Shipping & Kitten Collection Policy

Welcome to Aphome’s Kitten Travel Policy

At Aphome Kittens, the health, safety, and well-being of our kittens are our absolute highest priorities. We are dedicated to ensuring your new family member arrives safely and stress-free. We have a meticulous process for arranging travel, whether you are collecting your kitten in person or we are facilitating professional transport.

Our Golden Rule:
We will never ship a kitten as cargo on a commercial airline without a human escort. All our travel methods are chosen to minimise stress and ensure safety.

Within Australia (Domestic Travel)

We happily arrange secure travel for kittens to their new homes across Australia.

  • Method: All kittens are transported via professional pet transport companies that specialise in ground or accompanied air travel. These are licensed, experienced, and compassionate services that provide climate-controlled vehicles, regular check-ins, and constant care.

  • Timeframe: Once your kitten is fully vet-checked, vaccinated, and ready to travel, we will book their transport. Kittens typically arrive at their new home within 1-2 business days of departure from our cattery.

  • Process:

    1. We will provide you with the details of the transport company, including a tracking number or itinerary.

    2. The transporter will require a secure, airline-approved travel crate, which we provide (cost included in shipping fee).

    3. We will keep you updated every step of the way, including confirmation of pickup and estimated time of arrival.

  • Pick-Up: You are always welcome and encouraged to collect your kitten directly from our cattery in [Your City, State]. This allows you to see our environment and meet us in person.

International Travel (Outside Australia)

Exporting a kitten requires extensive planning, documentation, and compliance with strict import laws of the destination country.

  • Method: Kittens are shipped internationally using IATA-approved and accredited animal transport agents. They handle all complex logistics, including customs clearance, health certificates, and booking flights where the kitten travels in the climate-controlled hold of the plane with all necessary care.

  • Timeframe: The process is complex and can take several weeks to organise due to veterinary requirements and government paperwork. However, once the kitten is on the flight, the journey is express. Kittens will arrive at their designated international airport within 3 days of departure from Australia.

  • Process & Your Responsibilities:

    1. Early Inquiry: Contact us immediately if you are an international buyer. It is the buyer’s responsibility to research and understand all import regulations and quarantine requirements for their country. We will assist where we can, but ultimate responsibility for compliance lies with the importer (you).

    2. Documentation: We will handle all Australian export documentation, including microchipping, vaccinations, and veterinary health checks as required by the destination country.

Health & Readiness for Travel

No kitten will be shipped until we are completely confident they are ready.

  • Age: Kittens will not leave before they are at least 12-14 weeks old.

  • Health Check: Each kitten undergoes a final vet health inspection within 72 hours of travel to ensure they are fit for the journey.

  • Documents: Your kitten will travel with a folder containing:

    • Copies of all vaccination records

    • Veterinary health certificate

    • Microchip registration details

    • Pedigree paperwork (if applicable)

    • Diet and care instructions

Pricing & Payment
  • Domestic Shipping: The cost for professional ground or air transport within Australia typically ranges from [$AUD 300 – $600] depending on the distance and service. A final quote will be provided before booking.

  • International Shipping: Costs vary greatly depending on the destination country and specific requirements. Please contact us for an estimate. All transport costs must be paid in full before the travel is booked.

The Day of Travel

We take every precaution to make the journey comfortable.

  • Kittens are given a light meal several hours before travel.

  • Their travel crate is lined with absorbent bedding and includes a familiar-smelling soft toy from our home.

  • We ensure they are hydrated and calm before handover to the transporter.

We are here to make this process as smooth and transparent as possible. Please don’t hesitate to ask any questions about how your new kitten will get to their forever home.