Australia and New Zealand are two destinations as fascinating as they are remote and complex. Planning your move to these two countries brings with it enthusiasm and excitement, but certainly also a good dose of worry.
If in addition to our move we also have to think about that of our dog or cat, everything becomes amplified.
We are talking about two countries whose regulations and bureaucratic procedures for the introduction of pets (dogs and cats) from abroad are very complex and stringent.
The import protocol to be followed requires very long preparation times, both in terms of veterinary entry requirements and the bureaucratic process.
What is there to know?
First of all, it is very important to clarify that in these two destinations it is not possible to bring animals with you. Your dog or cat will necessarily have to travel as Manifest cargo.
This is because the import process into Australia and New Zealand involves:
- obtaining an import permit from the local ministerial authorities
- a mandatory quarantine period of 10 days upon arrival
Therefore, during air transit and upon arrival at the destination, only authorized airport staff can handle and provide assistance to the animal.
At the destination airport, the staff of the Quarantine Station will be directly waiting for your 4-legged friend to collect him and take him to the facility where he will spend the 10 days following his arrival.
In New Zealand, airlines permitting, animals can arrive at any of the following airports: Auckland, Christchurch and Wellington. Here they will be able to complete the 10 days of quarantine in facilities authorized by the MPI (Ministry of Primary Industries).
In Australia, however, there is only one operational quarantine station and it is located in Mickleham, in the state of Victoria. Therefore, dogs and cats must necessarily land at Melbourne airport and complete the 10 days of quarantine at Mickleham station.
When they are released from quarantine, at the end of the 10 days, they can then be transported to other airports and/or states within Australian territory (i.e. Sydney, Perth, Brisbane etc.).
What are the first steps?
The veterinary preparation for your dog or cat should begin approximately 6 months before your estimated departure date if your destination is New Zealand.
If, however, you are moving to Australia, your 4-legged friend will need a minimum of 7 up to 10 months in order to fulfill all the requirements and be eligible for travel.
This is due to the numerous veterinary treatments required, such as vaccinations, parasite treatments and various blood tests. All to be carried out with well-defined methods and timing.
It is thus essential to keep in mind that the entry protocol in these countries is very strict, therefore the slightest error in the procedure can seriously compromise the success of the transfer.
For this reason, we invite you to get in touch with an expert from the beginning, and wait until you have received initial advice before even taking the first steps.
