10 days ago
Rosemary was absolutely amazing to work with. She had an answer to every question and was professional but personable and kind. I felt certain that my guys would make it to our new home safely. When a...
10 days ago
Rosemary was absolutely amazing to work with. She had an answer to every question and was professional but personable and kind. I felt certain that my guys would make it to our new home safely. When a...
16 days ago
Starwood Pet Travel helped take all the stress out of relocating our sweet pup, Watson, from the US to New Zealand. They helped keep everything organized and streamlined. They also communicated clearl...
20 days ago
We recently relocated to New Zealand, from New Hampshire USA. Moving around the world is hard enough but planning the transport of, not one but, two very large dogs is a challenge. From the beginning ...
49 days ago
We are so grateful for Starwood's, and especially Rosie's, support in transporting our four cats from the US to New Zealand. We've got a lot of pets with unique medical needs and temperaments and New ...
51 days ago
Starwood Pet Travel did a great job transporting our Pomeranian from Atlanta to New Zealand. Sage, our travel advisor, was so thorough and kept in constant communication with us throughout the process...
77 days ago
Great, safe, professional! I felt comfortable with my furry companion in their hands.
81 days ago
Sage and the team at Starwood are great. We moved our two 9 year old kitties from the US to New Zealand. They kept us on the ball, helped coordinate all of the vet visits and made sure things were rea...
85 days ago
Making the move from Washington, USA to New Zealand was one of the biggest decisions our family has ever made, and there was no way we were leaving our fur babies behind. Starwood Pet made what could ...
85 days ago
Starwood is an amazing pet transport service full of animal lovers! It's clear that they care for you pets like their own and are willing to go the extra mile to ease the pain of moving internationall...
140 days ago
We flew our two vizslas to New Zealand from LAX with Starwood Pet Travel. They were very good about communication before, during, and after the flight. It was a stressful process and they made it as e...
201 days ago
I reached out to Starwood to help me relocate my 14 yo Yorkie to New Zealand. Sage was assigned to me as my coordinator and she was amazing! She was very helpful and responsive every step of the way. ...
266 days ago
They are the best!!!! The process of flying Bailey to NZ was tough but everything went as smooth as possible.
300 days ago
I highly recommend Starwood Pet Travel. Our journey was amazing with this company, and we are very thankful with the support and consistent communication. Tiggie flew from San Francisco, United States...
479 days ago
Starwood Pet Travel took very good care of our dog, Sierra in her journey to New Zealand. The process leading up to her travel was smooth. They kept in contact with us during every step of the process...
533 days ago
I was very grateful to have Starwood Pet help me get my cats moved. Even though I had done it once before, I still had a lot of questions and they were always around to help answer and support us thro...
10 days ago
Rosemary was absolutely amazing to work with. She had an answer to every question and was professional but personable and kind. I felt certain that my guys would make it to our new home safely. When an unexpected issue with the USDA, did come back Rosemary was on it making plans and communicating with all the different parties involved and just keeping me up to date. I was very glad to have her at that moment! Expensive but worth it! My guys are safe and happy back with us now.
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16 days ago
Starwood Pet Travel helped take all the stress out of relocating our sweet pup, Watson, from the US to New Zealand. They helped keep everything organized and streamlined. They also communicated clearly along the way, and our coordinator, Rosie, was always available to answer questions. Watson made the journey safe and sound from LAX to NZ Quarantine and is a happy Kiwi dog now! We are forever grateful for their guidance through the relocation process.
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20 days ago
We recently relocated to New Zealand, from New Hampshire USA. Moving around the world is hard enough but planning the transport of, not one but, two very large dogs is a challenge. From the beginning to the very end, Starwood Pet Travel guided our every move. We worked with Sage, who was friendly, extremely knowledgeable, and a quick responder. All details were handled down to the finest point and the transport went forward smoothly.
It was hard to be away from Fergus and Silas for so long but the quarantine facility provided frequent updates and photos, which helped us feel connected to the boys. Our reunion was happy, the dogs looked great! Since our reunion, Fergus and Silas have not left our side. As senior dogs, we were worried about their flight and time spent in quarantine, but Fergus and Silas seem rejuvenated. Coming from New Hampshire, where the weather is not as pleasant, they are loving the temperate climate. We are taking them on long walks, through lush parks and sandy beaches.
