Behind the Scenes of Animal Transport: What Zoo and Wildlife Relocations Can Teach Us About Pet Travel

At Jetpets Animal Transport, every movement requires detailed planning, specialist knowledge, careful coordination and, above all, a strong focus on animal welfare.

That was one of the key messages Jetpets was proud to share at the recent Zoos and Aquariums Association Australasia (ZAA) Conference in Auckland, where our Trans-Tasman team joined professionals from across the zoo, aquarium and wildlife sector to explore the many considerations involved in animal transport.

For pet owners planning an interstate or international move, these same principles are incredibly relevant.

Supporting Amazing People Behind Animal Conservation

Across Australia and New Zealand, dedicated teams work every day to protect wildlife, support conservation programs and improve animal welfare.

The ZAA Conference brought together many of these people, providing an opportunity to share knowledge, learn from others across the sector and highlight the important role that animal transport plays in conservation.

Jetpets was proud to be involved, with our Trans-Tasman team providing an insight into the behind-the-scenes world of animal transportation.

From complex logistics and airline coordination to specialist handling, veterinary considerations and welfare planning, successful animal transport relies on a carefully managed process at every stage of the journey.

Animal Transport Preparation

Whether an animal is travelling as part of a conservation program or relocating with its family to a new country, preparation is critical.

For zoo and wildlife movements, there can be additional considerations around species-specific requirements, specialist handling, veterinary support, environmental conditions, documentation, airline requirements and carefully coordinated travel arrangements.

These movements demonstrate why having the right systems and experienced people behind an animal’s journey is so important.

At Jetpets, our approach is built around the same fundamental principle:

Every animal deserves to be transported with care, expertise and welfare at the centre of every decision.

Experience Matters When Animals Are Involved

With more than 30 years of experience in animal transport and pet relocation, Jetpets has developed systems and processes designed specifically around the needs of travelling animals.

Our teams coordinate the many moving parts involved in a pet’s journey, including travel requirements, airline coordination, documentation, veterinary considerations, crate requirements, handling and transit arrangements.

That experience also extends beyond conventional pet travel.

Jetpets supports the transportation of animals associated with zoos, aquariums, wildlife organisations and other animal-related programs, where careful planning and specialist knowledge are essential.

For pet owners, this broader experience can provide another level of confidence that their pet is being managed by a team that understands the complexities of animal transportation.

Industry Leading Accreditation

Jetpets’ focus on welfare, quality and operational excellence is reflected in our IATA CEIV Live Animals accreditation across both Australia and New Zealand.

CEIV Live Animals is an internationally recognised certification program focused on ensuring high standards in the handling and transportation of live animals.

For Jetpets, maintaining these standards means continually reviewing our systems, processes and training to ensure animal welfare remains central to the way we operate.

It is particularly important when managing complex journeys involving multiple parties, locations and transportation requirements.

Caring For All Animals At Jetpets

While transporting a zoo animal as part of a conservation program can involve very different requirements to moving a family dog or cat overseas, there is one important common denominator:

The welfare of the animal comes first.

Every pet entrusted to Jetpets is an individual, with its own needs, personality and travel requirements.

Our role is to understand those needs and carefully coordinate the journey around them.

This can include selecting the appropriate travel crate, coordinating veterinary requirements, managing airline arrangements, providing transit care and ensuring the right teams are involved throughout the journey.

For international pet relocation, where there can be additional documentation, health and import requirements, experience and preparation become even more important.

Bringing Specialist Animal Transport Expertise To Pet Owners

Our involvement with ZAA is an important reflection of the broader role Jetpets plays within the animal transport industry. We are proud to work alongside organisations and professionals who share our commitment to animal welfare, while continuing to bring that knowledge and experience to the families who entrust us with their pets.

Whether your pet is travelling across New Zealand or anywhere else across the world our goal remains the same – To make their journey as safe, carefully planned and stress-free as possible.

Because when it comes to animal transport, experience matters. And when your pet is part of your family, you want to know they are in experienced hands.

Transporting Your Pet From NZ?

If you’re considering domestic or international pet travel, the Jetpets team can help you understand the requirements and plan your pet’s journey from start to finish.

Contact Jetpets to discuss your pet’s upcoming journey.

Happy Pets. Happy Customers. Happy People.

 

Jetpets Proudly Attends ZAA Conference in Darwin

At Jetpets, we’re incredibly proud to have participated in the recent Zoo and Aquarium Association (ZAA) Conference, held in the vibrant and wildlife-rich city of Darwin. This annual event brings together professionals, advocates, and organisations from across New Zealand and Australia who share a deep commitment to animal welfare, conservation, and education.

This year was particularly special for us, as our National Corporate Services Manager, Sally Graham, had the honour of presenting at the conference. Sally’s involvement was a testament to Jetpets’ long-standing relationship with the zoo and aquarium community, and our shared mission to ensure the safe and ethical transport of animals, both domestic and exotic.

Supporting a Passionate Community

We consider it a great privilege to work alongside the dedicated individuals and organisations in the zoo and aquarium community. Every year, we’re inspired by the passionate work being done—from species conservation projects to breeding programs, educational outreach, and habitat preservation.

