Importing Your Pet to Cape Verde: A Complete Step-by-Step Guide

Moving internationally with a pet is one of the most stressful parts of relocation. I've done it three times with Cooper, my 28kg Golden Retriever, and I can tell you that the difference between a smooth arrival and a nightmare at customs comes down to one thing: preparation. Cape Verde welcomes dogs and cats as personal pets, but you'll need to navigate specific health requirements, documentation, and timing. This guide walks you through exactly what you need to do—and when.

Can You Bring Your Pet to Cape Verde?

Yes. Both dogs and cats are allowed to be imported to Cape Verde as personal pets, provided they meet all health and documentation requirements. There are no breed restrictions for either species, so your dog's breed won't disqualify you. However, Cape Verde does require an import permit, rabies vaccination, microchipping, and a health certificate—all of which take time to arrange.

Your Preparation Timeline: Working Backwards from Departure

6 Months Before Departure

Schedule your pet's microchip appointment if they don't already have one. Your vet will implant an ISO 11784/11785 (15-digit) microchip—the international standard. This must be done before any rabies vaccination, so don't delay. If your pet already has a non-ISO microchip, you'll need to provide your own compatible scanner at the border, which is impractical; ask your vet about upgrading to the ISO standard instead.

5 Months Before Departure

Apply for your import permit from Cape Verde's government veterinary authority. Import permits typically require 30 days to process, but applying early gives you a buffer. You'll need your pet's microchip number and basic information. Contact Cape Verde's relevant government department to confirm the application process and required documents—we're still verifying the exact issuing authority, so check directly with their veterinary services.

3 Months Before Departure

Ensure your pet's rabies vaccination is current. If your pet has never been vaccinated, they must be at least 12 weeks (3 months) old before receiving their first dose. The vaccine must be administered by a licensed veterinarian. After the primary vaccination, you must wait at least 21 days before traveling—this is a hard requirement. If your pet was vaccinated more than a year ago, schedule a booster now.

4–6 Weeks Before Departure

Book your health certificate appointment with your veterinarian. The health certificate is valid for only 10 days, so timing is critical. Schedule your vet visit for 5–7 days before your departure date. This gives you a buffer in case of delays and ensures the certificate is fresh when you arrive. The vet will examine your pet and confirm they're fit to travel.

2–3 Weeks Before Departure

Submit your health certificate for government endorsement. After your vet issues the health certificate, it must be endorsed by your country's government veterinary authority (e.g., USDA APHIS if you're in the United States, APHA if you're in the UK, CFIA if you're in Canada). This is a separate step from the vet exam and can take 5–10 business days. Don't wait until the last minute—government processing can be slow.

1 Week Before Departure

Confirm your pet's airline requirements and book cargo/pet travel if needed. Different airlines have different pet policies. Some allow pets in the cabin on short flights; others require cargo shipping. If you're shipping Cooper internationally, I always book with an airline that specializes in pet transport and confirm all documentation is in order. Check your airline's website for specific requirements—they may ask for additional forms or certifications.

Gather all original documents. You'll need your import permit, health certificate (government-endorsed), microchip documentation, and rabies vaccination records. Make copies of everything and keep originals in a waterproof folder. I learned this the hard way when Cooper's health certificate got damp in my carry-on.

Day of Departure

Arrive early and have all documents ready. Present your import permit, health certificate, and vaccination records to customs and the veterinary inspector at the port of entry. Your pet will be inspected to confirm they match the microchip and documentation. If everything is in order, you should clear without quarantine.

Key Requirements at a Glance

Microchip

  • Required: Yes
  • Standard: ISO 11784/11785 (15-digit)
  • Timing: Must be implanted before rabies vaccination
  • Cost: Typically $25–$75 USD

Rabies Vaccination

  • Required: Yes
  • Minimum age: 12 weeks (3 months)
  • Waiting period after vaccination: 21 days minimum before travel
  • Booster: Required if previous vaccination is more than 1 year old

Health Certificate

  • Required: Yes
  • Issued by: Licensed veterinarian in your country of origin
  • Endorsed by: Government veterinary authority of your country
  • Validity: 10 days from issue date
  • Timing: Schedule your vet appointment 5–7 days before departure

