What is a Pet Passport?
We refer to a pet passport as a collection of documents according to Saint Kitts and Nevis 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 import permit. 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.
Pets in Saint Kitts and Nevis
In Saint Kitts and Nevis, like many Caribbean islands, pet ownership is common. Dogs and cats are among the most popular pets. Local regulations may govern pet ownership, including licensing requirements and leash laws for dogs. It’s essential for pet owners to familiarize themselves with these regulations to ensure they comply with the laws in their community.
There are a limited number of veterinary clinics and pet supply stores on Saint Kitts and Nevis; however, pet owners who intend to return to their origin country or further travel internationally should research tests and treatments that will be required before arrival.
Flights to Saint Kitts and Nevis
Commercial airlines offering services for pets flying to Robert L. Bradshaw International Airport include American Airlines, British Airways, Caribbean Airlines, Delta (seasonal), Trans Anguilla Airways, and Winair.
Flights to Saint Kitts and Nevis 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.
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 Saint Kitts and Nevis
Home quarantine will be imposed on your pet, even if the following regulations are met. Pets not meeting import regulations will either be quarantined, returned to the origin country or euthanized. All costs are the responsibility of the importer.
Saint Kitts and Nevis Pet Import Requirements
All steps required to import a dog or cat to Saint Kitts and Nevis 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.
Your pet must be identified with an Avid or a 15-digit pet microchip which is compliant with International Standards Organization standard 11784 or Annex A of ISO standard 11785 prior to entering Saint Kits and Nevis. 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 must be vaccinated for rabies at least 30 days prior to entering Saint Kits and Nevis and enter the country during the validity of the vaccine. Multi-year vaccinations are accepted but not recommended for primary vaccinations. 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
Vaccinations are essential for the health and well-being of both dogs and cats. They help protect against a variety of infectious diseases, some of which can be serious or even fatal. They are a part of any good health veterinary regiment and must be administered at specific intervals so they are affective when entering Saint Kitts and Nevis. Cats must test negative for FELV and FIV within 30 days of travel.
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.
A rabies titer test is required no sooner than 30 days after the rabies vaccination. The blood sample must be processed at an approved laboratory. The results of the second titer test must be submitted directly to the Chief Veterinary Officer from the processing lab.
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 Saint Kitts and Nevis.
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 required to be administered within five days of import.
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 10 days of entry.
Related: Pet Health Certificate for Saint Kitts and Nevis
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
Importers must file an Import Permit with the Chief Veterinary Officer in St. Kitts and Nevis after the rabies titer test that is done. Included with the permit is the application, rabies titer test results (step #3) and the endorsed health certificate.
Other Information
Quarantine for Pets Entering Saint Kitts and Nevis
All pets entering St Kitts and Nevis will be subject to 14 days of home quarantine. During this time, dogs must be kept in the house or a fenced and secure enclosure. Cats must remain indoors. There will be monitoring by veterinary authorities. Pets must not be removed from quarantine facilities without the permission of veterinary authorities. Violations will result in the deportation of your pet.
Importing Puppies and Kittens to Saint Kitts and Nevis
Puppies and kittens should not be vaccinated for rabies prior to three months of age. They are not permitted to enter Saint Kitts and Nevis until they conform to pet import requirements listed here.
Related: More information on transporting a puppy
Breeds Banned for Import to Saint Kitts and Nevis
The following dog breeds are not permitted to enter St Kitts and Nevis: Dogo Argentino, Fila Brazileiro, Japanese Tosa, Pit Bull Terrier/Staffordshire Terrier, American Bulldog, Perro de Presa Canario or Presa Canario.
The American Staffordshire Terrier is not included in St Kitts and Nevis legislation. The laws only apply to pure bred dogs and does not apply to cross breeds or mixes.
Entering Saint Kitts and Nevis by Air
Pets must enter Saint Kitts and Nevis via the Robert L. Bradshaw International Airport in Basseterre. Pets can fly in the cabin, as accompanied checked baggage or air cargo according to airline pet policies.
Related: Is your pet’s crate IATA-compliant?
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.
Importers will need to provide advance notice to veterinary officials at the airport so they will be available to inspect your pet and its passport documentation upon landing. This is especially important if your pet will be arriving outside of normal business hours.
Whenever your pet travels to a foreign country like Saint Kitts and Nevis, 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 Saint Kitts and Nevis. All costs associated with further inspections or treatments will be borne by the importer.
Importing Other Pet Animals to Saint Kitts and Nevis
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 will need an import permit and a health certificate to enter St Kitts and Nevis if it is permitted. 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 Saint Kitts and Nevis?
Visit PetTravelStore.com for step-by-step detailed instructions on regulations, permits, layovers, costs, tests and pet import regulations for Saint Kitts and Nevis at minimal cost. Our information is current, verified and tailored to your pet’s itinerary.
Here’s what is included in the Saint Kitts and Nevis pet passport package:
- Detailed instructions on importing your dog, cat or ferret to Saint Kitts and Nevis from any country available in six languages
- ISO 11784/11785 Compliant Microchip Information
- Required Vaccinations and Intervals
- Health Certificate Information
- Import Permit Application and Instructions
- Parasite Treatments
- 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 Saint Kitts and Nevis (US/Canada)
- Inoculation Record
- Microchip Certificate
- Airline Health Certificate
Have Questions About Importing Your Pet to Saint Kitts and Nevis?
Have a comment about importing a pet to Saint Kitts and Nevis? Post it below and we will respond You can also reach out by posting to our Blog, Forum, 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 Saint Kitts and Nevis pet import requirements.
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