Pure bred dogs have always fascinated me . It is about their looks , pride and how they carry themselves as they know they are special. There is a dog show in Kampala of only pure breeds, I always wanted to be part of it for attention , pride and maybe a prize. My dream was to get my favorite dog, a Bernese mountain dog in its true breed form.
There was one problem which was getting a true high quality pure breed Bernese mountain dog locally in Uganda . I made a both exciting and terrifying decision to import one. What terrified me was the unknown that lay ahead in bringing a dog to Uganda.
The search and research.
Getting a breeder with high quality pure bred Bernese mountain dogs was almost the easiest part of this whole adventure . After a few messages back and forth I had secured myself a pure bred Bernese mountain dog. The next step was getting the puppy to Uganda. It was an exciting adventure and here is what I learnt along the way.
The import permit. ( most important step )
Since dogs are alive animals , their importation is way different from that of getting a wrist watch off E-bay. I had to get an import permit from Uganda’s Ministry of Agriculture. This is an important document as it is an official approval for the dog to enter the country.
To get it I had to provide
- Personal details
- The dog’s breed , age and origin
- Expected travel details.
Rabies Vaccination.
One thing that is crucial and never taken lightly is the rabies vaccination . It is an important step that should also be backed with information from a certified vet .
The dog had to be vaccinated at least 30 days before travel and on the certificate the date of vaccination , Vaccine name and batch number plus the Veterinarian’s signature and stamp.
Its so simple , no proper rabies vaccination record , no entry. If you are curious and what learn more about rabies here is an interesting article that covers everything you need to know about rabies
Core Vaccines for proper dogs health.
Although rabies vaccination is the main legal requirement , I wanted my dog to be fully protected and I had it vaccinated against;
- Distemper
- Parvovirus
- Canine hepatitis
- Leptospirosis
These vaccines aren’t always strictly checked for at the airport but it was a matter of my dog’s health.
Veterinary Health Certificate.
Before travel , a Veterinary Health Certificate should be obtained for the dog. It should be taken to a license d vet to confirm
- The dog is in good health
- Free from infectious diseases
- Fit to travel.
This certificate should be issued 7-10 days before travel . Too early and it becomes invalid yet too late risks delays or miss of flight.
Microchipping : (Dog’s identity).
There are many importances of microchipping a dog and for this situation it mattered. The microchip
- Links the dog to all its documents (Health cards and vaccinations)
- Confirms identity during inspections (also owner’s details)
- Adds credibility, especially for pedigree verification.
It is a chip that acts as an identity to the dog.
Parasite treatment (Both worms and external parasites).
For safety , my dog had to be treated for
- Internal parasites (worms)
- External parasites (ticks and fleas)
The date of treatment and medication used should also be recorded on the health card.
Airline arrangements.
Dog secured and health done, next step was arrangements for travel. Different airlines have different rules of travel but the most important requirement is health cards.
For travel I had to ensure
- An IATA-approved crate
- Proper ventilation and comfort ( choose a spacious for crate that allows some roaming space)
- All documents were properly attached and present.
The dog was to travel as cargo and by knowing this I had to book a direct flight with no stops. This was to ensure a fast flight to prevent the dog staying long onboard during flight.
Arrival In Uganda.
On the day of arrival I was there first before the airplane landed in Uganda. I wanted to be present and receive my dog.
At the airport , the officials checked;
- Import permit
- Rabies vaccination certificate
- Health certificate
- Supporting records
Since everything matched all the proper requirements for importing a dog, the process was smooth. No quarantine , no complications, just me walking away with my dog. It was finally a dream come true and a journey of love , dog shows awaited us.
Final thoughts.
What started as a dream became a reality , although a few things were frustrating and costly, having the dog in my arms.
Importing a dog into Uganda isn’t difficult especially when you get a certified veterinary to help you through the process. Try to get all requirements met as skipping one can cost you time , more money or even the worse.
If you are planning to import a dog I would advise you to
- Start early.
- Meet all requirements and follow every step carefully.
- Keep all the documents organized and updated.
- Get in touch with a certified vet to make the process smooth . This will also help you skip unnecessary steps or procedures. Having an expert on your side saves you money , time and makes the process way easier and smooth.
Proper planning and advice will get you your dream dog imported into Uganda.
