Pets, especially dogs, are not hugely popular in Morocco. However, there are plenty of people who choose to keep animals in their homes. Many expats enjoy having their animals that have been a part of their family for many years along with them. Birds, turtles, and sometimes puppies are often sold in the souks, and cats and fish are also popular pet choices. There are a few pet stores in major cities in Morocco. There are plenty of stray cats on the streets, as well as dogs. Very few Moroccans have dogs as pets, and many find them to be dirty animals. Touching a dog removes the cleanliness required for daily prayers, thus they are not overly friendly near dogs either. When dogs are with their owners in public places they are usually not leashed, which can be a little unnerving for those who are afraid of dogs. They are generally harmless and tend not to even move when you pass by them.

Foreigners may bring pets along with them to Morocco, and the process for doing so is relatively easy. Your pet must receive a rabies vaccination more than 30 days before traveling. Additionally, you must obtain a certificate of your pet’s current health, current shots, and notation that it is parasite free from a licensed veterinarian. The certificate must be sent to the department of agriculture, or equivalent in other countries to be certified with a stamp. Once certified, the certificate must then be sent to the Moroccan Consulate in the home country for certification. A $33 fee and self-addressed envelope should accompany the request. As long as you have the necessary paperwork from the Moroccan Consulate healthy pets will not be quarantined, nor are import licenses required. Morocco is not part of the Pet Travel Scheme, so it is important for pet owners to take necessary identification precautions for their pet. Once in Morocco, foreigners do not need to obtain any additional licenses for pets.

There are veterinarians in Morocco, but they can be hard to find since pets are not hugely popular. Foreigners will find more available pet care in larger cities, while smaller towns and rural areas may have only one veterinarian or will need to travel to a nearby city for pet care. Cities like Casablanca, Rabat, and Tangier are likely to have more abundant pet care facilities. In Fes, there is an animal hospital called the American Fondook, established to help Moroccans learn to take better care of their pets as well as medically treat animals. With a few exceptions, the standard of care for animals is of high quality. Many needed pet supplies can be found at the local veterinarians office such as food, flea & tick medication, etc. Otherwise, there are pet stores for supplies and major chain grocery stores such as Marjane, Aswak Assalam and Acima have whole aisles dedicated to pet care with food, toys, leashes, and other necessary items.

For more information about pets in Morocco, it is important to check with the Moroccan Consulate in home countries for further information about bringing pets into the country.