[Toronto_Kiwi]

We're another step closer to our final decision on whether to move to NZ, with a job offer for my husband in hand. However, one of the big stumbling blocks for us is... do we take the cats? They're the extremely sucky kind (if my OH turns over in the middle of the night, the girl-cat climbs over to his other side so she can hear his heart better).
Expense aside, we're most concerned about inflicting trauma on the cats through the move. Several days of travel/isolation + 30 days quarantine + new digs seems like a lot to put them through. Their previous owner declawed them so they can't go outdoors either. We've asked around with our friends to see if someone could take them but so far no luck.

For people who've moved cats with them to New Zealand, what was your cat's reaction? Basically I'd like to know what the answer would be if we could ask our cats whether they'd rather stay in Canada with new 'staff' or move to NZ with us.

[clg]

Our cat did much better than we thought she would. She is a very clingy cat but did fine. She adjusted very quickly once we brought her into our new house. She was 11 years old at the time of the move. It was expensive so there are times, like when she wakes me up in the middle of the night, I wish I left her, but we did not know anyone that would take her.

Chris

[Jules]

I had 2 cats back in the UK that I left behind :wah they both went to good homes though.

I decided not to bring them because I didn't want them to go through what I was going to experience i.e. long flights, so I thought I would rather leave them with people I knew that would take good care of them. I still miss them and OH won't let me have another one :no

Jules

[Toronto_Kiwi]

I had 2 cats back in the UK that I left behind :wah they both went to good homes though.

I decided not to bring them because I didn't want them to go through what I was going to experience i.e. long flights, so I thought I would rather leave them with people I knew that would take good care of them. I still miss them and OH won't let me have another one :no

Jules
Oh that's so sad! My OH is even more attached to the two cats than I am. I think his standards for 'good home' are very high. He wants to find adoptive parents who'll spoil the cats as much as we do :)

[Toronto_Kiwi]

Our cat did much better than we thought she would. She is a very clingy cat but did fine. She adjusted very quickly once we brought her into our new house. She was 11 years old at the time of the move. It was expensive so there are times, like when she wakes me up in the middle of the night, I wish I left her, but we did not know anyone that would take her.

Chris
I'm assuming my cats would have to go through the same quarantine process that your clingy cat did since we're both coming from North America. Was it 30 days? How did she fare? Were you able to visit her? One of our cats has some separation anxiety issues and is shy with strangers so we're more concerned about her.

[jess]

Not sure where you're headed but Shado-Lans Quarantine (http://www.shado-lans.co.nz/) in Levin - an hour and a half north of Wellington - was very nice. We had a dog there, not a cat, but I saw some of the cats there. They have those carpeted towers to climb on in their room, and someone on staff can visit with them daily. Also, I remember them telling me that the two cats staying in one room together were from the same family, so yours may be able to stick together. All the rooms have their own adjoining outdoor fenced area. (My friend in NYC joked that my dog had more space in quarantine than she had in her little apt.) If you can handle the paperwork and the expense of the month of quarantine, I don't think they'd have too much trouble.

[Toronto_Kiwi]

Not sure where you're headed but Shado-Lans Quarantine (http://www.shado-lans.co.nz/) in Levin - an hour and a half north of Wellington - was very nice. We had a dog there, not a cat, but I saw some of the cats there. They have those carpeted towers to climb on in their room, and someone on staff can visit with them daily. Also, I remember them telling me that the two cats staying in one room together were from the same family, so yours may be able to stick together. All the rooms have their own adjoining outdoor fenced area. (My friend in NYC joked that my dog had more space in quarantine than she had in her little apt.) If you can handle the paperwork and the expense of the month of quarantine, I don't think they'd have too much trouble.
That doesn't sound so bad... we're heading for Auckland. Hope we can find a place as nice as Shado-lans was for your dog.

