Import Health Standard for Cats and Dogs   
 
 
 
Import Health Standard 
For  
  Cats & Dogs 
 
 Short Name: CATDOG.GEN  
 
 
 
MAF Biosecurity New Zealand 
Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry 
P.O Box 2526 
Wellington 6011 
New Zealand 
CATDOG.GEN 18 January 2011 Page 1 of 15 
  
Import Health Standard for Cats and Dogs  
CATDOG.GEN 18 January 2011 Page 2 of 15 
 Issuing  Authority  
 
This standard is issued under section 22 of the Biosecurity Act 1993 (the Act).  
 
 
 
Dated at Wellington this               day of                                           2011 
 
 
 
Name 
Deputy Chief Technical Officer 
Animal Import and Export Group 
Border Standards Directorate 
MAF Biosecurity New Zealand 
(Issued under delegated authority) 
 
 
Version number: 0.1 
 
  
Import Health Standard for Cats and Dogs  
CATDOG.GEN 18 January 2011 Page 3 of 15 
 Import Health Standard for Cats and Dogs  
 
PART A: INTRODUCTION 
Background 
1. A guidance document will be issued by MAF to accompany this import health 
standard. The document will provide guidance information relevant to how 
requirements may be met including definitions of common import health standard terms used in this standard. 
Scope 
2. Under section 22 of the Act, this import health standard specifies the 
requirements to be met for the effective management of risks associated with the importation of domestic cats and domestic dogs into New Zealand. 
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).  
 
Outcomes 
4. All imported cats and dogs must be subject to risk management measures for 
specified risk organisms appropriate to the status of the risk organism, their 
likelihood of entry and/or establishment in New Zealand and consequent 
impacts.  
5. 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)  
6. For each risk organism, risk management requirements are specified in Part C 
using the general format:  
Import Health Standard for Cats and Dogs  
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 a. Country, zone or compartment freedom; OR 
b. Specified measures to verify individual animal freedom. 
7. 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.  
8. Veterinary certificate templates will be included in the guidance document. 
 
PART B. IMPORT HEALTH STANDARD REQUIREMENTS  
Approved countries 
9. 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.  
  
Eligibility 
10. 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 prohibited by New Zealand law, including crosses of 
these breeds, are not eligible for importation.  See guidance document.  
11. Animals must meet the minimum age specified on the veterinary certification and 
not be more than 42 days pregnant on the scheduled date of shipment. 
12. Animals must reside in the country of export for at least the six months (or since 
birth) immediately preceding the scheduled date of shipment.   
13. 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 
  
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 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 six months prior to leaving New Zealand, with a result 
of at least 0.5 IU/ml. 
14. Dogs that have been diagnosed with Babesia gibsoni  or Brucella canis  are not 
eligible for import, regardless of treatment. 
 
Identification 
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 test, treatment, examination or inspection is done.  The microchip number must be recorded on all vaccination records, laboratory results, and certification.  
Documentation requirements 
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, if 
required-see guidance document; 
b. original veterinary certificate (includes breed declaration)-see 
guidance document; 
c. required test results (original or certified copies); and 
d. all required laboratory testing must be conducted at a laboratory 
approved by the V eterinary Authority of the exporting country to 
conduct export testing. 
17. The documentation must be: 
a. original, unless otherwise specified; 
b. 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. 
 
Inspection requirements  
18. The inspection requirements are: 
a. pre-shipment veterinary inspection and compliance verification; and  
b. post-arrival veterinary inspection and document verification . 
  
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 Transport requirements  
19. Cats and dogs arriving by air must be transported as cargo unless they qualify as 
an assistance dog (see Appendix 1, Assistance Dogs). 
20. The container must meet the International Air Transport Association (IATA) 
standards and be clean, dry, and free of pests.   
 
21. 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. 
 
22. 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. 
 
23. The animal must only be transhipped in approved countries (see guidance 
document). 
 
24. The container door must be sealed securely with a government-approved seal. 
 
25. Cats and dogs arriving by sea must comply with the requirements in Appendix 2, 
Cats and dogs arriving on yachts. 
 
26. 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  
27. 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.   
 
28. All non-compliant animals from Australia, and those arriving outside of 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. 
 
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. 
 
 
Biosecurity clearance 
30. 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 FOR CATS AND DOGS 
 
See Guidance Document for Model Vete rinary Certification for specific 
requirements for country of export. 
 
