Exporting dogs and cats to the EU

As from the 1st October 2004 the EU adopted a more stringent approach to the importing of dogs and cats into the EU. A valid rabies vaccination on it own is not sufficient for dogs and cats to enter the EU from countries classified as 3rd countries with an unfavourable rabies status, which includes South Africa. All dogs and cats from 3rd countries have to demonstrate a neutralising rabies antibody titre of at least 0.5 IU/ml of serum to be eligible for importation into the EU.

At the beginning of February 2005 the Onderstepoort Veterinary Institute (OVI) rabies laboratory gained accreditation from the EU to do the rabies neutralising antibody test for dogs and cats exported to the EU. Veterinarians need to phone the OVI rabies lab at 012 529-9439 or 012 529-9390 for further information regarding the cost of testing and the procedure to be followed for submitting samples.

The animals must be permanently identified with either a microchip or a tattoo, preferably a microchip. From the 3rd July 2011 only a microchip will accepted.

The health certificate that needs to be completed for exporting the dog or cat to the EU is available from your local provincial state vet office. This certificate is not valid for dogs and cats travelling to Ireland, Britain, Malta and Sweden. Dogs and cats travelling to these countries are still subjected to quarantine.

Procedure

Puppies and Kittens
Puppies and kittens need to be vaccinated against rabies at 3 months of age. A month later a serum blood sample needs to be sent to the OVI rabies lab for the rabies neutralising antibody test. If the rabies neutralising antibody titre is high enough the animal can travel to the EU three months after the blood was taken for the rabies test. This means the minimum age that a dog or cat has to be before it can travel to the EU is seven months. Kittens and puppies may not enter the EU on the basis of the mother having a valid rabies vaccination.

Adult dogs and cats
Adult animals need to be vaccinated for rabies on a yearly basis. Blood needs to be taken at least a month after the last rabies vaccination and sent to the OVI for rabies serology. Three months after taking the blood sample, the animal may travel to the EU if an adequate serological test result is obtained.

Dogs and cats returning to the EU after a stay in South Africa
The serology test and 3 month waiting period is not required for dogs returning to the EU after a stay in South Africa. This applies if the animal was subjected to a rabies serology test, showing the required level of antibodies, before leaving the EU and had a rabies booster vaccination every year while in South Africa. If the rabies boosters are not kept up to date the animal must be retested and demonstrate the required level of rabies antibodies, before returning to the EU.