It is a legal requirement for dogs in Rwanda to be vaccinated against rabies and hold an official vaccine card with a record of the vaccination done by a licensed vet. Please see ‘Vet Services’ above for more information on veterinary services in Rwanda. 

It is also a legal requirement for dogs to wear a collar with a tag on with the owner’s contact information. Collars can be bought at veterinary clinics and pet shops around Kigali.

If you would like any advice on the below list, or if you have any questions related to dog ownership, please reach out to us and we’d be happy to help! 

I am no longer able to keep my dog. What can I do?

If you are no longer able to keep your dog, we recommend the following:

• Contact friends, family and colleagues to see if they are able to take your dog in. You could post on your social media to reach a wider audience.
• Use networks on social media such as Kigali Pets, Rwanda Dog Lovers, and Living in Kigali to advertise your dog and find a suitable home. When using these networks, post lots of photos and a detailed description of your dog, including their likes, dislikes, age, health history and character.
• Make flyers and ask local veterinarians and pet shops if they can put the flyer on their reception desk. Use lots of pictures and a detailed description of your dog!
• Contact WAG and provide a detailed description of your dog and photos. We may be able to help by linking you to adopters or posting on our social media. We can also provide you with our adoption application questions to help you vet potential adopters.
• Before rehoming your dog, ensure that they are sterilised and fully vaccinated. Contact WAG for more information on how you can get this done.
• If you are leaving Rwanda, we encourage you to try to take your dog with you. Please check out our travel advice for more information!