Probably the first and most important thing you should consider when deciding to take you pet with you to Morocco is the fact that pets in general are not popular in Morocco, especially dogs. This is not to say that people don’t keep pets, because they do. In markets you can find birds and turtles, and sometime puppies, cats and fish. In the major cities you will be able to find pet stores.

Sadly, you will see many cats on the streets, and dogs. They are considered by many Moroccans as ‘dirty’ animals and touching them takes the cleanliness away which is needed for daily prayer. Moroccans tend to be scared or uneasy about dogs, and stay away from them. Foreigners do tend to take their beloved pets with them when they emigrate to Morocco, and this does not cause any problems. The whole process is also relatively simple. As Morocco is not a Rabies controlled country, it is imperative that your pet receives its immunisation jab against the virus at least 30 day before travelling to the country.

You must also take with you a valid veterinary certificate of your pet’s health, current jabs, and a statement declaring that it is parasite-free. These certificates then need to be sent to the department of agriculture in Morocco in order to be stamped. Once stamped, it can be sent to the Moroccan Consulate in the UK to be certified. Once you have obtained the documents from the consulate, it will not be necessary for your pet to be put into quarantine, and you won’t need an import licence. You should note however that as Morocco is not a member of the Pet Travel Scheme, it is the owner’s responsibility to take identity precautions for their pet, such as micro-chipping. You are able to own a pet in Morocco without a special licence.

Because pets aren’t very popular in Morocco, you might find it hard to find a veterinary surgery; they do exist, but mainly in the larger cities such as Tangier and Casablanca. In Fes, there is an animal hospital which was set up to help teach Moroccans how to take better care of their animals. Pet supplies such as food and flea medication can be found in larger supermarkets or in the veterinary hospitals. Some of the major supermarkets also stock leads, toys and other pet care items.