International Pet Travel to South Africa. Pet Travel Requirements for South Africa.
Pet Travel to South Africa. Fun Fact: Only 37% of households keep dogs, or approx. 9.1 million with only 2.4 million cats. Dogs are still not often allowed in the house and are primarily kept as guard animals. A few unusual pets kept as animal friends include: hyenas, serval cats, and old-world monkeys.
Microchip
Implant
Dogs and cats must be individually identified with an ISO microchip. If your pet has a different microchip implanted, please discuss with your pet travel expert to confirm eligibility. The microchip MUST be implanted before the rabies vaccination. The pets microchip number MUST be recorded accurately on all lab reports.
Rabies
Vaccination
The vaccine used must be a strain of anti-rabies conforming to a potency standard recognized by the World Health Organization. The animal must have been vaccinated at least 30 days, but not longer than 12 months prior to export in the case of the primary vaccination. Animals under 3 months of age may not be vaccinated and are considered to have a valid vaccination provided the dam of the animal concerned was vaccinated at least 30 days, but not more than 12 months, prior to giving birth. NB: Such animals must be vaccinated at 3 months of age against rabies in the Republic of South Africa and the owners must inform the South African Veterinary Authority.
Parasite
Treatment
Internal and External Parasite treatment: Pet cats have to be examined clinically by an official veterinarian within 10 days of export and found to be free of internal and external parasites, contagious and infectious diseases to which the species is susceptible and fit to travel.
Import
Permit
Completed by agent in the destination country.
Health
Certificate
Health Certificate must be signed by a USDA accredited veterinarian and endorsed by the USDA within 10 days of the dog or cat departure.
Microchip
Implant
Dogs and cats must be individually identified with an ISO microchip. If your pet has a different microchip implanted, please discuss with your pet travel expert to confirm eligibility. The microchip MUST be implanted before the rabies vaccination. The pets microchip number MUST be recorded accurately on all lab reports.
Rabies
Vaccination
Any U.S. licensed rabies vaccine product is acceptable for use. Rabies vaccination must be within 12 months of export, and more than 30 days prior to export in the case of primary rabies vaccination.
Diseases
Testing
ALL tests must be performed within 30 days of export (no exceptions are permitted without a dispensation issued by South Africa). All test results must be NEGATIVE; any dog testing POSITIVE for any of the five mentioned diseases will not be eligible for export to South Africa. Sample collection dates must be recorded on all laboratory reports. All tests must be completed at an “officially approved laboratory” located in the United States, per the South African veterinary health certificate requirements, with the exception of testing for T. evansi, which must be completed at an OIE Reference Laboratory approved for this disease. ONLY the T. evansi test samples should be sent to OIE Reference Laboratories. Detailed information on T. evansi sample submission can be found on the APHIS Pet Travel Website.
Testing
Methods
ONLY the following test methods are allowed as outlined below:
Brucella Canis: Serum agglutination (this is the ONLY acceptable test method)
Trypanosmoa Evansi: BOTH Card agglutination test* AND Giemsa blood smear*
*Both tests MUST be performed at an OIE Reference Laboratory
Babesia Gibsoni: BOTH Immunoflouresence antibody test AND Giemsa blood smear
Dirofilaria Immitis: Microfilarial filtration test (this is the ONLY acceptable test method)
Leishmaniosis: Indirect fluorescent antibody test OR ELISA test OR Direct agglutination test OR Western blot/membrane immunoassay
Heartworm
Testing
Heartworm Testing: from the date of negative testing, until export, at the required intervals: you are required to provide the date(s) of administration of D. immitis preventative (a.k.a. heartworm) medication after a negative test result for Dirofilaria has been received, and before the date of health certificate issuance. There should be at least ONE treatment date listed in section 6.1 of the certificate AFTER the test result of the negative heartworm test was received and BEFORE (or on the same day as) the USDA Accredited Veterinarian signs the health certificate (unless using ProHeart SR-12 injectable annually).
Health and Babesia
Treatment
Leishmania and Babesia gibsoni: the animals must be treated with an effective acaricide, and with insect repellent, registered in South Africa within 30 days before departure. Any acaricide and insect repellent product licensed for use in the United States for the prevention of insect disease vectors, namely ticks and flies, may be used. This can be administered as a combination product (Ex: K9 Advantix II) or individually (Ex: both a permethrin product and an imidacloprid product). The date(s) of application, product names and dosages must be recorded in Item 6.2 of the certificate PRIOR TO submitting the certificate for APHIS endorsement.
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