Reggie in Melbourne

Hi. I'm moving to Melbourne with my gorgeous ginger tom Reggie and I'm very concerned about how best to care for him in Australia. In the UK he is free to roam outside or inside. To avoid danger from snakes etc, it looks like I'd need to keep him indoors or build him an enclosure - is that necessary or should I not worry about him roaming freely?

I know we have some Australians on this site who will probably join in when they see your title.  Obviously when you first move anywhere, you must keep your cat totally inside for a few weeks until he has acclimated to the new home, and once you are there and settled, you can check with your neighbors and find out what the rules are, how safe or dangerous it is, etc.  I do know many people in Australia have "catios" and nice enclosures where their cats can enjoy the outside but be perfectly safe.  http://www.catsofaustralia.com/cat-enclosures.htm

In case you have not yet checked out all the rules for importing a cat, there are steps you must follow, so here is a link:

http://www.daff.gov.au/biosecurity/cat-dogs

You enter the species (cat), Country of export (UK) and date of export (you didn't say) and it will give you all the info you needso you will have all the proper paperwork when you go.

Welcome to the site

Some great advise from Red Top Resuce. We do have a few Australians on the site, who I'm sure will offer advise when they come online. mani

Good luck with your move and we would love to see some pics of Reggie

Thank you. That us helpful. I've already researched vaccinations and have a pet travel consultant. It's more Reggie's well-being when in Melbourne that I'm worried about.

Hi @ReggieA

 I used to live in the UK and everyone there seemed to think we were over-run with dangerous beasts.

Admittedly there can be snakes in Melbourne, but I never saw one when I lived there (I'm up in Queensland now).  I think it's the least of your worries, but then I haven't lived there for quite some time.

Melbourne City Council does require you to register your pets. They do that up here as well, and people are quite angry about it as it seems to just be a money-making thing.  But it really is essential to have him micro-chipped if you are going to let him out, and it's illegal not to.

I'm wondering where you are moving to in Melbourne?  If it's anywhere near a main road, or in inner Melbourne, I would seriously consider a cat enclosure... cars, dogs and people with no respect for cats are far more prevalent than snakes, I'm afraid.

Please feel free to ask any questions.. I'm happy to help if I can.

Hi Mani. That's good news about the snakes and yes he is microchipped and I will definitely look to find a home that isn't near a busy road or in the inner city - I'm more of a beach and country person. Still hoping to find somewhere I can commute to the docklands from that allows Reggie the freedom to be outside when he wants to go out but also keep him safe. If you have any recommendations on good suburbs that fit that bill, would be keen to know.
Very grateful for any help on that score, thanks

PM me and let me know where you'll be working, if you are going to here, and I'll let you know as best I can..