[barryp]

I'm sure this link has been posted elsewhere - it's where you need to start:

http://www.biosecurity.govt.nz/imports/animals/standards/domaniic.spe.htm

The important thing (IMO) to note is that you need a permit to import, which will be for a time no less than six months and no more than a year after the process begins. In order to get that permit, you'll have to specify a boarding facility that has agreed to accept the pet during the 30 day quarantine. There are two in Auckland and their contact info is here:

http://www.biosecurity.govt.nz/files/imports/animals/forms/cat-dog-spe-q.pdf

It's a giant pain in the hindquarters for the owner, and quite costly. But from what I have been able to find out, it is not such a terrible burden on the pets. (Praise All Deities, since we will be bringing two dogs from the USA.)

[craddweb]

Will let you know how our cats get on - we are moving them to Christchurch from UK at beginning of August! I have started with the flower essences already as I know several people who have used them for animals and they have responded really well! Mine have been having Walnut (for change) in their water for a good few months! The children and us have been glugging it too!

[jess]

Aukland -- well while you're deciding if you'll bring the cats, you might want to check out Qualified Pets (http://www.qualifiedpet.co.nz/), a quarantine facility there. Their website does say that up to three cats from the same family can room together.

As barryp said, there are two in Auckland -- the other is Pet Haven Kennels (http://www.pethavenkennels.co.nz/cattery.html).

J

[Toronto_Kiwi]

Ugh. We'd really thought that we'd be sensible and not take the cats with us but as the probability of our moving to Auckland has become more real, it's harder to face parting with them. My OH had told the company that's recruiting him that we could arrive in October at the earliest: that's less than 6 months from now so I guess if we're considering taking them we'll have to start the paperwork and vet tests right away.

[Nienke]

Yes, if you want to take them, you should start right away. Don't know if your cats have had rabies shots, but if you start now with a vaccination, you will have to wait 6 months before you can fly them out.
We decided to take our 10 year old cat with us, he's still waiting in Holland (nicely taken care off by my parents, fortunately) for those 6 months to pass and he's flying on the 23rd of June.
At times I feel bad about what I'm putting him through, but we did not want to leave him behind. I will be very glad though when he's safe and sound with us in our new home!

[khhill]

Regarding the 6 month rabies rule: It is possible (not sure the exact requirements) to get an exception from MAF for them to enter earlier than 6 months after the first rabies test (4 months instead of 6)

After I got the results back from the first rabies titre, I emailed MAF asking if there was anything I could do to allow them to land earlier. I included in the email the dates of all of their rabies vaccinations as well as the date and test results from their first titre test. They emailed back within hours that the exception was granted. The MAF people were extremely prompt and helpful via email.

As for the furry kids, they came out of quarantine slightly skinnier but otherwise unphased. Our two were able to share the same unit, which really helped them IMHO. :)

[Howie]

Hi, just wanted to add a few things - having just imported a dog from North America. We hired a company to help us with everything - well worth the expense. The whole process is rather complicated and the stakes are pretty high if you get it wrong. Moving without our dog was not an option. If he couldn't come with us, with simply wouldn't have moved to NZ. He stayed at Qualified in Auckland and it seemed nice enough. We visited him everyday, but visiting hours are between 11am and 1pm, so it was hard to fit in a visit while buying cars, finding a place to live, finding a job, etc.
I often wondered how the cats did in quarantine. I must admit I know nothing about cats, but they seem to really like their own homes. A friend of mine once asked me to watch her 2 cats for a week. I decided to bring them over to my house, because I thought they would like being around people better than just dropping in on them once a day. They were totally traumatized. One of them didn't come out of her crate for 2 days. They barely ate anything and we were quite worried. If your cats are anything like this, they might actually be happier being re-homed. But again, I know nothing about cats.

As far as timing goes, if you are even thinking about bringing the cats, go and get their first rabies titre done now. That's what we did when we thought we were moving but realized we wouldn't know for sure until a couple of months before we left. As far as timing goes, everything else can be left up to about two months before you leave. The permit didn't take nearly as long as they said, but you should probably allow 6 weeks.

PM me if you need help and hope to see you in Auckland soon.

