If you're importing your cat or dog, they will have to stay in a quarantine facility. Find out what to expect, what you should know, and what to plan for.
This guidance covers requirements set out in an updated import health standard that came into force on 1 July 2026: Cats and Dogs 2026 – Import Health Standard [PDF, 718 KB]
There is a 9-month transition period when you can still import cats and dogs under the requirements of the previous import health standard issued in 2021 [PDF, 300 KB]
To find out what import health standard to use, refer to Bringing cats and dogs to NZ
The information on this web page is about cat and dog quarantine facilities and what you can expect.
It also has information about risks that could arise (around sickness, delayed release, and not meeting import requirements). In some cases, these could result in significant additional costs. Consider this information when you're planning your cat or dog’s import, arrival, and pick-up plans.
Remember, compliant cats and dogs from Australia and compliant assistance dogs from category 2 and 3 countries are cleared when they arrive in New Zealand. They don't need to go into quarantine.
Choose from the list of MPI-approved cat and dog quarantine facilities for the mandatory minimum 10-day quarantine requirement.
Quarantine facilities for cats and dogs
The privately run quarantine facility that you choose will regularly monitor your cat or dogs while in their care. This helps to ensure that your cat or dog stays healthy.
If the facility is concerned about the health or wellbeing of your cat or dog, it'll request a visit by a private clinical veterinarian. The staff will let you (the owner) and MPI know.
Make sure you let the facility know about any medical conditions your cat or dog has before importing.
The minimum quarantine period for cats and dogs is 10 days. But the period may be longer if:
It's always possible that the facility could find an issue when a cat or dog is due for release. Releases may be delayed at short notice.
An MPI veterinarian will inspect your cat or dog within 72 hours of arriving at the facility. Your cat or dog must stay for at least 10 days. The final inspection only happens during normal business hours. This means that the release inspection might happen after 10 days of quarantine.
Your cat or dog may need to stay longer than 10 days in quarantine and/or undergo further treatment or testing.
The facility will not release your cat or dog if it gets sick during quarantine and an exotic disease is suspected. Further testing or treatment may be required. This may significantly increase costs for you.
If your cat or dog might have been exposed to a highly contagious exotic disease, it may be treated as also having the disease. Further tests and treatments may be required. This may significantly increase costs for you. Costs can vary.
If the facility finds that your cat or dog has ectoparasites, it will require more treatments and inspections. Your cat or dog will not be released until it is found to be free of ectoparasites and any associated diseases. Dogs found with ticks require more testing. That will mean they have to stay longer in quarantine and it will cost you more.
Aggressive cats and dogs are difficult to manage and examine, and pose a health and safety risk to the people caring for them. Make sure you let the facility know about any potential anxiety or aggression issues before your cat or dog arrives in New Zealand. A veterinarian might need to sedate your cat or dog to complete necessary inspections. They might also need sedation for any other treatments or testing that may be required.
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