Rabies (cats and dogs) 
 
31. 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 shipment; 
 
AND 
32. 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 shipment, when the animal was at 
least three months old; 
 OR 
 b.  if a booster vaccination, the vaccine was given not more than one year prior 
to  shipment; 
 
AND 
34. 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 shipment, with a result of at least 0.5 IU/ml; 
 
AND 
35. the animal shows no clinical signs of rabies on the day of shipment. 
 
 
External parasites (cats and dogs) 
 
36. 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 within 30 days of the scheduled date of shipment and at least two weeks before the second treatment, and the second treatment was given within four days of the scheduled date of shipment;  
 
AND 
37. The cat or dog was inspected and certified as free of external parasites within 24 
hours prior to shipment; 
 
AND 
38. The cat or dog was inspected and found to be free of external parasites post 
arrival. 
 
 
 
  
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 Internal parasites (cats and dogs) 
 
39. 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 within 30 days of the 
scheduled date of shipment and at least two weeks before the second treatment, 
and the second treatment was given within four days of the scheduled date of shipment. 
 
 
Babesia canis (dogs)  
 
40. 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 
41.  the dog has been given an approved treatment for Babesia canis  between 21 
and 28 days prior to shipment (see guidance document); 
 
OR  
42. the dog has been subjected to an IFA or ELISA test for Babesia canis  within 14 
days of the scheduled date of shipment with a negative result; 
 
OR  
43. If the IFA or ELISA test result was inconclusive, or these tests were not available, 
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 within 14 days of the scheduled date of shipment. 
 
 
Babesia gibsoni  (dogs) 
 
44. 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 
45. the dog has been subjected to an IFA or ELISA test for Babesia gibsoni  with a 
negative result within 14 days of the scheduled date of shipment; 
 
OR 
46. if the IFA or ELISA test result was inconclusive, or if these tests were not 
available, 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 within 14 days of the scheduled date of shipment. 
 
NOTE: Dogs diagnosed with Babesia gibsoni  are not eligible for import, regardless of 
treatment. 
 
 
 
 
 
  
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 Brucella canis (dogs) 
 
47. The dog has been subjected to a rapid slide agglutination test (RSAT) for 
Brucella canis  with a negative result within 14 days of the scheduled date of 
shipment; 
 
OR 
48. The dog had a positive or inconclusive RSAT result and has been subjected to a 
tube agglutination test (TAT) for Brucella canis  with a negative result within 14 
days of the scheduled date of shipment; 
 
OR 
49. 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 within 14 days of the scheduled date of 
shipment; 
 
OR 
50. The dog had a suspicious TAT result and the test was repeated in 30 to 42 days 
with a negative result. 
 
NOTE:  Dogs diagnosed with Brucella canis  are not eligible for import, regardless of 
treatment. 
 
 
 
Canine transmissible venereal tumour (dogs) 
 
51. Entire male or female dogs have been subjected to examination of the external 
genitalia within four days of the scheduled date of shipment and have no lesions suggestive of canine transmissible venereal tumour.  
 
 
Heartworm ( Dirofilaria immitis ) (dogs) 
 
52. 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 within 30 days of the scheduled date of shipment; 
 
AND 
53. ALL DOGS (regardless of age) have been treated with a product registered for 
heartworm prevention (see guidance document) at the manufacturer’s recommended dose within four days of the scheduled date of shipment, or have 
veterinary medical records documenting a current sustained-release injection. 
 
 
Leptospirosis ( Leptospira interrogans  serovar canicola) (dogs) 
 
54. The dog has been treated with an approved course of treatment (see guidance 
document) within 30 days of the scheduled date of shipment; 
OR   
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 55. The dog has been subjected to a microscopic agglutination test (MAT) for L. 
canicola with a negative result within 30 days of the scheduled date of shipment; 
 
OR 
56. The dog had a positive MAT of 1:400 or less for L. canicola within 30 days of the 
scheduled 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  
 
57. 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).  See guidance document for how to apply for equivalence. 
 
 
PART E. APPENDICES 
 
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  may 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 scheduled 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 scheduled 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 documentation is incomplete, or 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:  For cats and dogs that have trav elled to or from approved countries other 
than Australia in the six months preceding arrival in New Zealand, the 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) must be completed before the cat or dog can enter 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 euthanised. 
 
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 within 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, meet all 
requirements in the veterinary certificate for cats and dogs from specified countries, and are 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 at least 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.  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 
 
If possible, advance notification of the dog’s arrival should be given to the port of arrival. 
 
 
Biosecurity clearance 
 
Working dogs allowed into New Zealand for emergency measures will not be given biosecurity clearance.  They will be export ed as soon as possible once their work is 
completed.