bringing in our dog

lesly · Posted: Thu Jan 01, 2004 12:50 pm Post subject: bringing in our dog

Hello everyone,

A very happy new year to you all! Mr. Green

I have a question about our dearest friend (read:dog) we want to take with us to NZ.
The dog needs to do a blood test for rabies, at least 6 months before arrival in NZ.
Does anyone know if the period of 6 months concerns the drawing of the blood, or the actual test in the laboratory?
About that laboratory, the blood has to be tested in a laboratory that is "approved by Government", according to the website of MAF.
Are there approved laboratories in Belgium, or do we have to send the blood to NZ? I can 't find a list of those accredited laboratories.
We are very stuck here Confused

Can anyone answer our questions?
I'm also scared my dog will get crazy in that airplane. I guess he would have to travel in a small cage, and stay in it for 24 hours untill we arrive in NZ.
Uhoh

Does anyone have experience?

Thank you for the replies.
Regards, Lesly

Robert · Posted: Fri Jan 02, 2004 1:41 am Post subject:

Dear Lesly

We are planning to take our canine friends too. The cost is horrendous and people have asked us why don't we just 'dispose' of them but when you have had a pet as part of your family .... Hmmm

They are not flying out with us. We are renting a house to start with and we want everything to be in place before they arrive after their flight. They are being fostered and Gold Arrow shipping will sort everything out for us regarding their final blood tests, crates etc.

I don't know what your position will be coming from Belgium. It might be worthwhile using a Google search (transporting dogs abroad or something) to find a few websites. Will your dog need to be quarantined?

Good luck
Rob

lesly · Posted: Fri Jan 02, 2004 8:14 am Post subject:

Hi Rob,

Thank you for your answer,
I did a Google search, very interesting. I mostly found UK sites, but I hope they can give me some answers.
I know what you mean about having a pet as part of the family! Leaving our dog is certainly not an option.
He will need to be quarantined.
We only have one dog, so the cost will be bearable.

We wish you and your canine friends all the best!! Nice One

Lesly

richsadams · Posted: Wed Jan 07, 2004 5:31 am Post subject: Pets

Here's the website for Qualified Pet Services in NZ.

http://www.qualifiedpet.co.nz/

They handle all of the NZ pet quarantine matters. They've been very helpful in answering all of our questions by e-mail. Drop them a note if you still have some. Yes

Cheers!

lesly · Posted: Wed Jan 07, 2004 7:42 am Post subject:

Thanks Rich!

I hope they can handle my truckload of questions I have sent them !!

richsadams · Posted: Wed Jan 07, 2004 9:28 am Post subject: Pets

No problem Lesly! I just spoke to Eva at Qualified Pet Services this A.M. about another matter and as usual they were more than helpful. Clapping

Everyone that wants to take their pets with them should be aware of the Rabies blood test vaccination time requirement. Blood tests have to be performed at least 6 months prior to their being admitted into NZ!

However, if your cat or dog has a good record of Rabies vaccination, you can ask the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry (the folks in charge of these things) in Wellington to have a dispensation to shorten the six months into 4 months, but I suggest you to do the first Rabies blood test as soon as you can. After you've got the blood test result, you can e-mail MAF to ask for the dispensation. Yes

Once "in country" the pets have to remain in quarantine for at least 30 days. Sad

But QPS looks like a great, clean place and the handlers are wonderful. Plus you can visit your companions while they are there. I moved to Hawaii once and my pets had to be in quarantine for 90 days! That was not fun Uhoh

but they survived so 30 days will be a breeze! It'll give us time to get settled and prepare their new home! Mr. Green

Here's the website to get all of the MAF related requirements and documents as of May 2003:

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

Best of luck and happy immigrating!

Rich[/b]

richsadams · Posted: Wed Jan 07, 2004 9:46 am Post subject: Re: bringing in our dog

lesly · Posted: Wed Jan 07, 2004 9:42 pm Post subject:

Thanks Rich!

My dog (name: Cartouche) now has a microchip implanted, and blood was drawn. He has a perfect record of Rabies vaccination, because we went on holiday to France every year, so maybe we can shorten the six months. That would be great! Thanks for that tip Nice One

Today I'm going to the bottom of the MAF site, hope I don't drown in it! Nutcase

I guess the tranquilizer will be necessary, because Cartouche really deserves here name well!! (Cartouche=cover of a bullet) Mr. Green

Thanks again Rich, you've been much of a help!
Cheers Clink