What you need to know about having pets in Mauritius

The complexity of bringing pets to Mauritius

Obviously, you can bring your dog or cat to Mauritius. But to avoid any unpleasant surprises, make sure you follow the procedures. The first step to bringing a pet to Mauritius is to obtain an import permit from the Ministry of Agro-Industry, more specifically from the veterinary department, 3 to 6 months before your departure. Otherwise, your pet will not be allowed on the Mauritian territory. You should also be aware that some breeds, such as the American Pit Bull Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier, Staffordshire Terrier, Blue Nose Pit Bul, Red Nose Pit Bul, Japanese Tosa, Dogo Argentino, Fila Brasileiro and Boerboel, are not allowed in Mauritius.

When applying to the ministry of Agro-Industry's veterinary service, you must also provide a cover letter specifying your reason for coming to Mauritius and the duration of your stay. Expats are required to produce a copy of their Occupation Permit or residence permit. The next step is to obtain a sterilisation certificate for your pet and get a copy of their vaccine book. Once the committee has approved your request, you will be informed of the following steps. There are fees of Rs 500 per animal for import, and an additional sum of Rs 500 is required for veterinary fees. Make sure to inform the ministry of the time of your pet's arrival and the flight number by email four days before the scheduled travel date. Once your pet arrives at SSR International Airport, you or your representative must be there to take care of the administrative part.

Stray dogs are a social issue

According to an old study from 2013, Mauritius was home to more than 300,000 stray dogs. The Mauritius Society for Animal Welfare, which is responsible for the protection of animals, has been criticised many times for the way it treats stray dogs. NGOs believe that stray dogs have been captured and euthanised by the MSAW. This led to a court injunction against the Minister of Agro-Industry and the MSAW. So make sure to take care of your pet and that it remains safe in your yard. Do not leave your pet attended in the streets.

Pet adoption

If you are already in Mauritius, consider adopting a pet. While you can buy a dog from a pet store, it's way easier to adopt a pet. Benevolent people who take care of stray dogs and campaign for adoption are available on Facebook. La Meute de Zion or Paws Mauritius are NGOs that are involved in the well-being of stray dogs. Another option is to roam around the island looking for a dog to adopt.

Can you walk your dog?

Once you have a pet, you will need to take it out every now and then. You are allowed to walk your dog around your neighbourhood or by the beach, as long as it remains on a leash. Also, make sure you have good control over your pet and that it is not a public danger. However, pets are not allowed in national parks, shopping malls and restaurants.