1. Yes, I took my 2 dogs with me to Tassie last year.
2. The cages vary in size, but there weren't many small ones for my small dogs, they got bigger than they really need. There's an attendant who oversees the allocation, you can't just pick a great dane size for your chihuahua.
On the way over, they were in separate cages (I was told I had to book 2 cages and that they couldn't go in together) and I think my little dog was stressed by being on his own. He wee-ed and pooed all over. On the way back, they were allowed in together and it was better (think somebody still pooed though).
3. They have a bowl of water in with them. No, they don't feed them. You can put your own bed or blankets in if you like, but be ready for wee and poo if your dog is likely to do that. My little dog is a rescue and can be a bit anxious (or, he was just being a boy dog and marking his territory). The cage was big enough that he wasn't sitting in his poo, it was in a corner (or several corners, can't remember, he obviously had a major stress pooing event).
4. Apart from the "poo-fest" they weren't stressed when collected. The minute they saw their "person" coming to fetch them, any upset was over and done with and they were their usual selves.
5. Yes, I'd do it again.
6. Things to know: some of the dogs yelled, you could hear them from the next deck up (or down?-the one with the cinema and restaurants) barking and yowling. My little dog can be a bit "yappy", I don't know whether he yelled or not and I don't know whether the dogs who did yell kept it up all night or only while they could hear people up and about. I suspect they'd give up and have a sleep after the yelling doesn't bring their person.
They lock the deck, nobody can go down there to mess with the dogs.
As I said, they insisted I book and pay for 2 kennels even though they did let them share on the way back. That's only an issue if you have more than 1 dog.
Dogs might not like something, but they don't hold grudges. They'll still love you when the trip is over.
-- Edited by hufnpuf on Wednesday 1st of February 2023 07:36:42 PM
Believe on the new ferries starting next year and 25 the kennels will be attended during the sailings by a crew member. Read that on the updates we get sent being a member of the Sailor's club
-- Edited by Southern Cruizer on Wednesday 1st of February 2023 07:46:33 PM
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Age does not weary us, makes us go travelling more
the kennels will be attended during the sailings by a crew member.
Personally, I'd rather nobody was there. My dogs would just want the crew to let them out and give them attention, rather than settle for a snooze. As long as the dogs can't see them, it'd be ok, otherwise they'd want the person to play with them.
the kennels will be attended during the sailings by a crew member.
Personally, I'd rather nobody was there. My dogs would just want the crew to let them out and give them attention, rather than settle for a snooze. As long as the dogs can't see them, it'd be ok, otherwise they'd want the person to play with them.
Dogs are pretty tough & adaptable when left to their own devices.
We adopted a dog from Moree NSW, she was brought down to Melbourne in a trailer via Sydney.
When we picked her up we saw that she'd made a nest of straw in the trailer.
She hopped out, took a pee, licked us to death & jumped into our car, the rest is history.
I'd do a night sailing, it's a boring trip from experience.
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There might be no Wi-Fi connection in the forest but I promise that you'll find a better connection.
Your dog looks a bit like my little dog, complete with the big ears.
PeterInSa wrote:
I think some leave there dog in their caravan/motorhome, its probably OK if your van/MH is on the top vehicle deck ( same as the dog kennels?)
They will let you do that, but you have to sign forms accepting responsibility if anything happens to your dog. It was suggested to me, but my dogs aren't used to being in the car or caravan by themselves so I was more comfortable having them in the kennels. Some dogs are used to being left in their van and they'd probably be better in their familiar environment.
If so, how big are the cages? Are they fed and watered by the crew or the passengers?
I believe it is a 12 hour trip, are the dogs stressed when you arrive at Devonport?
Would you do again or never again?
Cheers Bob
Tens of thousands of people have taken their dogs on the ferry, as have we when relocating to Tas years ago,
You will have to show vet documents that show that your pets are inoculated,
As above, they are not fed or watered by the crew...very few load staff travel on the boat.