Fergus and Silas have never walked so much before in their whole lives! Thank you Sage, and Starwood Travel, for guiding us through this experience and providing such attentive care to our canine family members. They are SO HAPPY to be with us. We are looking forward to our future here together!
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49 days ago
We are so grateful for Starwood's, and especially Rosie's, support in transporting our four cats from the US to New Zealand. We've got a lot of pets with unique medical needs and temperaments and New Zealand has an incredibly complex import process. Rosie and the Starwood team handled it all with patience, kindness, respect, and transparency. Rosie's calm and responsiveness throughout the process was so helpful and it was clear she understood what our pets mean to us. All four made it through their travel and quarantine safely and smoothly and are now home with us and back to their usual routines. The pet portal and CareTag tracking were also a great help!
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51 days ago
Starwood Pet Travel did a great job transporting our Pomeranian from Atlanta to New Zealand. Sage, our travel advisor, was so thorough and kept in constant communication with us throughout the process. When there was an unexpected embargo that impacted our dog’s travel plans, Sage figured out a work-around that didn’t cost us any extra money and allowed our pet to arrive on time. Sage was also very helpful with explaining the process of our dog’s vet visits leading up to the departure. We felt our dog was in good hands from start to finish. I’ve been recommending Starwood Pet Travel to other Americans wanting to transport their pet to NZ. Highly recommend!
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77 days ago
Great, safe, professional! I felt comfortable with my furry companion in their hands.
View more reviews →
81 days ago
Sage and the team at Starwood are great. We moved our two 9 year old kitties from the US to New Zealand. They kept us on the ball, helped coordinate all of the vet visits and made sure things were ready to go for each step of the process. Our boys arrived safe and sound thanks to Starwood. I would highly recommend them to anyone moving pets internationally.
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85 days ago
Making the move from Washington, USA to New Zealand was one of the biggest decisions our family has ever made, and there was no way we were leaving our fur babies behind. Starwood Pet made what could have been a stressful and overwhelming process feel smooth and completely manageable. From the very beginning, they guided us through every step — coordinating vet appointments, handling paperwork, and making sure all requirements were met for international travel. Their communication was excellent, and they were always available to answer our questions and keep us updated. A special shoutout to Rosemary Cann, our pet coordinator, who went above and beyond for us. She was organized, responsive, and incredibly caring. We truly felt like our pets were in the best hands with her. When it came time to drop our pets off, we received regular updates throughout their journey, including photos and notes from their handlers, which gave us so much peace of mind. We were notified when they landed safely and kept informed during the entire quarantine process as well. Starwood Pet made relocating with our animals feel effortless. We’re so grateful for their professionalism, compassion, and attention to detail. We would absolutely recommend them to anyone moving with their pets! So thank you again from Nyx the Husky and Jupiter the cat!!
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85 days ago
Starwood is an amazing pet transport service full of animal lovers! It's clear that they care for you pets like their own and are willing to go the extra mile to ease the pain of moving internationally.
View more reviews →
140 days ago
We flew our two vizslas to New Zealand from LAX with Starwood Pet Travel. They were very good about communication before, during, and after the flight. It was a stressful process and they made it as easy as they could!
View more reviews →
201 days ago
I reached out to Starwood to help me relocate my 14 yo Yorkie to New Zealand. Sage was assigned to me as my coordinator and she was amazing! She was very helpful and responsive every step of the way. They were a huge help and really eased my mind. They really took the stress out of the whole process. If you need to move your pet I highly recommend going with Starwood. They are worth it!
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266 days ago
They are the best!!!! The process of flying Bailey to NZ was tough but everything went as smooth as possible.
View more reviews →
300 days ago
I highly recommend Starwood Pet Travel. Our journey was amazing with this company, and we are very thankful with the support and consistent communication.
