Last night we received an important notice concerning pets traveling to South Africa from the EU from our agents.

Beginning on 1 April 2010, all dogs traveling to South Africa from EU countries must be tested for all five of the following parasites with negative results:

1. Brucella canis
2. Trypanosoma evansi
3. Babesia gibsoni
4. Dirofilaria immitis
5. Leishmania

Felines remain unaffected by these new regulations.

This change has come to effect due to the EU open border policies.  Pets coming from other countries will still only need to be tested for parasites which are present in their country.

For example, pets traveling from the US to South Africa still only need to be tested for all of the parasites listed above except for trypanosoma evansi, as it is not a parasite found in the US.

If you have any questions about the new South African pet travel requirements, feel free to email us.