Cayman Islands Pet Passport & Import Regulations
Unless otherwise stated, the regulations below apply to domestic dogs and cats. Owners of other pets should refer to item 10. These requirements also apply to service and emotional support animals.
Pet Microchip
To bring your pet to the Cayman Islands, it must first be microchipped with an ISO 11784/11785 pet microchip that is a 15 digit and non-encrypted. If your pet's microchip is not ISO 11784/11785 compliant, you can bring your own microchip scanner. Your pet can also be identified by a permanent tatoo.
Your pet's microchip number must be recorded on all documentation.
Vaccinations
After the microchip is implanted, your dog or cat must be vaccinated for rabies between 30 days and 12 months prior to entering the Cayman Islands. If your dog was vaccinated for rabies prior to the microchip, then it must be vaccinated again after the chip is implanted. Your pet must be at least 12 weeks old before the primary rabies vaccine is given.
Note that one, two and three year rabies vaccinations are acceptable for booster vaccinations. Primary vaccination (first after microchip should be one year vaccine.)
Rabies Titer Test
To enter the Cayman Islands from any country, a rabies titer test (Fluorescent Antibody Virus Neutralising Test (FAVN) must be administered by a licensed veterinarian no sooner than 30 days after the most recent vaccination and not more than 12 months prior to entry to the Cayman Islands. Read on for wait times after the titer test is administered.
The blood sample can be drawn in a non-approved country; however, it must be processed by an approved laboratory in the United States or United Kingdom. The test result must show a serum antibody level of at least 0.5 IU/ml and must bear your pet's microchip number. (Have your veterinarian scan your pet's microchip prior to the titer test.)
The waiting period after successful results are received are as follows:
- Pets entering from a rabies-free country (see step #7) - immediately.
- Pets entering from a rabies-controlled country (see step #7) - 2 months.
- Pets entering from a high-rabies country (see step #7) - 3 months.
Import Permit
An import permit must be obtained from the Department of Agriculture. All tests, treatments and certificates must be submitted in order to receive an import permit.
Health Certificate
An accredited veterinarian must complete a Cayman Islands Veterinary Certificate within 14 days of entry stating that your pet is healthy and free of parasites and indicating the above vaccinations and the results of the titer test. If your pet is traveling from the United States, an export certificate must be completed by a USDA-accredited veterinarian and endorsed by the USDA. All required documentation (including titer test results) must be provided to the USDA for endorsement.
Internal and External Parasites
Within 14 days of travel, your dog or cat must be treated against ticks, tapeworm, nematodes and cestodes.
Country Classifications
The Cayman Islands classify rabies-free, rabies-controlled and high-rabies countries as follows. Dogs and cats must reside in these countries at least 3 months prior to import.
Rabies-Free Countries
American Samoa, Andorra, Anguilla, Antarctica, Antigua and Barbuda, Aruba, Australia, Austria, Azones, Bahanas, Balearic Islands, Barbados, Belgium, Bermuda, British Virgin Islands, Cabrera, Channel Islands, Christmas Island, Cook Islands, Corsica, Czech Republic (except borders with Poland & Slovakia), Denmark, Dominica, Easter Island, Estonia, Faroe Islands, Fiji, Finland, Formentera, France, French Polynesia, Germany, Gibraltar, Greece, Guadeloupe, Guam, Hawaii, Hungary, Ibiza, Iceland, Ireland, Isle of Man, Italy, Jamaica, Kiribati, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Majorca, Malta, Martinique, Menorca, Micronesia, Monaco, Montserrat, Nauru, Netherlands, Netherlands Antilles, New Caledonia. New Zealand, Norfolk Island, Northern Mariana Islands, Norway (mainland), Pitcairn Islands, Portugal, St Kitts & Nevis, St Lucia, St Martin/Marteen, St Pierre & Miquelon, St Vincent & the Grenadines, Samoa, San Marino, Spain (mainland, Balearic Islands, Canary Islands), Sweden, Switzerland, Tahiti, Tokelau, Turks & Caicos Islands, United Kingdom, US Virgin Islands and Wallis & Futuna Islands.
Rabies-Controlled Countries
Bulgaria, Canada, Czech Republic (within 50 km of border with Poland & Slovakia), Grenada, Marshall Islands, Niue, Norway (Svalbard archipelago), Papua New Guinea, Slovakia, Solomon Islands, Svalbard archipelago, Tonga, Trinidad & Tobago, Tufalu, United States (mainland) and Vanuatu
High-Rabies Countries
Belarus, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Croatia, Cuba, Dominican Re0public, Greenland, Haiti, Kosovo, Latvia, Lithuania, Macedonia, Mexico, Montenegro, Poland, Puerto Rico, Romania, Russia, Serbia, Slovenia and Ukraine.
If your dog or cat does not reside in one of these countries, it is not approved for direct import to the Cayman Islands.
