Import Health Standard 
For  
Cats & Dogs 
 
 
 
 CATDOG.GEN 
  
 
  Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry P.O Box 2526 Wellington 6011 New Zealand 
Import Health Standard for Cats and Dogs  
CATDOG.GEN          16 December 2011               Page 1 of 16 
  
Issuing Authority 
 
This standard is issued under section 22 of the Biosecurity Act 1993 (the Act).  
   Dated at Wellington this 20
th day of December 2011 
   
Matthew Stone 
Deputy Chief Technical Officer 
Animal Import and Export Group Animal and Animal Products Directorate Standards Branch Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry  (Issued under delegated authority)   
 
 
Import Health Standard for Cats and Dogs  
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Import Health Standard for Cats and Dogs  
 
PART A: INTRODUCTION 
Background 
 
1. Under section 22 of the Biosecurity Act, this document is the Import Health 
Standard for Cats and Dogs.  
 
2. A guidance document will be issued by MAF to accompany this import health 
standard. This document will provide guidance information relevant to how requirements may be met. 
 
3. The cats and dogs must meet the general requirements contained in Part B of 
this standard and the specific requirements in Part C of this standard that are included in the veterinary certification for the country of export (see guidance 
document).  
 
Scope 
4. 
Eligibility is restricted to domestic cats ( Felis catus ) and domestic dogs ( Canis 
familiaris ).    
a. Hybrids (offspring of dogs or cats crossed with another species) are not 
eligible for importation, with the exception of Bengal cats.  Documentation 
of five generations of domestic ancestry must be provided for Bengal cats. 
 b. Dog breeds/types prohibited by New Zealand law, including dogs that 
wholly or predominantly belong to one or more of the prohibited breeds or type of dog, are not eligible for importa tion. Dogs previously registered in 
New Zealand may be imported if accompanied by evidence of New Zealand registration. See guidance document.  
5. Animals must meet the minimum age specified on the veterinary certification and 
not be more than 42 days pregnant on the date of shipment. 
6. Animals, except those from Australia, must reside in the country of export for at 
least the six months (or since birth) immediately preceding the date of shipment.   
7. Animals imported directly from New Zealand into the country or territory of export 
may be given exemption for the residency requirement if they meet the following requirements: 
a. The animal has resided continuously in the country or territory of export 
since being imported directly from New Zealand; 
 b. The animal was identified by a microchip prior to export from New Zealand; 
 
c. A copy of the New Zealand export certificate is supplied; and 
 
d. If resident in a country or territory with measures for rabies, the animal was 
vaccinated against rabies with an approved inactivated vaccine at least one month and not more than six months prior to leaving New Zealand when 
the animal was at least three months of age, and the animal was subjected 
to a serum rabies neutralising antibody titre test no greater than 18 months prior to leaving New Zealand, with a result of at least 0.5 IU/ml. 
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8. Dogs that have been diagnosed with Babesia gibsoni  or Brucella canis  are not 
eligible for import, regardless of treatment. 
 
Outcomes 
9. All imported cats and dogs must be subject to risk management measures for 
specified risk organisms appropriate to the status of the risk organism, its 
likelihood of entry and/or establishment in New Zealand and consequent impacts.  
10. The risk organisms associated with cats and dogs that are subject to specific risk 
management requirements are:
  
Cats and dogs 
a. External parasites  
 
b. Internal parasites  
 c. Rabies 
 
Dogs only d. Babesia canis  
 
e. Babesia gibsoni 
 f. Brucella canis 
 
g. Canine transmissible venereal tumour  
 h. Filariosis (canine heartworm, Dirofilaria immitis )  
 i. Leptospirosis ( Leptospira interrogans  serovar canicola) 
11. For each risk organism, risk management requirements are specified in Part C 
using the general format: 
a. Country, zone or compartment freedom; OR 
b. Specified measures to verify individual animal freedom. 
12. A veterinary (zoosanitary) certificate will specify the risk management measures 
required for approved countries and territories, taking into account: 
a. the verifiable health status of the exporting country/zone/compartment; 
AND 
b. the national systems and standards in the exporting country for regulatory 
oversight of domestic cats and dogs; AND 
c. the capabilities and preferences of the exporting country’s Veterinary 
Authority.  
13. Veterinary certificate templates will be included in the guidance document. 
 
