Info re Shipping Pets from USA

mgoulet · Posted: Fri Aug 20, 2004 6:29 am Post subject: Info re Shipping Pets from USA

I am posting this in case anyone else needs the info that I provided another member in response to a pm sent to me about tips/tricks/info re shipping pets from USA:

Hi,

The key thing is to start the process as soon as possible. It is at least a six month process here in the US (six months and three weeks if your kitty is due for her rabies vaccination and has not had it yet). The reason for the lengthy time frame is that NZMAF requires a test known as a rabies titre to be completed and passed no less than six months prior to import. Be prepared for a lot of paperwork and trips to the vet throughout the six month period, as there are many tests and vaccinations to be done along the way.

I do recommend using a pet shipper. They can get you a discount on the kitty airfare to NZ, and their charge for arranging everything is minimal compared to the rest of the cost and how much assistance and reassurance they can provide you through the whole process. I am using International Pet Transport ("IPT"), and am very happy with them so far.

International Pet Transportation, Inc.
Manhattan Beach, CA USA
Tel: (310) 376-2899 / (888) 200-7667
Fax: (310) 372-3485
Email: iptlax@aol.com

They are a member of IPATA (the association for pet shippers). You can check out IPATA's web site at http://www.ipata.com/ to find shippers in your area. However, since your kitty likely will be traveling through Los Angeles anyway on her way to NZ, I would recommend that you get a quote from IPT and use them. Otherwise, you will probably be paying someone in your area a premium, because they will probably sub-contract to IPT or another shipper in Los Angeles.

What this means for you (hopefully you have not already booked all your flights) is that you should book your kitty to fly with you (in cabin) on your flight from your home state to Los Angeles. You do not need the pet shippers for this-- so do not let them try and arrange for you-- it will just cost you more money. There is no special hoops to jump through, most airlines do this all the time for $50-150. I used to fly my kitty back and forth from LA to DC all the time, and she would be in a cabin carrier right under the seat in front of me.

When you get to LA, that is when IPT will take over. If you are traveling on to NZ right away, IPT will need to meet you at the airport to pick up your kitty. If you have a layover, you can hang out with your kitty for a good part of the day prior to the kitty being shipped in the evening. If you go with IPT, your kitty will travel via Air NZ. If you work it out right, you can possibly travel on the same flight, although kitty will be in cargo (special cargo, with pressure & temp controlled). IPT puts pets on Air NZ flight 1 or 2 (if to Auckland). Your kitty will be met in NZ by a rep from the quarantine facility you are using.

If you are going to be in the North Island, that will be

Qualified Pet Services
150 Airfield Road
Takanini
Auckland
New Zealand

Proprietor: Mr Raymond Cheung

Ph +64 9 299 9539
Fax +64 9 299 9539
E-mail services@qualifiedpet.co.nz
Website http://www.qualifiedpet.co.nz

Or
Pussy Cat Lodge
29 Crowther Street
Avondale
Auckland
New Zealand

Proprietor: Mr Gary Burch

Ph +64 9 828 3410
Fax +64 9 828 0455

Or in the South Island, it will be:

Canterbury Quarantine Services Ltd
Highfield Road
Aylesbury
PO Box 23158
Christchurch

I am using QPS. I visited the facility and thought it looked good, and I have heard good things about them from the shippers. Plus, I am taking dogs too so Pussy Cat Lodge was not even an option I looked into.

Then kitty will be in quarantine for 30 days and after that should be released to you assuming no problems.

Cost for the shipping from LA (inlcuding the vet exam, etc. that has to be done in LA on day of export) was $2941.13 USD for my four pets. You can probably assume something a little less than a quarter of that for your kitty.

You should estimate about $600 USD per pet for pre-shipping vet services in the US. The rabies titre test is expensive and has to be done twice (once six months before and once within 30 days of shipping). We negotiated a 20% discount with our vet on all services related to the pets export.

Then quarantine will cost you about $1100-1150 NZD for your kitty, more if the vet has to treat the animal for any problems.

Unfortunately, there are no "tricks" to save time. You may see some people talking about going through Hawaii, but this does not work and is not a time saver unless you are living in Hawaii or plan to live there for many months prior to your move to NZ. ANd I believe that the only time this saves you is the 30-day quarantine on the NZ end.

One other thing to note-- you may need two cat crates/carriers if you want kitty to travel with you in cabin from your home state to LA, since the carriers that fit under the seat and are approved for in cabin are smaller than the ones you must have for the trip from LA to NZ.

Good luck and I hope this helps. I am going to post this on the message board in case someone else needs the info.

Raeven · Posted: Fri Aug 20, 2004 9:21 am Post subject:

Hi, mgoulet,

Good stuff!! There is lots of information out there re transporting animals from the UK, but since the costs are different, it's not a whole lot of use to those of us sending pets from the USA. Also, they are not required to quarantine from the UK, so big difference in cost there.

Thanks for taking the time to help out folks coming from the US! It's appreciated!

All the best, Rae

SoCal Gal · Posted: Fri Aug 20, 2004 10:07 am Post subject: Shipping Pets

This is such great info, and thank you for putting it all in one place. Yes, the titre test is expensive, and that was so good of your vet to give you a price break. I am the person that was touting the ship through Hawaii method, and you are absolutely right, it does not shorten the time significantly, although a pet can be ready to go to Hawaii from California in 4 months instead of 6. The reason we were thinking about doing it was to keep our old dogs out of quarantine on the NZ side, but the rest of the info, if one can afford to live in Hawaii for 6 months, is correct.
Good luck and I am going to give that outfit in Manhattan beach a call.
Thanks again! cool

mgoulet · Posted: Fri Aug 20, 2004 10:42 am Post subject:

Hi, I just wanted to respond to Rae and SoCal Gal:

To both of you, it was my pleasure to put the info together. I know how mind-boggling the whole process can be, especially when you are trying to organize your own move and immigration at the same time as trying to suss out the pet situation!

And Rae, I had the same thought-- that there is so much UK info out there and we needed some for the US.

SoCal Gal, I totally understand where you are coming from with respect to your older pets. Besides our two younger dogs (who, along with our cats, will be going with us), we have one older dog who will not be making the trip Sad

, mostly because his other mommy will not give him up (my boyfriend and I share custody with her if you can believe that one!) but also because we recognize that the transition would be tough on him, especially the quarantine. Hopefully your babies are in a little better shape and will be better able to cope with the strain.

That said, who wouldn't want to live in Hawaii for a few months if possible! Yes

I would be all for it if I could afford it!! Thanks for clarifying how someone could do Hawaii if they needed to.

For those of you calling IPT, you may want to ask for Diana or Donna, and let them know I referred you to them. People always seem to treat you better if they know that you know someone that they know! That was confusing, but you know what I mean hopefully! Hmmm

Another thought -- when are you all making the move? My pets will be in quarantine for 30 days from Jan 6, 2005. I will be working at the vet's office on site there for a couple weeks. It would be great to meet anyone in town / using quarantine at the same time.

Melissa

SoCal Gal · Posted: Fri Aug 20, 2004 10:56 am Post subject: Shipping pets from the US

Hi Melissa! We'll probably meet up with you at the quarantine place! We are going to try our best to be out of here by then, with the pets, so yours may be leaving right when we get there, but how awesome that you got a job at the vets office! We were wondering if they needed any volunteers, as we will no doubt be there every day. My husband is talking of just going in a camper van down the street for the month! So, yes, we are as pet crazy as all the good folks on the forum agonizing over their babies. My littlest girl has been sick from her shots I think, so I am just praying for her, and for guidance on what to do. We want a great new beginning in NZ, but not at our pets expense :-(