Your move to New Zealand wouldn't be complete without your beloved furry companion by your side. Soon enough, you'll be enjoying strolls on one of New Zealand's stunning beaches with your pet.
Our dedicated Pet Travel Consultants are here to help ease the additional stress of relocating your pet to a new country. They will guide you through each step of the process, providing you with a personalised timeline for your pet. By following the expert advice and tailored timelines we offer, you can ensure everything goes smoothly.
Preparing your pet for travel to New Zealand can take up to six months if you’re starting from scratch. Therefore, it's crucial to plan ahead and contact us early to avoid any unnecessary delays in your pet’s relocation.
Here’s some useful information to kickstart the preparation process:
1. Microchip
If your pet doesn’t have a microchip or you’re unsure, book an appointment with your vet. The microchip should be implanted either before, or at the same time as the rabies and annual vaccinations. If your pet already has a microchip, ask your vet to check if it's still functioning. The microchip must be readable by an Avid, Trovan, Destron, or any other ISO-compatible reader. If the chip cannot be read, a new one must be implanted, followed by fresh rabies and annual vaccinations.
2. Rabies and Annual Vaccinations
Puppies and kittens can only receive their rabies vaccination once they are over three months old. Your pet’s primary rabies vaccination must be at least six months old before departure to New Zealand. It's advisable to keep your pet’s vaccinations up to date—this means ensuring the vaccinations are renewed annually on the same date or before the date listed in the vaccination book.
3. Rabies Titre Blood Test
Once your pet’s rabies vaccination is more than 30 days old but less than a year old, schedule an appointment with your vet for the Rabies Titre blood test. This test must be at least three calendar months old (92 days) before departure, and it cannot be older than 24 months when your pet arrives in New Zealand.
4. Quarantine & Import Permit
While waiting for the Rabies Titre blood test to become valid, you can arrange quarantine space and apply for an import permit. New Zealand has three quarantine stations in Auckland and one in Christchurch. We can arrange onward travel if your final destination is Wellington. You must book quarantine space before applying for the import permit, which can take up to 30 working days to process, provided all documents are correct. We recommend allowing at least eight weeks for the entire permit process to avoid any delays.
All dogs and cats arriving in New Zealand from South Africa must undergo quarantine. Previously, the quarantine period was 10 days, but from 1st June 2018, pets will need to undergo a release inspection after completing the minimum 10-day quarantine. Release inspections won't be conducted on weekends or public holidays, and they may not occur daily at each facility, meaning the quarantine stay could exceed 10 days.
5. Final Tests & Treatments
In the final 30 days before your pet's departure, your Pet Travel Consultant will guide you through the last veterinary tests and treatments. Specific treatments are required for cats and dogs, with dogs needing additional blood tests and treatments. The precise dates for these procedures will be included in the timeline you receive. The final health certificate appointment must be completed within two days of departure. We will take your pet to this appointment and ensure all documentation is in order. After the health certificate is issued by a private vet, we will submit all documents to the State Vet for final endorsement.
While preparing your pet for the move to New Zealand can be a complex process, especially if timelines aren't followed, our professional assistance will make it more manageable and less intimidating.
Soon, you and your furry friend will be ready for your exciting new adventure!
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