew my darling cat from Adelaide to Brussels. A long and daunting journey for the best of us. Jetpets helped me with the booking, the preparation process and the customs clearance in Brussels. They took care of Billie for 24 hours in their shelter in Sydney and I received a thorough update and photos of a happy pussycat. My worries and endless questions were addressed wonderfully by Yi Ying and Jordi for which I would like to thank these wonderful women. She flew with Qatar airways, had a 13 hour layover over in Doha at their shelter and upon arrival in Brussels she looked happy, clean and well looked after. I was pleasantly surprised about the excellent quality of care and services by Jetpets and Qatar airways.”
Marijke Lemmens, Google Review
It was very easy to book and they were always happy to help along the way
“I chose Jetpets to assist Bowie travel from Australia to Belgium. I am very satisfied with the whole experience. Jetpets are a professional team and the communication was extraordinary. It was very easy to book and they were always happy to help along the way. Bowie is settled into his new home with his new friend Buddy. It’s like he never even was in Australia in the first place! Would definitely recommend!”
Jana Foubert, Google Review
5. Departure Pets
Address: 22 Translink Dr, Keilor Park
Contact Details: +61 3 8080 9219
Operating Hours: Monday – Friday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Departure Pets handles international relocations across a wide range of destinations, including Canada, France, and more complex entry points like India, where requirements tend to be stricter and more detailed.
A key strength is their experience with more sensitive cases, including brachycephalic breeds that require extra planning due to breathing considerations during travel.
They’re also quite strong when it comes to preparation. Clients love how clearly they lay out what needs to be done for health checks and paperwork, which helps remove a lot of uncertainty before the trip begins.
On the veterinary side, fur parents absolutely adore how the veterinary staff handle their four-legged babies during the examinations. There’s a genuine sense of care and patience, perfect to settle any pre-travel jitters for both the pet and the human.
Just keep in mind that depending on the destination and routing, the journey may involve multiple stopovers as part of meeting airline and regulatory requirements.
Departure Pets ticked everything I needed and would definitely use them again
“Thank you, Departure Pets, for a smooth and reliable service. Very easy to book with them, and they have a fast response. I was getting a new kitten that was under 12 weeks old, and they were able to transport him, provided he’s fit to fly with a certificate. They also allow hiring the crates instead of having to buy them. The first company I got a quote from quoted me higher, and they couldn’t transport on the weekend, wouldn’t transport pets below 12 weeks old, and would have to buy the crate from them. Departure Pets ticked everything I needed and would definitely use them again if I needed pet transport.”
Shaina Villaroza, Google Review
The people in the office were polite and great to speak with
“From the very first phone call, including me sobbing on the phone, the people I dealt with were exceptional. The emails were incredibly quick and clear. The people in the office were polite and great to speak with. The people who took my son’s dog to load him on the plane were just lovely. I don’t trust people, but I will definitely use Pet Departures if a need arises again. Thank you to everyone. Waffles was reunited with my son and was in great spirits.”
Lyza Leeburn, Google Review