Import Permit

  • Required: Yes
  • Lead time: 30 days (apply early)
  • Issuing authority: Cape Verde's government veterinary authority (verify directly)

Quarantine

  • Required: No, if all documentation is complete and valid
  • Duration: 0 days for compliant arrivals

Documents Checklist

  • Import permit (issued by Cape Verde authorities)
  • Health certificate (issued by licensed vet, government-endorsed)
  • Rabies vaccination certificate
  • Microchip documentation and registration proof
  • Airline pet travel form (if applicable)
  • Copies of all documents (keep originals separate)
  • Pet's passport or travel records from previous countries (if applicable)

Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Waiting too long to apply for the import permit. 30 days sounds like plenty of time until bureaucracy happens. Apply at 5 months, not 5 weeks.
  • Getting the health certificate too early. It's only valid for 10 days. Schedule your vet appointment for 5–7 days before departure, not 3 weeks before.
  • Forgetting the government endorsement step. The health certificate isn't complete until your country's veterinary authority stamps it. This takes extra time.
  • Traveling before the 21-day waiting period after rabies vaccination. This is non-negotiable. Plan your departure date around this requirement, not the other way around.
  • Using a non-ISO microchip without a backup plan. If your pet has an older microchip, upgrade to ISO 11784/11785 before departure. Don't rely on bringing your own scanner.
  • Not confirming airline pet policies in advance. Different carriers have different rules. Some require cargo shipping; others allow cabin travel. Confirm early.

Breed Restrictions

Cape Verde has no breed restrictions for dogs or cats. Your pet's breed won't prevent entry, regardless of size or type. This is one less thing to worry about.

Service Dogs and Emotional Support Animals

Trained service dogs (guide dogs, hearing dogs, mobility dogs) are recognized for travel purposes in most countries, including those that follow ICAO standards. However, service dog status does not waive import documentation or quarantine requirements. Your service dog still needs a microchip, rabies vaccination, health certificate, and import permit. Emotional support animals (ESAs) are not recognized for travel purposes by government authorities and must meet all standard pet import requirements.

If you're traveling with a service dog, notify your airline at least 48 hours in advance and have all documentation ready.

Military Pet Travel

Military personnel typically follow standard civilian import rules for pets. Import permits are generally not waived based on military status. If you're relocating on military orders, check with your Transportation Management Office (TMO) to see if Cape Verde has any SOFA (Status of Forces Agreement) provisions, but assume you'll need to follow all standard requirements.

What We're Still Verifying

The following details are not yet confirmed for Cape Verde specifically—contact Cape Verde's government veterinary authority directly:

  • Exact name and contact information for the import permit issuing authority
  • Specific approved ports of entry for pet arrivals
  • Whether advance notification to customs is required
  • Veterinary inspection procedures at the port of entry
  • Flea, tick, or internal parasite treatment requirements (if any)

Final Tips from My Experience

Moving Cooper internationally three times taught me that pet relocation is 90% paperwork and 10% logistics. Start early, over-communicate with your vet and government authorities, and keep everything organized. I use a dedicated folder for each move with all documents in chronological order—it makes customs clearance so much smoother.

The 21-day waiting period after rabies vaccination is your biggest time constraint. Plan your departure date around this, not the other way around. And don't underestimate government processing times. When I moved to Europe with Cooper, I applied for permits at 5 months and still had to follow up twice.

Finally, consider pet travel insurance. It won't cover import requirements, but it covers unexpected vet bills, flight delays, or health issues during transit. It's worth the peace of mind.

Next Steps

Start with your vet. Schedule a consultation to discuss microchipping (if needed), rabies vaccination timing, and health certificate scheduling. Your vet can also advise on any additional health precautions for Cape Verde's climate.

Contact Cape Verde's government veterinary authority to confirm the import permit process, required documents, and issuing timelines. Don't assume—verify directly.

Book your airline early. Pet travel slots fill up, especially during peak moving seasons. Confirm their specific requirements and any additional forms they need.

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This guide is based on verified data from official government sources and industry standards. Requirements and procedures are subject to change. Always confirm directly with Cape Verde's veterinary authorities and your airline before traveling.

Auto-generated from verified government data · Last updated: April 22, 2026