Pets and Kennels

Dogs, cats, rabbits, guinea pigs, ferrets*, some birds, chickens and ducks may travel on Spirit of Tasmania. 

* Biosecurity restrictions may apply to ferrets entering Tasmania. For further information please call Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and Environment on 1300 368 550.

Wildlife such as reptiles, amphibians (i.e. frogs), birds, water-based animals (i.e. fish, yabbies, tortoises), worms, spiders, pigeons, doves and rodents cannot travel on board Spirit of Tasmania.

Yes, Spirit of Tasmania places a high importance on the welfare and safety of animals in its care. Since July 2018, Spirit of Tasmania has safely transported more than 32,000 pets.

No, pets are not allowed inside cabins or on passenger decks (with the exception of Assistance Animals). For information on travelling with an Assistance Animal, please visit this page.

If you are travelling with a pet we strongly recommend booking a kennel. You can add one to your booking via My Booking. Our kennels are located on ventilated decks. Fresh water is supplied and pets are checked regularly throughout the sailing.

Bedding is not provided. Please bring bedding for the kennel and if your pet has any other requirements please advise our crew at the time of boarding.

For safety reasons, passengers are not permitted to access the vehicle decks to visit pets while at sea.

One kennel must be booked per pet unless the animal is a mother with pups or kittens.

Smaller animals such as rabbits**, guinea pigs**, ferrets, birds or chickens should be carried in their own carrier and then placed into a kennel.

**There are restrictions on bringing fodder (hay) into Tasmania as food or bedding for your rabbit or guinea pig. Please ensure your small pet travels with enough food and water to sustain him for his journey. We recommend shredded newspaper as a supplement for hay as bedding for the journey.

Tasmania has strict rules about bringing any plant, fruit or vegetable material into Tasmania. Please ensure these items are not inside your small pet’s carrier upon arrival into the state.

Your small pet and its carrier will be inspected by Biosecurity officers at point of entry into the state. A fee for service may apply.

Our kennels vary in size. As a guide, the approximate measurements are: 700mm wide x 800mm high x 900mm deep. If your animal needs a larger kennel, unfortunately we are unable to assist and you must arrange an alternative suitable option, please refer to our Conditions of Carriage - Special Conditions B: Animals

Please note, we are unable to allocate or reserve kennel sizes relevant to the size of your pet prior to boarding. A Pet Attendant is available on Deck 5 during boarding to assist passengers with the assignment of an appropriate sized kennel.

Bedding is not provided, but you are welcome to bring your own bedding. We encourage you to place bedding and familiar comfort items in the kennel. Please watch our Travelling with pets  video for practical information on boarding and travelling with a pet.

We discourage placing padlocks on kennels as this would make it impossible for a crew member to assist your pet in case of an emergency.

It is recommended that your pet is well exercised prior to boarding, and not given any solid food just prior to sailing.

We recommend you bring bedding and familiar comfort items such as toys. You may wish to consult your veterinarian prior to travel, they will be able to confirm your pet is fit to travel and provide further advice about preparing your pet for sea travel. 

Prior to arriving in Tasmania, owners and importers of dogs need to print, complete and sign a declaration to confirm that their dogs have been treated for hydatid tapeworm and checked for ticks. View the form here: Declaration by Owner or Importer for the entry of Dogs into Tasmania.

In addition to the signed declaration, passengers will need to carry documentary evidence showing that their dog has been treated for hydatid tapeworm within 14 days prior to entering Tasmania.

The evidence can be:

• An official statement/certificate by a vet;
• A statutory declaration by the owner; or
• Other evidence of treatment (such as the pill packet and purchase receipt).

We do not recommend that your pet travels inside your vehicle or trailer. It may be unsafe to transport your pet in this manner. If you do so, it is at your own risk and you must ensure that you have properly considered the welfare and wellbeing of your pet and that they are not subjected to unreasonable or unjustifiable pain or suffering. If you insist, contrary to our Conditions of Carriage - Special Conditions B: Animals, on transporting your pet in this manner then you will be asked to sign an Indemnity and Release Form prior to travel. This form is available via the Customer Contact Centre team on 1800 634 906 or from our terminal and should be returned at least 72 hours prior to sailing.

Yes, Biosecurity Tasmania requires owners and importers of dogs to declare that their dogs have been treated for hydatid tapeworm and checked for ticks.

Passengers travelling with dogs are required to present a printed and signed declaration on arrival at the Security Screening prior to boarding. View the form here: Declaration by Owner or Importer for the entry of Dogs into Tasmania.

In addition to the signed declaration, passengers will need to carry documentary evidence showing that their dog has been treated for hydatid tapeworm within 14 days prior to entering Tasmania.

The evidence can be:

• An official statement/certificate by a vet;
• A statutory declaration by the owner; or
• Other evidence of treatment (such as the pill packet and purchase receipt)

For more information, call the Dogs to Tasmania Info Line on 1800 684 215 or refer to this information page.

For more information on bringing specific animal breeds into Tasmania contact Department of Industries, Parks, Water and Environment on the numbers below or visit Biosecurity-Tasmania.

• Plants/Fruits to Tasmania - (03) 6165 3777
• Dogs to Tasmania - Toll Free 1800 684 215
• Aquarium and Pet Fish - (03) 6165 3777
• Fish, fish products and fishing/diving equipment (marine and freshwater) – 03 6165 3777
• Livestock/pets/bees/domestic animals (including livestock restrictions applying to Bass Strait Islands – Biosecurity Vet 03 6165 3777
• Native wildlife and aviary birds – 03 6165 4305
• Restricted fin-fish – 03 6777 2200

Please refer to our Conditions of Carriage - Special Conditions B: Animals for more information on sailing with animals.

If you are carrying livestock, please contact us on 1800 884 305 to make your booking.

At least 72 hours prior to travel, please provide a valid veterinary certificate indicating that your pet requires assistance during the voyage due to a pre-determined condition. This request will be approved by the Master of the vessel and a crew member will escort you to the kennel area to attend to your pet at the required times.  For more information please call our Customer Contact Centre team on 1800 634 906.