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New Zealand

Dogs & Cats

Dogs and Cats can be imported to New Zealand under strict conditions designed to manage biosecurity risk.

The Ministry for Primary Industry in New Zealand only allows the import of dogs and cats in addition to chinchillas from Great Britain, rabbits from Australia and guinea pigs from Australia. No other pets are allowed.

Dogs and cats are strictly allowed for importing to New Zealand from approved countries that fall in the group categories 1, 2 and 3, or If dog or cat been in group 4 countries and spent a minimum of 180 days in countries of group 1 and 2 before being imported to New Zealand.

Dogs and cats coming to New Zealand must do so via manifest cargo and through two ports of entry that are: Auckland (AKL) and Christchurch (CHC) where pets must serve a 10 days quarantine period before release.

While BAHRAIN falls in the list of group 2, it still requires a significant amount of time and arrangements. Our relocation specialist can take you through the process and help you with the move from start to finish.

Bahrain to New Zealand DOGS

GENERAL

Since BAHRAIN falls in group 2 country category, these countries are considered as approved rabies-free and dogs exported to New Zealand from these countries require an import permit to be able to enter New Zealand.

Time frame: Minimum 35 days.

On arrival, dogs must be quarantined minimum of 10 days at the pre-booked post entry quarantine facility in either Auckland or Christchurch. A quarantine confirmation certificate is required before applying for import permit.


MICROCHIP & VACCINATIONS

Microchip must be read by an ISO compatible readers and has to be verified or implanted before any pre-export testing or treatments, it is also used for registering the dog being imported to New Zealand in the MPI records. The Microchip numbers starting with 999 are not acceptable because they are not unique, the government approved veterinarian must scan microchip during each treatment and or during blood withdrawal visit while recording the reader on all documents.

If the microchip does not meet these ISO Standards, it is the importer’s responsibility to ensure that the microchip can be read upon entry to New Zealand, in this case, it’s important to check in advance with the port of entry about the reader available at this particular entry, if the reader is not available for a non ISO microchip standard, importer can provide this reader at the importer expense.

Vaccination:

Vaccination requirements for dogs entering to New Zealand are:

All current L. Canicola vaccinations and booster due dates must also be recorded.

Canine distemper, infectious canine hepatitis, canine parvovirus, canine parainfluenza and Bordetella bronchiseptica (kennel cough), canine influenza (if available) are also required for dogs entering to New Zealand.


VETERINARY TREATMENTS AND BLOOD TESTS

External Parasite treatments:

Dogs must be treated twice, with the first treatment given in the 30 days prior to flying and at least two weeks before the second treatment which is given in the two days prior to flying to New Zealand. The treatment must be effective against fleas and ticks.

Tick collars are not an acceptable method of external parasite treatment because the collar can be removed and/or may not be effective in adverse weather.

IMPORTANT NOTE:

Oral and topical Bravecto, oral Nexgard, Simparica and Credelio and some other topical treatments such as selamectin (Revolution) for external parasite treatments are not acceptable because ticks and fleas are only affected by the product after biting the animal, and when they the animal they can transmit diseases and therefore these products are not accepted by New Zealand MPI.

Internal parasite treatments:

An approved veterinarian must administer the dog with a product for Internal parasite treatments against nematodes and cestodes.

Heartworm:

The dog has been treated with heartworm treatments in the four days prior to the date of shipment or the dog is up-to-date on heartworm prevention with a sustained-release injection of moxidectin.

Blood tests:

  • Ehrlichia canis: Dogs must produce a negative result using the Indirect Fluorescent Antibody Test at a dilution of 1:40. Within 24 hours of the blood draw. The sample must be tested for Ehrlichia canis by an Indirect Fluorescent Antibody Test (IFAT) for the detection of IgG antibodies. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests or an IFAT for the detection of IgM antibodies are not accepted.
  • Brucella Canis or Brucellosis: applies only if the animal is not desexed, while evidence of desexing might be required
  • Leishmania infantum or Leishmaniosis: For no longer than 45 days from the date of travel, dogs must be tested for Leishmaniosis using either an indirect fluorescent antibody test (IFAT) or (ELISA) and the test must be negative.
  • Leptospira canicola or Leptospirosis: The New Zealand health certificate form A provides an option for treating your dog with a therapeutic dose of doxycycline for 14 consecutive days (within 30 days before traveling to New Zealand) as a replacement of a Leptospirosis test or a treatment with a therapeutic dose of dihydrostreptomycin for five consecutive days in the 30 days prior to the date of travel to New Zealand.
  • Babesia canis: only if dog has ever visited mainland Africa.
  • Ehrlichia canis: Dogs must produce a negative result using the Indirect Fluorescent Antibody Test at a dilution of 1:40. Within 24 hours of the blood draw. The sample must be tested for Ehrlichia canis by an Indirect Fluorescent Antibody Test (IFAT) for the detection of IgG antibodies. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests or an IFAT for the detection of IgM antibodies are not accepted.

