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  Do you own a pet? Or have you ever travelled and fallen in love with a pet you knew you wanted to take back home with you? If you have, then you know the issue of how to travel with a pet here in Nigeria has crossed your mind.
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You are the reason we decided to bring this information your way. The most popular form of travel in Nigeria is by road and aeroplanes and yes you can travel with your pets through these routes. People travel with live animals more often than you know. Here’s how they do it:

Get a ‘Carrier’

Animals need to be put in a special carrier or crate when being transported. Unlike humans, they can’t tell you when they need a potty break so you can’t put them in the same space as people without a carrier. When travelling by road, make sure the pet & carrier/crate are placed in the backseat. That way if you are in an accident and the airbags deploy, it won’t hurt the pet. During the trip, stop and allow your pet out of the crate/carrier to stretch and get some fresh air or even relieve themselves in nature. The carrier also helps with keeping the pets warm and safe from flying debris that blows in from the window if the car door is open. If you are flying with a pet, take direct flights because it is shorter and prevents a scenario of having your pet misplaced at the airport during transit. Whether it is a soft bed or hard crate, getting a carrier for your pet is a necessity.

Have Your Pet’s History

Documenting treatments, vaccinations, microchipping, health issues and certificates is very important. Some transporters may refuse to accept your pet without proof of up-to-date vaccinations. Domestic pets are expected to have evidence that they are free from diseases especially those communicable to humans. For those coming into Nigeria, you will need an import permit (Govt. endorsed), vet health certificate, microchip/microchip implant record, rabies vaccination and certificate. Also, you need to have proof of ownership for your pet, especially when travelling internationally. Note that besides cats and dogs that need rabies vaccination, other animals such as birds, invertebrates, tropical fish, reptiles, amphibia, mammals such as rodents and rabbits are not subject to that requirement. But they should have a health certificate and a permit if they are under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). So make sure you verify that your pet is not protected by CITES when coming into or leaving Nigeria.
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Know About Pet Transporters

There are many transport companies in Nigeria and independent agencies that claim they transport pets. Knowing the ones that actually do transport pets and how much they charge is vital. If you are travelling into Nigeria by air, your pet must enter via Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos or the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja as checked baggage or air cargo. Here are a few transporters we know of Ifesinachi, Bonny way, Young shall Grow, ARIK Air, and AERO Contractors. Air peace used to transport pets as far back as 2017, but it seems this service is no longer available. Whatever your preferred transporter, make sure you confirm they can handle transporting pets.

Learn The Rules For Transporting Pets

There is no rule forbidding the transportation of pets into and around Nigeria. Owners are allowed to travel with their pets but where the pets will be put is subject to the policies of different transport carriers. For example, some airlines insist on small pets being kept in the cabin and bigger pets in the cargo. Others forbid the former in favour of the latter. You may also need to find out if they charge for carrying your pet in the cargo or cabin. Sometimes, the charges may be based on the weight of the pet and its carrier. So when you have decided on a transport service to use, ask about or check their website for their pet policies. Also, Nigerian Customs have their own rules for importing or exporting pets for travellers. For example, dogs and cats must be accompanied by a health certificate and rabies certificate issued by a veterinarian at the point of origin. The certificate may not be older than one week. You may have to check their site to find out their guidelines. Just make sure you do this research before you travel, not on the day of your trip. We hope the above information helps. If not, feel free to let us know what you would like us to find out for you as regards travelling with your pet. Featured Image Source: Adaptil
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This article was first published on 15th May 2021

ann

Ann Esievoadje is a freelance writer who is passionate about encouraging a reading culture and personal development. She has authored two books, The Quilt (fiction) and Being Mummy and Me (non-fiction). She manages Pulchra Publishing which offers a content creation/editing, transcription, different forms of writing (including Ghostwriting) service and her blog, Life Love and Anything Goes at annesievoadje.blogspot.com.ng. You can reach her at annesievoadje@gmail.com

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