
What is a Pet Passport?
We refer to a pet passport as a collection of documents according to Saba 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 microchip, rabies vaccination and international export health certificate issued by a licensed veterinarian in the origination country.
Animals Eligible for These Regulations
Unless otherwise stated, the regulations below apply to domestic dogs and cats including service and assistance dogs and cats. These regulations do not include the import of Wolf hybrids, Savannah and Bengal cats, unless 5th generation removed from the pedigree.
Dogs and cats are prohibited from entering Saba from any of the Central or South American countries except for Suriname.
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. The agency of the government that is responsible for the movement of live animals should either license or employ your veterinarian.
Quarantine for Pets Entering Saba
Quarantine will not be imposed on your pet if the following regulations are met. Pets not meeting import regulations will be quarantined, returned to the origin country or euthanized. All costs are the responsibility of the importer.
Saba Pet Import Requirements
All steps required to conform to Saba 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. First, a microchip will tie your pet to its documentation when entering a foreign country. Second, 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.
Your pet must be identified with a 15-digit pet microchip which is compliant with International Standards Organization standard 11784 or Annex A of ISO standard 11785 prior to entering Saba. All documentation must reflect the microchip number. If your pet’s microchip is not ISO 11784/11785 compliant, importers can provide a microchip scanner that will read their pet’s microchip.
Your veterinarian, a veterinary hospital or trained nurse should implant the microchip. Documentation should be provided as to the manufacturer of the microchip and registration instructions.

Step 2: Vaccinations
All cats and dogs over three months of age must be vaccinated for rabies between 30 days and 11 months prior to entering Saba. The administering veterinarian should record vaccination information, sign and stamp one of the following documents depending on veterinary practices in the country of origin:
- a rabies certificate
- a government-issued vaccination booklet or
- an EU Pet Passport
Other Vaccinations
Dogs must be vaccinated against distemper, hepatitis, leptospirosis, and parvovirus. Cats should be vaccinated against feline viral rhinotracheitis, panleukopenia and feline leukemia.
Veterinarians must record vaccinations on the international health certificate (step 5) at intervals required by veterinary health procedures of the origination country.

Step 3: Rabies Titer (Serology) Test
A rabies titer test, also known as a rabies antibody test or rabies serology test, is a blood test that measures the level of rabies antibodies in your pet’s blood. The test will assess the effectiveness of a rabies vaccination or determine your pet’s immune response to the rabies virus. When required, a licensed veterinarian will administer the test more than 30 days after the most current rabies vaccination.
Saba will require a rabies titer test for cats and dogs from countries classified as having a high risk of rabies. All pets originating in countries classified as having a high risk of rabies should always travel with a rabies titer test.
The test must be administered a minimum of 30 days after the primary or booster vaccination. (Have your veterinarian scan your pet’s microchip prior to the titer test.)
Samples must be processed at approved laboratories. Assuming test results are within acceptable limits, your pet can enter Saba no sooner than 3 calendar months after the date the blood was drawn for the test.
Note that rabies titer test results or veterinary exemption letters are no substitution for proof of rabies vaccination.
Step 4: Parasite Treatments
According to all preventative measures to ensure public health and the safety of your pet, treatments for internal and external parasites should be administered prior to entering Saba.
The treatment of pets for internal parasites, especially Echinococcus multilocularis, as well as external parasites (fleas and ticks) should be discussed with your veterinarian who will administer according to disease status of the origination country. These treatments are recommended, but not required.
The administering veterinarian can record these treatments on the health certificate or issue you a record of treatment.
Step 5: Health Certificate
All countries worldwide require an original health certificate (sometimes known as a Certificate of Veterinary Inspection) for live animals entering their country. The certificate should include the following information:
- details of your pet and
- vaccinations and treatments and
- veterinary attestations regarding symptoms of contagious diseases at the time of export.
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 properly identify your pet. Your veterinarian will include additional details and treatments on the certificate depending on the country of origin.
A licensed veterinarian in the origination country must complete the health certificate within 14 days of entry.
Related: Pet Health Certificate for Saba
A government veterinarian must either issue the certificate or endorse the certificate after issuance by a licensed veterinarian. This official represents the agency in the origination country that is responsible for the import and export of live animals.

Step 6: Import Permit
Pet dogs and cats entering Saba with their owners do not need an import permit.
Other Information
Importing Puppies and Kittens to Saba
Puppies and kittens should not be vaccinated for rabies prior to 3 months of age. Unvaccinated puppies and kittens should not be imported to Saba.
Related: More information on transporting a puppy.
Breeds Banned from Import to Saba
Saba does not publish a list of banned breeds. Pet owners are always responsible for their pet’s behavior.

Entering Saba by Air
Pets must enter Saba at Juancho E. Yrausquin Airport. Notice should be given to veterinary officials so they will be available to inspect your pet upon landing. Pets can arrive in the cabin, as checked baggage or as air cargo according to airline pet policies.
Related: Is your pet’s crate IATA-compliant?
Flights to Saba 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.
Flights should be direct if the duration of the flight does not violate animal welfare laws. Layovers should be short and not involve a change in airline companies. If your pet’s itinerary involves a layover in the European Union, then additional requirements will apply.
Whenever your pet travels to a foreign country like Saba, it is always advisable to carry some form of identification indicating ownership of your pet.
All domestic dogs and cats must be free of evidence of disease communicable to humans when examined at the entry airport.
A government veterinarian will provide further examination if your dog or cat is not in apparent good health when entering Saba. All costs associated with further inspections or treatments will be borne by the importer.

Importing Other Pet Animals to Saba
Birds, invertebrates, tropical fish, reptiles, amphibia, mammals such as rodents and rabbits are not subject to requirements of rabies vaccination but may have to meet other requirements and should have a health certificate to enter Saba. 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 crucial if you have a pet that isn’t a dog or cat, and it’s crucial if it’s a turtle or a parrot. If this is the case, importers will have to submit additional permit applications. The agency that issues these permits is responsible for the protection of wildlife in your country.
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 and Forms for Saba?
Visit PetTravelStore.com for step-by-step detailed instructions on regulations, permits, layovers, costs, tests and pet import regulations for Saba at minimal cost. Our information is current, verified and tailored to your pet’s itinerary.
Here’s what is included in the Saba pet passport package:
- Detailed instructions on importing your dog, cat or ferret to Saba from any country available in six languages
- ISO 11784/11785 Compliant Microchip Information
- Required Vaccinations and Intervals
- Health Certificate Information
- IATA Carrier and Crate Requirements
- Layover Considerations & Requirements for Airline Pet Travel
- Responsibilities of a Pet Transporter
- FREE unlimited email support both for you and your veterinarian, should either of you have any questions
Also included at no additional cost:
- Veterinary Health Certificate for Saba (US/Canada)
- Microchip Certificate
- Inoculation Record
- Airline Health Certificate
Have Questions About Importing Your Pet to Saba?
Have a comment about importing a pet to Saba? Post it below and we will respond. You can also reach out by posting to our Blog, X (Twitter), Facebook, or Email or follow our activities on Instagram and TikTok.
Please note that the accuracy of comments made below by 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.
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, return your pet to the country of origin, or euthanize your pet. To avoid these consequences, we suggest that you minimize the disruptions that may occur by following Saba pet import requirements.
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