At Jetpets, our role in this ecosystem is to ensure that animals are transported with the highest levels of care, safety, and comfort. Whether it’s helping to relocate a rare species as part of a conservation effort, or supporting routine transfers between facilities for health or breeding reasons, we treat every journey with the utmost responsibility.

Our Commitment to Animal Welfare

Animal welfare isn’t just a part of what we do—it’s at the heart of our operations. We partner with leading veterinarians, animal handlers, and welfare experts to develop travel protocols that reduce stress and ensure the well-being of each animal during transit.

Looking Ahead

Being part of the ZAA Conference in Darwin was not only an opportunity to share insights but also to learn from the inspiring work being done throughout our Trans -Tasman region. The connections and collaborations formed at events like this help push the boundaries of what’s possible in animal care and conservation.

We extend our thanks to the ZAA and the wider zoo and aquarium community for their continued trust and partnership. We look forward to working together for many years to come, championing animal welfare and making a positive impact—one journey at a time.

Scout the Tiger Arrives at Hamilton Zoo

Jetpets are proud to have assisted in the delicate move of Scout the Tiger to his new home at Hamilton Zoo.

Travelling from Orana Wildlife Park to Hamilton Zoo in June this year, the teams and staff of all parties involved worked together to accomplish a safe and successful relocation.

Scout arrived at Hamilton Zoo from Orana Wildlife Park in June as part of the international breeding program for his species. Scout has been matched with Kirana in this vital role.

Being a male, Scout can quickly be recognized due to his larger frame and his large white ruff around his face. He has quickly won over the hearts of his keepers, as well as Kirana, and frequently produces a friendly greeting called a prusten – which is more commonly known as a “chuff”.

Scout is often active throughout the day and is spending much of his time exploring both enclosures thoroughly. You may even see him taking a dip in the pool if you’re lucky!

We wish Scout all the best in his new home with Kirana. For information on how you can visit Scout at Hamilton Zoo, please visit their website:-  https://www.aucklandzoo.co.nz/

Photo Credit: Hamilton Zoo

Sali the Sumatran Tiger

In April, Jetpets were lucky enough to assist in the transport of Sali the Sumatran tiger during her journey from Hamilton Zoo to Auckland Zoo.

Fourteen-year-old Sali has relocated to Auckland Zoo as a part of the zoos global breeding and advocacy programme for this critically endangered big cat.

Photo Credit: Auckland Zoo

In the lead up to her travels, Sali was introduced to her crate in advance so it was a familiar environment on the day of travel (much like we suggest for travelling dogs and domestic cats). On morning of travel, she was loaded onto the truck, and travelled with our Animal Handler Tineshea, and a Hamilton Zoo vet and keeper to ensure safety at all times. Sali had two welfare stops during her journey, before arriving at Auckland Zoo.

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Photo Credit: Auckland Zoo

Once Sali arrived at Auckland Zoo, she underwent a brief observation period in the tiger habitats inside quarters, ahead of exploring Auckland Zoo’s new Lowlands tiger habitat, within the South East Asia Jungle Track. Sali is the first tiger to experience this new habitat.

“Sali is quite sensitive in nature, but once comfortable she exudes this really warm presence, and is a real ‘chuffer’ – the vocalisation tigers do when they’re in a friendly and relaxed state,” said carnivore keeper Nick Parashshak.

Jetpets feel very privileged to have been able to assist in this special move, and we look forward to following Sali’s journey as she settles into her new environment at Auckland Zoo. For information on how you can visit Sali at Auckland Zoo, please visit their website:-  https://www.aucklandzoo.co.nz/

Feline sisters take to the sky with Jetpets!

Auckland Zoo has recently welcomed three four-year-old female lions who travelled from an Australian Zoo with Jetpets.

Twin sisters Aziza and Kibibi and half-sister Ilola made the journey to Auckland Zoo in September, as a part of the international zoo breeding and advocacy programme for this increasingly threatened African big cat.

Photo Credit: Auckland Zoo

While COVID-19 has halted international travel plans for many of us, the team at Jetpets worked closely with both zoos to ensure that this important animal transfer was made possible. Transporting exotic animals is a highly complex process, and many months of planning, obtaining permits and following strict Government processes were followed to ensure a safe and successful transfer of the trio.

Upon arrival into Auckland, the lionesses began their quarantine, a standard MPI and biosecurity requirement for all new exotic animal arrivals into New Zealand. They have now completed their quarantine and are enjoying their landscaped habitat at Auckland Zoos Africa Safari Track.

Auckland Zoo’s carnivore team leader, Lauren Booth, said she and her team are delighted to have welcomed the trio.

“Having three very clever young girls in Aziza, Kibibi and Ilola is both daunting and very exciting for us. We know they’ll have a lot to teach us, and we are really looking forward to getting to know each of them and their unique personalities,” said Lauren.

Photo Credit: Auckland Zoo

While Auckland remains in lockdown, Auckland Zoo is currently closed to visitors. In the meantime, you can keep updated on how Aziza, Kibibi and Ilola are settling in via their social channels.

You can also watch the video below for more information on their exciting journey.