Before acquiring a pet, clarify the supply of food and medicines, access to veterinary care, shade and water, secure housing, and a budget for emergencies. These factors can differ considerably between islands and individual providers. Dogs are also subject to municipal rules on registration, identification, leashes and control. The exact deadlines, fees and fines are set by the relevant municipal council (Câmara Municipal). In Maio, dogs must be registered within 30 days of acquisition under the published regulation. The registration records, among other things, the name, sex, breed, age, coat colour and place of keeping. In public spaces, the dog needs a collar, leash or muzzle, as well as its registration number. An unregistered dog may be captured; under this regulation, the owner has 48 hours to reclaim it. After that, placement with another keeper or other municipal measures may follow. In São Filipe, licensing is linked to municipal regulations and the Canine Identification and Registration System (Sistema de Identificação e Registo de Canídeos); as an example, licensing is required by the age of six months. These rules do not automatically apply in the same form on all islands. For entering or leaving the country with fewer than five dogs, cats or ferrets for non-commercial purposes, an international health certificate and the national veterinary requirements are needed. Commercial consignments involving more than five animals additionally require prior sanitary approval; this approval is valid for no more than three months. For animals from countries with a rabies risk, permanent identification, a valid vaccination or booster, an antibody test showing at least 0.5 IU/ml three to twelve months before shipment, and six months of quarantine may be required. The requirements depend on the country of origin and its risk classification. The Directorate-General for Agriculture, Forestry and Livestock (Direção-Geral da Agricultura, Silvicultura e Pecuária), abbreviated as DGASP, processes applications for travel certificates and publishes entry and exit conditions. The national veterinary authority, the DGASP, veterinary services (Serviços Veterinários) and the relevant municipal council may have different responsibilities. Airlines and transit countries may require additional documents. In the event of a suspected bite, the responsible veterinary service observes the dog or cat for at least 15 days. During this observation, the owner may neither kill nor give away the animal; people who have been bitten should seek medical assistance. A pet must not be abandoned. If an animal is lost or found, the municipality and veterinary services should be involved, and the collar and registration details should be checked. Formal surrender options are only partly developed; local shelters, animal-welfare groups and other helpers operate depending on the island and the individual case. Costs may arise for registration, treatment, transport, health certificates, inspection, quarantine and veterinary care. A nationwide overview of prices or availability is not established. No comparable nationwide procedures or care capacity have been established for exotic pets.
Pets in Cabo Verde
Private pet ownership in Cabo Verde covers acquiring, caring for and obtaining veterinary treatment for animals, municipal dog regulations, and travelling with or surrendering animals. Practical options vary by island, municipality and provider. The reviewed sources do not establish a nationwide requirement to register or microchip all pets.
Tip
Treat pet ownership in Cabo Verde as a decision specific to the island and municipality. Before acquiring an animal, clarify veterinary care, food and medicine supplies, secure housing and an emergency budget. Plan travel particularly early because health certificates, possible rabies tests and quarantine may require long lead times.