Travelling with animals

Key things to note when travelling with a pet or animal

You are responsible for the safety and comfort of your animal while it is on our ships. You need to tick the Animal Declaration when you book. Read our animal welfare requirements before you check in.

Certified assistance dogs are permitted in the passenger areas of our ships.

You may be able to visit your animal when sailing conditions allow. Listen for the announcement and a crew member will escort you to check on your animal.

Important things to keep in mind:

• You are responsible for your pet's or animal's welfare at all times
• Don't force animals to travel if they aren't well
• Your pet needs to be comfortable and have enough space to travel in its normal posture as well as having water and ventilation during the sailing.
• Let us know how many animals you are travelling with when you book. 
• Dogs can travel in a vehicle or in one of our kennels. If you are not travelling with a vehicle you must book a kennel.
• Pets travelling in a vehicle must be inside the vehicle or crate, not tethered outside or on the deck of a ute.
• Before you come on board make sure your pet or animal is fed, watered, exercised and/or rested prior to their journey
• To reduce stress make sure your pet is familiar with the space they will be travelling in beforehand - toys and blankets can be comforting
• Ships are noisy places and may cause distress to animals. We do try and minimise noises such as car alarms.

We know that your pets are a special part of the family and one of the great advantages of our Cook Strait ferry is that you can all travel together.

Your dog can have a comfortable journey in the familiar surroundings of your car or we have kennels you can book.

Travelling with animals in your vehicle

Your pet can remain in your vehicle for the journey providing the vehicle is comfortable and safe. There is no charge for this . We will not let any animals onboard if we feel they are in any danger of harm or discomfort.

When travelling:

• Let check-in staff know that you have an animal in your vehicle, and they'll give you a special hanger to attach to your rearview mirror
• Once on board make sure there is adequate ventilation - leave windows by around 7 cm
• Ensure your pet has water before leaving your vehicle
• Our crew will check on your pet to make sure it is happy and well
• Listen for the announcement during the sailing and one of our crew will take you down to check on your pet if conditions allow.

Assistance dogs

Certified assistance dogs are allowed to travel in the passenger areas but it is important that you let us know when you book.

During the sailing your assistance dog must be on its lead and seated on an absorbent mat which you'll need to bring with you.

All the details about travelling with a certified assistance dog can be found in our animal welfare requirements. 

We do not allow emotional, therapy or comfort animals in the passenger areas.

Working dogs

If you are travelling with working dogs in a crate, box or kennel, adequate ventilation must be provided with a minimum of 20% of the surface area opened and unobstructed. Air does not flow as well on the ships' decks as it does on the open road. Ventilation requirements for crates and boxes are to avoid heat stress which can be fatal to dogs.

The dogs must be able to stand, turn around and lie down with a natural posture and have access to water for the journey.

If your vehicle doesn't meet these requirements please book our on board dog kennels.

Please read our animal welfare requirements

Horses and livestock

Make sure you let us know when you are travelling with a horse or livestock such as sheep, cows or alpacas when you book. We will contact you if there are any changes to a sailing such as a weather alert. 

We don't carry horses and livestock when swells on Cook Strait are over three metres. We do recommend building a bit of flexibility into your travel plans and keep an eye on the weather forecast. Check our Sailing Conditions page and Windy.com provides good information on swells.

Travelling with hay? Any hay in the back of a trailer mush be dry and completely covered. If you are carrying less than 60 kg of hay please let us know at check-in. If you are carrying over 60 kg of hay you need to fill in a dangerous goods declaration and send to us at least four hours before your scheduled 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.

More information

• Animal welfare requirements - please read before you check in. You are responsible for the welfare of your animal when on board.