Tiggie flew from San Francisco, United States to Auckland, New Zealand via Air New Zealand. They guided me through the whole process from day 1, all the way to the end. Starting from scratch with absolutely no idea what to do, they gave me all the best resources and advice. The travel crate was a perfect size, where he still had plenty of room to move, stretch and be comfortable.
I was partnered with Sage Ingle as my pet travel coordinator, and no better words could describe her ongoing support and guidance. She was absolutely amazing, and always went above and beyond with any questions I had. I was dealing with this situation from New Zealand, while my cat and partner was still overseas, it wasn't easy.. but she made it come true. My cat Tiggie was thoroughly taken care of by Sage and her team before departure and he is very ecstatic to be back home safe and sound. Thank you Ross for getting in touch from my initial inquiry, Starwood team, handler/driver Danny and most of all Sage. You've all outdone yourselves and should be proud for what you all do!
479 days ago
Starwood Pet Travel took very good care of our dog, Sierra in her journey to New Zealand. The process leading up to her travel was smooth. They kept in contact with us during every step of the process. Our travel coordinator Sage was very responsive and answered all our questions quickly. The forms and paperwork were organized nicely on the online portal and it was nice that there were very specific timelines for everything. The resources shared on the Starwood Pet Travel website were very helpful, especially the videos which walked us through the process. We were very appreciative that our pup was able to make it to New Zealand safely without any issues. Thank you Starwood Pet Travel!
Source: Google
533 days ago
I was very grateful to have Starwood Pet help me get my cats moved. Even though I had done it once before, I still had a lot of questions and they were always around to help answer and support us through the move. Although we’ve made our final move, I wouldn’t hesitate to use their trusting sources again.
Source: Google
The journey started quietly in Vancouver, with two cats who had no idea just how far they were about to go. Oscar, calm and endlessly affectionate, moved through the house like he always did—soft, ste...
Fergus and Silas had always been gentle souls. Two senior poodles from New Hampshire, they carried themselves with a quiet kind of wisdom—the kind that comes from years of companionship, long naps in ...
Nyx had always been the kind of husky who believed every day was the best day of her life. Even at the airport, tail thumping and eyes bright, she treated the long journey to Auckland like a grand adv...
Puff arrived in Auckland with the quiet confidence of a cat who knows she’s the main character. Fresh from Arizona, this sweet-and-spicy cuddle queen wasted no time reclaiming her throne—demanding att...
When Henry and Rookie finally bounded out of their travel crates, tails wagging and eyes bright, it felt like the whole world exhaled with them. The long journey to New Zealand had been nerve-wracking...
Need to bring your pet to the New Zealand? Learn about costs, airline rules, cargo vs cabin travel, and how to safely transport your dog or cat from the US with Starwood Pet Travel.
Moving a pet to New Zealand requires careful planning due to the country's strict biosecurity regulations designed to protect its unique ecosystem. Pet owners often find the process challenging, but with proper preparation, it can be navigated successfully. Shipping a pet to New Zealand typically costs between $6,000 to over $10,000, which includes permits, veterinary requirements, quarantine fees, and transportation.
The journey begins months before travel, as pets must be microchipped, vaccinated against rabies, and undergo specific tests including a rabies antibody titer test. All dogs and cats entering New Zealand must complete a minimum 10-day quarantine period at an approved facility upon arrival, with no exceptions for pets coming from the United States.
It's important to note that certain dog breeds are prohibited from entering New Zealand, including American Pit Bull Terriers and Dogo Argentinos. Working with a professional pet relocation service can help pet owners navigate the complex requirements and ensure their furry family members arrive safely at their new home.
New Zealand maintains stringent biosecurity measures to protect its unique ecosystem from foreign diseases and pests. Successfully importing pets requires meticulous preparation and compliance with specific health protocols designed to safeguard both native wildlife and domestic animals.
Pets must come from an approved country with acceptable rabies status to be eligible for import to New Zealand. The United States is an approved country, but import requirements vary based on the originating nation.
All pets must be microchipped with an ISO-compatible chip before any vaccinations or testing procedures. This microchip serves as the permanent identification for all documentation.
The pet must have lived in the exporting country for at least 6 months (or since birth) prior to travel. The animal must also be healthy and fit to travel, without signs of infectious or contagious disease.
