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Your pet’s safe trip to or from
New Zealand starts here

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W e ' r e   D i f f e r e n t

Pets, not packages - expect more

We’re proud to be the highest rated and most trusted international pet shipping company in the United States.
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Decades of experience

Trust our expert team of coordinators, with the most collective industry experience (and all the 5-star reviews to prove it!).
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Technology

Industry-leading Pet Travel Portal to make things simple & clear.
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Pet Protection Plan

Coverage for every dog or cat ensuring your peace of mind throughout their journey.
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Stay in touch

 The only US-based company to partner with CareTags Travel Sense to provide automated updates throughout your pet’s move via email & text. 
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S t a r w o o d   F a c t o r

What sets us apart

Read stories traveling to and from new zealand-1 New Zealand

Testimonials

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...

Naomi Miller
✈️ United StatesNew Zealand
🐱 Oscar & Boo
Oscar & Boo's pet

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...

Shelby Smith
✈️ United StatesNew Zealand
🐶 Watson
Watson's pet

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 ...

Leticia Quiles
✈️ United StatesNew Zealand
🐶 Fergus and Silas
Fergus and Silas's pet

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 ...

E Bell
✈️ United StatesNew Zealand
🐱 Clifton, Moony, Roger and Timmy
Clifton, Moony, Roger and Timmy's pet

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...

Annie Harrison
✈️ United StatesNew Zealand
🐶 Dorthy's Trip to New Zealand
Dorthy's Trip to New Zealand's pet

77 days ago

Great, safe, professional! I felt comfortable with my furry companion in their hands.

AJ Eckert
✈️ United StatesNew Zealand
🐶 Lupik's Trip to New Zealand
Lupik's Trip to New Zealand's pet

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...

Ezekiel Watts
✈️ United StatesNew Zealand
🐱 Two Cats' Big Trip to New Zealand
Two Cats' Big Trip to New Zealand's pet

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 ...

Mikayla Clabbatz
✈️ United StatesNew Zealand
🐶 Nyx and Jupiter's Trip to New Zealand
Nyx and Jupiter's Trip to New Zealand's pet

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...

Courtney Sarpy
✈️ United StatesNew Zealand
🐱 Mochi's Trip to New Zealand
Mochi's Trip to New Zealand's pet

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...

Leanne Milburn Rhodes
✈️ United StatesNew Zealand
🐶 Maya & Callie's Trip to New Zealand
Maya & Callie's Trip to New Zealand's pet

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. ...

Mae Flener
✈️ United StatesNew Zealand
🐶 Tyncee's Trip to New Zealand
Tyncee's Trip to New Zealand's pet

266 days ago

They are the best!!!! The process of flying Bailey to NZ was tough but everything went as smooth as possible.

Maria Caudal
✈️ United StatesNew Zealand
🐶 Bailey's Trip to New Zealand
Bailey's Trip to New Zealand's pet

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...

Ashley Tyson
✈️ United StatesNew Zealand
🐶 Tiggle's Trip to New Zealand
Tiggle's Trip to New Zealand's pet

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...

✈️ United StatesNew Zealand
🐶 Sierra
Sierra's pet

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...

✈️ United StatesNew Zealand
🐶 Pansy and Lilac
Pansy and Lilac's pet

Stories

Oscar & Boo's Trip to New Zealand

✈️ PDX-AKL

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...

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Oscar & Boo's pet

Moving to New Zealand

How to Ship a Pet to New Zealand

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.

For more detailed information on life in New Zealand with your pet, please refer to our comprehensive New Zealand Country Guide.

Moving from New Zealand

Pet Travel from New Zealnd to the USA

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!

P r i c i n g

Starting cost for moving your pet to New Zealand

Pet Transport Cost Estimator

Number of pets Starting cost*
1 $5,295
2 $8,095
3 $10,695
4 $10,795
5 $13,900
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Talk to our experts

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F A Q

Questions,
answered

Is pet travel safe?

Yes, pet travel is safe with the proper preparation and precautions. Thousands of pets fly every year without issue. You can read more about pet travel safety here.

Should I sedate my pet?

NO. It is not recommended to sedate or tranquilize any pet that is flying on an airplane. This can negatively affect their breathing and respiration when they are up in the air at high altitudes. This can be even more dangerous for pets with pre-existing conditions or snub-nosed (brachycephalic) pets. Starwood will NOT transport any pet that has been sedated or tranquilized. Additionally, if the airline believes that your pet has been sedated, then they can refuse your pet for travel. You can learn more about sedation and air travel in our blog post.

Where do pets travel on the plane?

Starwood only transports pets who are traveling as manifest cargo. This means that they travel on commercial flights underneath the passenger cabin in a space that is temperature controlled, pressurized, and oxygenated. Live animals travel beneath the pilot and the pilot must sign off on a manifest so they are aware of any pets onboard. Your pet’s travel kennel will be held into place by a thin netting that acts like a seatbelt to keep them safe and secure during takeoff and landing. Learn more about where pets travel on a plane.

Will my pet eat or drink?

You should definitely ensure your pet is provided plenty of water prior to and on the day of their big adventure. Our team will also make sure that their water bowls are topped off once we check them in for the flight. Once pets are in the care of the airline after check-in, the airline staff will be sure to top off water as well. However, it is NOT recommended for pets to eat right before takeoff or during the flight. This can cause an upset stomach, which we of course want to avoid. Our team will not provide food for the flight and we do not recommend feeding them less than 4 hours prior to flight departure. If your pet has a layover, they will be provided more water and some food (depending on the length of the layover). Water will also be provided once they have landed as they are clearing through customs. If your pet will be boarding or spending time in quarantine throughout their trip, they will be provided food and water regularly. You can read more about whether you should feed pets who are flying in our blog.

How will my pet go to the bathroom?

If you have a dog that is traveling, our team will provide them with a nice walk and potty break prior to check-in at the airport. Once your pet is checked in, they must remain inside their travel kennel until they arrive at the destination. We do not let cats out of the travel kennel after we pick them up since you know they can be sneaky escape artists. Upon arrival to the destination, dogs will be provided with a walk and potty break before they head home to you. Again, cats will need to remain inside their travel kennels unless there is a safe and secure room to let them out. Litter boxes are not permitted to be inside the travel kennel so please be aware that sometimes your pet may go to the bathroom inside the kennel. As they say, if you gotta go, you gotta go. If your pet has soiled their travel kennel and there is a safe place to let them out of the kennel then we do try our best to clean the kennel when possible prior to delivery. Learn more here.

We partner with the best in the industry:

qantas qatar american-airlines lufthansa air new zeland british airways klm