Pets in Gabon

Common pets in Gabon include dogs and cats. People acquire them from private owners, veterinary practices or animal-protection organizations. The choice should match the local climate, available space, reliable access to food and veterinary care, and any planned travel. Wild animals are not ordinary pets; capturing or keeping protected species falls under wildlife and CITES rules administered through the relevant Eaux et Forêts authorities. Pet owners are responsible for secure housing, clean water, suitable food, hygiene, veterinary treatment and preventing uncontrolled roaming or biting. Gabon's Penal Code sanctions unnecessary mistreatment of domestic, tamed or captive animals. A current, specific criminal offence for abandonment was not verified, but releasing an animal creates safety, welfare and property-damage risks and does not provide a responsible solution. Veterinary care is available through public and private structures. The Ordre des Médecins Vétérinaires du Gabon (OMVG) registers professionals who practise veterinary medicine and surgery. The Direction Générale de l'Elevage (DGE) and its veterinary services oversee animal health, veterinary practice and veterinary medicines. Law 001/2021 regulates the manufacture, import, possession, supply, prescription and use of medicines and animal-health products, so unapproved or improperly supplied products can create legal and health problems. Reliable public information about specialist providers is strongest for Libreville and Owendo, with an additional directory for Port-Gentil. No complete national public list of clinics or emergency services was found. Outside urban centres, access may be limited. Gabon has no reliable national veterinary fee schedule for pets; consultation, vaccination, medicines, surgery and transport should therefore be priced directly with the provider before treatment. Rabies is a central pet and public-health concern. Gabon's health authorities document routine dog vaccination, bite surveillance and cooperation between human and animal health services. After a bite or scratch, wash the wound immediately with soap and water for at least 15 minutes and go promptly to a health centre, regardless of the animal's vaccination status. If possible, veterinary services should supervise the dog for 15 days. A local protocol describes four intramuscular Verorab injections and possible rabies immunoglobulin for category III exposure, but the health service decides the medical treatment. For international movement, Gabonese customs information treats live animals and animal products as requiring a veterinary certificate. Required permits must be clarified with the relevant authorities before departure or entry. Missing documents can lead to the animal being held until the situation is regularized. No public Gabon-specific checklist confirming deadlines, quarantine, fees, microchip rules or airline requirements was found, so the DGE or veterinary services, Douanes gabonaises and the carrier should confirm the requirements in writing. The rules of the origin and transit countries apply separately. If keeping the animal is no longer possible, contact a veterinary practice, a suitable private adopter or an animal-protection organization rather than abandoning it. Association de Protection des Animaux de Libreville (APAL) in Owendo and Libreville provides protection, care, placement, awareness work and population management. Association Canine de Port-Gentil is a local functional contact. No current nationwide shelter or municipal fourrière network, or uniform surrender procedure, was verified. Reliable national figures for pet numbers, abandonment, adoption, shelter capacity or veterinary density are also unavailable.