Pregnant animals cannot be imported, and pets must be over 12 weeks of age at the time of rabies vaccination
Prohibited dog breeds:
Birds, reptiles, amphibians, and most other exotic pets are generally not permitted for import as pets.
Pets traveling from the USA to New Zealand require an import permit. This can only be completed after the microchip, rabies vaccinations, blood test, OVD, and quarantine booking are completed.
MPI needs at least 30 working days to process the online application for an import permit.
Microchipping is mandatory for pets entering New Zealand. The microchip must be ISO-compliant (either 15-digit ISO 11784 or ISO 11785) and implanted before rabies vaccinations and testing.
If your pet already has a non-ISO compliant chip, don't remove it. Instead, implant an additional ISO-compliant chip and document both numbers on all paperwork. Veterinarians should scan the microchip at each visit to verify its functionality.
Proper identification goes beyond microchipping. Attach secure identification tags to your pet's collar with your current contact information and destination details. Include a temporary tag with flight information and your New Zealand accommodation address.
Required Dog Vaccinations:
Required Cat Vaccinations:
Rabies Titer Test (FAVN):
Other Blood Tests - Required for Dogs Only:
External parasites (cats and dogs):
Internal parasites (cats and dogs)
Heartworm Treatment:
All dogs (regardless of age) must be treated with a product registered for heartworm prevention at the manufacturer’s recommended dose within 4 days prior to travel.
A USDA Accredited veterinarian must perform a final clinical exam 2 days prior to travel and must complete the New Zealand health certificate.
The certificate must then be endorsed by the USDA prior to travel.
All pets arriving in New Zealand must first clear customs at designated ports of entry, primarily Auckland International Airport. Your pet's documentation will be thoroughly reviewed, including the import permit, veterinary certificates, and proof of completed treatments. This verification typically takes 1-2 hours depending on arrival time and how many animals are being processed.
The customs officials will check that your pet's microchip matches the documentation. Any discrepancies or missing paperwork can result in delays or even refusal of entry. It's essential to have all documents organized in a clear folder with copies available.
Pet owners should notify their pet shipping company or agent of the flight's arrival to ensure someone is available to facilitate the clearance process. Fees for this service are usually between NZD 150-300.
After customs clearance, pets undergo a biosecurity inspection by Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) officials. They examine your pet for signs of illness, parasites, or other biosecurity concerns. Pets are transported in secure, MPI-approved vehicles to the quarantine facility.
New Zealand has several approved quarantine facilities:
The minimum quarantine period is 10 days, though this may be extended if health concerns arise. During quarantine, pets receive:
Quarantine fees range from NZD 1,200-2,000 depending on the facility and length of stay. These must be paid in advance when booking the quarantine space.
Once your pet completes the quarantine period and receives final clearance from MPI, you'll be notified to arrange collection. You'll need to present photo identification matching the import permit details and sign release documents.
Most quarantine facilities offer transportation services to your final destination for an additional fee. If collecting personally, bring an appropriate carrier for smaller pets or a leash and collar for dogs.
Your pet may seem tired or slightly disoriented after the journey and quarantine. Give them time to adjust to their new environment gradually. Maintain their regular feeding schedule and provide plenty of fresh water.
Consider scheduling a check-up with a local veterinarian within the first week in New Zealand. This helps establish care with a new vet and ensures your pet has adjusted well to their journey.
Our New Zealand pet transport services include:
For more detailed information on life in New Zealand with your pet, please refer to our comprehensive New Zealand Country Guide.
Whether you’re flying your pet to the United States after a brief stay or a whole lifetime in another country, there are a number of hoops to jump through. Getting all of the details right can be confusing and time-consuming, and improper planning or documentation could delay your pet’s entry into the country. Let us handle all the details for you!
| Number of pets | Starting cost* |
|---|---|
| 1 | $5,295 |
| 2 | $8,095 |
| 3 | $10,695 |
| 4 | $10,795 |
| 5 | $13,900 |
| 6+ | Contact Us |
* This does not serve as our official quotation. For an exact quote and detailed proposal, please request a free quote.
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