(Requires a 3 to 4-month preparation process in South Africa)

 

1. Age of Animal

 

To travel to the United Kingdom, your pet must be at least 7 months or older. They need their own Rabies vaccination, which can be given at 12 weeks, and a Rabies Neutralising Antibody Titre Test report (details in section 5).

 

2. Microchip

 

Your pet must be microchipped. The microchip should be implanted either before or at the same time as the Rabies vaccination. Only a microchip implanted by an official, registered veterinarian will be accepted for export purposes.

 

Please note: Ensure that the microchip is readable by ISO-compatible readers. If a microchip fails, a new one must be implanted, and the entire process must be restarted. This means a new Rabies vaccination will need to be administered, either on the same day or after the new microchip is implanted.

 

3. Rabies Vaccination

 

Your pet’s primary Rabies vaccination must be older than 30 days, but not older than one year. Some three-year Rabies vaccinations may be accepted depending on the manufacturer’s specifications, so check with one of our consultants to confirm.

 

Please note: Only a registered veterinarian can administer these vaccinations for export purposes. Vaccinations given by a veterinary nurse, breeder, or welfare organization staff are not accepted.

 

4. Annual Vaccinations

 

Annual vaccinations for dogs and cats are recommended. The vaccinations must be older than 30 days but not older than one year upon arrival. A valid vaccination certificate will be necessary if your pet requires boarding or kenneling before or after travel.

 

For Dogs: Canine Distemper, Infectious Canine Hepatitis, Canine Parvovirus, Canine Parainfluenza, Bordetella Bronchiseptica (Kennel Cough), and Leptospirosis.

 

For Cats: Feline Panleukopenia (Infectious Enteritis/Feline Distemper), Feline Rhinotracheitis, and Feline Calicivirus.

 

Please note: As with Rabies, these vaccinations must be administered by a registered veterinarian.

 

5. Rabies Neutralising Antibody Titre Test (RNATT)

 

Blood samples must be collected at least 30 - 31 days after the Rabies vaccination. The test results need to be 92 days (3 calendar months) old at the time of Health Certificate and State Vet endorsement. The first day is counted from the date the blood is drawn and the sample sent to the testing laboratory (Onderstepoort or Idexx in Germany).

 

Please note: Blood for export purposes must be drawn exclusively by a registered veterinarian. All required information must be accurately completed on the laboratory submission form.

 

6. Echinococcus (Tapeworm) Treatment

 

Dogs travelling to the United Kingdom need to be treated for Echinococcus (tapeworm) between 24 and 120 hours before their scheduled entry.

 

7. Commercial & Non-Commercial Health Certificate

 

Your pets must be accompanied by an Official Third Country Veterinary Health Certificate issued by a private veterinarian, confirming compliance with the above requirements. This Health Certificate must be stamped and signed by the South African State Vet.

 

The Non-Commercial Health Certificate must be completed within 5 days of travel. Pet owners or authorised persons must travel on the same flight or within 5 days of the travelling pet(s) for the Non-Commercial Health Certificate to be endorsed.

 

The Commercial Health Certificate must be completed within 48 hours of travel. If pet owners or authorised persons cannot travel on the same flight or within 5 days of the travelling pet(s), a Commercial Health Certificate may be used instead.

 

Pets travelling on a Commercial Health Certificate out of Johannesburg must depart from authorised premises that have been inspected by an official State Vet, after which a Certificate for a Veterinary Approved Establishment is issued. We hold this certificate and can legally assist with shipments for pets travelling on a Commercial Health Certificate. Our consultants will provide you with more information.

 

Please note: Additional charges may apply if pets are travelling with a Commercial Health Certificate.

 

If you have any further questions, please contact Global Paws. We're here to help!