PART B. GENERAL REQUIREMENTS  
Approved countries 
14. Countries must be approved by MAF to export cats and dogs to New Zealand. A 
list of eligible countries is included in the guidance document for this standard.  
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Documentation 
15. 
An approved microchip (see guidance document) must be implanted in the 
animal. This microchip must be scanned and the number recorded each time a 
rabies vaccination, test, treatment, ex amination or inspection is done. The 
microchip number must be recorded on all vaccination and treatment records, laboratory results, and certification.  
16. The cat or dog must be accompanied by the following documentation and the 
conditions of that documentation must be met:  
a. permit to import (electronic copy acceptable) issued by MAF, all countries 
except Australia; 
b. original veterinary certificates (or or iginal Veterinary Certificate B with a 
certified copy of Veterinary Certificate A) - model certificates in guidance document; 
c. required test results (original or certified copies); and 
d. importer dog breed declaration - see guidance document. 
17. The documentation must be: 
a. original, unless otherwise specified; 
b. sent with the consignment, and if possible a copy of all documents should 
be attached securely to the shipping container;  
c. in English or have an English translation; 
d. clear and legible; and 
e. identified with the animal’s microchip number. 
18. All required laboratory testing must be conducted at a laboratory approved to 
conduct export testing by the veterinary authority of the exporting country. 
 
Inspection  
19. 
The inspection requirements are: 
a. pre-shipment veterinary inspection and compliance verification; and  
b. post-arrival veterinary inspection and document verification. 
 
Transport  20. 
Cats and dogs arriving by air must be transported as cargo unless they qualify as 
an assistance dog (see Appendix 1, Assistance Dogs). 
21. The container must meet the International Air Transport Association (IATA) 
standards and be clean, dry, and free of pests.   
22. The animals must not be carried on an aircraft or vessel with any animals other 
than those qualified for entry into Australia or New Zealand. 
23. Straw or hay bedding is not permitted. Only inert bedding is permitted, and any 
material such as bedding, toys or clothing will be destroyed on arrival for 
ectoparasite control. 
24. The animal must only transit in approved countries (see guidance document). 
25. The container door of all animal crates, except those containing animals from 
Australia, must be sealed securely with a government-approved seal. 
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26. Cats and dogs arriving by sea must comply with the requirements in Appendix 2, 
Cats and dogs arriving on yachts. 
27. Advance notification of arrival by air or sea must be sent to the port of arrival at 
least 72 hours prior to the scheduled time of arrival (see guidance document). 
 
Post-arrival quarantine  
28. Cats and dogs from all countries other than Australia will be directed to an 
approved cat and dog transitional facility for a minimum period of 10 days or until 
all biosecurity requirements have been fulfilled.   
29. The animal will be transported directly to the approved transitional facility named 
on the permit by the approved operator or agent of that facility using a transport method approved by the supervisor of the facility.   
30.  All non-compliant animals from Australia, and those arriving outside the hours 
scheduled for veterinary inspection, will be sent to an approved transitional 
facility and remain there until all non-compliances are resolved and/or until 
biosecurity clearance is given. 
 
 
Biosecurity clearance 
31. A person authorised under the Biosecurity Act 1993 shall issue biosecurity 
clearance once the animal has met all of the conditions for import. 
 
 
    
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PART C. SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS  
 
See Guidance Document for Model Vete rinary Certification for specific 
requirements for country of export. 
 
Rabies (cats and dogs) 
 
32. The animal has been resident in a rabies-free country (as defined in the OIE 
Code ) since birth or for the six months immediately prior to the date of shipment; 
 
AND 
 
The animal shows no clinical signs of rabies on the day of shipment. 
 
OR 
33. The animal has been vaccinated against rabies with a government approved 
inactivated virus vaccine or recombinant vaccine expressing the rabies virus 
glycoprotein; 
 
a. in the case of a primary vaccination, the vaccine was given not less than 
six months and not more than one year prior to the date of shipment, when 
the animal was at least three months old. A copy of the vaccine certificate 
is required;  
 OR  b. if a booster vaccination, the vaccine was given not more than one year 
prior to the date of shipment. A copy of the most recent and previous vaccination certificate is required. (NOTE: rabies vaccination must be kept up-to-date from the date of sample collection for the rabies titre test to the date of shipment); 
 
AND  The animal has been subjected to a rabies antibody test (as prescribed in the OIE Terrestrial Manual) on a sample collected not less than three months and not more than 24 months prior to the date of shipment, with a result of at least 
0.5 IU/ml; 
 
AND 
 
The animal shows no clinical signs of rabies on the day of shipment. 
  
