INTERNATIONAL INVESTMENT
EMIGRATING ?
WHAT ABOUT YOUR PETS ?
The process of relocating can be pretty stressful , so the last thing you want is to find out you can ’ t take your best friend with you . We have done everything we can to ensure that the information below is accurate but regulations do change , and some are – not to put too fine a point on it – somewhat ambiguously worded , so please double check with the relevant authorities before committing .
56 L O G I S T I C S
Which pets are permitted where ?
Various countries have different regulations so – depending on your relationship with your pet – this may even be a factor in choosing a destination .
You can emigrate with dogs and cats to most destinations , although some countries have a list of banned dog breeds . Horses can be taken almost anywhere , but they will have to go through Mauritius . Some countries even allow more exotic pets :
• Mauritius allows dogs and cats and many other animals , but you should check beforehand if you have exotic or unusual pets .
• EU countries such as Cyprus and Portugal allow only dogs , cats and ferrets .
• You may bring dogs , cats , fish , horses , some rodents , some reptiles , and birds ( but not poultry – so that probably means your pet ostrich will have to stay behind ) to the USA . There are , however , some very specific anomalies ; for example , ferrets are not allowed in California but almost everywhere else in the USA .
All animals are equal …
… but some animals are less equal than others ( sorry , George Orwell ). If you are planning on emigrating with your dog to Mauritius or the European Union , you may be in for a surprise . These countries ( and some others , such as the UK ) have a list of ‘ banned ’ dog breeds , which is kind of open to interpretation .
The EU does not have an overriding list but Cyprus , for example , bans the importation of :
• Pit Bull Terrier or American Pit Bull
• Japanese Tosa or Tosa Inu
• Dogo Argentino or Argentinian Mastiff
• Fila Brasileiro or Brazilian Mastiff .
And Portugal bans :
• Brazilian Mastiff
• American Staffordshire Terrier