The new Superyacht Vet Service (SVS) has been recently introduced to the superyacht industry. The company caters to transient superyachts carrying pets on board.

Dr Siobhan Brade - Founder of Superyacht Vet Service

As the numbers of superyachts undertaking extended trips and travelling further afield increase, many owners and luxury yacht charter guests are choosing to take their family pets on board with them. SVS was created to meet the increasing demand for logistical support for yachts travelling with pets.

Dr Siobhan Brade, founder of SVS, worked as the veterinary advisor to a number of yachts travelling through the Asia-Pacific, including an 100m+ motoryacht, 42m motor yacht The Big Blue, 90m sailing yacht Athena and a 52m motoryacht, before formally launching this bespoke service to the global industry. A member of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons and the New Zealand Veterinary Council Register, Brade worked in small animal practice before moving to work with superyachts. With a wide knowledge of animal import processes, and a strong understanding of the superyacht industry and the discerning owners it serves, Brade is well placed to work with superyachts and provide the quick-response and discrete service that is required.

Superyacht Vet Service

With many countries having very different immigration and pet quarantine requirements, ensuring that all the inoculation and import demands of a multi-country itinerary are met can be a challenging and time consuming process. In addition many of the smaller and more remote countries that are becoming popular with cruising yachts do not yet have superyacht-specific policies; thus working with a specialist superyacht vet is invaluable in ensuring smooth interaction with local governments to facilitate a safe and stress free travel period for the pets in question. As these challenges usually fall to the captain or management company to resolve, SVS takes the work and responsibility off their hands and offers the expert veterinary knowledge that is required to ensure the best possible results.

“Something as simple as one missed vaccination can be enough to deny a pet entry into a country for up to a year, resulting in costly changes to cruising schedules,” says Brade, who stresses that long term planning is the key to avoiding issues with temporary entry for pets. “Our work with yachts ensures a smooth temporary import process for their animals, as well as providing veterinary support and advice for all countries being travelled through.”

The company offers set packages for yachts with pets, as well as bespoke support options. Services include one off advice, country risk assessments, liaising with local authorities, inoculation and veterinary inspection schedules, as well as on-board veterinary support and supervision during yacht based quarantine periods. Forward planning and early communication with immigration and customs authorities is conducive to the best overall results, and the SVS team welcomes all inquiries from yachts with pets, or charter yachts wishing to facilitate guests with pets.

Praise for Superyacht Vet Support

“Dr. Brade provided valuable assistance to my employer in transporting her dog from New Zealand to French Polynesia. Dr. Brade liaised with New Zealand Biosecurity personnel on our behalf, prepared and reviewed documentation to ensure accuracy and thoroughness, was highly responsive in answering our many detailed questions, and was accommodating of our frequent schedule changes. She was even willing to fly to the remote location of my employer’s yacht to administer necessary treatments and tests. I would highly recommend Dr. Brade to anyone in need of assistance with pet travel, particularly to and from countries with stringent requirements.” – Assistant to owner of 52m Motor Yacht.

“We had the pleasure of using Siobhan’s services with the difficult task of us determining whether the owner’s labrador could be granted permit to enter and cruise New Zealand with the vessel. She went to great lengths to make the dog import happen, with many hours of investigation. Siobhan was also instrumental in researching future ports of call for the dog to enter and the intricacies for gaining a permit in each. I strongly recommend employing her efficient services for any traveling pet requirements.” – Captain Gareth Sheppard – M/Y The Big Blue.