Beware – there are many such dog scams going around. The run an advert in  every major city in South Africa using the same photo and the same details for the dog or cat. Persian kittens are also offered at a very good rate. The scammer sends you pictures of the kittens and asks for a deposit for delivery. They will mail you the kittens details, pedigrees etc and then you are hooked. They will often go under names like “Pet Transport Services International”or “International pet shippers”. They love to use online services like Gumtree and also the pet transport scammers often ask you to pay insurance if they are sending you a rare or valuable pet from a newspaper. Of course pets are not their only subject, these scammers have been doing the same other products like jewelry – also asking for jewelry insurance to be paid up front – and offering certificates etc. Pet scams work mainly on emotion, while jewelry scams work on greed – either way – you lose your money.

This of course means a booming business for dog kennels and higher than normal business for the SPCA. When flying your dog to New Zealand or your dog to Canada – find out what the regulations are – as with all countries, they have specific requirements for each kind of animal. Pet express transport will include pet flights, dog boxes, and all the inoculations. A good Animal travel company will also look after kenneling for the quarantine period. Pet transport to Canada is not as stringent as pet transport to New Zealand, for instance – but both countries are very strict.

There is of course no such thing as pet transport airlines – the normal airlines transport the pets in the hold – although some airlines are more pet friendly than others – that is where your pet transport international company comes in – they have the best contacts and will ensure your pooch gets there safely and comfortably.

Your dog will have to be in quarantine for a period of 4 months. Preparation to move your dog to New Zealand will begin in South Africa 6 months before the dog’s departure, with various tests that will need to be carried out by your local Vet. Ask your Pet travel agent for a list of banned pets and banned dogs. They will also walk you through the specifics of moving a dog to New Zealand. Before you put your dogs on the airplane make sure all your ducks are in a row – otherwise they will either send the dog back – or worse, have the dog put down. So if you were planning to take your dog to New Zealand for the Rugby world cup next week – forget it!

When moving a dog to New Zealand make sure you know what the regulations to move pet to New Zealand are -  dogs on airplane that do not have the correct papers will be sent back – also make sure that your pet travel box is IATA approved – this means that the size of the dog box is correct and the weight also is within the airline limits. The wood will have to have been treated – otherwise it will not be allowed into the country – Your pet travel agent will get all of this done for you – but it is a good idea to check that this is done correctly – otherwise you are in for an expensive mistake. The regulations for pets to the UK, Canada and United States are very similar … but New Zealand has the strictest laws when importing pets. While many people want to send their dog overseas on their own, and it is possible, it is far easier to use a dog transport company – you worry about the family and let the pet transport business worry about your dogs and cats.

It is also helpful to know what inoculations and shots the dog or cat has had. People want to know how can I send my dog overseas? – you can do it yourself but it is often easier to use an animal travel company. Before they can quote to fly pets overseas or send dogs overseas, you will have to have to contact a wooden box company who makes pet boxes and dog boxes – The pet travel company can usually organise this for you.

When you bring a dog to South Africa keep these points in mind:

Regulations Dogs to South Africa

Quarantine period of 14 days is imposed for dogs entering South Africa from many countries.  Please contact us in this regard.

There is no quarantine for cats.

There is a 30 day mandatory quarantine period for birds and reptiles.

Other counties have other regulations when you fly your dog overseas.

To fly you dog overseas you will need to go through a series of checks including inoculations and Vet checks. You will need a wooden box to transport your dog in and it will have to be airline approved. If the country that you’re sending your dog to requires a period of quarantine – you will need to make contact with a kenneling company in the host country – all quite a big job. Far better to use an animal travel company – they will professional handle all the details.

They will handle:

• Booking of short stays or lengthy boarding at reputable, licensed kennels
• Apply for export/import licenses
  
• Provide Travel Containers
• Door to door service
  
• Importing pets into South Africa
• Local and International Quarantine Bookings
• Travel arrangements
• Home to kennels
  
• Door to airport service
• Airport to airport service
• Reservations and ticketing
  
• Kennels to home
• …..and with a smile.
  

This is what any professional dog travel company should be doing. If you plan to fly your dog overseas be very sure what the regulations are – some countries will simply send the dog back again – and worse – some countries will put you dog down.

For instance in Australia these breeds are forbidden:

• Fila Brasileiro
• Japansese Tosa
• Pit Bull Terrier or American Pit Bull Terrier
• and they take no prisoners – they will put the dog down at your expense.

So take care when doing a home job – get your ducks in a row when flying your dog. Or, be clever, pay the money, and let a pet travel business fly your dog overseas.

You must find out the regulations specific to the country you are traveling to. You will need to find kennels and you will need to inoculate your pet. You will also need to buy a pet travel cage or pet box for air travel. You will find many pet travel companies willing to take your money – find a reputable pet transport agent and you will enjoy the trip.

The larger your pet, the larger your pet box must be. If your dogs or cats are of similar size and breed you will be able to place both pets in the pet travel cage – this is far better – first it saves you money on the cost of the pet cage, and secondly your pets will be a comfort to each other on the trip. World pet travel is not that easy to organise. You will need to find out the specific regulations of the country you are sending your pet to. You will need to make contact with a kennel as most countries require a quarantine period when you travel with a pet. Pet containers for air travel should be made or purchased locally – otherwise you will have to ship your pet container to where you are flying from – more cost.

Pet travel companies will obviously mark up on whatever pet travel cage you purchase – so if you can buy your pet container for air travel directly you can save some money. If the pet travel box is made from wood – ensure that the manufacturer has used treated wood – as many countries do not allow untreated wood in without a certificate. Pet travel cages can be made of steel and mesh – but these are not common. Airlines regulations change – so check that whatever pet travel cage you are buying is approved by the airlines.

Wooden dog box

Pet crates can be made for any pet travelling by plane. Cat boxes, bird boxes, dog boxes of any size can be custom made. Pet movers in South Africa prefer wooden boxes to plastic crates as they are less expensive and come in a wider variety of sizes.

If you have 2 pets you wish to place in the wooden pet box, the airlines state the dogs, or cats must be a similar breed and size. This can be a good way to send your pets overseas as they will keep each other company. Larger dogs should however travel in their own dog box or pet crate.