Advice and Support for South Africans Immigrating to New Zealand

South Africans Going To New Zealand

Author Topic: What about my furry children?  (Read 2650 times)

Offline Louise Marais

  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 117
What about my furry children?
« on: March 05, 2008, 10:04:40 pm »
Hello again,

Does anybody have any idea what the procedure is to have my pets "emigrate"?  How long will they have to stay in quarantine, etc. 

Do they do ok in quarantine?  Does anyone have a personal experience where they have had their cats and dog sent to NZ.

I would really love to take them with, but not if it is going to totally stress them out.



Offline minette

  • Sr. Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 381
  • Life is life - lala la lalaa
    • Herbalicious - Minette's Herbs & Herbals
Re: What about my furry children?
« Reply #1 on: March 05, 2008, 10:24:13 pm »
Louise, the topic has been discussed many times before, just search for "pet", "dog", "animal", "cat" or "quarantine" etc. and you'll find some more info. But here are two of the major threads discussing it all:
http://www.sagoingtonz.co.nz/forum/index.php?topic=1779.0
http://www.sagoingtonz.co.nz/forum/index.php?topic=1705.0

The facts are that the pets need to stay in quarantine for 120 days in New Zealand, they need not be put in quarantine this side. There are loads of tests that need to be done and the most important is the rabies test - the animals are only allowed to be moved out of the country 6 monhts AFTER this test (of course, you'll have to make sure their rabies vaccinations were up to date and if the last vaccination was longer than a year ago, you'll need to take them for the vaccination first and then can only do the blood test about 3 weeks after that). Other things include deworming, some more vaccinations against kennel cough etc and checking that their microchips still work or getting them microchipped (check that the microchip you use comply with the standards set by NZ). Point is - if you want to take your furry friends with, start the process SOONER rather than later.

Whether or not your pets will stress out entirely depend on their nature. My two Jack Russels and two cats will be more than fine, I know this and have chatted to my vet about it as well. Some other pets, however, could become easily stressed or irritated, especially if they are frail and old and in those cases it may not be in the best interest of your animal to go over.

The quarantine facilities that I've seen and gotten independent reports on, seem fabulous - they really care for the animals and give them loads of attention, love and exercise (and good food). You can also visit the animals in quarantine, so that really is not a worry for me. The worst part I think is the actual flight - but then again, it depends on your animals temperament and health on how they will take to it. Many people have taken their animals over very successfully.

Anyway, I've got LOADS of e-mails from various kenneling facilities, quarantine facilities, VET procedures, pet import regulations and pet transport companies, so if you want all those details, PM me with your e-mail address and I'll forward it to you.
Residency approved: 05/07/13
Work Visa approved: 06/05/13
ITA Received: 6 May 2013
EOI Selected: 03/05/13
EOI Submitted: 01/05/13
Applied for Work Visa: 26/04/13
Medicals: 24/04/13
Job offer: 12/04/13
Landed in Auckland: 05/02/13
House sold: 01/11/11
Decision to move to NZ: 08/12/08

SA Going to NZ Advice Forum

Re: What about my furry children?
« Reply #1 on: March 05, 2008, 10:24:13 pm »

Offline Didi77

  • Resident
  • Posts: 2025
Re: What about my furry children?
« Reply #2 on: March 06, 2008, 12:14:01 am »
Minette you have turned into our Pet-expert.  ;)

You should open kennels in NZ, register with MAF and advertise on Nolan's website - you will have your hands (and wallet) full in no time!



Offline hadenough

  • Certified Addict
  • ******
  • Posts: 1402
Re: What about my furry children?
« Reply #3 on: March 06, 2008, 09:37:18 pm »
 :2funny:

Offline Didi77

  • Resident
  • Posts: 2025
Re: What about my furry children?
« Reply #4 on: March 07, 2008, 12:53:00 am »
Hey - that was not a joke!

Telling you, you wanna make money this is a gap in the matket!  O0 ;D



Offline minette

  • Sr. Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 381
  • Life is life - lala la lalaa
    • Herbalicious - Minette's Herbs & Herbals
Re: What about my furry children?
« Reply #5 on: March 07, 2008, 07:56:31 am »
Thanks Didi, but as much as I love my pets and am a big animal lover all in all, I'd rather have my hands in the soil and my nose in my herbs for a living!!  :)

I'm just glad that the info I've gathered can help others.

Speaking of my animals - their blood tests have come back and they're cleared to fly out in September....a month after our planned departure date, but they'll be in good hands at Keringa kennels this side for the last 30 days before their flight and once they are at the quarantine place in Auckland, I'll visit them as often as I can.
Residency approved: 05/07/13
Work Visa approved: 06/05/13
ITA Received: 6 May 2013
EOI Selected: 03/05/13
EOI Submitted: 01/05/13
Applied for Work Visa: 26/04/13
Medicals: 24/04/13
Job offer: 12/04/13
Landed in Auckland: 05/02/13
House sold: 01/11/11
Decision to move to NZ: 08/12/08

Offline MJ

  • Certified Addict
  • ******
  • Posts: 1626
  • Cambridge
Re: What about my furry children?
« Reply #6 on: March 07, 2008, 09:55:03 am »
Which quarantine kennel have you decided on?



SA Going to NZ Advice Forum

Re: What about my furry children?
« Reply #6 on: March 07, 2008, 09:55:03 am »

Offline minette

  • Sr. Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 381
  • Life is life - lala la lalaa
    • Herbalicious - Minette's Herbs & Herbals
Re: What about my furry children?
« Reply #7 on: March 08, 2008, 10:10:34 am »
Pethaven....which did you use?
Residency approved: 05/07/13
Work Visa approved: 06/05/13
ITA Received: 6 May 2013
EOI Selected: 03/05/13
EOI Submitted: 01/05/13
Applied for Work Visa: 26/04/13
Medicals: 24/04/13
Job offer: 12/04/13
Landed in Auckland: 05/02/13
House sold: 01/11/11
Decision to move to NZ: 08/12/08

Offline MJ

  • Certified Addict
  • ******
  • Posts: 1626
  • Cambridge
Re: What about my furry children?
« Reply #8 on: March 10, 2008, 09:30:31 am »
I am using Qualified Pets - Petshaven was booked up already but I am happy with where they are (79 days to go)



Offline Doreen

  • Sr. Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 406
Re: What about my furry children?
« Reply #9 on: March 10, 2008, 03:24:24 pm »
MJ,please keep me informed, Kila must be there 31 July. Maybe you can tell me what to look out for etc. Think we will porbably stay in the the North Coast area. Is it very far away form Qualified Pets, and is it a busy road to drive? My husband's work is in Central City.

Offline MJ

  • Certified Addict
  • ******
  • Posts: 1626
  • Cambridge
Re: What about my furry children?
« Reply #10 on: March 11, 2008, 07:21:13 am »
Hi Doreen QPS are on the Takanini offramp on the highway south out of Auckland.  Probably about 5 minutes drive from the offramp.  If you look on wises.co.nz or any online map look for the areas takanini / Afriston / Papakura to give you an idea.



Offline Doreen

  • Sr. Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 406
Re: What about my furry children?
« Reply #11 on: March 11, 2008, 07:06:00 pm »
Thanks!! O0

SA Going to NZ Advice Forum

Re: What about my furry children?
« Reply #11 on: March 11, 2008, 07:06:00 pm »