[willsken]

Could you start the pet import process -- which takes about 7 months --

I didn't realise the process took so long. :( Is that for any country you are bringing them in from?

[dawn]

Does it really take 7 months? Is that from the UK? We're hoping to go in July and I haven't really started Huxley's import stuff yet. Apart from paying £50 deposit!

[willsken]

I don't even know where to start. Any suggestions please :)

[dawn]

well, we've gone with www.airpets.co.uk but they didn't say it would take 7 months, I had a look at their website and couldn't find a timeline. DEFRA didn't have a timeline either.

[willsken]

Thanks Dawn. Did you have quotes from anyone else. How much are airpets and for what type of dog (I'm assuming!)

[dawn]

I can't remember the names of the other one's, but I tried about 5 other places, airpets weren't the cheapest or the most expensive, but at around £3000 all in, they were the best value for money and really seem to care.

Now, here's the thing, Huxley is a white German Shepherd, fully grown, so one of the largest dogs they take and he needs the biggest crate, so is expensive.

I imagine a smaller dog or other pet would be cheapest.

They sent me a list of what I would need to get my vet to do and what they would do, which includes 3 days boarding before flying, and the final tests and checks before he goes. Hopefully, he'll be on the same flight as us.

They recommend that either you are on the same flight or you go before as they don't like to keep the animals waiting around in customs.

[Nicola]

We brought our two cats over with us from the UK. It took I think about 6 weeks for the whole process. The reason is for this timescale is so the company can book the flights. You also need to give samples from your cats 4 weeks prior to moving. If you are importing cats they have to be neutered, chipped and upto date with their vaccinations.

Sorry can not remember who the importers where, but I could look it up for you if you are interested. They were a lot cheaper than airpets and did a really good job.

[dawn]

Yes please, I'd forfeit the £50 deposit if I could find someone better.

Did they collect your cats? Or did you have to deliver?

[jubjub]

We had to get blood/faecal tests done about four weeks ahead, and then again 21 days later, if you get in touch with Golden Arrow, they will send you out details that give you all the timescales, and they were excellent. Our 9 yr old collie arrived safely, and not at all distressed.

They dont have a website or anything, but heres the no.01588 680240, they are a small family run business in the middle of nowhere, a lovely place for the animals to be for the time they spend there!

[sizzlingbadger]

Highly recommend Golden Arrow. They were fantastic when we bought over our whippet. As he's a small/medium dog it cost us 1800 GBP. The vet in the UK thought that Golden Arrow were brilliant as they had labelled all the test pots and given them a list of things that needed doing.

In all I think it took about 6 weeks from when we consulted Golden Arrow in the UK to him arriving in Wellington.

[Kim39]

We used Skymasters, 0161 436 2190 to ship our 11yr old out here. The process for which the dog goes through(tests) takes 1 month from the start of it, thro to the last jab/test. If you are having the dog/cat shipped out make sure your flight and end of tests coincide, otherwise the process starts all over again and at a cost to you. For the flight,tests and board with vet came to a good old price of 1700 quid. She was worth it.

We boarded Tess with the vet (talk to yours) who started the process 2 days before we flew. The dates were: start..31st Oct........due to arrive 1st Dec, but due to some admin error didn't arrive til the 3rd. Her last test was done on the 30th.

tests : Hookworm
Heartworm
Leptospira canicola
canine ehrlichiosis
Brucella canis
Babesia smear (blood parasites)
Babesia PCR
Along with the odd jab

So process is 1 month, not 7 as you have been told. Hope this has helped


Kim

[Juniper]

it's been awhile since i checked, but i think the longer time line (like half a year) is to make sure all your paperwork is in order, and that they have all their medical stuff taken care of. the animal has to have resided continuosly in the UK for 6 months before being imported (or since birth, if it's younger). they can't be super young or late in a pregnancy. ideally, you should take care of all your research well in advance (like more than 6 months), to make sure you don't have any special circumstances that need sorting out.

i looked up the import standard for UK cats and dogs, which can be found here:
http://www.biosecurity.govt.nz/imports/animals/standards/domaniic.uk.htm

i noticed a couple of things i didn't know, for instance there are four breeds of dogs (including crosses) which may not be imported:
American Pit Bull Terrier, Japanese Tosa, Brazilian Fila, Dogo Argentino
i suppose maybe these are dogs bred for aggressive behavior? i know pit bulls get a bad rap a lot of the time due to certain incidents, not sure about the other three...