VETERINARY HEALTH CERTIFICATES FORM A & B

Category 2 Health Certificate form A and B from countries of group 2 (Bahrain).

An approved veterinarian must comply with form A requirements as per the import permit issued. During each treatment and or blood sampling, the approved veterinarian must scan microchip during each visit. Form A must be endorsed at the Government veterinary department of Bahrain before export.

Government veterinarian must fill Health Certificate form B with the addition of a seal number that will accompany the travel box of the pet.

No corrections can be made to any of the issued and endorsed certificates unless signed and stamped near each correction.

The veterinarian official has to stamp and sign all treatment documents, tests and any other related health documents as mentioned on the import permit and on form A and B.


QUARANTINE

Dogs entering New Zealand must spend 10 days at the government approved quarantine stations in Auckland or Christchurch.

In New Zealand the quarantine stations are privatized, which gives the option of chosing where we want our dog to spend the quarantine service period .

If your pet is under certain medication, you need to mention this on the import permit, the approved quarantine facility staff are great care takers and will strictly follow all feeding and medication instructions.

Approved quarantine facilities in Auckland

  • Auckland Quarantine Limited
    Auckland Quarantine is a beautiful facility and built to exceed the latest MPI specifications, designed with your pets comfort and health as a top priority, owners can also bring their own bedding and toys but these has to be new and unused.
  • Pethaven Quarantine Services
    An awesome facility with over 12 years of experience that also works close with New Zealand MPI. The staff are available throughout the day to throw or fill a treat ball, play tug of war or just sit with your pet and give them load of belly rubs where music is played in the kennels and cattery throughout the day.
  • Qualified Pet Services
    A family-run kennel and cattery with over 20 years of operation that will do whatever it takes to ensure that your furry family is comfortable and happy during their quarantine stay.The sprawling, leafy five acre property is the perfect setting for your dog to ‘jump with joy’ or cat to ‘purr with pleasure!

Approved quarantine facility in Christchurch

Canterbury Quarantine Services Ltd

Based just minutes away from Christchurch International Airport, Canterbury Quarantine Services offers excellent on-site luxury quarantine kennels and catteries.


BANNED BREEDS

Domestic or non-domestic animal hybrids (wolf-dog crosses) cannot be imported to New Zealand and this includes

  • Czechoslovakian wolfdog or Czechoslovakian Vlcak
  • Saarloos wolfdog or Saarloos wolfhound
  • Lupo Italiano or Italian wolfdog
  • Kunming wolfdog or Kunming dog

Dogs of the following breeds cannot be imported to New Zealand

  • Dogo Argentino
  • Fila Brasileiro
  • Japanese tosa
  • American pit bull terrier or pit bull terrier
  • Perro de Presa Canario or Presa Canario.

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Bahrain to New Zealand CATS

GENERAL

Since BAHRAIN falls in group 2 country category, these countries are considered as approved rabies-free and cats exported to New Zealand from these countries require an import permit to be able to enter New Zealand.

Time frame: Minimum 35 days

On arrival, cats must be quarantined minimum of 10 days at the pre-booked post entry quarantine facility in either Auckland or Christchurch. A quarantine confirmation certificate is required before applying for import permit.


MICROCHIP & VACCINATIONS

Microchip must be read by an ISO compatible readers and has to be verified or implanted before any pre-export testing or treatments, it is also used for registering the cat being imported to New Zealand in the MPI records. The Microchip numbers starting with 999 are not acceptable because they are not unique, the government approved veterinarian must scan microchip during each treatment and or during blood withdrawal visit while recording the reader on all documents.

If the microchip does not meet these ISO Standards, it is the importer’s responsibility to ensure that the microchip can be read upon entry to New Zealand, in this case, it’s important to check in advance with the port of entry about the reader available at this particular entry, if the reader is not available for a non ISO microchip standard, importer can provide this reader at the importer expense.

