Moving to Mauritius with your pet

Pets are considered family members in their own right, and it’s understandable that pet owners want to travel with them. If you are thinking of moving to Mauritius with your pet, you should be aware that specific procedures must be followed to obtain an import permit, and that this process can take up to 3 months. Villa Vie works in collaboration with SmartTraveller, the experts in accompanying expatriates to Mauritius. We therefore strongly recommend that you call on their support in order to receive a very precise procedure of how to proceed. In this article, we’ll give you a general idea of the steps required to obtain a permit to import animals into the territory.

Step 1: Check the requirements of the Ministry of Agro-Industry

The first step is to check the strict regulations issued by the Ministry of Agro-industry concerning the importation of pets into Mauritius. Requirements may vary depending on the animal’s country of origin, breed and state of health. To check current requirements, please contact the Ministry of Agro-industry – Veterinary Department Tel:(230) 4541016 / 4541017 or the Mauritius Society of Animal Welfare Tel: 242 40 65.

Step 2: Visit to the vet

Once you have checked the requirements, the next step is to make an appointment with your veterinarian to carry out all the necessary vaccinations, as well as deworming, blood tests and other treatments. The animal must be sterilized to obtain a sterilization certificate. You’ll need a health certificate issued by an accredited veterinarian. This certificate must be written in English or French, and dated less than 5 days before the date of travel.

The health certificate must include information such as the animal’s name, breed, age, description, microchip number and rabies vaccination dates. Rabies vaccinations must be completed at least one month before the date of travel.

Step 3: Application for import permit

The application for an import permit must be submitted to the veterinary service of the Mauritius Ministry of Agriculture (moa-dvs@mail.govmu.org). The application must be accompanied by the health certificate issued by your veterinarian, as well as other documents, such as rabies vaccination and anti-parasite treatment certificates. You can also contact the local veterinary service on +230 454 1016.

Step 4: Travel

Since the Covid-19 pandemic, pets are no longer allowed to travel with their owners on the plane, and must be transported by cargo or in the hold; this still applies to flights from abroad to Mauritius. It is therefore necessary to provide a cage adapted to the size of the animal and complying with current regulations. The cost of transport will depend on the total weight of the animal and its cage, as well as the airline chosen.

Step 5: Arrival in Mauritius

On arrival in Mauritius, you must go to the animal quarantine office to collect your pet. Pets stay there for 5 to 30 days, depending on the country of origin, and quarantine fees are relatively low, at around 40 rupees per day. However, you will be asked to provide litter, food and toys, for example. Once these 5 days have elapsed, your pet will be examined by a veterinarian and you will need to provide the import permit and other required documents.

Obtaining a pet import permit for Mauritius may seem tedious, but it’s essential to ensure the health and safety of all animals and people involved. Remember to plan well in advance and make sure you have all the necessary documents before traveling to Mauritius with your pet. With a little preparation and diligence, you can enjoy a peaceful and enjoyable stay in Mauritius with your beloved pet.