Dominica Pet Import Requirements

What is a Pet Passport?

We refer to a pet passport as a collection of documents that fulfill Dominica pet import requirements for dogs or cats entering this country. This term is not to be confused with an official EU Pet Passport issued in the European Union for resident pets. Your pet’s passport will be comprised of proof of rabies vaccination, rabies titer test results, parasite treatments, an international export health certificate, and an import permit. All Dominica pet import requirements are detailed in the steps below.

Animals Eligible for These Regulations

Unless otherwise stated, the regulations below apply to domestic dogs and cats, including service and assistance dogs and cats. Wolf hybrids, Savannah and Bengal cats, unless they are 5th generation removed from the pedigree, cannot be imported under these regulations.

Find a Licensed Veterinarian

Before beginning any pet export procedure, make sure your veterinarian is approved by the governing veterinarian authority in your pet’s country of origin. Your veterinarian should work for or be licensed by the agency of the government that handles the movement of live animals.

Quarantine for pets entering Dominica

There will be no quarantine imposed on your pet when entering Dominica if pet import regulations detailed here are met. If your pet does not conform to the regulations as stated below, it will be subject to quarantine if facilities are available, returned to the origination country, or euthanized. The importer will be responsible all costs involved.

Dominica Pet Import Requirements

All steps required to conform to Dominica pet import requirements must be completed in the origination country. Complete steps 1-6 in the order given.

Step 1: Pet Microchip

Having your pet identified with a microchip is important when traveling internationally for several reasons. Firstly, a microchip will tie your pet to its documentation when entering a foreign country. Secondly, if, for any reason, your pet is separated from you during travel, the chances of reuniting with your pet significantly increase if you register your information in a microchip database.

Although it is not required to import a pet to Dominica, it is recommended to have your pet identified with a microchip in accordance with the procedures in the country of origin. The most accepted form of identification is a 15-digit pet microchip that meets ISO (International Standards Organization) Standard 11784 or Annex A to ISO Standard 11785.

If microchipped, all documents should reflect the microchip number. If you want to be sure that veterinary inspectors can read your pet’s microchip, you can provide a microchip scanner that will read the microchip.

Your veterinarian, a veterinary hospital, or a trained nurse should implant the microchip. You should receive documentation on how to register it in the manufacturer’s or your government’s database.

Step 2: Vaccinations

All cats and dogs must be vaccinated against rabies between 30 days and 12 months prior to entering Dominica. The administering veterinarian should issue either:

• A rabies certificate or
• A government-issued vaccination booklet or
• An EU Pet Passport

After issuance, the veterinarian should sign and stamp all entries.

Cats should be vaccinated against feline distemper, rhinotraqueitis (FVR), calicivirus (FCV), feline panleukopenia (FPl), pnuemonitis-chlamydia (PPN), and leukemia (FeLV). Dogs must be vaccinated against diseases such as distemper, hepatitis, leptospirosis, parvovirus and parainfluenza.

Step 3: Rabies Titer (Serology) Test

No sooner than 30 days after the administration of a rabies vaccination, a licensed veterinarian in the origination country must administer a rabies titer test. Samples must be processed at a laboratory approved by the World Organization of Animal Health (WOAH). Results must be sent directly to Veterinary Services in Dominica.

Note that the results of a rabies titer test do not substitute for proof of rabies vaccination. Both will be required.

Step 4: Import Permit

An import permit is required for pets entering Dominica with their owners. Importers should apply at least 2 weeks in advance for the permit.

Step 5: Parasite Treatments

Parasite treatments for internal and external parasites should be administered shortly prior to entering Dominica. The administering veterinarian can record these treatments on the health certificate or issue you a signed and stamped record of treatment.

Step 6: Health Certificate

All countries worldwide require an original health certificate, including:

A licensed veterinarian in the origination country must complete the Pet Health Certificate for Dominica within several weeks of entry.

The health certificate must clearly identify your pet and include its microchip number. A governmental veterinarian must state that your pet is fit to travel and is not originating from an area that is under restrictions for rabies.

After issuance, the certificate must be certified (endorsed) by a government veterinarian representing the agency in the origination country that is responsible for the import and export of live animals.

Other Information

Importing Puppies and Kittens to Dominica

Puppies and kittens should not be vaccinated for rabies prior to 3 months of age. They must be vaccinated after 3 months of age and wait for 30 days before travel. Dominica will not accept a pet that is not vaccinated for rabies.

Related: More information on transporting a puppy.

Breeds Banned by Dominica

Dominica does not publish a list of banned breeds. Pet owners are responsible for their pet’s behavior.

Entering Dominica by Air

Pets entering Dominica by air should do so at either Douglas-Charles Airport in Marigot or Canefield Airport in Roseau. Pets can enter Dominica in the cabin, as checked baggage or as air cargo, according to airline pet policies. In all cases, pets must travel in a crate or carrier in accordance with the International Air Transport Association.

Importers should notify veterinary officials of their pet’s arrival 48 hours ahead of time to allow for inspection of your pet and its pet passport documentation.

All domestic dogs and cats must be free of evidence of disease communicable to humans when examined at the entry airport.
If your dog or cat is not in apparent good health, further examination by a licensed veterinarian may be required at your expense.

Importing Other Animals to Dominica

Birds, invertebrates, tropical fish, reptiles, amphibia, and mammals such as rodents and rabbits are not subject to the requirements of rabies vaccination but will need an import permit and a current health certificate to enter Dominica. Pet owners are strongly advised to seek further information from the relevant authority of their country and/or that of the country of destination.

Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES)

Importers should verify that their pet is not protected under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). This is important if your pet is not a dog or cat, and it is even more important if it is a turtle or parrot.  You will need to apply for additional permits if this is the case.

Over 180 countries participate in and enforce CITES regulations.

Related: Search the CITES database or Search the Species+ database

Related: Read more about CITES

Need More Detailed Pet Import Requirements for Dominica?

Visit PetTravelStore.com for further details on permits, costs, tests and pet import regulations for Dominica are available at minimal cost.

Have Questions About Importing Your Pet to Dominica?

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Current Information

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 put your pet into quarantine, return your pet to the country of origin, or euthanize your pet. Any costs involved will be at the importer’s expense. We suggest that you minimize the disruptions that may occur by following the rules of Dominica.