Pet Travel Question: Are there Quarantine Requirements for South Africa or the UK?

Name: Marisa
Number of Pets: 1
Pet Type: Small Dog
From: New Zealand
To: South Africa or UK

Hi,

I want to get a small dog, but am considering moving to either South Africa or the UK within the next two years. Before I make the commitment of getting a dog, I need to find out how my future plans would impact on my pet. Do all pets need to go into quarantine? Are there exceptions? Not certain I would like to leave a pet in quarantine for extended period if I move.

Thanks for any advice,

Marisa

Hi Marisa,

These are important considerations, as quarantine periods can be stressful for owners and animals. Check out the pet import requirements for South Africa. You'll notice that there are currently no quarantine requirements for pets entering South Africa. This document from the South African Department of Agriculture confirms that dogs traveling from New Zealand need not be quarantined upon arrival in South Africa.

Likewise, if you take a look at the pet import requirements for the United Kingdom, you'll see that there is no quarantine requirement at this time for pets traveling from "listed countries" (such as New Zealand).

Your future dog shouldn't have to go through quarantine when he travels to one of those countries with you, but he will need to meet all the requirements imposed by those nations. Luckily, you're doing your research well in advance, so there shouldn't be many surprises when it comes time to move with your pet. If you have any more questions about pet transport, feel free to contact us. Thanks for your question and good luck with everything!