As you may be aware, from January 1st 2012 the UK loses its rabies free status. This is the result of an EU ruling to abolish the UK’s current practice of having a 6 month rabies quarantine and blood testing in order to bring us in line with the rest of Europe.
New Zealand have now implemented new procedures which mean that as of January the 1st any animals that are to be shipped there must have had a rabies jab and had a blood test following a 30 day waiting period. If the rabies vaccine is the primary vaccine it must be given not less than 6 months, and not more than 12 months prior to travel. If a rabies booster vaccine, it must be given not more than 12 months prior to export. They may then be shipped to New Zealand 90 days (minimum, depending on the type of vaccine given) after this blood test has been administered, subject to their passing the test.
Australia has also implemented the same requirement for rabies vaccinating and testing. Pets may then be shipped to Australia 150 days after this test has been administered, subject to their passing the test. A final 30 days of the mandated 180 day waiting period may be spent in Australian quarantine.
