Under current regulations governing import:” All dogs and cats imported into South Africa must be registered as manifest cargo and can not fly as excess baggage 

The Directorate of Veterinary Services does not have veterinary officials at OR Tambo (Johannesburg) passenger terminal and Cape Town International Airport to check the paperwork of dogs entering South Africa via the passenger terminal. The dogs and cats can only disembark via the cargo terminal of the respective airports.

Dogs and cats may travel in the cabin with the owner if allowed by the airline, but the pets must be registered as manifest cargo and the airline staff must take the pets from the owner on the landing so that they can be offloaded from the plane via the cargo terminal.

For these reasons, Airlines do not accept and issue tickets for pets to fly ass excess luggage in the cabin citing embargo.

The alternative of attempting to transport Pekingese and other snubbed-nosed pets is dangerous and the majority of airlines have updated their policies not even to accept them in cargo.

There are many reported and documented cases of pets dying in the care of cargo staff. even during shorter local flights.

With no other options, many less determined pet parents opt to find them another home and sacrifice them, so that at least they can reunite with their human family.

Aside from our personal story successful resolution and the update of regulations to allow such pets under the excess luggage connected to the in-cabin ticket rather than the manifest cargo, would help many others to safely travel with such pets from and to South Africa. This will also open up a whole new way of income and revenue for as then the  pet shows and competition events can be hosted by South Africa,

South African Department of Agriculture and Fisheries, please update your legislation to allow snub-nosed pets to fly in South Africa in the cabin as excess luggage, cancelling the requirement for them to be declared as manifest cargo.

Also, The Directorate Veterinary Services please provide qualified personnel on passenger terminals at ports of entry( JNB and CT  and DNB International airports) to check Import documentation for pets who fly in as excess luggage.

We are literally on our knees begging for a favourable answer from your department.

If you believe that snubbed-nosed animals deserve an equal chance to travel safely from and to South Africa without undue difficulties please sign and share this petition.