External parasites (cats and dogs)  
34. The cat or dog was treated by a veterinarian TWICE with a topical product 
registered for the control of ticks and fleas at the manufacturer’s recommended 
dose and certified as free from external parasites at each treatment. The first 
treatment was given in the 30 days prior to the date of shipment and at least two weeks before the second treatment, and the second treatment was given in the two days prior to the date of shipment;  
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AND 
35. The cat or dog was inspected and found to be free of external parasites post 
arrival. 
 
 Internal parasites (cats and dogs) 
 
36. The animal has been treated TWICE with a product (or combination or products) 
registered for the control of nematodes and cestodes at the manufacturer’s 
recommended dose. The first treatment was given in the 30 days prior to the date of shipment and at least two weeks before the second treatment, and the second treatment was given in the four days prior to the date of shipment. 
 
 
Babesia canis (dogs that have ever resided in or travelled to SOUTH AFRICA)  
 
37. The dog has been inspected and found to be healthy and free of ticks prior to 
each of the two treatments required for external parasites; 
 
AND EITHER  
38. The dog has been given an approved treatment for Babesia canis  in the 16 days 
prior to the date of shipment (see guidance document); 
 
OR  
 
39. The dog has been subjected to an IFA or ELISA test for Babesia canis  in the 16 
days prior to the date of shipment with a negative result; 
 
OR 
  
40. The dog has been subjected to PCR tests for Babesia  spp. or Babesia canis  with 
negative results on samples collected 30-37days apart, with the second sample 
collected in the 16 days prior to the date of shipment. 
 
 
Babesia gibsoni  (dogs)  
 
41. The dog has been inspected and found to be free of ticks and healthy prior to 
each of the two treatments required for external parasites; 
 
AND EITHER  
42. The dog has been subjected to an IFA or ELISA test for Babesia gibsoni  with a 
negative result in the 16 days prior to the date of shipment; 
 
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OR 
 
43. The dog has been subjected to two PCR tests for Babesia spp. or Babesia 
gibsoni  with negative results on samples collected 30-37days apart, with the 
second sample collected in the 16 days prior to the date of shipment. 
 
NOTE: Dogs diagnosed with Babesia gibsoni  are not eligible for import, regardless of 
treatment. 
 
Brucella canis (dogs)  
 
44. The dog has been subjected to a rapid slide agglutination test (RSAT) with a 
negative result in the 16 days prior to the date of shipment; 
 
OR 
 
45. The dog has been subjected to a tube agglutination test (TAT) with a negative 
result in the 16 days prior to the date of shipment; 
 
OR 
 
46. The dog has been subjected to a cytoplasmic agar gel immunodiffusion test 
(CPAg-AGID) with a negative result in the 16 days prior to the date of shipment; 
 
OR 
 
47. The dog had a positive or inconclusive RSAT or TAT result and has been 
subjected to a cytoplasmic agar gel immunodiffusion test (CPAg-AGID) for 
Brucella canis  with a negative result in the 16 days prior to the date of shipment; 
 
OR 
 
48. The dog had a suspicious TAT result and the test was repeated at least 30 to 42 
days after the first test with a negative result in the 16 days prior to the date of 
shipment; 
 AND 
 
49. For entire dogs only, an owner declaration that the dog has not been mated in 
the 44 days prior to the date of shipment unless to a dog of equal Brucella canis  
health status. Any artificial insemination must be done with semen that meets the 
relevant New Zealand import health standard for semen. 
 
NOTE: Dogs diagnosed with Brucella canis  are not eligible for import, regardless of 
treatment.  
 
Canine transmissible venereal tumour (dogs) 
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50. Entire male or female dogs have been subjected to examination of the external 
genitalia in the two days prior to the date of shipment and have no lesions 
suggestive of canine transmissible venereal tumour.  
 
 
Heartworm ( Dirofilaria immitis) (dogs) 
 
51. If six months of age or older on the date of shipment, the dog has been subjected 
to a heartworm antigen ELISA test with a negative result in the 30 days prior to 
the date of shipment; 
 AND  
52. ALL DOGS (regardless of age) have either  been treated with a product 
registered for heartworm prevention (see guidance document) at the 
manufacturer’s recommended dose in the four days prior to the date of shipment  
or are up-to-date with a sustained-release injection registered for heartworm 
prevention. 
 
