To be eligible for import into New Zealand, pets must show no clinical signs of rabies at the time of departure. Both dogs and cats are required to meet the following rabies vaccination guidelines:

• Your pet must be vaccinated against rabies no less than 6 months and no more than 12 months before entering New Zealand.

• A rabies booster vaccination must also be administered within 12 months prior to the date of shipment.

Following these vaccination timelines is essential to meet New Zealand’s strict standards and avoid delays in your pet’s relocation process.

New Zealand quarantine facilities require that general vaccinations be administered in accordance with the manufacturer's guidelines. To be considered valid:

• Vaccines must be more than 30 days old at the time of travel.

• They must be valid within 12 months of your pet's entry into New Zealand.

For Dogs

• DHPP+L – Protects against Distemper, Hepatitis, Parvovirus, Parainfluenza, and Leptospirosis

• Bordetella (Kennel Cough) – Must be given within 6 months prior to travel

For Cats

• FVRCP – Protects against Feline Viral Rhinotracheitis, Calicivirus, and Panleukopenia

Note: These vaccines must be part of a full vaccination course, including a primary dose and a booster administered 2–4 weeks apart. Valid vaccination records must be submitted to both the USDA and the New Zealand quarantine station.

These general vaccine requirements apply to certain countries only. If you’re working with WorldCare Pet Transport, your assigned Pet Relocation Counselor will advise you on whether these vaccinations are necessary based on your origin country.

All pets traveling to New Zealand from rabies-controlled countries must undergo a Rabies Antibody Titer Test to confirm adequate immunity.

• The rabies antibody test must be completed at least 3 months before travel. Additionally, your pet must wait at least 3 weeks after the rabies vaccination before the test can be performed, and the test results are valid for up to one year.

• A 90-day waiting period is required from the date the blood sample reaches the laboratory, not the date the blood was drawn.

• There are no exceptions to this mandatory waiting period.

Important: Results from the rabies titer test can take 4 to 6 weeks to be returned from the lab, so it’s crucial to plan ahead to avoid delays in your pet’s relocation.

To meet New Zealand’s strict standards, your dog and cat must receive specific vaccines and parasite treatments within designated timeframes before travel.

Potential Vaccinations for Dogs:

• canine distemper
• infectious canine hepatitis
• canine parvovirus
• canine parainfluenza
• kennel cough (Bordetella bronchiseptica)
• canine influenza (required from some countries)

Potential Vaccinations for Cats:

• feline calicivirus
• feline panleukopenia (enteritis)
• feline rhinotracheiti

Parasite Treatments for Both Dogs and Cats:

• Internal Parasite Treatment:
  A government-accredited veterinarian must administer Drontal. This treatment is widely accepted and commonly used for pets entering New Zealand.

• External Parasite Treatment:
  These treatments must be administered by a government-accredited veterinarian on two separate occasions prior to export. 

  • For cats, only Frontline Plus is accepted.

  • For dogs, either Frontline or K9 Advantix II (2) may be used.

For a detailed treatment schedule tailored to your pet’s move, WorldCare Pet Transport can assist you every step of the way.