Karzy

Using a pet relocation company is proving to be way to expensive. I was told to go directly to the airlines and book my pets into cargo and do the paperwork myself. I can figure out the dogs and cats, but I have a parrot and 4 bunnies which is not that easy. Any suggestions on which airline to approach.

kennycrudup

😮 ... watching this topic for sure ...!

bhomburg

South Africa mandates all animals that aren't guide dogs get into the country as manifested cargo, so that's your only option. The only airline with nonstop service between the US and RSA these days is United, and they do not transport live animals at all on this route except for members of the military and US government with official relocation orders.
so you't need to connect.
The big European airlines are all out. AKFL-Martinair cargo , LH cargo and IAG cargo all require you to go through an agent/freight forwarder for live animal shipments.
The cheapest option would have been Aeroflot, but, well, no more.
Try Qatar https://www.qrcargo.com/s/products/live-cargo, Emirates https://www.skycargo.com/product/emirates-pets/, Turkish https://www.turkishcargo.com.tr/en/p...-cargo/tk-live and Ethopian: https://cargo.ethiopianairlines.com/.../special-cargo.
I f you are adventurous you can cut down on cost by using an airline like ET that'd accept your zoo (at least the dogs should be) as checked baggage, fly to WDH (lots of paperwork but no manifested cargo requirement) and cross into RSA by land.
Good luck!