Nigeria Pet Passport: These Are Things You Need To Know And How The Law Works

Pets are seen as man's best friend, an example is seen in dogs. Dogs are lovely creature that doesn't work but give joy and happiness to their owners. Many a time we love to travel with them but we are not sure of their travel documents and what the law says about pets passport.

Many people do not know that pets do have their international passports. These passports range from countries to countries and interestingly, Nigeria is not left out in the regard. According to PetTravel.com, The term “pet passport” was originally popularized in the European Union (EU) where dog, cat or ferret owners could get a blue pet passport from their veterinarian and travel freely through the EU member countries. This is still true today for people living in the EU. It will last for the lifetime of the pet as long as the rabies vaccination is kept up to date.

However, for pet owners residing in countries outside of the EU, a “pet passport” is simply a term we use to represent all of the pertinent documentation needed to take your pet to other countries. Customs officials will need to see these documents in order to clear your pet, and the inconvenience caused by losing them can be significant.

Your veterinarian can help you create a pet passport for your pet to enter almost any country in the world. For example, if you are from the United States and are visiting most European Union countries, then the pet passport will consist of the following:

- The Annex IV and APHIS 7001 forms for the country you will be visiting (they are all different) completed by your veterinarian and endorsed by the State USDA veterinarian.
- Your pet’s inoculation record which must be attached to the certified Annex IV form. (Sometimes the inoculation record is referred to as the Rabies Certificate.)

If you are visiting one of the United Kingdom countries (England, Ireland or Scotland) or Finland or Malta, your pet will need proof of a tapeworm test to complete your pet passport.

For those bringing in their pets from outside Nigeria into Nigeria, these are some of the things you will need in order for your pet to be allowed entry into Nigeria.

Nigeria Pet Passport & Import Regulations

Fact: 
Nigeria does not quarantine cats and dogs that meet the following requirements. All requirements also apply to service and emotional support animals.

1. Pet Microchip

To enter Nigeria, your pet must first be microchipped with an ISO 11784/11785 pet microchip that has 15 digits and is non-encrypted. If your pet's microchip is not ISO 11784/11785 compliant, you can bring your own microchip scanner.

2. Vaccinations

Your pet must be vaccinated for rabies between 30 days and 12 months prior to entering the country.

3. Rabies Titer Test

Pets entering Nigeria should have a rabies titer test no sooner than 30 days after their primary vaccination.

4. Health Certificate

Within 48 hours of entry, USDA (or CFIA) accredited veterinarian must then complete the bi-lingual Veterinary Certificate for Nigeria for endorsement by the USDA or CFIA if traveling from the United States or Canada. If you are traveling from another country, the Governmental Authority should endorse the forms.

5. Import Permit

An approved import permit is required when entering Nigeria with a personal pet.

6. Ticks and Tapeworm Treatment

A tick and tapeworm treatment is not required prior to entering Nigeria but is recommended due to the availability of these products in the country.

7. Entering Nigeria by Air

Pets must enter Nigeria via Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos or the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja as checked baggage or air cargo. Whenever you travel to a foreign country like Nigeria, it is always advisable to carry some form of identification indicating ownership of your pet.

All domestic dogs and cats must be free of evidence of disease communicable to humans when examined at the entry airport. If your dog or cat is not in apparent good health, further examination by a licensed veterinarian may be required at your expense.

8. Banned Breeds

Nigeria does not publish a list of dangerous dog breeds.

9. Other Animals

Birds, invertebrates, tropical fish, reptiles, amphibia, mammals such as rodents and rabbits are not subject to requirements of rabies vaccination, but may have to meet other requirements and should have a health certificate to enter Nigeria. Pet owners are strongly advised to seek further information from the relevant authority of their country and/or that of the country of destination.

10. CITES

If your pet is not a dog, cat or ferret, and especially if it is a turtle or parrot, you should verify that it is not protected under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).  You will need to apply for additional permits if this is the case. Over 180 countries participate and enforce CITES regulations. .

Credit:
PetTravel.com