Prepare for the Unexpected: Traveling internationally with your Pet

Taking your faithful puppy or kitty on a international vacation? Make sure you've got your pet's “passport” wherever you go—and carry out back with you it will be a good idea because Uncle Sam is expecting the same paperworks regardless of whether your pet is a first-time traveler around the world or is a returning from an international vacation.

Puppy very stressed and want vacations to Roatan Island...

Travelers planning to take a companion animal to a foreign country should be advised to meet the entry requirements of the country of destination and the transportation guidelines of the airline or cruise ship. To get all these paperwork and obtain this information, travelers should contact the airline as well as country’s embassy or consulate destination.

There are several ways to travel with a companion animal by air. The animal may be allowed in the airplane’s cabin if it meets certain size and weight restrictions, it may be checked in with luggage, or it may be placed into cargo properly in jail dogs or jail cats. Travelers intending to bring their pets onboard with them should check with the airline for space and size and weight restrictions.  

There is often and additional cost for special cases. For the health of the animal, pets are allowed to travel in checked luggage or cargo only if weather conditions permit. The airline will be able to help determine the best dates and times for traveling with pets.

Requirements

Some countries, provinces, or states including Roatan Island may require general health certificates for animals, including dogs or cats. Health certificates may be required by airlines for pet travel as well.

Pets may be subject to inspection and may be denied entry if they have evidence of a infectious disease that can be transmitted to humans. For example, if a dog appears ill, further examination by a licensed veterinarian at the owner’s expense may be required before entry. Depending on the situation, pets may be subject to locally imposed quarantine requirements.

Rabies

Unless a dog is being imported from a country considered “rabies-free” by the world health organization, it must be accompanied by a valid rabies vaccination certificate that includes the following information:

• Identification information such as the breed, sex, age, color, markings, and other
• A vaccination date at least 30 days before travel date
• A vaccination date reflecting that the dog was at least three months of age the time of vaccination
• The vaccination expiration date (if  missing expiration date, the date of vaccination must be within one year of date of importation)
• A licensed veterinarian signature

Exotic Pets: The Pet “Passport”

The pet passport is a CITIES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species) Certificate of ownership for personally owned wildlife. The objective of this certificate that acts like a passport is simply a permit procedures for people who frequently travel internationally with pets or animals used in noncommercial competitions, e.g. a falconry. 

Only one certificate it is issued for a single animal, and is valid for three years, and may be used for different border crossings. The traveler must accompany the pet when crossing international borders and the animal may not be sold or otherwise transferred when traveling abroad.

Import or Export of Pets and Animals

The import or export of personal pets, especially exotic pets, may be regulated by conservation laws or treaties that are part of international conservation efforts.

Trade in Endangered Species

The convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITIES) was formed in the 1960S and currently has 175 parties (countries that have agreed to be bound by the convention such a Roatan Island). You must have a CITIES permit before travel if your pet is listed by CITIES.

Protected by CITIES: 

Domestic Bengal cats and other crosses between CITIES-listed species and the domestic cat; most parrots, cockatoos, lories, and macaws; iguanas, box turtles, and all boas and pythons.

Not protected by CITIES: 

Domesticated animals like dogs, cats, rabbits, and the European ferret; the budgerigar, cockatiel, rose-ringed parakeet, and the peach-faced lovebird.

If you intend travel to Roatan Island with your lovely pet, temporarily for real estate business or tourism we recommend that you read this information carefully. Contact us if you need any assistance to get here we'll glad to help you.