Terms and Conditions
Standard Requirements
- Puppies & kittens under 8 weeks of age will not be accepted for transport.
- A maximum of 2 adult animals of comparable size up to 14kg each that are used to cohabitation may be shipped in the same container.
- Animals over 14kg must travel individually.
- Animals over 8 weeks and up to 6 months old from the same litter, up to a maximum quality of 3, may be shipped in the same container.
Quotations
All prices and quotations are based on current rates on the day of quotation any increase in these rates applying at the time of travel will be additional to the quote and payable by the client.
If the quote is based on using the clients own airline crate and dimensions and weights are supplied by the client such prices will be subject to adjustment if the actual dimensions and weights are different to those supplied. Any difference in pricing will be payable by the client.
All quotations are based on weekday flights only, weekend, public holiday and after hours flights are subject to availability and may incur an extra cost.
Crate Sizing and Compliance.
If providing your own airline crate you must ensure that it is the correct size for your pet and meets the current IATA standards. You can check your cage compliance www.iata.org/en/programs/cargo/live-animals/pets/ . Failure to arrive with the correct cage will result in the clients pet unable to board. This will incur a $70 cancellation fee and a $70 Agent Fee that will be payable by the client.
Get the right carrier size for your pet:
When standing outside the carrier, no part of your pet should be taller or longer than the carrier.
When inside the carrier, they shouldn’t have to duck to see out of the carrier door. The carrier should also be wide enough for your pet to turn around easily and long enough for them to lie down comfortably with their paws extended.
Cat and dog carriers
| Permitted | Not permitted | |
| Construction of cat or dog carrier | ✔ Fibreglass, metal, rigid plastic, welded metal mesh, solid wood, and plywood carriers
✔ Ventilation holes are only permitted on the upper half of three sides, excluding the door. ✔ The door must be open and covered with welded mesh, bars etc., nose and paw-proof ✔ The door must form the whole of one end of the carrier (can be sliding or hinged) and can’t be accidentally opened ✔ The floor must be solid and leak-proof and the interior must be smooth with nothing sticking out ✔ Spacer bar must be fitted in the middle on three sides (not the door). Handles should allow easy carriage of the carrier ✔ Wheels are permitted but must be removed or inoperable when carried ✔ Water container must be fitted in the carrier |
✘ Entirely welded mesh, open wire, pop-up hatch style carriers
✘ Ventilation on the upper and lower sides of a carrier |
| Door locking and latching | ✔ The top and bottom of a plastic carrier must be fixed together using either ‘bolt tightened’ or another 2-step method e.g. screw & dial
✔ Minimum fasteners include one at each corner and at least 1 down each side, carriers longer than 60cm must have minimum of 2 fasteners each side ✔ Door hinge & locking pins on rigid plastic carriers must engage the carrier by at least 1.6cm beyond the horizontal extrusion above and below the door opening ✔ Cable ties must be attached to all four corners of the carrier’s door to prevent it from being prised open by the animal |
✘ Latches fixing the top and bottom of plastic carrier
✘ Restraint straps etc., securing a carrier ✘ Doors that have a ‘twist clip’ around the locking pins |
| Inside the carrier | ✔ You must include appropriate and proportionate absorbent material e.g. paper, shredded newspaper or puppy pee pad
✔ You can include a blanket in the carrier ✔ Please ensure your pet has had food and water prior to travelling |
✘ Important: No food or toys are permitted in, or attached to, the carrier. |
| Use of cable ties | ✔ Airport staff may use a cable tie as a secondary means of securing a cage and preventing accidental opening. | ✘ Must not be applied through ventilation holes
✘ Must not be cut short as they pose a risk of injury to your pet |
For other useful information about pet carrier requirements, please visit IATA’s pet corner page.
Example of approved pet carrier for air travel
- Adequate ventilation on the upper section of three sides (not including the door)
- Top and bottom fixed together e.g. tightened bolt and screw at each corner. Minimum of 1 fixing on sides for carriers under 60 cm; minimum of 2 if carrier exceeds 60 cm
- Space bar fitted on three sides
- Leak-proof floor
- Locking pins must extend a minimum of 1.6 cm into the top and bottom lips
- Water container
Example of unsuitable pet carrier
✘ This pet carrier will not be accepted for air travel as it has ventilation holes on the lower half of the carrier’s sides.
Bird Carriers
Your bird/s may travel in a bird travel carrier, or size-appropriate cat/dog carrier may be used, provided the required perch/perches are fitted.
Perches
For birds that rest by perching, the carrier must include round perches that:
- are large enough for the birds to grip firmly and comfortably (relevant to the species)
- allow for all birds (if more than one) to perch comfortably at the same time
- are placed so droppings do not fall into food or water troughs
- are placed at such a height that the birds can leave the perch without their heads contacting the roof, nor the tail with the floor while perching
- are not placed too high within the carrier for the birds to become upset during transport.
For parrots (psittacine), that do not rest by perching, suitably sized smooth rails fixed to the floor must be provided so that the birds can feel secure.
Permitted Cat carriers as above may be used for bird travel but they must have a fixed perch, bowl for water and shade cloth across the front of the door
Familiarise your pet with the carrier
Ideally, your pet should be familiarised with their travel carrier at least two weeks before travel. This will help your pet feel more secure and comfortable, and reduce anxiety levels for both you and your pet
Flights and Departures
The Client or Clients nominated person will need to meet the Agent at the designated airport no longer than 90 minutes prior to departure, Failure to be on time will result in the clients pet unable to board. This will incur a $70 cancellation fee and a $70 Agent fee payable by the client.
The Parrot Place will endeavour to forward all pets on flights booked but occasionally changes to schedules, shortage of cargo space and adverse weather etc can cause delays and cancellations. Any extra fees relating to this will be the responsibility of the client
Insurance
Insurance of clients animals in our care is not included in our charges and is the responsibility of the client.
Payment
Flights must be paid for in full at least 24 hours prior to departure
Cancellation Fee
Cancellations incur a $100.00 cancellation fee or a Change/Amendment Fee to a confirmed booking of $50.00 and any other costs that may have been incurred at the time of booking, such as dispatch of the crate. If the booking is cancelled within 7 days of your flight date or if there is a no-show we are entitled to the entire of the booking charge. A minimum $100 cancellation fee applies for bookings cancelled outside of the 7 day notice period;
Rental Crates
Crates must be left at the cargo department at the destination airport for its return flight. All bedding must be removed and the cage wiped out thoroughly, failure to do so will incur a $30 cleaning fee. The deposit will be refunded once the cage has arrived back with us and has been inspected.
Sedation of Pets
Air New Zealand’s website explicitly states that “The New Zealand Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) does not permit the use of sedation for pets traveling by air. As all pets must pass MPI Certification prior to export by air, pets cannot be under the influence of sedation for any domestic or international flights.” Not only is this a requirement by MPI, but the Parrot Place will not transport any pets that have been sedated. This is a safety regulation, because sedation can make air travel both physically and emotionally more dangerous for pets.