Vaccination:
Cats entering New Zealand must receive vaccinations that protect against feline enteritis (also known as feline panleucopenia or feline distemper), rhinotracheitis and calicivirus and is valid for the entire post entry quarantine period.


VETERINARY TREATMENTS

    • An approved veterinarian must administer the cat with a topical product twice that kills ticks and fleas on contact at least 21 days before the date of export.
    • Continuous protection from external parasites must be maintained until the time of export and treatments may need to be repeated by the veterinarian in accordance with the manufacturer’s directions and no longer than 2 days from the time of travel

    IMPORTANT NOTE:
    Oral and topical Bravecto, oral Nexgard, Simparica and Credelio and some other topical treatments such as selamectin (Revolution) for external parasite treatments are not acceptable because they tick and flea are only affected by the product after biting the animal, and when they the animal they can transmit diseases and therefore these products are not accepted by New Zealand MPI

    • In order to calculate the 21 days properly, count the day of the treatment as day 0
    • At each s veterinary visit, approved veterinarian should examine the cat for external parasites while scanning microchip, If fleas or ticks are found they must be removed and treatments starts all over again
    • treatments against nematodes and cestodes

VETERINARY HEALTH CERTIFICATES FORM A AND B

Your pre-issued import permit Health Certificate is Appendix 1 with form A and B of category 2 has to be completed and endorsed by Government Veterinarian of Bahrain that also must verify:

A Crate seal must accompany the crate together with a seal certificate and the number of the seal to be added to form B.

No corrections can be made to any of the issued and endorsed certificates unless signed and stamped near each correction.

The veterinarian official has to stamp and sign all treatment documents, tests and any other related health documents as mentioned on the import permit and on form A and B.

The cat must be examined by an official government veterinarian that endorses all documents and found the cat to be free from external parasites and clinical signs of infectious and contagious disease within 5 days before travel date.


QUARANTINE

Cats entering New Zealand must spend 10 days at the government approved quarantine stations in Auckland or Christchurch.

In New Zealand the quarantine stations are privatized, which gives the option of choosing where we want our dog to spend the quarantine service period.

If your pet is under certain medication, you need to mention this on the import permit, the approved quarantine facility staff are great care takers and will strictly follow all feeding and medication instructions.

Approved quarantine facilities in Auckland

Auckland Quarantine Limited
Auckland Quarantines is a beautiful facility and built to exceed the latest MPI specifications, designed with your pets comfort and health as a top priority, owners can also bring their own bedding and toys but these has to be new and unused

Pethaven Quarantine Services
An awesome facility with over 12 years of experience that also works close with New Zealand MPI. The staff are available throughout the day to throw or fill a treat ball, play tug of war or just sit with your pet and give them load of belly rubs where music is played in the kennels and cattery throughout the day.

Qualified Pet Services

A family-run kennel and cattery with over 20 years of operation that will do whatever it takes to ensure that your furry family is comfortable and happy during their quarantine stay.

The sprawling, leafy five acre property is the perfect setting for your dog to ‘jump with joy’ or cat to ‘purr with pleasure!

Approved quarantine facility in Christchurch

Canterbury Quarantine Services Ltd

Based just minutes away from Christchurch International Airport, Canterbury Quarantine Services offers excellent on-site luxury quarantine kennels and catteries.


BANNED BREEDS

Domestic/non domestic animal hybrids are not accepted for importation to New Zealand. Hybrid cats include:

  • Chausie, domestic cat crossed with Jungle cat
  • Bengal cat, domestic cat crossed with Asian leopard cat
  • Safari cat, domestic cat crossed with Geoffroy cat
  • Savannah cat, derived from crossbreeding domestic cat with serval cat
  • Note – It’s still possible to import Bengal cats to New Zealand if the cat is proven to be five generations or more removed from wild ancestors, proves such as pedigrees are required (check with your breeder for the pedigree of your cat) our relocation specialist can get confirmation in advance from the MPI before applying for the import permit.

Planning your pet move to New Zealand can be smooth and safe if well prepared and organised, contact our relocation specialists to manage any details you require.

Attention: The above are general guidelines, regulations and requirements can change and may not be updated. Contact your relocation specialist for further assistance.

CRATE COMFORT & CRATE TRAINING:

Our sister company BahrainK9Academy have put together an easy step by step guide for crate training tips and techniques.

Click here and get started.