Pet Relocation to the United Kingdom
From South Africa to England, Scotland and Wales, with no quarantine when every requirement is met.
Get in touch
Tell us about your move and your lovely pets, and we’ll get back to you.
Moving to the UK with your pet can be exciting: the UK’s lush countryside, pet-friendly parks and rich heritage make it a fantastic destination for South African pet owners. Sky Companion ensures a seamless, stress-free relocation for your dog or cat by handling all the details, from planning and paperwork to travel arrangements and meet-and-greet. Below, we outline key UK entry requirements (microchipping, vaccinations, health certificates, etc.) and show how Sky Companion supports you every step of the way.
UK Pet-Friendly Relocation
Whether you’re relocating for work, family or adventure, the United Kingdom, including England, Scotland and Wales, offers a pet-loving culture with plenty of green spaces and pet-friendly amenities. Dogs can enjoy long walks in the rolling countryside, and cats can live comfortably in city or rural settings alike. Brits are known for caring for their pets as family, so your fur baby will feel right at home.
For South African owners, the UK’s familiar language and strong vet standards make it an attractive destination. Sky Companion helps South African pet owners navigate all UK-specific requirements, so your pet arrives happy, healthy and ready to explore the new surroundings.
Entry Requirements for Dogs and Cats
Moving a pet to the UK requires meeting strict veterinary and import rules. All requirements below must be completed before travel to avoid quarantine.
Microchipping
All pets must be microchipped before any other procedures, and the microchip must be registered on the manufacturer’s database.
Any rabies vaccination done before microchipping is null and void.
Rabies Vaccination
The rabies vaccination must be administered after microchipping. At the time of travel, it must be:
- At least 30 days old.
- No older than one year.
Annual Vaccinations
Annual general vaccinations must be up to date, given at least 30 days before travel and no older than one year:
- Dogs: 5-in-1 vaccination
- Cats: 3-in-1 vaccination
Rabies Titre Test
A rabies antibody titre test is required:
- Blood drawn 30 days after the rabies vaccination.
- A result of at least 0.5 IU/ml.
- A 3-calendar-month waiting period after the blood draw before travel is permitted.
Parasite Treatment
Dogs must receive a parasite treatment (dewormer) within 5 days of travel.
Health Certificate and State Vet Endorsement
A health certificate must be issued by a South African private veterinarian, confirming that all requirements are met and your pet is fit to fly. It must be:
- Signed and stamped by the issuing vet.
- Endorsed by the State Veterinarian.
The certificate is valid for 5 days from the date of issue. We provide the correctly formatted certificate for your vet to sign.
Approved Transport Company
All pets travelling to the UK, including Wales and Scotland, must enter using an approved transport company.
Banned Breeds
Pit Bulls are not permitted entry into the United Kingdom.
The overall timeline for UK pet relocation is roughly 4–6 months, accounting for vaccination schedules and test waiting periods.
What’s in the UK Pet Travel Requirements Document?
- Microchip requirements
- Rabies and annual vaccination schedules
- Rabies titre test and waiting period
- Parasite treatment for dogs
- Health certificate and State Vet endorsement
- Approved transport company
- Banned breeds
Our Full-Service Support
Sky Companion makes international pet moves simple. From the day you contact us, our team coordinates every detail:
- Personalised Planning: We explain the UK requirements in plain language and create a step-by-step plan. You’ll know exactly when to vaccinate, test, and obtain documents.
- Veterinary Liaison: We work directly with your local vet to ensure microchip implantation, core vaccinations and rabies vaccine are timed correctly. We also coordinate rabies blood tests and any necessary treatments (e.g. tapeworm for dogs).
- Documentation Management: Our experts prepare all paperwork: the South African export permit, the UK Pet Health Certificate, the non-commercial movement declaration and any transit paperwork. We review every form to avoid mistakes.
- Flight and Crate Arrangements: We book pet-friendly flights and provide an IATA-compliant travel crate of the right size. We handle airline coordination so your pet travels safely and comfortably.
- Customs Clearance: Upon arrival in the UK, Sky Companion (or our trusted local partner) oversees customs and animal health checks. We ensure officials have all documents and that your pet clears quickly.
- Door-to-Door Care: For maximum convenience, we offer door-to-door transport. We can pick up your pet from your home in SA and deliver it to your UK address (or vice versa for return moves). Our meet-and-greet service in the UK means your pet is met at the airport and handed safely to you.
- Ongoing Support: We stay in touch every step of the way. You’ll receive updates on your pet’s status, and we handle any questions the airlines or authorities might have.
Our goal is for you and your pet to feel supported and stress-free throughout the move. You focus on your new life in the UK, while we take care of the logistics and paperwork.
