What is a Pet Passport?
A Montserrat pet passport is a collection of documents, as detailed below, that are required for dogs and cats entering Montserrat from other countries. This term is not to be confused with an official EU Pet Passport issued in the European Union for resident pets. Your pet’s pet passport will be comprised of proof of rabies and other vaccinations and an international export health certificate. All Montserrat 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 and Savannah and Bengal cats, unless 5th generation removed from the pedigree, cannot be imported under these regulations. All documentation should be in the name of the pet owner.
Owners of other types of pets (amphibia, reptiles, birds, rabbits, rodents) covered by these regulations should refer to IMPORTING OTHER PET ANIMALS TO MONTSERRAT below.
Find a Licensed Veterinarian
Before beginning any pet export procedure, owners, agents, or anyone transporting a pet should ensure that their veterinarian is licensed by the governing authority in their country that is responsible for the movement of live animals. This veterinarian should administer all vaccinations and treatments, as well as issue all required documentation.
Montserrat Pet Import Requirements
All steps required to conform to Montserrat 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. First, 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. Third, most countries require that pets be microchipped and compliant microchips may be difficult to find should your pet ever leave the country.
Although not required, all pet dogs and cats should be 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. All documents must reflect the microchip number.
If your pet’s microchip is not compliant, the importer can provide a microchip scanner that will read their pet’s 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 dogs and cats over three months of age must be vaccinated for rabies between 30 days and 12 months prior to entering Montserrat. Multi-year rabies vaccinations are not accepted unless administered within 12 months of import.
The administering veterinarian should issue, sign, and stamp:
- a rabies certificate or
- government-issued vaccination booklet or
- EU Pet Passport
Other Vaccinations
Dogs should be vaccinated against distemper, leptospirosis, and parvovirus.
Cats should be vaccinated against feline viral rhinotracheitis, calicivirus, panleukopenia, and feline leukemia.
All vaccinations must be current and should be recorded on the international health certificate (step 5) at intervals required by the origination country.
Step 3: Rabies Titer (Serology) Test
A rabies titer test measures the level of rabies antibodies in your pet’s blood. It is administered more than 30 days after the rabies vaccination.
This test is not required to enter Montserrat from any country; however, pets traveling from countries classified as having a high risk of rabies should always get this test done before traveling internationally.
Note that rabies titer test results or veterinary exemption letters are no substitute for proof of rabies vaccination.
Step 4: Parasite Treatments
Parasite treatments for internal and external parasites are required prior to entering Montserrat. These treatments must be administered by licensed veterinarians with products approved in the country of origin. The administering veterinarian can record these treatments on the health certificate or issue a record of treatment. Pets should always be inspected for external parasites, such as fleas and ticks, prior to any international travel.
Step 5: Health Certificate
All countries worldwide require an original health certificate issued by a licensed veterinarian in the country of origin, which includes the following information:
- owner’s information
- origination and destination details and
- details of your pet and
- vaccinations and treatments,
- veterinary attestations regarding symptoms of contagious diseases at the time of export.
The pet must reside in the country of origin for a minimum of 3 months prior to travel.
Further, your veterinarian must certify that your pet is healthy enough to travel and is not from a region that is subject to rabies restrictions. The health certificate must clearly identify your pet. Depending on the country of origin, additional details and treatments must be listed.
A licensed veterinarian in your country must complete the Pet Health Certificate for Montserrat within 72 hours of entry.
The government agency in the country of origin that is responsible for the import and export of animals must then endorse the certificate.
Step 6: Import Permit
An import permit from the Department of Agriculture is required for pet dogs and cats entering Montserrat.
Other Information
Breeds Banned from Import to Montserrat
Montserrat does not publish a list of banned breeds. Owners of dog breeds normally classified as dangerous are responsible for their pet’s behavior.
Flying Your Pet to Montenegro
Flights to Montserrat should be direct or transit through a rabies controlled country or another EU Member State if possible*. *Note: If your pet has a layover in an EU Member State in its itinerary, then additional requirements will apply.
Your pet will be subject to 10 days of home quarantine at entry if the regulations listed here are met. Owners must provide the address where the pet will be quarantined in advance. Permission for the bimonthly inspection of their pets while in quarantine must also be provided.
Entering Montserrat by Air
When flying, pets must enter Montserrat via John A. Osborne Airport. Pets can land in Montserrat in the cabin, as checked baggage, or manifest air cargo, according to airline pet policies.
In all cases, pets must travel in a pet carrier or pet crate that is in compliance with International Air Transport Association regulations.
Related: Is your pet’s crate IATA compliant?
Prenotification of arrival and flight details must be provided to the Veterinary Department at least 48 hours prior to arrival.
All domestic dogs and cats must be free of any signs of transmittable illness when evaluated at the entry airport. If the health of your dog or cat is not acceptable, importers will need to pay for further veterinary testing.
Importing Other Animals to Montserrat
All pets other than cats and dogs (ferrets, rabbits, amphibians, reptiles, etc.) will need an import permit and health certificate to enter Montserrat. 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)
The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) prohibits the trade of some species of animals, including pets. This is important if you have a pet that isn’t a dog or cat; it’s crucial if it’s a turtle or a parrot. If so, you will have to submit additional permit applications.
Over 180 nations participate in and enforce CITES rules and protections.
Related: Search the CITES database or Search the Species+ database
Related: Read more about CITES
Need More Detailed Pet Import Requirements and Forms for Montserrat?
Visit PetTravelStore.com for further details on permits, costs, tests and pet import regulations for Montserrat are available at minimal cost.
Have Questions About Importing Your Pet to Montserrat?
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Please note that the accuracy of comments made by Facebook users other than Pet Travel has not been verified, and we do not endorse any person or company that may offer transport services through posts to this webpage.
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:
- make arrangements to put your pet into quarantine at your expense or
- 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 Montserrat pet import requirements.
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