[MelnRiki]

Hi everyone, after four years of living and working in Atlanta, GA, I'm thinking about moving back to Auckland, where I grew up (NZ citizen). I left for the US shortly after college and didn't have any significant responsibilities to leave behind. Now that there is hubby (US citizen) to apply PR for, pets to move, and house/contents to sell, etc, the moving back part is looking to be more complex than my move to the US. Is there anyone here that could offer advice on moving from the US to NZ, specifically in the following areas:

- Moving Pets -
We have two rescues (retriever mixes) that we must move to NZ with us. From research, there is a lot of paperwork involved due to NZ's biosecurity laws and AIRNZ will only accept them for travel as cargo from a pet relocation company. I have also read that it is imperative to meet the NZ regulations for importations to a "tee" or risk having the pets "deported" or be quarantined for longer periods. Can anyone recommend a relocation company? I have checked the IPATA website but there are quite a few to choose from, even ones that specialize in US to NZ moves. Does anyone have experience to share on this front?

- Medical Exam -
I understand from the NZ immigration website that any doctor in the US can complete the medical exam for the required medical certificate. Is there a list of doctors that may be familiar with the NZ immigration certification?

Thanks in advance for any help. I'm glad I found this website, there's so much invaluable information, and a great community of people helping each other out!

Happy New Year to all too!

[tigerlily]

Welcome!

Sorry I can't help at all on the pets, other than you might do a search in this area of the board to find out what other people have said in the past.

As to doctors- we just had a regular family doctor do ours. I was not very impressed with him personally, but his office was great about making the paperwork easier. We asked for a physical, with lots of extra paperwork to be completed by the doctor. I found that telling them that it had to do with migration just confused them, since many doctors in the US are familiar with the government paperwork required for people coming into the US (but have no clue at all about people going to NZ). My advice is read the paperwork yourself very carefully. Highlight and or/put a SIGN HERE post-it note next to each place the doctor needs to sign or initial (hint- there is at least one on every page!). Then read it all before you leave the office to make sure they didn't miss one. There is also an order that the medicals/ blood tests/ x-rays are supposed to be done, and chances are you'll be more familiar with it than the doctor who will barely read the form.

I gather from others here that some people have been able to get their US health insurance to cover at least the doctor's visit as an annual check up.

Best of luck to both of you!

[Ana&Steve]

I found that telling them that it had to do with migration just confused them,

Found it to be true, as well! I tried to ask our local police station for an appointment to fingerprint, they got very confused as they thought I was trying to bring someone into the country :confused:.

As for pets, I will ask Sean-and Judy who they used for the pet movers, but I do know that you will need to have them chipped with a microchip that NZ readers can ID, and you must get <the dogs> a rabies shot, then come in 3wks later for bloodwork that gets sent to a lab in Kentucky, then wait 6mo. for more bloodwork. The pet transport help you figure out the steps required (if they are competent :yes ) They will also have a 1 month quarantine in NZ, but you may visit if you choose.
As for medicals, you can use any Dr, you may have to ask around for familiarity with immigration paperwork. We lucked out with our family Dr of 10 yrs, as he is very familiar with paperwork from several countries, including NZ!

Hope you get all the answers you need!
Ana

[Howie]

Pets, I used IPTLAX to move my dog and I thought they were great. Yes the whole process takes 6 months min so get that first rabies titre early. Quarantine sucks, but worth it to have my dog here.

Doctors. I just went to my regular GP and all of the costs were covered by my ins. Become very familiar with the medical forms before you go so that you can make sure everything gets filled in and signed correctly.

Feel free to PM me for more info and good luck. Yes the process is a bit painful at times, but I'm sure you'll find lots of help right here.

Susan

[aorland]

I can't help on the pets...but:

Our doctor handled all the medical forms for us - I don't know if you've seen the package, it looks MUCH worse than it really is - the doctor doesn't really have to fill out that much information if you fill in your portions beforehand. And, our insurance paid for everything except the office visit deductible.

We did our fingerprinting at a local Mail Boxes Etc. and then sent off the police record request to the FBI - we were shocked at the quick turnaround (about 3 weeks, I think).

Good luck!!

[jess]

Just seconding Howie - we used IPT as well to move our dog. Online here (http://www.iptlax.com/).

Our dog was at Shado-Lans Quarantine in Levin, and she had about an 8ft by 8 ft indoor room with a sliding glass door to the same size outdoor area, so it's not like having them in a cage at the pound or something awful for a month. Our dog cam out of Q. looking healthier than ever and John and Denise at Shado-Lans were extremely nice. The only hard part was leaving after visits until she could come with us.

Before you go, microchipping is the first thing and then 6 months of tests and paperwork, but taking it one thing at a time it was ok. I have a list of all the things that have to be done and when. If you'd like to see it, just PM me.

J

[jo-and-jeff]

Here's a previous thread regarding other peoples' experiences moving pets from the U.S.:

Using Int'l pet transport from the US, warning! (http://www.emigratenz.org/forum/showthread.php?t=3262)

[jen]

Hello and happy New Year!

We used JetPets at LAX for shipping our two dogs - we started out talking to IPT but they were booked for the time we needed to move. Donna at JetPets was extremely helpful & we faxed her our various tests to check at each stage to make sure we were on the right track. James at MAF was patient about answering questions when we called them directly. Definitely get the chipping and rabies titre done as soon as possible if you think you're going due to the 6 month lead time. And be prepared for sticker shock! We haven't totalled it up yet, but I think with all of the required tests, crates, shipping, and quarentine we are around $2500 per dog (40 & 70 lbs).

Anyway, it can be done & good luck with your decision! Jess, I'm glad to hear you say good thing about shado-lans; our guys got there on the 29th (three days before us) and we're going to drive out to visit them tomorrow.

[Howie]

And be prepared for sticker shock! We haven't totalled it up yet, but I think with all of the required tests, crates, shipping, and quarentine we are around $2500 per dog (40 & 70 lbs).


I think it was about $3000US from New York for one 65lb dog. But well worth it.

[jess]

Jess, I'm glad to hear you say good thing about shado-lans; our guys got there on the 29th (three days before us) and we're going to drive out to visit them tomorrow.

They're the best! Really nice. Look out for their little sign on the right well before you get into Levin proper. It's easy to miss. Hope you enjoy the visit (and the drive up through our lovely Kapiti Coast.) :D

[MelnRiki]

Thanks everyone for your responses! It's a little relieving to know that it can be done, I know it'll be stressful for a while, and we already realized early on that it will take a lot more money to relocate our pets compared to what it will cost to relocate ourselves! I agree, well worth the money. I will definitely take a look at IPT and JetPets and make sure that I am familiar with all the requirements and the medical forms.

Thanks everyone!