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by Dika Golovatchoff, Ph.D.
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With the recent changes in airline regulations travel with pets, both domestic and international, has become much more difficult. Because of some tragic deaths of animals being transported via airlines during the heat of summer, most airlines have discontinued allowing animals in the cargo area unless prepared and handled by professional animal transportation agencies. A small dog or cat is still permitted as a carry-on by most airlines if it is in an approved carrying case that fits underneath the passenger seat. Recently I was considering relocating with my dog and two cats to New Zealand. To do so is quite a complicated and costly endeavor, and one should not consider such an undertaking unless on a permanent basis. New Zealand, like some other insular countries with no incidence of rabies, has very strict quarantine requirements for animals entering from other countries. New Zealand currently requires a one month quarantine upon arrival in New Zealand, but only after a six-month observation period in the country of origin, during which time several rabies blood samples must be drawn and sent to the MAF (Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry). There are currently three government approved quarantine facilities in New Zealand, two in Auckland and one in Christ Church. I contacted the Qualifed Pet Services LTD and received an excellent and thorough packet of information, including testimonials from many satisfied clients. I also contacted an organization which prepares pets for international airline travel according to the requirements of the airlines as well as the country of destination. International Pet Transportation, Inc. is located near the Los Angeles International Airport and can be contacted via e-mail at International Pet Transportation. The cost for transporting my Golden Retriever and two cats would be about $3500 US, and the quarantine in New Zealand about $1500 US. While this seems like a lot, consider that until a few years ago the quarantine period in New Zealand was six months on an island off the coast of Wellington. The current quarantine allows for very liberal visitation by human parents (daily for 4 hours).
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