Veterinary care now, pay later! - Find out more
Veterinary care now, pay later! - Find out more
We’re lucky in Western Australia to have an abundance of open road to explore. 187,000 kilometres of road, to be exact. From beach getaways and rolling vineyards in the South West to the rugged and beautiful history of our state’s northern regions, there’s no shortage of road trip routes.
Schedule a vet check-up a few weeks before your big adventure. The vet will:
Tip - Take your dog for a big walk or run at the park before you head off. This will allow them to go to the toilet and burn off excess energy so they are relaxed and sleepy for the car ride.
Vehicle restraints
Pet vehicle restraints keep your pet safe and comfortable while the car is moving. Your veterinarian can offer advice on finding the right restraint for your pet.
Microchips have been a legal requirement in Western Australia since 2013 – but did you know there are 6 microchip registries in Australia? Before you take your pet far from home, check your details are registered and up to date in at least one of the national databases (this isn't always the case for your pet's microchip):
Vetwest has 16 vet clinics around the Perth metro area, from Mindarie to Armadale, Rockingham and Mandurah. If your road trip takes you further from home, make sure to take note of vet clinics and emergency vet hospitals should you need one. This is especially important if you’re in an area with bad or no phone reception.
Rules for transporting pets vary state-by-state. In WA we’re a little more relaxed, favouring common sense over strict laws. But if you go to Tasmania or NSW for example, you could face fines up to $500 for not restraining your pet.
Brush up on local laws before crossing state borders, both for pet safety and to avoid hefty penalties.
Most national parks don’t allow pets to enter. So make sure if you’re planning on visiting some of Western Australia’s many beautiful national parks that you can leave your pet safely at your accommodation or rethink where you’re going to spend your time.
The team at Vetwest love a family adventure as much as you. We want to make sure you have the best time on your road trip, without the stress of caring for an uncomfortable or unwell pet.
Book a pet health check before you go, so you can pack the car with confidence for your next road trip.
Before you go