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Importing cat to Nairobi Airport: Please help!

Tazuko

Hello, expat friends.

My family (me, human husband and 2 cats) will be moving to Nairobi.
This website gives out info for importing pets:
Basically,
1. Microchip
2. Vaccination
3.Rabies
4. Health certificate from vet (in home country)
5. Import permit from Ministry of Livestock and Fisheries
6. Tapeworm and Tick strip (within 48 hours)
7. Airline Captain Affidavit is required stating that your pet was on a direct flight to Kenya.

Please help with 5, 6 and 7.
5: How do you obtain this import permit?
6: Is this separate from the health certificate?
7. Airline Captain Affidavit-There is no direct flight from Japan to Kenya. We will have to transit at Dubai, London, etc. Anyway, how do you get this? Do you request airlines?

And, I am worried about Jomo Kenyatta Airport...How was your experience upon entry with pets?

See also

Living in Nairobi: the expat guideRelocate Dog US to KenyaHaving Dogs as pets on NairobiMoving from SA to Nairobi with petsDog walkers?
Longonot62

This link may provide more information.  The affidavit from the aircraft captain is about providing proof that your cat was isolated from other animals for the duration of the journey and some sites say that your pet should not have left the aircraft.  By the way a direct flight usually means a flight with stopovers (using the same aircraft).  Non stop means straight to your destination without stopovers.



I understand that the import licence is issued by the Department of Veterinary Services.  I have pasted the details below  I understand that scanning and e-mailing the documents is acceptable:


A request letter providing the importer’s name and address (mailing and email).
Current Health Certificate from Veterinary Doctor.
Certificate of registration
Rabies and other vaccinations’ certificate(s)


Scan and email the above requirements to the Department of Veterinary Services in Nairobi using the following email:  cvfokabete@yahoo.com or director@dvskabete.go.ke

The Department will advise on the mode of payment of the application fees.

The Department can also be reached on: Tel +254 20 2437858


I am a little curious to know why your worries should focus on Jomo Kenyatta International Airport and not the airports in between?

Tazuko

Thank you for a quick response.
I will definitely look into the websites.

I am inquiring airlines like Emirates, Swissair that have flights from Tokyo to Nairibi bia transit.
As I understand, pets transported as cargo do not go through immigration at transit airports (like Dubai) . That's why I am focusing on the documents required for import at Nairobi.

Thank you so much
Tazuko

Longonot62

You have to focus on the documents required for Nairobi.  If these aren't in order then at worst, you cannot import your cat and at best it means that your cat will have to be quarantined.

NthNairobi

Hi Tazuko, I imported two dogs in Kenya so do not worry, things will eventually solve itself with a huge loss of time and energy knowing your cat arrives from Japon. :) which is a pretty safe country.
Anyway considering other airports like Mombasa for example is NOT a bad idea ;-) Welcome in Kenya!

Longonot62

I'm not really sure why you would consider importing your cat to Mombasa when most flights pass through Nairobi anyway.  If your final destination is also Nairobi, it makes absolutely no sense to subject the cat to further and wholly unnecessary travel!

NthNairobi

Was only implying Mombasa was cool, with all paperwork done of course, they just did not check, which always result in painful and long negotiations,,,

NthNairobi

Tazuko, do the paperwork whatever!

Tazuko

Thanks for your concerns.
I am aware of the importance of paperwork-I always have multiple sets just in case.
But Africa being Africa, not all government offices say the same thing...you all would have experienced...

I am curious-did any of you get an affidavit from the plane's pilot, which is written ad "required".

I am already working on getting vaccination certificates, health certification and import permit. The addidavit remains a mystery.

Can someone help?

Longonot62

<<But Africa being Africa, not all government offices say the same thing>>  I am not sure how to take this comment.  'Africa' isn't a country and you really can't regard the whole continent in the same light!   All the Kenya High Commission websites say the same about importing a pet as does the independent advice.

If you have the paperwork correctly filled, then there shouldn't be a problem.  The affidavit from the captain is about assurances to the Kenyan Government that your cat has not been in contact with other animals in other countries, where s/he could have acquired an infection.  Kenya is as keen as many other countries to avoid the unwitting import of animal diseases.

By the way, customs officers in Mombasa have a reputation for being much tougher and more thorough than those in Nairobi.

ataliaS

Hi

Was wondering how your experience went?
Did you need an agent on arrival?
Also did you require the tapeworm strip?

Kindly advice...

Thank you

Tazuko

Hi.
My move with the cats has been postponed...
But thanks to the advice I got through this thread, I am almost confident about the paperwork.
1. If the Kenyan embassy in your country of residence (in my case Japan) does not issue impoer permit, you need to get it via an agent in Kenya.
2. You need to ask your current vet to prepare a health certificate and rabies vaccine certificate.
3. You need to find an airline that is experienced with shipping pets. In my case, KLM (Japan-Netherland) and Kenya Airlines seems to be the best combination.
4. If you want to make use of the pet hotel in Amsterdam, you need to hire an agent. They are listed on KLM page. I found eaglefright very helpful.

About the tapeworm thing, you had better confirm with your agent.
Hope youe move goes smoothly!

watamu

Ho know where is veterinary office in jomo kenyata now?