Travelling abroad with your pets isn’t as easy as booking flight tickets and jetting off to greener pastures. In fact, there are a lot of requirements for international pet travel. Depending on where you’re travelling to, these requirements can differ. Aside from sorting out the quarantine requirements, your pets also need microchip certificates, their original (and up-to-date) vet book, and blood testing documents.

What do I need for travelling abroad with pets?

Microchip Certificates

Every pet travelling abroad needs an ISO microchip. If your pet doesn’t have a mircochip before his or her vaccinations, everything must be re-done after a chip is fitted. Do not waste money on vaccines if your pet doesn’t have a microchip. Chips are absolutely essential for pets travelling abroad. It is by far the most important aspect of relocating. We always advise on doing the chip before any other step in the process.

Rabies Vaccination

Rabies vaccines can’t be any older than 12 months and the minimum timeframe for these shots are 30 days prior to your departure. It s also essential to use a vet registered with the South Afrucan Vet Council for the rabies shot. Vaccinations administered by pet rescue organisations, breeders, and veterinary assistants are not acceptable for travelling abroad with pets.

The Rabies Neutralising Titration Test (RATT) takes place thirty days after your pet received his rabies vaccine. If the blood test is run for the RNATT before 30 days, your pet will not receive State Vet Clearance. This might mean that he or she will not be allowed to enter your destination country or might be subject to quarantine on entry. It’s imperative to keep in mind that your pet’s admission to the European Union may take place a minimum of 90 days after the drawing of blood for the RNATT, no sooner entry is permitted.

Other Vaccinations

If you have cats, they’ll have the 3-in-1 vaccination. As for dogs, they get the 5-in-1 vaccination. Records of these shots go in vet books or cards. Just like the rabies vaccination, these vaccines are administerable at least 30 days before and less than 12 months before travelling.

Final Thoughts

There are a lot of requirements for travelling abroad with pets. The vaccines and certificates we mentioned here are the basics you need to sort out before your travel dates. For more detailed information on the process of moving your pets overseas, it’s always advisable to consult with a Pet Relocation agency.

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