Cat fur clipping import

[sidneykitty]

I currently live in the US and I am moving to New Zealand in a couple of months. I have fur clippings from my deceased kitties and I'd like to bring them with me for obvious sentimental reasons.

The fur is currently in ziploc bags inside of scrapbooks. However, I could remove the bags and ship or package them in a different way if necessary.

I've been told the fur needs to be "treated" and certified by a vet that it is free of pests/other biohazards. I've inquired about this with my vet but not sure they will/can do it and ultimately, it may still be rejected by customs.

Has anyone done this (or similar) before?

My other idea was to have the fur formally mounted in some way, but I'm not really sure how. I do have resin jewellery with fur preserved inside but I also like having the fur itself. thanks!

(Not sure this is the best forum for this, mods feel free to move if appropriate.)

 

[Caspers Human]

Do you know any place that does glass blowing?
Maybe a head shop that makes glass water pipes?

You could have somebody seal the fur inside glass tubes. That way the fur would be preserved and, as a bonus, it would make sure that nothing infectious could be spread.

When our kitties pass on, that's what I plan to do. I know a couple of shops in town that do glass blowing and I've already spoken to one guy, informally, who said it can be done. He said he can make a small locket, in glass, that can be worn on a chain around the neck.

Like this: What's sealed stayed sealed. - Glass Creations

I don't know if that's something you can do or even if you'd want to do it but, still, I suggest you look into it.

 

[fionasmom]

Was the New Zealand customs official, or those to whom you spoke, specific about what might be required? Is there a certificate or declaration form that you need to have completed beforehand...a permit? Or is this all decided at the point of entry? If you "treat" the fur, what kind of certification do they require that it is now sterile and not carrying "hitch hikers" which is what some custom's officials call whatever could be in the cat fur.

 

[iPappy]

Do you know any place that does glass blowing?
Maybe a head shop that makes glass water pipes?

You could have somebody seal the fur inside glass tubes. That way the fur would be preserved and, as a bonus, it would make sure that nothing infectious could be spread.

When our kitties pass on, that's what I plan to do. I know a couple of shops in town that do glass blowing and I've already spoken to one guy, informally, who said it can be done. He said he can make a small locket, in glass, that can be worn on a chain around the neck.

Like this: What's sealed stayed sealed. - Glass Creations

I don't know if that's something you can do or even if you'd want to do it but, still, I suggest you look into it.

This looks so cool. I have so many fur clippings I wouldn't mind having put all in one piece of glass. Thank you for posting this info and link.

 

[sidneykitty]

thanks Caspers Human ! That's neat! I haven't found someone local and honestly not sure I have the money to spare with a big overseas move, but I'll think about other similar ideas using glass or resin. I had fur put in resin jewellery that I really liked but I don't want more jewellery. thank you

fionasmom unfortunately not. There doesn't appear to be anything official regarding treatment or a form to fill out until I get to filling out my customs declaration. My vet offered to treat it using a UV light and write a letter stating they did so.

Honestly, I just can't see it being a big issue...there are bigger fish to fry out there and this is my deceased indoor cat fur that's been in ziploc bags for years, but I also don't want to fail to declare and face a fine or have it taken away/destroyed at the border.

 

[sidneykitty]

Update ages later in case anyone wanted to know: it was all fine. I wound up taking it to my vet for "treatment" which was a 10-minute UV light exposure in a very precise process they documented well in a letter for me. All was fine and no one cared about the fur at the border, but they did ask about Amber's ashes. Once they saw the pouch in a zip loc bag, they were fine with it and all was well. Now I'm waiting for my beautiful urn to arrival in a shipment so I can have Amber back in her home again.

 

[game misconduct]

have a person braid it into your hair

 

[Caspers Human]

Brilliant! You're an evil genius!

 

[fionasmom]

Thank you for letting us know that it all worked out!

 

[iPappy]

Update ages later in case anyone wanted to know: it was all fine. I wound up taking it to my vet for "treatment" which was a 10-minute UV light exposure in a very precise process they documented well in a letter for me. All was fine and no one cared about the fur at the border, but they did ask about Amber's ashes. Once they saw the pouch in a zip loc bag, they were fine with it and all was well. Now I'm waiting for my beautiful urn to arrival in a shipment so I can have Amber back in her home again.

I'm so happy you didn't have any troubles and everything worked out easily for you.

 

[IzzysfureverMom]

Do you know any place that does glass blowing?
Maybe a head shop that makes glass water pipes?

You could have somebody seal the fur inside glass tubes. That way the fur would be preserved and, as a bonus, it would make sure that nothing infectious could be spread.

When our kitties pass on, that's what I plan to do. I know a couple of shops in town that do glass blowing and I've already spoken to one guy, informally, who said it can be done. He said he can make a small locket, in glass, that can be worn on a chain around the neck.

Like this: What's sealed stayed sealed. - Glass Creations

I don't know if that's something you can do or even if you'd want to do it but, still, I suggest you look into it.

That is a lovely idea and a wonderful keepsake. We use to live somewhere where there was a glassblower. Unfortunately so many of these crafts are becoming lost arts.

 

[Caspers Human]

It's not exactly my thing but, because marijuana is being legalized in so many states of the US, there are boutique businesses popping up that make glass pipes for smoking. Many of them will do custom work if you go in and talk to them.

I'm not telling people whether they should smoke or not but, yes, there are still people who do custom glass blowing. There is a place in my town and I have talked to them. They will do custom work if you pay their price. (Which isn't exactly cheap. )

 

[IzzysfureverMom]

It's not exactly my thing but, because marijuana is being legalized in so many states of the US, there are boutique businesses popping up that make glass pipes for smoking. Many of them will do custom work if you go in and talk to them.

I'm not telling people whether they should smoke or not but, yes, there are still people who do custom glass blowing. There is a place in my town and I have talked to them. They will do custom work if you pay their price. (Which isn't exactly cheap. )

The one were we lived made vases and glasses that type of thing. The other stuff didn't even enter my mind, should have maybe