GTFOplan #52: Importing a dog to South Africa (The Real Cost)

IN THIS VIDEO:
We discuss the details of importing a dog to South Africa, flying on a long distance flight with a dog, and finding vet care in a foreign country. It can be a long and arduous process to bring a loved pet into another country, even if it's a service or emotional support animal.
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ABOUT OUR CATAMARAN:
We love our new Balance 482 - it's a perfect size for a cruising couple to handle and is a great "balance" of performance and comfort. One of our favorite features is the excellent ventilation since we mostly live as "hookers" (aka at anchor) where the boat automatically turns into the wind so we stay cool and we don't need to battle mold. We also have starlink for easy off-grid life. Our 2400 watt solar panel array also means we rarely need to run an engine to charge our batteries.
ABOUT US:
We saved for a our future boat, Sold Everything that we owned, Shipped the rest in a container to Cape Town, South Africa, flew to Cape Town, South Africa airport, to explore South Africa including an amazing safari, touring around Cape Town, move onto a Balance 482 Catamaran, then sailed to St Helena, Ascension Island, Fernando de Naronha, Brazil, Martinique, Sint Maarten (Dutch and French), St. Croix, St. John, St. Thomas, Inagua, Crooked Island, Long Island, George Town, Staniel Cay, Eleuthera, Anegada, Bahamas, Cape Canaveral, St. Augustine Florida, USA, Matthews Virigina, Zimmerman's marine for a haul out, and more!
Both Dennis and Ann grew up military brats with Army fathers. Dennis (the Colonel) served 30 years in the US Army and his retirement pension helped us retire in our 50s. Ann (the ship's Captain) wrote Test Automation in Python and Java. Dennis and Ann met on Match.com where Ann had in her profile "Do you want to sail the world with me?"
Ann easily brought Dennis into sailing and he loved the GTFOplan of retiring early and sailing the world. After many years of saving, living on one income but earning two incomes, and cutting back on everything possible, they saved enough to buy a Balance 482.
Follow them as they get real about boat life and all the hassles of buying a new boat because we all know N.E.W. means Not Everything Works.
Canvas work in South Africa
Jono - WhatsApp [phone]
Kisses,
Dennis & Ann
Twitter: @GTFOplan
Facebook: / anndennis.snellikin.3
Instagram: / gtfoplan
RUclips: / gtfoplan
Email: [e-mail]

[@skipbaccus]

What a great dog! Handled surgery like a champ! Thanks for sharing all the useful information!

[@GTFOplan]

She did! She had one day of being a couch potato before she perked up again and despite her purple paw bandage, was all over the boat.

[@steve1966]

Great to see a video again, Great job Ann! By our very rough calcs using predictwind you should be at or very near the 1/2 way point of your voyage to your wintering over site?

[@GTFOplan]

Thanks Steve! 🤞🏻
Half way to the Caribbean or Annapolis?

[@steve1966]

The carribean

[@leandremarais6288]

Hey yall, awesome tips and information. I’m currently busy with the process for my basset hound . Which document did you only find out about 2 days before flying ? And how did you get your ITM permit to ship the bloodwork to Belgium ?

[@GTFOplan]

@@leandremarais6288 yay - we love helping others. Thank so much for asking! There was a form that had to be manually submitted to a Johannesburg location. They didn’t allow electronic form so we had to pay $$$ for a courier to do massive leg work. We are spoiled in the US with electronic forms and apps!

[@leandremarais6288]

@@GTFOplanthank you for the reply . Was it the AIA permit ? How long did you wait for your pet USDA- Aphis endorsement certificate? This process is so stressful and I really just want to be sure that I have done everything and that all my paperwork is correct

[@GTFOplan]

I know, it’s crazy how difficult it all is especially given the huge number of stray animals wandering around. The timing of the forms is on the usda aphis site. I don’t remember the specifics anymore as my vet walked me through the process. I highly recommend Dr Edwards at Fairfax Banfield. He’s so helpful!

[@GTFOplan]

This is the form that I forgot: A veterinary import permit is required for all dogs and cats traveling to South Africa. Veterinary import permit applications and further information can be found on the Republic of South Africa’s website at www.gov.za/services/import/import-animals-and-animal-products. The completed veterinary permit applications can be sent to the Permit Office at [e-mail]. Email them and ask how long processing takes.

[@leandremarais6288]

@@GTFOplan Thank you we’ve already received our veterans permit from South Africa. Only waiting on the test results from Belgium and the endorsement

[@happyisashley]

I am doing the same trip with my dog this September and wanted to know what the cost breakdown was for all 5 blood tests, health certificate and who you went through to help you attain your import permit

[@GTFOplan]

@@happyisashley I think between $500-800 for all costs. The timing of all the documents is key! We have a Banfield Pet Hospital Health plan (mid tier that includes an annual dental cleaning that pays for the annual cost). We used Dr. Edwards at the Fairfax VA Banfield office. He was super knowledgeable!

[@happyisashley]

@@GTFOplan thank you so much for your information one last question, this airway bill?? I’m having a difficult time understanding how to obtain an airway bill, and if it is absolutely necessary. I will be flying my dog in cabin with me as a service dog so I will not be using Cargo or a pet shipper- but on the South Africa website, it states that I would still need to attain in airway bill. How did you guys combat this?