Frequently Asked Questions
NSW import/export online http://www.onegov.nsw.gov.au//new/categories/parks-wildlife#NativeAnimals
VIC https://www.wildlife.vic.gov.au/keeping-and-trading-wildlife/import-and-export-permits
QLD https://environment.des.qld.gov.au/licences-permits/plants-animals/application-forms
ACT https://www.environment.act.gov.au/parks-conservation/plants-and-animals/animal_licensing
NT https://nt.gov.au/environment/animals/wildlife-permits/import-or-export-wildlife
SA http://www.environment.sa.gov.au/licences-and-permits/Animals_in_captivity_permits
Current list of airports can be seen at:
QUEENSLAND
LINDA BOAGEY Cairns area Mobile: 0405 738 968 Email: feathersandscalesfreight@gmail.com
DENIS MAGGS Cairns area Mobile: 0435 756 486 Email: dmaggs@hotmail.com
JADEN THOMAS Morayfield area Mobile: 0447 191 858
SALLY-ANNE WESTENDORF located in Joyner, northside of Brisbane Other areas covered: Bray Park, Cashmere, Dayboro, Kallangur, Lawnton, Petrie, Strathpine, and Warner Mobiles: 0410 913 845 or 0433 762 448
KEL BIDDLE located in Aitkenvale, Townsville QLD Mobiles: 0408 771 975
CHAPPY'S CHIRPER Maryborough Hervey Bay, Childers, Bundaberg. Postage is available from Childers other than that we do go to Bundaberg and Hervey Bay most weeks. Phone: 4126 1495
THE PARROT SOCIETY OF AUSTRALIA Large range of hand-crafted Freight Boxes. Nationwide shipping available. www.parrotsupplies.com.au
NEW SOUTH WALES
BIRD BOXES GALORE Stuart Williams: 0422 956 248 Julie Williams: 0439 521 435 Rouse Hill NSW 2155 Email: sales@birboxesgalore.com.au
FRED SCHMETZER Riverina Region. Will post Australia wide. Mobile: 0428 557 270
SOUTH AUSTRALIA
GARY SMITH Affordable Avian Supplies Adelaide region Mobile: o412 590 857 https://www.facebook.com/affordableaviansupplies
RACHEL SAXBY We make bird freight boxes for Coffin Bay/Port Lincoln SA area. Mobile: 0417 858 122
VICTORIA
BALLARAT EAST COMMUNITY MEN'S SHED Riverina Region. 730 Eureka St. Ballarat East, Vic. 3350. Phone: 03 5332 4400 www.becs.shed.org.au
Before freighting birds try make sure they remain as stress free as possible before hand. When boxing them up make sure they have eaten beforehand and put some fruit and seed (for the seed eaters) and maybe a spray of Millet, into the box for the trip. For non-seed eaters put fruit in the box for them. This way it helps to keep them hydrated and if flights happen to be delayed they have food.
Once you receive you bird/s, don’t force them out of the box. Have a holding cage, rag and net ready in the room. I like to use my bathroom to get them out. Make sure the room is sealed so the bird can’t escape. Open the box and try coax the bird out but don’t force it. Let it come out on its own accord. I like to let them have a bit of a fly around the room first to stretch their wings a bit. I then use a net to catch the bird so not to stress it too much and then put it into the holding cage.
I also like to give it some fresh food and water and add some Spark to the water as well as some probiotics. This helps to rehydrate the bird as well as lower the stress levels from the trip.
I also like to keep them on a course of probiotics for at least 5 days. With seed eaters I put this in their water and with nectar eaters I put it in their wet mix. This also helps in case of any bugs or infections that it may have or have picked up in transit. It is always better to err on the side of caution. It is just a safety measure, I am not saying the bird does or doesn’t have or been exposed to.
It is also advisable to keep the new bird isolated (quarantined) from the rest of your flock for at least 3 weeks to 3 months where possible — once again as a precaution. In a lot of cases if the bird has a pre-existing problem it's very likely to present itself within this time, especially in the first 3 weeks as the stress of change of home etc. even if it's only going next door or 3 doors down, it is the same, will bring the problem if any to the surface.
Example freight boxes:
When freighting reptiles please follow the following steps:
- Make sure all import export permits are complete from relevant state before shipping. It is the buyers/seller in each state responsibility to fulfil their licence requirement.
- Only send healthy animals. Young animals should be established feeders before being shipped.
- A secure and strong container. Animal secure in a calico bag. Use paper towel, newspaper to make sure the animal has minimal movement in container.
- If using a plastic container best to put another container inside with the animals in it for extra protection.
- Use a wooden container or hard esky. Eskys are good as they are strong and insulated. Secure top with cable ties or tape.
- Always have sufficient air holes.
- Be mindful of feeding prior to shipping. Defecation and urination can cause issues in shipped animals.
Please note: All reptiles require an import/export or movement advice. A copy of which should be attached to the outside of the shipping container.
A frog should not be transported unless they have had sufficient time to digest any food. A frog should not be fed during transport. A frog must have access to water prior to transport to avoid dehydration and some damp sheets of paper towel placed in the container. I also suggest putting in some silk leaves for the frogs to hide under OR a moistened substrate (such as sphagnum moss). The container must be secured so that the frog cannot escape and must be adequately insulated from noise and heat and adequately ventilated. The container must be strong to protect the frog from injuries such as crushing.
Suggested container would be something like a Sestina Lock and Store plastic container (available from supermarkets) and adequate holes melted in e.g. with a soldering iron. Holes shouldn't be too big to allow frog to escape and make sure there are no sharp edges around the holes. Then the secured container can be put into a foam container with holes put in the container for ventilation.
Clearly label the container with LIVE ANIMALS - Handle with Care - This Side Up.
Please note: Frogs require an import/export or movement advice. A copy of which should be attached to the outside of the shipping container.
- A turtle should not be transported unless they have had sufficient time to digest any food.
- A turtle should not be fed during transport.
- A turtle must have access to water prior to transport to avoid dehydration and some damp sheets of paper towel placed on the bottom & shredded newspaper on top so the turtle is cushioned and this also allows turtle to feel more hidden in the container.
- The container must be secured so that the turtle cannot escape and must be adequately insulated from noise and heat and adequately ventilated.
- The container must be strong to protect the turtle from injuries such as crushing.
- For larger turtles, I would suggest using a clean dampened cotton face washer/tea towel on the bottom of container and shredded newspaper on top.
- Suggested container would be something like a Sistena Lock and Store plastic container (available from supermarkets) and adequate holes melted in e.g with a soldering iron. Holes shouldn't be too big to allow frog to escape and make sure there are no sharp edges around the holes. Then the secured container can be put into a foam container with holes put in the container for ventilation.
Clearly label the container with LIVE ANIMALS- Handle with Care - This Side Up.
Please note: Turtles require an import/export or movement advice. A copy of which should be attached to the outside of the shipping container.
- Cut a window out of the lid. You can do the side but not really needed if a big enough window is cut in lid.
- Drill holes spaced around the cut out to wire or cable tie a piece of Avery wire over it.
- You MUST cable tie the lid to box once rats or mice are in it so holes will need to be drilled for this as well.
- If sending bulk rats or mice in one large container you can wire a frozen bottle of water to the inside of lid to help with overheating.
About Us
Feathers and Scales Freight is a booking agent for Bird and Reptile freighting across Australia. We do NOT box or transport your birds or reptiles to and from the airport.
Get in touch
Monday - Friday: 9am-5pm
Closed: all QLD Bank / Public Holidays
Out of hours: 24/7 for emergencies only
feathersandscalesfreight@gmail.com