Madagascar (MG)
World's fourth-largest island, Madagascar offers extraordinary biodiversity (90% of wildlife found nowhere else), one of the world's lowest costs of living, warm French-speaking culture, and unique opportunities in vanilla, ecotourism, and development sectors.
Bringing Pets to Madagascar
Requirements, costs and process for relocating with your pets.
Vaccinations
Restricted Breeds
Plus Contact the Ministry of Agriculture (Ministère de l'Agriculture, de l'Élevage et de la Pêche — MAEP) to confirm current restricted breed list before travel
💰 Costs
Import permit (MAEP): Ar 50,000–150,000. Quarantine facility: Ar 30,000–80,000/day (typically 7–21 days = Ar 210,000–1,680,000). Veterinary inspection on arrival: Ar 50,000–100,000. Airline pet fees (cargo): USD 150–500 depending on route and airline. Health certificate endorsement from home-country government: USD 30–100. Titre test (rabies antibody): USD 100–200 at approved lab. Total estimated cost: USD 500–2,000.
🐕 Dog Tax / Registration
No formal dog tax in Madagascar. No registration fee for pets. However, local commune (fokontany) may require informal registration in some areas. No national licensing system exists.
Veterinary services in Madagascar are limited compared to Europe or North America. Antananarivo has several private veterinary clinics: Cabinet Vétérinaire Ivandry, Dr Rakotomalala clinic, and a few others. Outside Tana, veterinary care is very limited. Register your pet with a Tana vet immediately after quarantine clearance. Annual vaccinations, deworming (highly recommended in tropical Madagascar), and flea/tick prevention are essential. Anti-malarial treatments are not relevant for pets, but heartworm (transmitted by mosquitoes) is a real risk — discuss prevention with your vet.
📋 Relocation Process
1. Microchip your pet (ISO 11784/11785 standard — 15-digit chip). 2. Vaccinate against rabies and obtain titre test (FAVN titre test) from an OIE-approved laboratory — must show adequate antibody levels (≥0.5 IU/ml). Titre test must be done at least 30 days after the last rabies vaccination. 3. Wait the required serological test waiting period (varies by country of origin — consult the Malagasy Veterinary Directorate). 4. Obtain official veterinary health certificate from an accredited/government vet in your home country within 10 days of travel. 5. Have the health certificate officially endorsed by your country's government veterinary authority (USDA, DEFRA, etc.). 6. Apply for the Madagascar import permit (Permis d'Importation) from the MAEP — Direction des Services Vétérinaires (DSV) — submit at least 4–6 weeks before travel. 7. Arrange pet freight forwarder if shipping cargo (essential — pet must typically travel as cargo from most international origins to Ivato Airport, Antananarivo). 8. On arrival at Ivato Airport: present all documents at the DSV quarantine inspection. Pet undergoes quarantine (typically 7–21 days depending on origin country, titre results, and document compliance). 9. After quarantine clearance, collect pet and register with a local vet.
Bringing pets to Madagascar is complex, expensive, and involves genuine quarantine. The process is managed by the Direction des Services Vétérinaires (DSV) under the MAEP. Contact DSV directly or work with a specialist pet relocation agent (e.g., PetAir, IAG Cargo Animal Services) as they have experience navigating Madagascar's specific requirements. Madagascar's endemic wildlife (lemurs, chameleons, birds) is protected — pets that prey on wildlife can cause significant ecological damage and legal problems. Keep cats indoors or in enclosed areas, especially near forested regions. Dogs should be leashed in public. Cats and dogs face risks from local disease, parasites (ticks, fleas, worms, heartworm), snake bites, and road accidents. The cost and complexity of veterinary emergencies in Madagascar means pet health insurance (international travel policy) is strongly recommended.