The Australian owners of a beloved rescue pooch stranded in the frosty northern hemisphere say they’re heartbroken he won’t be in Australia for Christmas due to quarantine delays.
Key points:
- Rene Macarthur and Ira Filontseva got Kumquat as a rescue puppy in China before they returned to Australia
- Quarantine delays mean the much-loved pooch won’t get the all-clear to join them in Newcastle until the new year
- Kumquat’s owners say they’ll save their family Christmas photos until Kumquat arrives
Kumquat, a corgi-samoyed cross, was the centre of his family’s life in China until they relocated to Newcastle early this year and he stayed behind to meet quarantine regulations that have stretched into significant delays — and costs to match.
First, Kumquat had to wait at least six months then pass a rabies test. Then had to transfer to a rabies-free country, in this case South Korea, before getting clearance to fly down under.
But a rabies-free Kumquat remains stranded and Kumquat’s owner Rene Macarthur says he is missed every day.
“He’s not just a dog — he is our world, he is our child,” he told the ABC.
“He loves to sleep on the bed with us and he’s got that cute little corgi booty and he’s really fluffy.”
Mr Macarthur’s wife, Ira Filontseva, said the couple bonded with Kumquat as a puppy when they were living in COVID-ravaged China in 2020.
“It’s been hard,” she said of the forced separation.
“But we do video call him sometimes, especially when he stayed with our friends and we tried to keep in touch with him as much as we could.”
Mr Macarthur said he missed special moments with Kumquat, who’s “got so much joy in his face”. Moments like sharing walks and welcome home greetings.
“And we just miss his little kisses and cuddles,” he said.
Kumquat’s upkeep and other costs in quarantine limbo now exceed $20,000 — a price his owners are willing to pay to make sure the “family” is reunited.
“Yeah, he’s definitely family,” Ms Filontseva said.
“He’s our baby. You can’t put a price tag on a family member.”
Quarantine delays are blamed for Kumquat languishing in the system.
The Federal Department of Agriculture says demand for quarantine flights is high at this time of year.
“As Christmas approaches, many families want to see their pets home before the end of the year,” a department spokesperson said.
“As a result, the demand for spaces at this time of year is high and the department takes steps to accommodate as many cats and dogs as possible.
“The department acknowledges that pets are often considered a family member and being separated may cause some concern to families.”
That’s little comfort for Kumquat’s family hoping for a pre-Christmas reunion.
“That’s exactly what I want for Christmas. All I want for Christmas is my Kumquat,” said Mr Macarthur
That won’t happen but there is some good news.
Since the ABC made inquiries, Kumquat’s arrival date has been brought forward from April to January 4.
Ms Filontseva is overjoyed and will delay the annual Christmas family photo shoot until he arrives.
“It is amazing news, the best news ever,” she said.
“We’re gonna wait for him to arrive and we’re gonna have a bit of a late Christmas photo taken together. We can’t have a Christmas photo without him in it, right?”
Once in Australia, Kumquat will spend 10 more days in quarantine then head to his new home in Newcastle.