 
Leptospirosis ( Leptospira interrogans  serovar canicola) (dogs)  
53. The dog has been treated with an approved course of treatment (see guidance 
document) in the 30 days prior to the date of shipment;
 
OR  
 
54. The dog has been subjected to a microscopic agglutination test (MAT) for L. 
canicola with a negative result in the 30 days prior to the date of shipment; 
 
OR  
55. The dog had a positive MAT of 1:400 or less for L. canicola in the 30 days prior 
to the date of shipment and has been subjected to a second MAT for L. canicola  
at least 14 days after the first test and showed no increase above the titre of the 
first test. 
  
PART D. EQUIVALENCE  
 
56. The requirements for cats and dogs are met if, in the opinion of the Director-
General, the measures taken for managing the risks associated with the 
importation of those goods, are equally effective at managing those risks as the requirements specified in Part C above. If an equivalence measure (s) is approved MAF will issue a Permit to Import (under Section 22 of the Biosecurity 
Act). This must be done prior to shipment. See guidance document for how to 
apply for equivalence. 
 
 
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PART E. APPE
NDICES 
 
Appendix 1: Assistance dogs   
Appendix 2: Cats and dogs arriving on yachts 
 Appendix 3: Emergency Measures  
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APPENDIX 1  
 
Assistance Dogs 
 
This appendix must be used in conjunction with the Import Health Standard for Cats 
and Dogs. Assistance dogs must comply with all of the requirements listed in the veterinary certificate for the country they are exported from.   
Dogs that meet the definition of an assistance dog may travel in the cabin with their 
assisted handler, if acceptable to the airline.   Additionally, if quarantine is required for dogs from the country of export, a home 
quarantine agreement  will be arranged to allow the dog to complete the quarantine 
at home under the supervision of an official veterinarian, provided the dog is compliant with all of the tests and treatments required for the country of export.  See guidance document for Assistance Dog Home Quarantine form. 
 
Eligibility 
 
Assistance dogs are defined as highly trained dogs for the purpose of assisting 
persons with a disability in the course of their daily lives. These dogs are trained and certified by a recognised and accredited national and/or international organisation. Only active (in use) assistance dogs t hat are accompanying their assisted handler 
are eligible under this import health standard.  
 
For Guide Dogs: the importer must provide official documentation from a member school of the International Federation of Guide Dog Schools that states that the guide dog has been in the service of its handler at and/or under the supervision of the school for at least the six months prior to the date of importation.  
 
For other assistance dogs: the importer must provide official documentation from a recognised and accredited assistance organisation that states that the assistance dog has been in the service of its assisted handler at and/or under the supervision of the organisation for at least the six months prior to the date of importation.
   
 Permit to Import  
All assistance dogs, except those from Aust ralia, must have a permit to import issued 
prior to arrival. See guidance document. 
 Advance Notice of Arrival  
Notification of arrival must be sent to the port of arrival and to the official veterinarian 
at least 72 hours prior to arrival to ensure that an official veterinarian is available to complete the post-arrival inspection and issue a home quarantine agreement or biosecurity clearance. See guidance document for contact details. 
 
Biosecurity Clearance 
 
Assistance dogs must pass post-arrival inspection and document verification before 
receiving biosecurity clearance or becoming eligible for a home quarantine
 
agreement. If ticks or fleas are found, the dog will be sent to an approved transitional 
facility. 
 
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If applicable, the assisted handler must sign the declaration for home quarantine. 
The period covered will be equal to the period of post-arrival quarantine specified in the veterinary certification of the country of export. 
 
  
 
