Published on and written by Cyril Jarnias
Moving to Cape Verde with a dog or cat is entirely possible, provided you prepare thoroughly for the departure. The country generally does not impose quarantine if health requirements are met, but official information is not easily accessible online and airline rules often change. It is therefore best to plan the project well in advance and rely on veterinarians, veterinary authorities, and, if necessary, professional animal transporters.
Good to know:
This article synthesizes experience feedback, veterinary advice, and airline requirements to calmly prepare for relocating your pet to Cape Verde.
Understanding the General Framework for Animal Entry into Cape Verde
Cape Verde accepts the importation of dogs and cats, whether arriving by plane or by boat. The health conditions are identical regardless of the mode of arrival, as long as the animal is disembarked in the territory.
Attention:
When all conditions are met, no quarantine stay is imposed upon arrival in Cape Verde, including on popular islands. The absence of quarantine facilities on certain islands, such as São Vicente, makes strict compliance with health requirements before departure essential.
In practice, if the paperwork is in order, animals go directly to their new home after checks at the airport or port. Checks can even be stricter in transit countries (for example, Portugal) than in Cape Verde itself, which does not exempt you from rigorously complying with regulations.
Essential Documents: The Core of the Health File
The foundation of the file for an animal entering Cape Verde rests on several essential veterinary documents. They must be prepared in coordination with a veterinarian and the official veterinary authority of the departure country.
The International Health Certificate
An International Health Certificate (often called a health certificate or International Sanitary Certificate) is mandatory. It is issued by the official veterinary authority of the country of origin or by an authorized veterinarian, and is usually endorsed by this authority.
This document must be issued very shortly before departure, typically within 48 hours preceding the start of the journey. This notion of “start of the journey” refers to the moment the animal is taken into care (first flight, maritime boarding, etc.), and not the exact time of arrival in Cape Verde. This nuance is important for trips with layovers.
The certificate attests that the animal:
– is correctly identified,
– is in good clinical health and declared “fit to travel”,
– has received the required vaccinations and anti-parasite treatments.
Pet Passport, Vaccination Record, and “Pet Visa”
For residents of the European Union, it is recommended to travel with the European Pet Passport. This document, issued by an authorized veterinarian, records the animal’s identity, its microchip number, its vaccinations (particularly rabies), and anti-parasite treatments. However, even with this passport, Cape Verde requires a separate health certificate for entry into its territory.
Tip:
In other countries, a veterinary vaccination record or a national pet passport can serve as a reference document to verify the animal’s vaccination status and identity.
– the animal’s date of birth,
– its microchip number,
– vaccination history,
– anti-parasite treatments,
– the identity of the signing veterinarian.
The terms “pet visa” or international animal visa are sometimes used to refer to all the necessary documents (health certificate, proof of rabies vaccination, identification, etc.) allowing for quarantine-free entry.
Special Cases Depending on the Country of Departure
The basic conditions are identical, but some countries of origin impose or are subject to specific formalities.
Example:
For animals originating from Brazil, Brazilian authorities impose specific export conditions. These requirements may include health certificates, mandatory vaccinations, quarantine periods, or other control protocols, which importers must comply with to obtain authorization to export animals from Brazilian territory.
– a rabies vaccination administered at least 30 days before entry into Cape Verde,
– for dogs, vaccinations against Distemper, Parvovirus, Leptospirosis, and Infectious Hepatitis,
– internal and external deworming treatment, with the date mentioned,
– a vaccination record and a health certificate conforming to the World Organisation for Animal Health’s international model,
– sending these documents to the Cape Verdean consulate or embassy in Rio de Janeiro or São Paulo to obtain an official certificate authorizing the journey.
For travelers departing from the United States, health certificates must be endorsed by USDA-APHIS. In Canada, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) is the reference. In Portugal, the DGAV (Direção-Geral de Alimentação e Veterinária) and ICNF are involved in the validation chain. It is therefore essential to verify the procedures with the veterinary authority of the departure country.
