[StevieD]

I know that it says that rabbits are frowned upon, but what is the chance of bringing my sons little bunny with him? He absolutely dotes on it. If he has the necessary vaccinations and is neutered, surely there wouldn't be a problem, would there?

Comments please...

Steve and Jan - Liverpool. Getting doubts and nervous :no

[Mildred]

Goodness me, Stevie D you are risking your life posting such a controversial topic. Don't you know that when the end of the world comes it is going to be the killer rabbits fault :laugh

One of my first ever postings was on this exact question and I needed prozac, stress counselling and my own bodyguard afterwards in order to feel safe.

Seriously, still have not got the definitive answer on this. At the moment we couldn't bear to part with our two bunnies who are semi-house rabbits.

Tell you son's bunny that Ernie and Gilbert send their love and best bunnyhops :roll:

[StevieD]

Thanks for that! I will remember to wear my armour plated underwear from now on!! :laugh

Yes our little feller lives in his little cage in the living room, happily watching the world (and the dogs) go by his home. Obviously planning armageddon and the day when bunnies will rule the world hahahahahaa :raebanana

StevieD - Aintree Liverpool

[Raeven]

Hi, StevieD and frances,

frances, did you ever e-mail MAF? They reply very promptly, and you'd have the answer you both want.

I'm confident that rabbits are allowed into NZ as any other pet, provided they are properly vaccinated and neutered. But if you want the answer from the horse's mouth, as it were, drop them a quick line: enquiry@maf.govt.nz

Good luck to you both with the bunnies!!

All the best, Rae

[Mildred]

Thanks Rae,

As we want to know we would definitely be o.k. financially if we went to NZ we have decided to wait a year before applying.

For this reason I didn't contact MAF, but will send them an e-mail now.

So glad there have been not suggestions about putting them in 101 :clap

[Mildred]

Talk about quick. Got this reply already

Dear Frances,

I can find no health standard for importing rabbits from the UK into
New Zealand, so it appears that there is no legal way to do so.

It would be a good idea to contact our national advisor for animal
imports at kerry.mulqueen@maf.govt.nz to confirm this.

Regards,

Denise Cone
Quarantine Officer

MAF Quarantine Service
New Zealand



I have e-mailed Kerry Mulqueen and will let you know the answer

[StevieD]

Many thanks Rae and Frances. Well, Toffee our little pet bunny is sitting in his little cage next to the PC, looking at me with his big brown eyes. Completely clueless about what is going on :(

If you can import rabbits from France into the UK, which is very strict regards animal importation, surely there is a chance with NZ? Do they know that it is just a pet rabbit that we want to import and not a bunny colony ;) (Or is that what they are afraid they will end up with :laugh )

Frances, look forward to your answer.

Regards Stevie - Aintree, Liverpool

p.s passed on the regards to Toffee, he sends bunny hugs back!!
(Just listen to me talking!!! Is there an emoticon for daft as a brush :P

[Mildred]

StevieD

Here is the reply, not good news I'm afraid so turn the computer screen away from Toffee NOW.

Hi,

sorry--import is not possible for rabbits ex uk to nz

reagrds

Disease reasons are the concern

Dr Kerry Mulqueen
National Advisor,Animal Import/Exports
MAF Biosecurity Authority
Min of Agriculture and Forestry
Po Box 2526
Wellington
New Zealand
ph 0064 4 4989624
fax 0064 4 4744132
e mail-mulqueenk@maf.govt.nz


I know what you mean about those big brown eyes, although I must admit one of or rabbits looks the double of Eric Sykes minus the glasses :roll:

[Dave & Sandra]

Oh No - poor bunnies.

I'm sorry :wah

[Raeven]

Hi, frances and StevieD,

I admit I am really surprised. I am sorry to hear this, too. Pets are pets, and we love them like our children -- no matter if they're dogs, cats, rabbits or snakes.

Just goes to show it's always best to go right to the source for your information, even if it ends up being not what we want to hear.

All the best, Rae

[Mildred]

Thanks Rae, Dave and Sandra,

I must admit that in the space of 10 weeks we have unexpectedly lost a cat who didn't survive an op and our much loved dog who we had to have put down 3 weeks ago tomorrow. My husband's initial reaction to going to NZ was that he would only go if we could all go including the pets who at that time consisted of 2 cats, one dog and 2 rabbits (which surprised me as he has never admitted liking the bunnies).

I was told that a well kept for bunny can live to 8 years old, so perhaps we should be thinking 6 years ahead for going to NZ as opposed to next year. When my parents were alive they always insisted everything happens for a good reason - leave things to fate so perhaps we're not meant to go yet or perhaps not at all. Only time will tell :cheers

[StevieD]

Well that was short and sweet, Albert Pierrepoint would be proud of the swiftness of the sentence on the little fluffy bunnies. Still don't understand what they mean about disease being the reason.

Little Toffee is sitting moping now :no

[helen]

Hi,
It's simply because they can not be certain of the possible disease that bunnies may bring in with them (no health standards for this species- so they can't say what may/may not cause probs). Your bunnies may be perfectly healthy, but may carry bacteria/virus/parasites which whilst not causing any probs for bunnies, may cause a major prob. for native N.Z. species.
Sorry :(
H

[sweetpea]

I was sad, too, when I learned they don't allow chooks or ducks from the US. I mean, I expected they'd be quite strict because of avian flu and all, but still... My girls Laverne & Shirley and Vivian, Violet et al will either be re-homed or dinner. :no

MAF has strict import procedures even on duck or chicken hatching eggs, and my favorite US breed (Dominique) doesn't seem to exist in NZ.