[veronica]

No cats but we brought the two dogs over from the UK. they are part of the family so there didn't seem to be an option. Brin was 12 + at the time and he had 17 months here before he died in Feb this year and we are so pleased he came over. Chip is still going strong and in May we got a Kiwi pup! lab x huntaway to keep him company as he was still pining for Brin. I am afraid that Chip, although a rotweiler x lab is a sentimental wuss and is very 'pack' based type of dog.

We did have a cat in the UK and debated whether to bring him out. The biggest point against not bringing him was the fact that in the UK we lived in the countryside with fields at the end of the backgarden and here we live on a fairly main road in the city. Pippen was 12 + too and we felt that he run a real risk of being squashed by the traffic if he came here., but luckily my sister took pity on us and adopted him for us. IF I hadn't been able to leave him with her I am not sure what we would have done but I know he has gone to a better home with her than he had with us (she doesn't have two big dogs to take the attention away from him)

I also appreciate the fact that coming from the uK with no quarentine makes it easier but if you can afford it I would still bring them, if for no other reason than the selfish one that it will probably make it more like home for you quicker.

[Debbie P.]

Are there any restrictions on transporting cats from the health point of view? Our cat is 12 (probably - he's a rescue cat of indeterminate age) and he's just had a thyroidectomy.

We just can't decide whether we should put him through the trauma or not, but equally we don't know who would have him - we adore him but he is a bit of a character, so he'd have to go to someone who could understand his moods. But, in any case, might we be restricted due to his health problems?

Debbie

[Toronto_Kiwi]

As far as timing goes, if you are even thinking about bringing the cats, go and get their first rabies titre done now. That's what we did when we thought we were moving but realized we wouldn't know for sure until a couple of months before we left. As far as timing goes, everything else can be left up to about two months before you leave. The permit didn't take nearly as long as they said, but you should probably allow 6 weeks.
Thanks for the advice: will do regarding the rabies titre although I guess we should have started this a few months ago. Hopefully MAF will be a bit lenient regarding 4 months vs 6 months as our cats are most definitely indoor cats and wouldn't make it down the block without their little paw pads bleeding all over the place. We'll probably keep looking for a suitable Canadian adoptive home for them too... and then decide closer to departure time if they're definitely joining us.

[Toronto_Kiwi]

Regarding the 6 month rabies rule: It is possible (not sure the exact requirements) to get an exception from MAF for them to enter earlier than 6 months after the first rabies test (4 months instead of 6)

After I got the results back from the first rabies titre, I emailed MAF asking if there was anything I could do to allow them to land earlier. I included in the email the dates of all of their rabies vaccinations as well as the date and test results from their first titre test. They emailed back within hours that the exception was granted. The MAF people were extremely prompt and helpful via email.

As for the furry kids, they came out of quarantine slightly skinnier but otherwise unphased. Our two were able to share the same unit, which really helped them IMHO. :)
Thanks very much for this advice: it's good to know that we should ask MAF if the cats can get a 4 month exception. Glad to hear your furry kids are doing well.

[Going2NZ]

Shipping pets is not too difficult but it is time-consuming and expensive. Having said that, we shipped 2 dogs and 2 cats in January this year from the US. Yes, I know - we are crazy but this is our family and we decided we weren't breaking up the family. Everyone came through just fine. They stayed at ShadoLans in one room together which I think helped. You can fast-track the process and MAF was great to work with. Kerry Mulqueen is the vet there (Kerry.Mulqueen@maf.govt.nz) and he was very helpful and informative. Heavy kiwi accent though so I'd recommend email over phone. Of course, after 9 months here, maybe it was just me before I learned to talk "kiwi"... ;-)

For the trauma, it probably is tough on them (planes are scary and loud after all) but you probably need to decide which is worse, 1 day in transit and a month quarantine vs never seeing you again. I don't think there is a right or wrong answer just the right answer for you. Quarantine was pretty posh - I was at a backpacker hotel at the time and they did have more room than me!

Truth be told, it made a huge difference to me (emotionally and mentally) to have them here especially after 4 months without them. Its tough enough changing countries without giving up your fur kids too. Don't underestimate your own need for the unconditional love that they give you and that they get from you.

