Moving your pet dog or cat from New Zealand to Australia is an easier process than moving from other countries. Your pets won’t be automatically quarantined in Australia neither do they need an import permit.
To move your pet without delay and to make the journey less stressful, make sure you meet all the pet importation requirements by the Australian government
There are things you need to do to ensure your pet arrives in Australia safely.
Pick a registered, good shipping company
Airlines only accept booking for pet transportation from shipping companies. So, you need to transport your dog or cat through a shipping company.
Pick a registered company based on its quality of service, experience, and reputation. If you’re on a budget, consider pricing.
The shipping company provides a quote and tells you about the shipping process. They will also tell you what the service options are.
Visit ausmove.co.nz for more details on shipping your dog or cat.
Make sure your cat or dog is the right breed
Certain breeds are not allowed entry into Australia. Regulations like the Customs Regulations of 1956 and the Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act of 1999 state which breeds are not allowed into Australia.
For dogs, the following pure breeds are prohibited:
- American Pit Bull Terrier
- Fila Brasileiro
- Japanese Tosa
- Dogo Argentino
- Perro de Presa Canario
Australia does not also allow domestic or nondomestic hybrids of cats and dogs entry into the country.
Check the physical state of your pet
Make sure your pet is not more than 8 weeks old. If you have a female pet, she shouldn’t be more than 40 days pregnant and should not be nursing any young ones.
Get a microchip
A microchip is a tiny circuit board placed under the skin of your pet. It is not bigger than a grain of rice and does not become a source of discomfort to your pets after it has been implanted.
The microchip has a number and is used in identifying your pet. If your pet gets lost, it can be used in returning her to you.
A microchip number will be issued to your pet before leaving New Zealand for Australia.
Check the pet’s history
Make sure your dog has either been living in New Zealand all its life or it has stayed for more than 90 days after it was imported into NZ.
For a pet that was imported from Australia, provide the Export Certificate from Australia or the Biosecurity Clearance document issued in New Zealand.
If your pet has ever lived in mainland Africa, additional requirements are needed.
Dogs and cats under quarantine cannot be imported. When their quarantine ends, they must wait for 60 days before they can be imported into Australia.
Ensure your pet has all the veterinary treatment needed
Your pet should be taken to a registered vet doctor that would give her parasite treatment against ticks, fleas, and worms.
Pets that have lived in Africa should be given treatment for certain diseases by a government registered vet. If the treatment has already been given outside New Zealand, the certificate of treatment should be approved by the MPI and taken to Australia.
Get an MPI certificate from a vet
You should get an MPI or health certification from a registered vet 5 days or less before your pet is transported.
Fill out the export form properly to ensure that you have met all the transportation criteria. Pets that have been residents of countries outside New Zealand and Australia might need extra vaccination or treatment before they can be issued the certificate.
The health certificate shows that the pet is free from rabies, was tested within 5 days before export, and has a fully functional microchip embedded in the skin.
For dogs, the certificate is stricter.
Tests for certain diseases are done. These tests are conducted after the dog has stayed in New Zealand for 21 days or more and are only valid if the dog continues to stay in New Zealand until it is moved to Australia.
The vet will sign the certificate and you will take the original copy to the airport on the day the pet departs.
If your pet does not meet the health certification criteria, it can be exported, euthanized, retested, or put in quarantine.
Get an Owner’s Statutory Declaration
Your vet or the pet transportation company should give you a statutory declaration stating that all you’ve written about a pet’s history and travel plans is true.
The declaration verifies
- Details of your pet like age, sex, breed, and microchip number
- Your dog or cat’s history
- That your pet meets the breed, nursing and pregnancy criteria
- If the cat or dog has ever gone to Africa
The declaration will be signed by a lawyer, Local Justice of the Peace, or police officer.
Get a fitting cage for your pet
There are crates approved for cats and dogs by the International Air Transport Association (IATA).
Buy an approved cage from a licensed provider. The cage should fit the age, size, and weight of your pet. There should be enough space for turning while standing, sitting, standing, and lying down comfortably.
The neighborhood pet store can proffer advice on the best cage for your pet.
Email the Regional Office Where Your Pet Will Land
Email the regional office of the first place your dog or cat will land in Australia at least 3 days before arrival. The email should include details of the flight, a description of your cat or dog, and contact details.
Ensure a Smooth Arrival Procedure for Your Pet
Make sure your pet arrives in Australia during business hours. Customs clearance is faster during this period.
Once your pet has arrived, wait for at least an hour for clearance and release.
A biosecurity officer will check your pet to ensure the needed criteria are met. Once that is done, pay the landing fee if it’s not included in the shipping company’s service.
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