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Bringing along a 4legged child


#1  2012-02-29 12:05:02

thorsiepa
New member
thorsiepa
From: Pukekohe, Auckland
Registered: 2012-02-29
Posts: 4

Bringing along a 4legged child

Not sure you can help, but giving it a try anyway :-)!  I was just wondering please if you know anyone who has imported their domestic animals to New Zealand from South Africa.

We have a 4legged Jack Russell boy named Max. I have been perusing the long list of vaccinations and tests he will need, including 30 days of boarding in a kennel on this side of the world and 10 days quarantine in NZ. I love this child as if he were my own but I’d like to know if there are any parents out there who have actually been through this emotional and very expensive process.

It doesn't really matter I suppose (the finances I mean). My question is – would you do it again? Is it worth it – not for me as the parent, but for Max? Would he be in a better place if I bring him with me, or would it be better for him to stay behind? I don’t believe there’s anyone who would look after him quite like we do – feed him roast chicken, he sleeps in between hubby and I, cuddles, he even goes on road trips with us etc. etc.  It’ll kill me of course to leave him behind, but I must ask what would be best for him? And so this is why I'd like to speak to fellow parents out there who have already taken their animals through this process.




 
 
 
 

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#2  2012-03-29 01:47:19

Caseyd
New member
Caseyd
From: Wellington
Registered: 2012-03-28
Posts: 2

Re: Bringing along a 4legged child

Hi there, we went through the process of transporting four of our dogs from South Africa to Wellington.

We have a Jack russel, a labrador and two yorkies. They are not young dogs but they are like children to my family and me so there was no option to leave them behind.

We did the six month process of rabies injections and defleaing them and making sure all the paper work was up to date and then the hardest part, leaving them in Keringa Kennels for a month.
We unfortunately had to leave for Wellington while they were staying in the Kennels in JHB but we had enough friends visiting them while we were gone.

Well the month actually went really quickly without problems and our dogs arrived safely.The quarantine station in Wellington picked them up from the airport and took them back, we visited them the very next day. The quarantine station e-mailed us to tell us that our kids had arrived safely and that they encourage visits. The dogs looked at little bit shaken up but they were their normal selves when we walked in.

Its been about a month now and all our kids are doing really well.

I have not regretted this whole process and would do the same thing again, although it is hugely expensive it is well worth it.
I would definitely recomend this process.




 
 
 

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#3  2012-04-02 08:41:19

thorsiepa
New member
thorsiepa
From: Pukekohe, Auckland
Registered: 2012-02-29
Posts: 4

Re: Bringing along a 4legged child

Thanks so much Caseyd!




 
 
 
 

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#4  2013-02-25 15:41:14

Sulet BP
New member
From: Cape Town
Registered: 2013-02-25
Posts: 3

Re: Bringing along a 4legged child

Caseyd,

How long did they have to stay in Quarantine in NZ? 

The only reason we have not packed up and been on a plane yet is our 4 legged child. 

She is a big breed 8 year old female with lots of medical arthritis problems.

Any advise would be helpful.

Thanks Sulet

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#5  2013-05-16 19:00:21

Melissa Govender
New member
From: Pretoria
Registered: 2013-05-16
Posts: 2

Re: Bringing along a 4legged child

Hi why do the animals have to be boarded in SA first?

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#6  2013-05-16 19:24:39

Sulet BP
New member
From: Cape Town
Registered: 2013-02-25
Posts: 3

Re: Bringing along a 4legged child

I got info from a Pet Transporter here in SA and according to them they don't need to be boarded in SA, but there is a very detailed procedure that needs to be followed involving your VET. 

This particular company who is quite reputable and does a lot of exports successfully, makes it an requirement for your pet to stay with them for 30 days before departure.   

They said that they made this a requirement to use their services because they had previous issues where animals needed to be returned because the owner did not do follow the proper procedure in SA before departure.

So to answer your question from what they said, there is no quarantine period in SA and 10 days in NZ, but a lot of red tape and procedural documentation to follow. 

In Cape Town in the last 3 months there has been 4 dogs lost from the container area (I am involved in animal welfare) and needed to be tracked and found (we are talking running around airport area and some outside in the surrounding areas).  BEcause of that alone I would suggest using a reputable company and not taking any risks.  If you are going to pay to take your pet over, then pay the extra to do right :-)

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#7  2013-05-17 10:16:00

Melissa Govender
New member
From: Pretoria
Registered: 2013-05-16
Posts: 2

Re: Bringing along a 4legged child

Hey Sulet BP
Thanks for coming back to me.
Could you possibly give me the name of the Pet Transporter you contacted.
Kind regards
Melissa

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#8  2013-05-17 10:42:50

Sulet BP
New member
From: Cape Town
Registered: 2013-02-25
Posts: 3

Re: Bringing along a 4legged child

Keringa  .. .they are on the internet, sorry I don't have the contact details.

Rgds
Sulet

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