Pets in Lesotho

The Department of Livestock (DLS), within the Ministry of Agriculture, Food Security and Nutrition (MAFSN), and District Veterinary Services are the main formal contacts for pets in Lesotho. They provide advice, consultation, diagnosis, treatment, laboratory services and disease control. The Lesotho Veterinary Council (LVC) is listed with DLS for veterinary-profession matters. Keep a health record with the animal's identification details, vaccinations, treatments and rabies status. Rabies is a fatal viral disease that can spread through bites or saliva. It is endemic in Lesotho, and dogs are the main carriers. MAFSN provides routine vaccination for domestic animals and plans canine vaccination campaigns with surveillance in all 10 districts. Dogs and cats may be included in these campaigns. From 2018 to 2023, 230 dog-rabies cases were reported; from January to August 2023, authorities recorded 601 reported dog-bite cases and 598 cases receiving post-exposure prophylaxis. Arrange veterinary assessment promptly after a bite or suspected exposure. Published clinical-service charges list a consultation at M150, small-animal treatment at M200 before medicine costs, and deworming at M30. Access, medicine availability and campaign charges can differ by district and campaign, so confirm the current amount with the local veterinary office or clinic. The MAFSN contact number published for enquiries is +266 22316410. Lesotho does not have an evidenced national directory for breeders, pet shops, shelters or adoptions, and no central adoption or surrender portal has been established. When acquiring an animal, arrange a veterinary examination, vaccination record and clear ownership details rather than relying only on an informal sale. If an owner can no longer keep a pet, contact DLS or the district veterinarian first and use private rehoming only with complete health information. Do not abandon the animal. Confirm local capacity for stray handling, boarding or humane euthanasia before relying on any of those services. Moving a pet across a border uses the live-animal import or export service. The application can require a completed form, laboratory reports, vaccination history, a registered establishment and, when the animal passes through a third country, a transit or removal permit. The published pet fee is M200 and the stated processing time is 3 to 5 days. The destination country and every transit country may impose additional conditions, so their requirements must be checked separately. Lesotho's 2025 Animal Production, Health and Welfare Bill was announced as a draft and should not be treated as current law. No current consolidated national rule covering pet registration, leash or control duties, stray seizure, abandonment, sterilisation, bite liability or euthanasia is confirmed in the available official material; do not import rules from South Africa or another neighbouring country.