Entering Cayman Islands by Air or Sea
A minimum of 48 hours notice must be given to the Department of Agriculture as to your pet's arrival.
All domestic dogs and cats must be free of evidence of disease communicable to humans when examined at the port of entry to the Cayman Islands, George Town. If your dog or cat is not in apparent good health, further examination by a licensed veterinarian may be required at your expense.
Puppies and Kittens
Unvaccinated pets under the age of 3 months cannot enter Cayman Islands. Puppies and kittens should be microchipped vaccinated for rabies no sooner than 12 weeks of age and wait for 30 days prior to having a titer test. Assuming acceptable results, puppies and kittens can under the schedule found in step #3.
Banned Breeds
The following breeds of dogs and their breed types are not permitted to enter the Cayman Islands - Akita Inu (American) (Japanese), Alano Español (Spanish Bulldog), American Pit Bull Terrier, American Bandogge (Bandog), American Bulldog (AmBull), American Staffordshire Bull Terrier (AmStaff), Armenian Gampr dog, Aryan Molossus (Afghanistan Mastiff), Asian Shepherd Dog (Central), Belgian Mastiff (Matin Beige) (Chien de Trait) (Belgian Draft Mastiff), Boerboel (Burbul), Cane Corso (Italiano) (Cane di Macellaio) (Sicilian Branchiero), (Italian Mastiff), Catahoula Leopard Dog (Catahoula Hog Dog), Caucasian Shepherd Dog (Caucasian Sheepdog) (Caucasian Ovcharka) (Kavkaskaia Ovtcharka) (Caucasian Owcharka) (Caucasian Mountain Dog) (Sage Ghafghazi) (Kavkazskaïa Ovtcharka) (Caucasian Ovtcharka) (Russian Caucasian Ovtcharka) (Russian Caucasian), Central Asian Ovtcharka (Middle Asian Ovtcharka) (Mid-Asian Shepherd) (Central Asian Sheepdog) (Central Asian Shepherd Dog) (Alabai) (Sredneasiatskaïa Ovtcharka) (Turkmen Alabai), Dogue de Bordeaux (French Mastiff) (Bordeaux Bulldog), Dogo Argentino(Argentinian Mastiff) (Argentine Dogo), Fila Brasileiro (Brazilian Mastiff)(Brazilian Molosser)(Cao de Fila), Georgian Shepherd Dog, Guatemalan Bull Terrier, Gull Dong (Pakistani Bulldog), Gull Terr (Pakistani Bull Terrier), Irish Staffordshire Bull Terrier, Kangal Dog, Karelian Bear Dog (Finnish Bear Dog), Korean Jindo Dog, Lottatore Brindisino, New Guinea Singing Dog (New Guinea Highland Dog) (Singer) (NGSD), Olde English Bulldogge (not to be confused with an ENGLISH BULLDOG), Pakistani Mastiff (Bully Kutta) (Pakistani Bully Kutta) (Bohli Kutta) (Bully Cutha) (Pakistani Mastiff) (Sindh Mastiff) (PBK), Perro de Presa Canario (Canarian catch dog), Perro de Presa Mallorquin (Ca de Bou), Pit Bull Terrier, Staffordshire Bull Terrier (American, English, Irish, etc.), Tibetan Mastiff, Tosa (Japanese) (Inu) (Ken).
Other Animals
Rabbits, Hamsters, Guinea Pigs, Aquarium fish: importer need to apply for an Import Permit from the Veterinary Services of the Department of Agriculture. The permit will contain the conditions of entry.
Birds must undergo quarantine 30 days prior to export in a government-approved facility. Tests for Newcastle, Avian Influenza, Psittacosis (Avian Chlamydiosis), West Nile Virus must be performed and a health certificat must be issued within 14 days of import. Notice must be provided to Veterinary Officials at least 24 hours prior to import.
CITES
If your pet is not a dog, cat or ferret, and especially if it is a turtle or parrot, you should verify that it is not protected under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). You will need to apply for additional permits if this is the case. Over 180 countries participate and enforce CITES regulations. .
Need More Advice?
To the best of our ability, we ensure that recommendations given on PetTravel.com reflect the current regulations. We cannot predict how a given country may enforce these regulations. Noncompliance may result in the need to make arrangements to put your pet into quarantine at your expense, return your pet to the country of origin, or euthanize your pet. We suggest that you minimize the disruptions that may occur by following the rules of the country you are visiting.
Further detail on import permits, costs, tests and procedures are available at minimal cost at PetTravelStore.com. We also stock all the equipment and accessories you will need for traveling with your pet. Same day shipping Monday through Friday until 4:00 PM EST.
GOT QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS???
Due to the high demand, we may be unable to respond to your question quickly if posted below. If you need a fast response, you can post them directly to our Facebook page, blog, or forum. We will respond as soon as we can.
Please note that the accuracy of comments made from Facebook users other than Pet Travel have not been verified. We do not endorse any person or company that may offer transport services through posts to this webpage.