Vaccination and Health Information

Which test results and completed vaccinations are required prior to emigration?

Rabies Vaccination:
Timeframe: Within 1 year of export.
Every cat and dog must be vaccinated against Rabies with an approved inactivated rabies virus vaccine within 1 year of export and when the dog or cat was at least 3 months old. If this is your pet’s first Rabies vaccination or if you are unable to provide previous vaccination records, then this vaccination must be at least 4 weeks old before your pet can start the procedure.
General Vaccinations:
Timeframe: Between 1 year and 14 days prior to export.
Dogs must be vaccinated with a 5-in-1-Vaccine which covers Canine Distemper, Canine Hepatitis, Canine Parvovirus, Canine Para-influenza and Canine Adenovirus Type 2. If the Bordetella Bronchiseptica vaccination has not been done, it will be done on arrival at the Keringa Emigration Station.
Cats must be vaccinated with a 3-in-1 which covers Feline Panleukopenia, Feline Rhinotracheitis and Feline Calicivirus. If the Bordetella Bronchiseptica vaccination has not been done, it will be done on arrival at the Keringa Emigration Station.
Blood tests
Timeframe: For pets travelling to Australia, it is recommended that your vet tests your dog for Ehrlichia Canis at the start of the 6/7 month procedure.
We will provide you with the blood test form which your vet will need to complete. We will re-test at the start of quarantine and may do another check test during quarantine.
NOTE: It is imperative that you keep your dog tick-free – so please apply Frontline every 4 weeks religiously.
All other blood tests and procedures needed for the protocol between South Africa and Australia will be done whilst in quarantine.

Vaccination FAQs

What are vaccines?

Vaccines are special medications that have been designed to stimulate the body’s immune system so that it will produce the disease-fighting antibodies that are necessary to help protect it against diseases.

Why should I vaccinate my pet?

Dogs and cats must be vaccinated to help protect them from all the infectious and contagious diseases out there. When puppies and kittens are born, the mothers pass on some immunity to their young through the colostrum in their milk, but unfortunately, this protection is temporary and the best way to ensure long-term protection for your pet is to provide it in the form of vaccinations against all the common diseases.

What vaccinations are recommended for my pet?

You should talk to your vet about your pet’s lifestyle. Many factors affect your pet’s risk of exposure to disease and these include their contact with other animals, the time they spend travelling or boarding, and whether they live indoors or outdoors. Veterinarians typically recommend that your pet be protected against the most common diseases, or the ones that are most easily spread and can cause serious illness. They might also recommend additional vaccines based on your pet’s risk factors for other diseases.

Must pets quarantine before flying?

This depends on the destination country. Some countries don’t require quarantine, others have mandatory quarantine periods prior to or on arrival.

How often do I need to vaccinate my pet to help protect it from disease?

Here are the vaccination guidelines prescribed by the South African Veterinary Association (SAVA) for dogs (cats between brackets):

First vaccination at 8 to 9 (8) weeks.
Second vaccination at 11 to 12 (12) weeks, which includes the first rabies vaccination.
Revaccinate at 14 to 16 (16) weeks, which includes the second rabies vaccination (revaccinate cats if they are in an environment with a high risk of infection, like a breeding cattery; else, give only the second rabies vaccination).
Revaccinate at 1 (1) year.
Revaccinate every 3 (3) years, including rabies.