Identification: The Microchip as a Passkey
Identification by microchip is mandatory for entering Cape Verde with an animal. The chip must be compatible with ISO 11784/11785 standards, which corresponds to the most widespread international standard today.
The microchip can be implanted in the country of origin before departure. It can also, in theory, be implanted on site in Cape Verde, but this option is mainly relevant for animals already in the territory that must one day leave the country, especially to the European Union.
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Average price in euros for microchipping an animal on Sal Island.
In addition to the microchip, it is highly recommended to equip the animal with a collar with a tag containing at least a phone number and, ideally, an address or email. In case of escape, this simple element greatly facilitates contact with the owner.
Vaccinations: Rabies on the Front Line
The rabies vaccination is the cornerstone of health requirements. Without proof of a valid rabies vaccination, the animal’s entry into Cape Verde may be refused, and return to the European Union becomes, in any case, impossible.
Validity and Minimum Age
In Cape Verde, a rabies vaccine administered on site is valid for one year, with an annual booster necessary. The approximate cost of a booster shot on Sal Island is around €20 (approximately 2,200 CVE). The animal must be at least 16 weeks old to receive this vaccine in Cape Verde.
Attention:
In the departure country, scrupulously respect the deadlines indicated on the vaccine label and local regulations. For animals originating from Brazil, vaccination must be carried out at least 30 days before their entry into Cape Verde.
Complementary Vaccinations
Depending on the country of origin, additional vaccinations may be required or highly recommended. For dogs originating from Brazil, the following are thus required:
– vaccination against Distemper,
– vaccination against Parvovirus,
– vaccination against Leptospirosis,
– vaccination against Infectious Hepatitis.
For cats, protocols vary, but core vaccines against Feline Panleukopenia (feline typhus) and, often, respiratory infections (feline herpesvirus, calicivirus) are part of standard schedules.
It is up to the treating veterinarian to establish a vaccination schedule appropriate to the animal’s age, lifestyle, and destination country.
Deworming and Anti-Parasite Treatments
Treatments against internal and external parasites are another mandatory aspect. In many cases, authorities require the dates of these treatments to be clearly mentioned on the health certificate.
A specific treatment against tapeworms, and particularly against Echinococcus, is recommended. For dogs subsequently going to certain European countries (Ireland, Finland, Malta, Norway, Northern Ireland), a targeted treatment against Echinococcus multilocularis is required 1 to 5 days before arrival.
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Average price of dewormer for animals on Sal Island, Cape Verde, before a flight to Europe.
These anti-parasite treatments are also a public health issue locally. Cape Verdean veterinarians, through clinics like Sahal in Sal, Bons Amigos in Praia or Simabo and Mindavet in Mindelo, are familiar with these protocols and can issue the necessary certificates.
Blood Tests and Return to the European Union
Moving to Cape Verde is often just one step in a life journey. Many expatriates one day consider returning to Europe with their four-legged companion. For this, a rabies serology test (antibody titration) is essential.
Rabies Titration Process
The process for an animal living in Cape Verde and destined to enter the European Union generally follows these steps:
Process for Importing a Pet to the EU
Key steps to follow to prepare your pet’s journey to the European Union, focusing on rabies-related requirements.
Rabies Vaccination
The animal’s rabies vaccination must be up to date. If it is a first vaccination (primary vaccination), it must be done before the other steps.
Post-Vaccination Waiting Period
A 30-day wait is mandatory after this vaccination before proceeding to the next step.
Blood DrawSample ShipmentAntibody Analysis
Cyril Jarnias is an independent expert in international wealth management with over 20 years of experience. As an expatriate himself, he is dedicated to helping individuals and business leaders build, protect, and pass on their wealth with complete peace of mind.
On his website, cyriljarnias.com, he shares his expertise on international real estate, offshore company formation, and expatriation.
Thanks to his expertise, he offers sound advice to optimize his clients' wealth management. Cyril Jarnias is also recognized for his appearances in many prestigious media outlets such as BFM Business, les Français de l’étranger, Le Figaro, Les Echos, and Mieux vivre votre argent, where he shares his knowledge and know-how in wealth management.
