Travelling with pets or animals

Your responsibilities

• You’re responsible for your pet’s safety and comfort throughout the trip.
• You need to read, understand and tick the animal declaration when you make your booking
• Please familiarise yourself with our animal welfare requirements before you check-in.
• Let us know how many animals you’re bringing when you book.
• Certified assistance dogs are allowed on passenger decks. 
• All other animals must either travel in your vehicle, be booked in one of our kennels or be in a secure cage and checked in with our luggage team.

Animals travelling in your vehicle

• Your pet can stay in your car with no extra charge - as long as it’s safe and comfortable.
• At check-in, tell staff you have an animal; they’ll give you a special hanger to put on your rear-view mirror.
• Keep the windows open, leaving around a 7cm gap, to ensure good ventilation.
• Provide water for your pet.
• If conditions allow during sailing, our crew may take you down to check on your pet, just listen for an announcement. 

Animal welfare rules

Your animal must be well enough for the trip.

They cannot travel if they:

• Are sick or injured (unless certified fit for travel by a vet)
• Are in the final trimester of pregnancy. 
• Have given birth in the past 14 weeks.
• Are under 8 weeks old or still weaning.
• If your pet is in a crate, box, cage or kennel they must be able to stand, lie down and turn around naturally.
• There has to be enough airflow/ventilation.
• They must have water available. 

See our animal welfare requirements.

If you’re travelling on foot with a dog

• If you have a dog or puppy - you must book a kennel in advance. 
• At check-in, you’ll get directions from staff on how to bring your pet to board.
• Our kennels are well ventilated, sheltered and comfortable.
• Bring a water bowl, a favourite toy or blanket - familiar things help reduce stress.
• Ships are noisy places and may cause distress to animals. We do try and minimise noises such as car alarms.

Travelling on foot with a small caged pet

We can only accept small, caged animals from foot passengers, which will be checked-in with our luggage team. This helps us keep the journey safe, calm and well-managed for everyone.

• Only small animals can travel (eg lizards, cats, rabbits) within cages that comply to standard bag sizes.
• No dogs or puppies are permitted to travel in cages under any circumstances.
• Your animal must travel in a secure cage, in good condition and fully escape-proof.
• Your animal must have its own water supply inside the cage.
• You must complete the animal declaration when you book and accept responsibility for the animal’s welfare during the journey and adhere to company policy.

Checking in on foot

When you arrive at the terminal, our team will guide you through a simple handover.

• Bring your small animal in its cage to our luggage check-in.
• Our customer service team will confirm that your declaration form is completed.
• We will check that your cage meets our requirements.
• Our baggage team will record the handover in the luggage system to ensure smooth tracking throughout the process.

Assistance dogs

Certified assistance dogs  are welcome in our passenger areas. Please tell us when you book if you’ll be bringing one.

• During the sailing, your dog must be on a lead, seated on an absorbent mat (you’ll need to bring it), and wear identification.
• For your pet’s safety, prepare in advance: exercise them beforehand, limit their fluid intake, and feed them before boarding.
• Emotional, therapy or comfort animals are not permitted in passenger areas, they must travel in a vehicle or kennel.
• All the details about travelling with a certified assistance dog can be found in our animal welfare requirements. 

Working dogs in your vehicle

• Working dogs in crates or kennels must have good ventilation (at least 20% of the surface area open) so air can circulate. 
• Your dogs must be able to stand, turn around, and lie down naturally, and must have access to water.
• Pets travelling in a vehicle must be inside the vehicle or crate, not tethered outside or on the deck of a ute.
• If your vehicle doesn’t meet these conditions, you can book one of our on-board kennels.
• Please read our animal welfare requirements

Horses and livestock

If you are travelling with horses or livestock such as sheep, cows or alpacas, let us know when you book. This helps us plan ahead and keep your animals safe. We will contact you if sailing conditions change, including any weather alerts.

We do not carry horses or livestock when swells on Te Moana o Raukawa (Cook Strait) rise above three metres.

To keep your journey stress-free, build a little flexibility into your plans and keep an eye on the forecast. Our Sailing Conditions page and Windy.com both provide up to date swell information.

Travelling with hay

• If you are carrying hay, it must be dry and fully covered.
• If you are carrying under 60kg of hay, please let us know at check-in.
• If you are carrying over 60kg, you must fill in a dangerous goods declaration.
•  and send it to us at least four hours before your sailing time.
  

When travelling:

• We will do our best to ensure trucks and floats are in a well ventilated position onboard.
• You cannot travel in your vehicle with your horse or livestock. 
• During the sailing, conditions permitting,  our crew will make an announcement and take you down to check on your animals. If additional visits are required please talk to our crew.
• We do not have livestock facilities at either of our terminals. If you are unable to sail due to weather conditions you will need to make arrangements for your animals.

For more information about transporting animals check MPI guidelines Code of Welfare: Transport within New Zealand.

During your journey

We work with you to keep your animals as comfortable as possible.

• We place trucks and floats in well-ventilated positions on board.
• You cannot travel inside your vehicle with your horse or livestock.
• If sea conditions allow, our crew will make an announcement and take you down to check on your animals during the sailing.
• If you need extra visits, just chat with our crew.

Please note we do not have livestock facilities at either terminal. If you cannot sail due to weather conditions, you will need to arrange care for your animals until a later departure.

On board care

• Crew may check on your pet during the sailing, subject to sea conditions and the ship master’s approval.
• If you don’t meet our animal welfare requirements, staff may ask you to use a kennel, or, in rare cases, refuse to carry your pet.

Why choose Interislander for pet travel

• You can bring your pets along for the journey, because we believe the whole whānau deserves to travel together.
• No extra cost if your pet stays in your vehicle under safe conditions.
• We have kennels available and well thought-out systems to support your pet’s wellbeing.
• Our staff are here to help. Just chat with crew or check in with us when booking.

Ready to go

• Book now to reserve your spot (and your pet's). 
• Kennels fill up, especially in summer. 
• We look forward to welcoming you and your furry (or feathered) friends aboard for a scenic, relaxing trip across Cook Strait.

More information

• Animal welfare requirements - please read before you check in. You are responsible for the welfare of your animal when on board.
• For more information about transporting animals check MPI guidelines Code of Welfare: Transport within New Zealand.