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APPENDIX 2 
 
Cats and Dogs Arriving on Yachts   
This appendix must be used in conjunction with the Import Health Standard for Cats 
and Dogs. Cats and dogs arriving on yachts must fulfil specific biosecurity 
requirements, or remain offshore. Yachts arriving with cats and dogs must comply 
with one of the following options:  
1. For importers planning to bring their pet onshore, the cat or dog must meet all of 
the eligibility requirements in the import health standard and comply with all of the 
requirements listed in the veterinary certificate for either specified countries 
where rabies is absent or well-controlled, or Australia. See guidance document for veterinary certificates.   
 NOTE: Cats and dogs that have travelled to or from approved countries other than 
Australia in the six months preceding arrival in New Zealand must comply 
with the rabies requirements, including microchip implantation, rabies 
vaccination (given at least six months before coming onshore), and rabies titre test (sample collected at least three months before coming onshore) before entering a quarantine facility. The remaining tests and treatments may be completed in the quarantine facility, and the animal may be given 
clearance once all tests and treatments are completed, with a minimum 
quarantine period of 10 days. Once biosecurity clearance is given the animal may travel freely throughout New Zealand on land or sea. 
 OR  
2.  For cats or dogs that do not meet the eligibility requirements, or have not 
completed the microchip and rabies vaccination and test requirements, the 
animal must remain secured onboard the yacht at anchor or pole mooring at an approved port. Movement to one other approved port may be approved if necessary, and the vessel must leave New Zealand within six months. Inspection 
and treatment for parasites will be required, along with scheduled compliance 
inspections. Failure to comply with the requirements will result in the animal being reshipped or destroyed. 
 Eligibility 
 For cats or dogs to be eligible for biosecurity clearance, the yacht must have only 
travelled to approved countries or territories listed in the guidance document in the the six months immediately prior to arrival in New Zealand, and meet all of the other eligibility requirements listed in the import health standard.  Permit to import  
To obtain biosecurity clearance, all cats and dogs on yachts, except those from 
Australia, must have a permit to import issued prior to arrival. See guidance document. 
 
Advance notice of arrival  
Notification must be sent to the port of arrival at least 72 hours prior to arrival for all 
vessels. See guidance document for contact details. 
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On arrival 
 
All yachts arriving with animals on board must not berth in New Zealand, but must go directly to one of the ports approved as a place of first arrival. See guidance document. 
 Animals must be secured below deck on arrival at the port. The importer must immediately notify MAF of the presence of an animal on board and whether or not 
arrangements have been made for the animal to go to an approved quarantine 
(transitional) facility
. 
 
Biosecurity clearance 
   
Cats and dogs arriving on yachts must remain secured on board at anchor or pole mooring at an approved port until they: 
 1.  Are transferred under biosecurity control to  a quarantine facility, where, after they 
have met all requirements in the veterinary certificate for cats and dogs from specified countries, they can be given biosecurity clearance;
 
 
OR 
2. Meet all of the requirements for cats and dogs from Australia and are given 
biosecurity clearance; 
 
OR 
3.  Leave New Zealand within six months of arrival. 
 
 
NOTE: Cats and dogs arriving on commercial vessels and cruise ships are 
subject to biosecurity requirements, and arrangements must be made with a MAF Inspector to ensure animals are secured on board while the vessel is docked.  
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 APPENDIX 3 
 
Importing Working Dogs fo r a National Emergency  
 
Scope  
In the case of a national emergency declared by the Government of New Zealand, for example a natural disaster, working dogs from other countries may be required to 
provide search and rescue or other services. In such cases there may not be time or resources to issue permits to import and complete all pre-export requirements. 
 
 
Eligibility  
Dogs must come from an approved country included in the Import Health Standard for Cats and Dogs.  Dogs should be from countries free of rabies, or have completed the pre-export 
rabies requirements for specified countries where rabies is absent or well-controlled. 
If the need exceeds the number of dogs that meet these specifications, dogs must as a minimum have a current rabies vaccination and remain under the direct control of their handler for the entire duration of their stay in New Zealand.  
Prior to export, or on arrival, the dogs should be treated with products registered for 
internal parasites, external parasites, and heartworm prevention.  While in New Zealand the dogs should be prevented from direct contact with all other animals, including New Zealand search and rescue dogs if possible. Waste material 
from the dogs should be collected and disposed of when possible, and the dogs 
should not be allowed to eliminate in or near any bodies of water.   
Advance notification and permit to import 
 
If possible, advance notification of the dog’s arrival should be given to the port of 
arrival and a permit to import should be issued.   
Biosecurity clearance 
 
Working dogs allowed into New Zealand for emergency measures will not be given biosecurity clearance. They will be exported as soon as possible once their work is completed.  
 
 
Return of New Zealand working dogs used for International Emergency 
 
New Zealand working dogs used during an international emergency and held under 
restricted conditions whilst overseas ma y be returned from any country. These dogs 
will be subject to specified conditions prior to re-entry into New Zealand as noted in the Permit to Import.