Dominican Republic Pet Import Requirements

What is a Pet Passport?

We refer to a pet passport as a collection of documents that fulfill Dominican Republic pet import requirements for dogs or cats entering the 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 include proof of rabies vaccination, rabies titer test results (some countries), and an international export health certificate.

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 and 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 veterinary 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 the Dominican Republic

There will be no quarantine imposed on your pet when entering the Dominican Republic if the following import regulations are met. If regulations are not met, between 8 and 30 days of quarantine will be imposed, depending on the country of origin.

Dominican Republic Pet Import Requirements

All steps required to conform to Dominican Republic pet import regulations 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.

The first step to prepare your dog, cat, or ferret to enter the Dominican Republic from any country is to have your pet microchipped with an ISO 11784/11785-compliant 15-digit pet microchip that meets ISO (International Standards Organization) Standard 11784 or Annex A to ISO Standard 11785.

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.

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.

Step 2: Vaccinations

All cats and dogs must be vaccinated against rabies between 30 days and 12 months prior to entering the Dominican Republic. 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.

Other vaccinations are required: DHPP (distemper, adenovirus (hepatitis), parainfluenza, and parvovirus). Cats should be vaccinated against viral rhinotracheitis, calicivirus, and leukemia.

Step 3: Rabies Titer (Serology) Test

If entering the Dominican Republic from a high-rabies country, no sooner than 30 days after the administration of a rabies vaccination, a licensed veterinarian in the country of origin must administer a rabies titer test. Samples must be processed at a laboratory approved by the World Organization of Animal Health (WOAH).

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

Step 4: Import Permit

An import permit is not required for pets entering the Dominican Republic with their owners. Up to five personal pets can be imported to the Dominican Republic without an import permit. Commercial imports or imports of six or more personal pets will require an import permit.

Step 5: Parasite Treatments

Parasite treatments for internal and external parasites should be administered shortly prior to entering the Dominican Republic. 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 origin country must complete the veterinary health certificate for the Dominican Republic 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 the Dominican Republic

Unvaccinated puppies and kittens are not permitted to enter the Dominican Republic. Once your puppy or kitten turns 3 months of age, it must be vaccinated for rabies and wait 30 days before entering the Dominican Republic.

Related: More information on transporting a puppy.

Breeds Banned by the Dominican Republic

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

Entering the Dominican Republic by Air

Pets entering the Dominican Republic by air should do so via international airports in Santo Domingo, Puerto Plate, Samaná El Catey or Punta Cana. Pets can enter the Dominican Republic 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.

Related: Is your crate IATA-compliant?

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.

Exporting Resident Pets

On departure, be sure to obtain a health certificate from the Office of Animal Health. The certificate is valid for 72 hours. You will need it to depart the country.

Before departure, you must take your pet to the quarantine office at the airport 48 hours before departure from the Dominican Republic, where they will issue a new health certificate and permit to take the pet from the country. There is a nominal fee charged for this service.

Importing Other Animals to the Dominican Republic

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 the Dominican Republic. 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

Have Questions About Importing Your Pet to the Dominican Republic?

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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 Dominican Republic pet import requirements.