Emigrating and Can't Take Your Yorkie?
Leaving South Africa is hard enough. Facing the reality that your Yorkie cannot come with you makes it heartbreaking. You are not alone. Every month, South Africans emigrating for work, family, or a fresh start reach out to SA Yorkie Rescue because they cannot take their Yorkie with them. This is not failure — it is a responsible, loving decision made under difficult circumstances.
Complete the surrender form as early as possible — ideally weeks before your flight. The team needs time to plan a calm transition. If your flight is imminent, use the urgent path.
This is one of the hardest decisions you will make
People who contact SAYR about emigration-related rehoming are usually heartbroken. They have weighed every option. They have looked into pet transport, quarantine costs, import permits, and airline regulations. They have asked family members if anyone can take the dog. They have cried about it more times than they can count.
If you have reached the point where taking your Yorkie is genuinely impossible, please know this: choosing a safe, structured rehoming process is not abandonment. It is love. It is putting your dog's welfare ahead of your own feelings. It is making sure they end up in a screened, loving home rather than being passed around or handed to a stranger online.
Why taking a Yorkie overseas is harder than it seems
Yorkies are small, which makes people assume they are easy to travel with. The reality is more complicated:
- Pet import permits — Many countries (Australia, New Zealand, UK, parts of Europe) require months of preparation, blood tests, and quarantine
- Cost — International pet transport with veterinary clearance, crate, flights, and quarantine can cost R30,000 to R80,000 or more
- Breed restrictions — Some countries and airlines restrict snub-nosed or small breeds due to respiratory risks during flights
- Housing at the destination — Many emigrants initially stay in temporary accommodation that does not allow pets
- Climate adjustment — Moving a senior Yorkie from South African summers to a cold European or North American winter can be medically risky
If you have investigated all of this and concluded that taking your Yorkie is genuinely not possible or not in their best interest, rehoming through a reputable rescue is the safest alternative.
What NOT to do before you leave
- Do not leave your Yorkie with someone who is unsure. “My cousin said they might take her” is not a plan. If the arrangement falls through after you have left, your dog is stranded.
- Do not post on expat Facebook groups. These groups are public, unmoderated, and attract people looking for free small-breed dogs. You will not be able to screen anyone from overseas.
- Do not wait until the week of your flight. Last-minute rehoming forces rushed decisions. Contact SAYR as soon as you know taking your Yorkie is not possible.
- Do not promise a friend you will send money for the dog's care. These arrangements almost always break down within months, and the dog ends up needing rescue anyway — often in worse condition.
How SAYR helps with emigration rehoming
Contact SAYR as soon as you know your Yorkie cannot come with you. Weeks of notice means a calm, planned transition — not a panic handover.
Include your flight date, your Yorkie's age, health, behaviour, and what you hope for in a new home. The more you share, the better the match.
A foster option may sometimes be considered when genuinely needed and when a suitable foster home is available. The family who currently knows the dog can provide information for case-by-case matching.
If a suitable placement is identified, the Yorkie may be matched to a screened adopter based on the dog's needs. Placement is not guaranteed.
Plan early for the safest available next step
Frequently asked questions
I am leaving in two weeks. Is that enough time?
It is tight but possible. Contact SAYR immediately via the form AND WhatsApp. The team will be honest about what can be arranged in your timeframe. Earlier is always better — do not wait.
Can I choose the new owner?
The rescue team manages final matching based on welfare and suitability. You can describe the kind of home you hope for, but matching prioritises the dog's long-term safety.
Will I be updated after I leave?
Personal details are handled privately and are not published in public profiles or posts. The team reviews available options case by case; placement is not guaranteed.
What if my Yorkie is older or has health needs?
Senior Yorkies and dogs with medical needs are assessed carefully. Be completely honest about health, age, and any conditions — this helps the team review available options for the individual case with the right experience.
Start early and share your deadline
You are making an incredibly difficult decision. Complete the form early so the team can review your Yorkie's needs, your flight date and the available options. A particular response time, foster option or placement cannot be guaranteed.
Is your Yorkie rehoming situation urgent?
Complete the official surrender form so the team has the dog's health, behaviour, location and deadline. If you also need to alert the team quickly, use the official WhatsApp or phone line below. A message or call does not replace the form and cannot guarantee immediate placement.
How SAYR manages rehoming
SA Yorkie Rescue primarily coordinates carefully managed home-to-home rehoming. Where safe and practical, a Yorkie remains with the surrender family while SAYR manages applications, screening, matching and the handover. A foster option may sometimes be considered when genuinely needed and when a suitable foster home is available.
The public process
Surrender → Application → Case Review → Matching → Approval → Handover
Applications and enquiries do not guarantee approval or placement. Matching is not first-come-first-served. Available options depend on the individual case and current capacity.