Being a geek, I put together an Excel spreadsheet with all the MAF requirements to keep track of everything. As always, I'm happy to send that to anyone who wants it - just PM me your email address to send it to and its yours. The only string attached is to pass it on to anyone else who might get some use out of it. I don't think any of the MAF requirements have changed but it might be worth an email to Kerry to check. Good luck!

[diforsyth]

Cats will adapt to a new home & owners very quickly as oppose to dogs who tend to more faithful. We felt that it wasn't fair on our cats to move them from piller to post for the next 4 months just so we felt better. They are used to roaming in fields and we can't guarantee what there will be for them. That said, it was really tough giving them up and my wife couldn't bear to be around when they left.

It is probably worth making people with pets aware that it adds an extra complexity to the whole emigration process which is either very painful or expensive.

[katandbob]

Cats will adapt to a new home & owners very quickly as oppose to dogs who tend to more faithful. We felt that it wasn't fair on our cats to move them from piller to post for the next 4 months just so we felt better. They are used to roaming in fields and we can't guarantee what there will be for them. That said, it was really tough giving them up and my wife couldn't bear to be around when they left.

It is probably worth making people with pets aware that it adds an extra complexity to the whole emigration process which is either very painful or expensive.

yep its hard leaving them behind, I have left ours along with my kids with Robs mum, hopefully the knowledge that she has part of our family left with her will be comforting for her, as I know that she gets upset when were on the phone or Msn etc...although Tommy (the cat) popped up to say hello and it brought a tear to my eye to see him again. luckliy we all lived at robs mums so as we slowly dissapear...weve gone...the boys in Sept, that will only leave my daughter at the house, until they come in hopefully the near future.

that Tommy won't get too stressed with it all *(although I know my mother in law will!)

its definately hard leaving them behind, but he is content in his surroundings, and I didnt want to put him through a 24+ flight - it was bad enough for us!

Kat

[blue]

I came out here from the UK in october with my 2 dogs and 4 cats. All of them were from rescues. Miw -sher did get stressed when she was in the cattery waiting to come over but I was amazed at how well they all travelled. I had great support from people I got to know whom picked them up from Auckland airport had them overnight and brought the down to Hawkes bay the following day.
They all settled in very quickly. My persian once out of the travel box wandered around the house then settled down to sleep on the sofa as if he had been here all along!
My two trailhounds have been much more relaxed here than they were in the UK as they have half an acre to run round on and I did have some problems with them behavioral wise due to them being rescued which has all settled down since being here.
They all spent 3 weeks in the kennels and cattery before travelling here and I got a company to organise everything for me which was a godsend.
Sadly Miw-sher whom got more confident once she was here was knocked down and killed on the road. I only have about 5 cars go passed as am out in the countryside. This was devastating and then Skye passed away a couple of months ago with kidney failure but at least he was with me when he died and I am sure all of them would of choosen to come with me.
It was wonderfull when they came down here and I was reunited with them again. Red and Bessie my hounds heard my voice when the car was pulling up and were jumping around all over the place. Setau couldnt take his eyes off me and started to cry.
I came here alone and my fur family are really very important to me as they are a big part of my life but thats me and everyone is different.

[Toronto_Kiwi]

Shipping pets is not too difficult but it is time-consuming and expensive. Having said that, we shipped 2 dogs and 2 cats in January this year from the US. Yes, I know - we are crazy but this is our family and we decided we weren't breaking up the family. Everyone came through just fine. They stayed at ShadoLans in one room together which I think helped. You can fast-track the process and MAF was great to work with. Kerry Mulqueen is the vet there (Kerry.Mulqueen@maf.govt.nz) and he was very helpful and informative. Heavy kiwi accent though so I'd recommend email over phone. Of course, after 9 months here, maybe it was just me before I learned to talk "kiwi"... ;-)
That's so funny! Kerry Mulqueen is a relative of mine: he's my third cousin's husband. We visited them in Wellington in February. Unfortunately for other folks, he was leaving MAF in February. Guess I can still ask him to help with MAF related questions.