Sending Cats and Dogs to New Zealand from Fiji

An import health permit mist be obtained prior to the importation into New Zealand of a dog or cat from a country approved for the export of cats and dogs to New Zealand (except Australia). The import health permit is obtained by applying in writing to:

Chief Veterinary Officer
Ministry of Agriculture
PO Box 2526
Wellington
New Zealand

The importer will then be sent an application which details the information that needs to be supplied by the importer, the cost of the application, and information regarding post-arrival quarantine facilities in New Zealand if applicable.
Importing from some countries will require certain health conditions to be met up to six months before importation. Thus it is necessary to get the application well in advance of the scheduled date of importation.
The MQM Import Management Office is the contracted delivery agent of import management services under the control of the New Zealand Ministry of Agriculture. The MQM Import Management Office can be contacted directly for all information regarding importation into New Zealand of cats and dogs by writing to:

Import Management Office
MAF Quality Management
PO Box 2526
Wellington
New Zealand
Fax: 64-4-474-4132
The information required for the MQM Import Management Office to process an import permit application is as follows:

  1. name and address of exporter
  2. breed, sex, age and microchip/transponder/permanent tatoo identification of the animal
  3. name of the dog and cat quarantine facility in New Zealand where the animal will be quarantined if applicable
  4. a letter from the operation of the above facility confirming availability of space for the animal(s) at the time of importation if applicable
It is the importer's responsibility to contact the quarantine facility to make appropriate arrangements.
There are general health requirements for importation of cats and dogs that will be specifically detailed in the import health permit when issued. They may include certification to be provided by an official veterinarian stating that:
  1. the cat or dog had been resident for a specified period in the exporting county
  2. the cat or dog is not more than 42 days pregnant at the time of export
  3. the cat or dog is not less that 12 weeks of age at the time of export
  4. depending on the country specific health factors:
    1. in the case of a dog, the dog has been tested and/or treated for canine leptospirosis, canine brucellosis, canine erlichiosis, canine heartworm, endoparasites, ectoparasites
    2. in the case of a cat, the cat has been treated for endoparasites and ectoparasites
  5. requirements with regards to rabies depending upon country rabies categorization
If an animal is brought from Fiji, there is a period of 30 days post-arrival surveillance. The import health permit will specify whether this surveillance is completed by owner confinement at a specified address or by quarantine in an offical quarantine facility.

It is wise to check with the airlines for their regulations on the shipment of domestic pets. Airlines will have specific regulations as to the size and nature of the container for the animal.

Sending Cats and Dogs to the United States from Fiji

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has no quarantine on the importation of dogs and cats into the United States (except for Hawaii) as long as dogs are not to be used in the handling of livestock. In general, they require that dogs be vaccinated against rabies at least 30 days prior to entry, except for puppies younger than 3 months and dogs originated or located for 6 months in areas considered free of rabies. A dog with an unexpired health certificate meets these requirements. There is no vaccination regulation for cats.

Do not use straw, hay or grass or any other natural bedding in the animal container.

Cats and dogs imported into Hawaii will be quarantined for 130 days.

If the animal comes from an area where screwworm is known to exist, the health certificate must specify that the animal has been inspected for screwworm within 5 days prior to shipment to the United States.

Each airline will have its own requirements for shipping domestic animals. It is necessary to check with the relevant airline well in advance of the planned travel date.

Useful websites are:

http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dq/animal.htm
http://www.aphis.usda.gov/travel.pets.html

Sending Cats and Dogs to Australia from Fiji

All animals entering Australia require an Import Permit issued by the Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service. To get an Import Permit, an application to import must be completed and returned to the quarantine station of your choice. Your application must include the pet's microchip number. The permit contains veterinary Certificate A and B which must be completed and endorsed by an Official veterinarian in the country of export prior to the arrival of your pet in Australia. The application can be found online at www.affa.gov/au.The animal will be quarantined and the owner/importer must pay all quarantine accommodation fees.

There are general steps that one must follow to be sure there are no problems in exporting the animal.
  1. Confirm Eligibility
    1. Dogs and cats must have been continuously living in the country of export for a minimum of 6 months immediately prior to shipment, or since direct importation from Australia, or since birth. If the animal is returning to Australia after less than 6 months, the animal must have had a microchip readable by Avid, Trovan, Destron or other ISO compatible reader, OR the pet must have remained under quarantine control since arrival from Australia. You must be able to provide sufficient evidence to demonstrate that your pet has been exported from Australia.
    2. The pet must be at least 12 weeks old at time of export.
    3. Female pets must not be more than 6 weeks pregnant nor be suckling at the time of export.
    4. Dogs and cats of certain breeds or mixed breeds are restricted: dogo Argentino, fila Brazileiro, and Japanese tosa can not be imported, and Bengal cats or wolf crosses are not eligible for import unless they are proven to be 5th generation or more away from any pure-bred non-domestic ancestor.
  2. Microchip cat or dog using a system compatible Avid, Trovan, Destron, or other ISO compatible reader.
  3. Apply for permit
  4. Find an Official Government Veterinarian and Government Approved Lab: In order to complete the necessary lab work, you will have the official veterinarian fill out parts A and B of the import permit. An official veterinarian is a government officer of the exporting country. These people are not ordinarily in private practice. Contact the quarantine administration in your country to find an official veterinarian and lab. You may use the Australian Animal Health Laboratory to do all the testing for you. However, this means sending blood samples to Australia.
  5. Commence Travel Arrangements: Any airline is allowed to bring your pets but they must enter through either Mascot (Sydney), Tullamarine (Melbourne) or Perth airports. Your animal must be shipped as Manifested Cargo (not in cabin) and be in an International Air Transport Association approved container. The animal should not change aircraft or vessel through a country not recognized as rabies free. Such trans-shipment is allowed through Amsterdam and Frankfurt airports. You will be charged a fee if the animal arrives in Australia outside of business hours (8am-4pm).
  6. General Vaccinations: Between 1 and 14 days prior to export, dogs and cats must have the relevant vaccinations. See Health Permit requirements.
  7. Dogs Only Vaccinations: Dogs must have special vaccinations. See Health Permit requirements.
  8. Dogs That Have Lived in Africa Only: Animals must be treated for Babeosis.
  9. Internal and External Parasite Treatment: The active ingredient, dose rate and treatment date must be recorded on Veterinary Certificate A. Oral products, injections, and medicated collars are not satisfactory. Neither are products that rely on the tick biting the pet. Washes and rinses that prevent ticks and tick bites are acceptable.
  10. Complete Veterinary Certificate A
  11. Complete Veterinary Certificate B: All the following documents must travel with your pet: original or copy of AQIS import permit, Completed Veterinary Certificate A and B with original endorsements by the official vets, general vaccination certificates, all lab reports. The official vet who signs Veterinary Certificate B must record the identification number of the seal on Veterinary Certificate B, and seal the pet into the cage. The pet then cannot be let out of the cage from this point on. An external funnel with a hose leading into the water container should be provided to allow water to the replenished without opening the cage. Sufficient absorbent bedding should be provided. The container should be marked "Live Animal".
  12. Check Pet in with Airline: Please make photocopies of all documents. One set of photocopied documents much be taped to the animal cage.