Hi all. I'd like to share some experiences on bringing our two dogs (8kg each) and cat over. I would like people to know that it is possible.
Quarantine: 10 days in New Zealand. We came to Wellington and used Shado-lans quarantine facility. Quarantine is mandatory. Shado-lans cost $3600, they took a $300 deposit a few months ago to secure a booking. To secure a booking, we needed an import permit from MPI ($166). To get a permit, you need to supply a rabies titre result (signed off by the State Vet's office) and a quarantine booking accommodation with a letter confirming the dates from the quarantine facility. Once you have the permit, you can book a SA transport agent.
Note that all tests need to be against a microchip. MPI won't accept any results that aren't recorded against a microchipped pet.
Testing: There is a mandatory 30 day testing schedule. All this information is online from the NZ government. The state vet can show you samples of forms of testing done (there are options: test and treat, or treat, or test - it's all in the docs). We had our blood tests submitted to Onderstepoort via our personal vet. There's two important blood testing periods - 30 days prior to departure and 16 days prior to departure. Make sure that fresh blood is drawn each time. This procedure requires general anesthetic and cost us R4k each time - this was inclusive of testing at Onderstepoort. Keep all documentation. Frontline is an accepted topical treatment. Cats are the easiest to import because they only need rabies testing. Bruscella Canis and Gibsoni, the canine STD, is mandatory even with sterilized pets. Bruscella is incurable and if your dog tests positive, that's the end of the road.
Transport: we decided to do this process ourselves as we had done our immigration process ourselves because the quotes that we received were too high. Qantas will not allow you to fly the pets yourself, they use shipping agents. In our case, we used ITTA at OR Tambo. The flights were R10k, the admin was R5k and the superb boxes were R2.8k. ITTA (
http://www.freightforward.co.za/) were outstanding in their support. Apparently, all pets are shipping through them anyway, so we cut out the middle man. They do the waybills and notify Qantas who in turn notify MPI.
State Vet: go to them beforehand (by appointment) to discuss the process. No cash is handled there, only EFT transactions. Book a technician from the state vet 72 hours prior to the flight so that he can inspect the cages. We found it safer to go to the state vet's offices so that they can inspect and seal the boxes rather than relying on them to be on time at the airport.
So many things can go wrong in this process. The 30 period is set in stone from MPI but if something goes wrong a few days before departure, a 7 day extension on the permit can be granted from MPI for another $166. MPI is strict but fair and understanding (and helpful and friendly). The state vet is likewise inflexible. Again, make sure the bloods that were drawn are fresh. You cannot draw once and store the bloods in the fridge.
Onderstepoort: Onderstepoort will not release test results to the owner, only to the requesting vet by courier. The bloods results must be originals, no certified copies are allowed.
Your vet: he's helpful but busy. She will not do your paperwork for you. Go to the state vet and see how the applications are filled in.
Rentals in NZ: I can only comment on Wellington in a new thread
So the total cost was:
microchipping: 3 x R200
vaccinations: 3 x R400 x 3 times
bloods: 2 R4000 x 2 times
State vet: R390
MPI: R1500
Shado-lans quarantine: R32500
The whole process cost us about R53000. This was spread over a few months, so that made it easier. We think that we got our pets over for the best price because a company that advertises that they will "assist" you will make you get the vaccinations and bloods and quarantine yourself anyway. The main thing that they sell you is the schedule which you can find here:
http://www.mpi.govt.nz/importing/live-animals/pets/steps-to-importing-cats-and-dogs/Here's some samples (these are
only samples! Please confirm everything and triple check EVERYTHING):
https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/21402915/guidance-catdog.gen.pdfhttps://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/21402915/catdog.gen.pdfhttps://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/21402915/Dog and Cat Vaccination Calendar.xlsx