We travelled late Nov/early Dec last year ( 2022 ) without dogs,
Due to my wife's mobility issues we were parked next to the cages both way...the dogs were all howling att while we.mucked about with luggage etc
It was 12 hour trip both ways...the return trip was a long, long day...got to the Geelong terminal about 7 am...the ferry was delayed arriving and we did not get under way for hours,
Got off the boat at Devonport at 11 pm.
If you are going on a day trip l would consider getting a cabin anyway... It may cost more but it is far, far more comfortable than a lounge seat...with shared tv...people looked bored shipless when l went out.
If l was a tourist l would not take a dog on the ferry or to Tassie at all...you will miss out on a lot of sights as you can not take them into National Parks etc etc
Another reason is if they do manage to get lost during your travels it will be very hard trying to find them...specially if you have to move onto the other end of the State or get back on the boat.
There are occasional facebook lost dog posts from interstate tourists desperately looking for their dog
If l was a tourist l would not take a dog on the ferry or to Tassie at all...you will miss out on a lot of sights as you can not take them into National Parks etc etc
I booked a day trip to cradle mountain and put my dogs in kennels. You can still go to national parks if you can kennel your dogs. (I didn't end up going because I caught a cold, I've now been to Tassie twice and haven't yet made it to cradle mountain) There are a lot of dog friendly places to go.
As for getting lost, my little dog is a "bolter" and I am very, very careful to tether him to his lead before a door gets opened. My other dog is "easy", she's not running off anywhere, she wants to stay with you all the time. It isn't any different when we are away, I need to be vigilant with the bolter so he doesn't taste freedom. It would be awful losing your dog when away, you do need to be very careful.
A lot of these decisions need consideration based on your dog. A dog with separation anxiety, I wouldn't put in a kennel, a dog who gets destructive if left alone, nope, etc etc You need to consider everything and make a decision. My dogs had already been away in the van and behaved very well so I knew they weren't going to freak out or do anything dramatic.
There are dog " kennel " facilities " around but they aren't always close to the National Parks or they change hands/ sold and close...or can have no vacancies...as my son, who also lives in Tas, found out over Xmas he had to drive 80 k's return to drop off the hound at one while they went to a National Park.
Which was more time and expense for fuel and kennel each time.
We live near a National Park and there is always people asking on facebook if there is somewhere close that will take dogs for the day.
There are dog " kennel " facilities " around but they aren't always close to the National Parks or they change hands/ sold and close...or can have no vacancies...
I went in the middle of winter so I wasn't competing with others for limited places. Many of the kennels seem to be located south of hobart and quite a distance. The one I used for Cradle Mountain was at Grindelwald. It's a drive out from Launceston but it's a nice drive and the Platypus House and the Seahorse place are up that way (sorry if I've got it wrong, I can't remember things very well). I went there after I'd dropped off the woofie dogs, so the kennel drop was combined with some sightseeing.
Also, if you want to do the Gordon River cruise from Strahan (best trip ever), there was a woman who owned the pet shop there who minds dogs during the day. She isn't always there though, I just got in before she was going back overseas for a trip. I left my dogs with her for the cruise and for the railway.
I did ok because I looked things up in advance and made bookings. It could be difficult finding a place, but you might be fortunate in finding somewhere. They also have "dogsitter" sites, but I'd be too nervous to leave my dogs with someone I didn't know to be a "dog person". I'd be worried the bolter would get away.
My bigger dog isn't clever, but she understands things. If I tell her to wait, she knows what it means. When I put her in the kennel, I just told her to wait there and I'd be back in the morning. She knows what I'm on about. Kelpies are actually clever, I'm sure your dog would get it if you told him you'll be back.
As for going in winter, it was horrible weather a couple of days otherwise it was lovely. Need a jacket, but lovely. It's also great not having trouble getting in anywhere (although some parks or venues shut over the off season). If I am lucky enough to go again, I'll go in winter.