certain kinds of animals can't be imported at all, for instance i wouldn't be able to take my chinchilla because there is no protocol for bringing them in from the US yet (although UK chins are fine). :-( i spoke with some afficionados in NZ who are working on it, but it will be several years before the paperwork to set up the new protocol goes through. it briefly occurred to me to have my chin stay in the UK for six months so he would qualify! but of course that's silly.

i recommend that everyone check the MAF website for their animal species and country of origin (that they have resided in for the last 6 months or so):
http://www.maf.govt.nz/quarantine/live-animals/

i'm sure once you get to the point of making reservations with pet shippers, it doesn't take 7 months for them to set up! it is just a good idea to look at your personal circumstances in advance if possible. also take quarantine time into account, which is probably for a month after arrival, again depending on what animal/where its from.

[Fiona Papworth]

I would also recommend Golden Arrow, we used them for our 13 year old collie. It cost £1845 altogether but that included two weeks boarding before he flew out. It took about six weeks from contacting him to arrival and the fact they organise everything for you including all the paperwork for the vets and lab test makes the whole process a lot simpler.

Our dog was really ill just before we left and I was going to fly out later when he had recovered but GA were brilliant and ensured that their vets looked after him. when he arrived, he was completely better and has been like a puppy since, obviously the life here suits him.

[dawn]

Thanks for all the tips, I'll definitely be giving Golden Arrow a call today. Our main problem is that Hux is so BIG! He needs the biggest crate and lots of space in the airplance, I think that's what we're paying extra for - we'll see, I'll let you know the cost difference.

[Debbie]

Dawn,
If you dont mind me asking, How big is yours?
We have an estrella and Im worried that they wont want to take him due to his size and weight. He is 122cm long 82cm high 36cm wide but weight of 70 kg. He is larger than breed standard but he isn't over weight. Ive contacted Airpets but not heard back as yet.
Thanks Debbie

[dawn]

Hux is smaller than your dog, he's 118cm long, 64 high, not sure of his width, can't remember the exact measurements off the top of my head. I think he's around 45kg. I'll check with hubby later and get the correct measurements for you. Airpets were a little slow in replying to us too, but once we'd received the quote, they were very friendly and happy to help and answer questions.

This is my baby

http://www.flyingkiwis.co.nz/images/christmas_2005_bigimages/christmas_2005_145.jpg

[Debbie]

Dawn
ahh he is lovley, I don't think I've ever seen a white GSD before.
Im a techno incompetant so I can't post a pic of my boy but I'll ask OH and see what we can do.
Let me know how you get on with GA.
Debbie

[dawn]

The white GSD's are quite rare, but they're becoming more popular. Apparently, they don't have any in NZ, but Hux has been "done", so we won't be having little Hux's. lol Though I do hope to get him a friend, maybe a resuce GSd when we get there.

I rang GA today, they're in Shropshire, with is over the other end of the country from us, but they were really helpful and nice and said they'd put some information in the post.

I'll look forward to seeing your boy :D

[kiwidebs]

Dawn, Hux is beautiful - and this is from not from a dog lover. I'm a cat person http://www.clicksmilies.com/s0105/tiere/animal-smiley-030.gif

Debs

[dawn]

lol, thanks Debs. He looks cute, but he's a little devil!! Sometimes I wonder if we should take him, but I only have to look at him and I know it'll be worth it.

[veronica]

We used lady hayes at heathrow and had no problems. we did a thread about it at the time if you are interested. ( http://www.emigratenz.org/forum/showthread.php?t=110&highlight=chippie )
My understanding of it is that its not that they won't take bigger dogs, its they dont have space on the internal flights (so they say). So if your dog is 'oversized' then they can be got to Auckland and then it would be up to you to get him whereever else he has to go to.

[dawn]

I'll check out the thread, thanks.

I was told we had to ship Hux to Auckland as they only go to a certain weight at Wellington, which was why we had to ahve him on the same flight, it's going to be a bugger finding motels that take dogs for the drive from Aukland to Masterton.