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DISCLAIMER:
To the best of our ability, we ensure that recommendations given on PetTravel.com reflect the current regulations. We cannot predict how a given country may enforce these regulations. Noncompliance may result in the need to make arrangements to put the pet into quarantine, return the pet to the country of origin, or destroy the pet. We suggest that you minimize the disruptions that may occur by following the rules of the country you are visiting.

Pet Immigration Rules New Zealand

REGULATIONS FOR TAKING A PET DOG OR CAT TO NEW ZEALANDS FROM A RABIES FREE COUNTRY OR A COUNTRY WITH A LOW INCIDENCE OF RABIES.

Pets entering New Zealand from the following countries will be quarantined for a minimum of 10 days if they follow the regulations of New Zealand Government. Keep in mind that it takes over six months to get all the endorsements necessary, so plan ahead.

United States & Canada, Antigua and Barbuda, Austria, Bahamas, Belgium, Bermuda, British Virgin Islands, Brunei, Canada, Cayman Islands, Chile, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Falkland Islands, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Greenland, Guam, Hong Kong, Hungary, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Kuwait, Luxembourg, Macau, Malta, Mauritius, The Netherlands, Netherland Antilles and Aruba, Portugal, Republic of Croatia, Reunion, Sabah, Sarawak, Seychelles, South Korea, Spain, St Kitts and Nevis, St Lucia, St Vincent Grenadin, Switzerland, Trinidad and Tobago, Taiwan, United Arab Emirates, United States of America, Uruguay, US Virgin Islands, Wallis and Futuna

Pets entering from the United Kingdom are not subject to quarantine as long as they meet the other requirements and have been a resident of the United Kingdom for six months.

NOTE: New Zealand has very strict rules regarding the importation of a pet.  Click Here for Pet Passport Forms for New Zealand

THE FOLLOWING ARE GUIDELINES ONLY.

ACQUIRING AN IMPORT LICENSE
A permit to import must be obtained before importation.

PREPARING YOUR PET
A minimum of six months before traveling, have your veterinarian microchip your pet with a 15 digit ISO compliant pet microchip. If your pet's microchip used is not ISO compliant, you are advised to BRING YOUR OWN microchip scanner, particularly if you intend to travel to Europe with your animal and then return to the UK under The PETS Scheme.
Ask your vet to test that the microchip works before and after it has been fitted and each time your animal visits the vet.

Your vet must vaccinate your pet with an Inactive rabies vaccine.

Have your vet create a vaccination record card which contains the specifics of this microchip number, anatomical site implanted, the vaccine product name, the batch number, the date of vaccination, pets gee (if known) and the date by which the booster must be given.

Note: Your dog or cat must be at least 3 months old before being vaccinated and at least nine months old before importation into New Zealand. The vaccination must be done after it has been micro chipped. Make sure your vet checks the microchip number and enters it on the vaccination record. If your animal has been vaccinated before it was fitted with a microchip, it will have to be vaccinated again.

Your veterinarian must do a Blood Titer Test.

After your dog or cat has been vaccinated and successfully blood tested, it will need regular booster vaccinations. These must be given by the "Valid until" date on the PETS certificate. If this date is missed, your animal will have to be vaccinated and blood tested again and the 6 month rule will apply from the date the new blood sample is taken.

If the test is approved, then only a vet authorized by the United States or Canadian government can issue the certificate. Take your animal, its vaccination record and Blood Titer Test result. The vet will issue an official Certificate for New Zealand that confirms that the vaccine has taken effect. The certificate will show "Valid from" and "Valid until" dates. Your dog or cat can enter New Zealand only between these dates. The "Valid from" date will be 6 months from the date that the blood sample was taken which gave a successful test result.

Twenty four to forty eight hours before your dog or cat can enter New Zealand, it must be treated against certain ticks and tapeworms. Any registered vet can do this.

Click Here for Pet Passport Forms for New Zealand

Failure to comply with these regulations will mean that your pet may be refused entry and the relevant authority in consultation with an authorized veterinarian can decide to return the pet home, or place the pet in quarantine at the expense of the owner or natural person responsible for pet, or as a last resort, without financial compensation, put the pet down where the return trip home or quarantine cannot be arranged.

All other pets (birds, invertebrates, tropical fish, reptiles, amphibia, mammals such as rodents and rabbits) are not subject to the regulations in respect of the anti-rabies vaccination but may have to meet other requirements as to a limit on the number of animals and a certificate to accompany them in respect of other diseases. Pet owners are strongly advised to seek further information from the relevant authority of their country and/or that of the country of destination.

VETERINARY CERTIFICATE
All countries have a unique veterinary certificates. This form differs from the International Veterinary Certificate issued by veterinarians in the United States. (APHIS 7001)

Find Veterinary Certificates for countries worldwide.

New Zealand does require an ISO pet microchip.

Everything essential for traveling with a pet can be found at PetTravelStore.com.