Pet project takes off
THE owner of a company set to start a flight service for pets across Bass Strait says she has been blown away by the positive reaction to her Tasmanian- first business idea.
Fi Millhouse said the idea for Pawmobile pet flights arose during the COVID- 19 shutdowns when she realised the demand for exclusive pet flights where animals are not treated like cargo in the hold of an aircraft or on the lower deck of a ship.
Instead the animals on Pawmobile’s Bass Strait service travel in the aircraft cabin, have a human companion on board to talk to them and are provided with drinks.
Pawmobile has a number of planes including a Aeorcommander 680 which could take 100 pigeons, a dozen big dogs or a selection of puppies, cats and guinea pigs.
“This is a brand new offering and a huge business risk to take, but I have been blown away by the positive response. Flights are starting to fill up already,” Ms Millhouse said.
The flights will travel from Essendon to Devonport and Essendon to Hobart with the first trip between Devonport and Essendon taking off on Friday.
The flights will then run weekly.
“I want to offer something completely different. We need a better way of transporting pets,” Ms Millhouse said.
The company also works with boarding kennels and catteries at both ends of Bass Strait so pets can be collected if the owners are in transit.
Pets need to check in 30 minutes before a flight but can stay with their owners until they board the aircraft.
Pawmobile also offers a seniors discount and cheaper rates for rescues travelling to their new home.
Fares are not listed online because they vary due to crate size, the weight of the animal, any discounts and the route being flown.
More information at www. pawmobile. com. au and on Facebook at facebook. com/ pawmobile.