Madagascar
Pet Travel Policy Information
Pet Travel Requirements for Madagascar
Pet Entry Requirements for Madagascar
Pet Microchip
Having your pet identified with a microchip is important when traveling internationally for several reasons. Firstly, a microchip will tie your pet to its documentation when entering a foreign country. Secondly, if, for any reason, your pet is separated from you during travel, the chances of reuniting with your pet significantly increase if you register your information in a microchip database. Your pet should be identified with a 15-digitwhich is compliant with International Standards Organization standard 11784 or Annex A of ISO standard 11785 prior to entering Madagascar. If your pet’s microchip is not ISO 11784/11785 compliant, importers can provide athat will read their pet’s microchip. Your veterinarian, a veterinary hospital or trained nurse should implant the microchip. Documentation should be provided as to the manufacturer of the microchip and registration instructions.
Health Certificate
All countries worldwide require an original health certificate including: details of your pet andvaccinations and treatments andveterinary attestations regarding symptoms of contagious diseases at the time of export. Further, your veterinarian must certify that your pet is healthy enough to travel and is not from a region that is subject to rabies restrictions. The health certificate must properly identify your pet. Your veterinarian will include additional details and treatments on the certificate depending on the country of origin. A licensed veterinarian in the origination country must complete thewithin 15 days of entry. A government veterinarian must either issue the certificate or endorse the certificate after issuance by a licensed veterinarian. This official represents the agency in the origination country that is responsible for the import and export of live animals.
Vaccinations
All cats and dogs must be vaccinated for rabies between 30 days and 12 months prior to entering Madagascar. The administering veterinarian should record vaccination information, sign and stamp one of the following documents depending on veterinary practices in the country of origin: a rabies certificatea government-issued vaccination booklet oran EU Pet Passport Dogs should be vaccinated against distemper, hepatitis, leptospirosis, and parvovirus. Cats should be vaccinated against feline viral rhinotracheitis, panleukopenia and feline leukemia. Veterinarians must record vaccinations on the international health certificate (step 5) at intervals required by veterinary health procedures of the origination country.
Rabies Titer (Serology) Test
A rabies titer test, also known as a rabies antibody test or rabies serology test, is a blood test that measures the level of rabies antibodies in your pet’s blood. The test will assess the effectiveness of a rabies vaccination or determine your pet’s immune response to the rabies virus. When required, a licensed veterinarian will administer the test more than 30 days after the most current rabies vaccination. Madagascar does not require a rabies titer test for cats and dogs from any country. However, all pets originating incountries classified as having a high risk of rabiesshould always travel with a rabies titer test. In addition, the World Organization of Animal Health classifies Madagascar as a high-rabies-risk country. As such, if your pet will be returning to the origin country, this test may be required. Note that rabies titer test results or veterinary exemption letters are no substitution for proof of rabies vaccination.
Parasite Treatments
According to all preventative measures to ensure public health and the safety of your pet, treatments for internal and external parasites should be administered prior to entering Madagascar. The treatment of pets for internal parasites, especially Echinococcus multilocularis, as well as external parasites (fleas and ticks) should be discussed with your veterinarian who will administer according to disease status of the origination country. These treatments are recommended, but not required. The administering veterinarian can record these treatments on the health certificate or issue you a record of treatment.
Import Permit
An import permit from the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development is required when entering Madagascar with a personal pet.
Complete all 6 steps to enter Madagascar with your pet
Requirements may change. Always verify with official sources before travel.
Is Quarantine Required for Pets in Madagascar?
There will be no quarantine imposed on your pet when entering Madagascar if pet import regulations detailed here are met. If your pet does not conform to the regulations as stated below, it will be subject to quarantine if facilities are available, returned to the origination country, or euthanized. The importer will be responsible all costs involved.
What Additional Information Do I Need for Madagascar?
- Other Information:
Not specified
- What is a Pet Passport?:
We refer to a pet passport is a collection of documents that are required for dogs and cats entering Madagascar from other countries.This term is not to be confused with an official EU Pet Passport issued in the European Union for resident pets. Your pet’s passport will include proof of microchip, rabies vaccination and international export health certificate issued by a licensed veterinarian in the origination country.
- Entering Madagascar by Air:
Pets must enter Madagascar via Ivato International Airport at Antananarivo. Pets can arrive in the cabin, as checked baggage or air cargo according toairline pet policies. Related:Is your pet’s crate IATA-compliant? Flights should be direct if the duration of the flight does not violate animal welfare laws. Layovers should be short and not involve a change in airline companies. If your pet’s itinerary involves a layover in the European Union, then additional requirements will apply. Importers will need to provide advance notice to veterinary officials at the airport so they will be available to inspect your pet and its passport documentation upon landing. This is especially important if your pet will be arriving outside of normal business hours. Whenever your pet travels to a foreign country like Madagascar, 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.A government veterinarian will provide further examination if your dog or cat is not in apparent good health when entering Madagascar. All costs associated with further inspections or treatments will be borne by the importer.
- Find a Licensed Veterinarian:
Before beginning any pet export procedure, make sure your veterinarian is approved by the governing veterinarian authority in your pet’s country of origin. The agency of the government that is responsible for the movement of live animals should either license or employ your veterinarian.
- Madagascar Pet Import Requirements:
All steps required to conform to Madagascar pet import requirements must be completed in the origination country. Complete steps 1-6 in the order given.
- Breeds Banned from Import to Madagascar:
Madagascar does not publish a list of banned breeds. Pet owners are always responsible for their pet’s behavior.
- Quarantine for Pets Entering Madagascar:
There will be no quarantine imposed on your pet when entering Madagascar if pet import regulations detailed here are met. If your pet does not conform to the regulations as stated below, it will be subject to quarantine if facilities are available, returned to the origination country, or euthanized. The importer will be responsible all costs involved.
- Importing Other Pet Animals to Madagascar:
Birds, invertebrates, tropical fish, reptiles, amphibia, mammals such as rodents and rabbits are not subject to requirements of rabies vaccination; however, they may have to meet other requirements and should have a health certificate to enter Madagascar. Pet owners are strongly advised to seek further information from the relevant authority of their country and/or that of the country of destination.
- Importing Puppies and Kittens to Madagascar:
Unvaccinated pets (dogs and cats only) under 3 months old may enter the country, but there are additional regulations that must be met. Related: More information ontransporting a puppy.
- Animals Eligible for These Pet Import Requirements:
These rules apply to the transport of domestic dog and cats including assistance and service animals. Unless 5th generation removed from the pedigree, wolf hybrids, Savannah and Bengal cats cannot be imported under these regulations. Owners of other types of pets (amphibia, reptiles, birds, rabbits, rodents) covered by these regulations should refer to IMPORTING OTHER PET ANIMALS TO MADAGASCAR below.
- Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES):
The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) prohibits the trade of some species of animals, including pets. This is crucial if you have a pet that isn’t a dog or cat, and it’s crucial if it’s a turtle or a parrot. If this is the case, importers will have to submit additional permit applications. The agency that issues these permits is responsible for the protection of wildlife in your country. Over 180 countries participate and enforce CITES regulations. Related:Search the CITES databaseorSearch the Species+ database Related:Read more about CITES
Related Resources
Traveler Tips & Experiences
Emily Parker
February 12, 2025
I visited Madagascar last year with my French Bulldog and found the process straightforward and well-documented.
Michael Chen
January 3, 2025
Air travel to Madagascar was a breeze and my cat had no issues. Highly recommend booking early!