US Virgin Islands Pet Import Requirements

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What is a Pet Passport?

We refer to a pet passport as a collection of documents according to the US Virgin Islands 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 rabies vaccination, and an 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 the US Virgin Islands

Dogs are very popular in the US Virgin Islands. Common breeds include local mixed breeds, often referred to as “island dogs” or “Coconut Retrievers. Cats are also widely kept, not only for companionship but for rodent control. Keeping fish in aquariums is a common hobby, reflecting the islands’ rich marine environment.

The tropical climate poses challenges for pet owners, including heat-related issues. Pet owners should make sure their pet is properly hydrated and shelter from the sun and heat is available. Public spaces, including parks and beaches (Cane Bay and Sunset Beaches on St. Croix and Virgin Islands National Park on St. John), are pet-friendly, providing areas where pets can exercise and socialize. Lots of restaurants and cafes also welcome pets in outdoor seating areas.

Veterinary services are available on the main islands, particularly St. Thomas, St. John, and St. Croix. Stray dogs and cats are a significant issue in some areas; however, animal welfare organizations rescue stray and abandoned animals, provide medical care, and facilitate adoptions.

Flying a Pet to the US Virgin Islands

Several commercial airlines offering services to pets fly to Cyril E. King on St. Thomas and Henry E. Rohlsen Airport on St. Croix including American Airlines, Cape Air, Delta Airlines, Silver Airways, Sky High Airlines, Spirit Air and United Airlines.

Flights to US Virgin Islands 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 the US Virgin Islands

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.

All steps required to import a pet dog or cat to the US Virgin Islands must be completed in the country of origin. 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. Third, most countries require that pets be microchipped prior to rabies vaccination, and this may mean revaccinating your pet when not necessary.

Although it is not required to enter the US Virgin Islands, your pet should be identified with a 15-digit pet microchip which is compliant with International Standards Organization standard 11784 or Annex A of ISO standard 11785. They will need to be microchipped when becoming a resident of the islands. 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 3 months of age must be vaccinated for rabies between within 12 months prior to entering the US Virgin Islands. 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 should be vaccinated against distemper, hepatitis, leptospirosis, and parvovirus. Cats should be vaccinated against feline viral rhinotracheitis, panleukopenia and feline leukemia.

Veterinarians can 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.

The US Virgin Islands do not reference the need for a rabies titer test for cats and dogs entering from any country.

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 the US Virgin Islands.

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: Screwworm Inspection

Before your dog can enter the US Virgin Islands from the following countries, it must be inspected for certain screwworms between one and five days prior to entering the country and noted on the health certificate. Your veterinarian must verify that your pet has been inspected for screwworm, and the results are negative.

Step 6: 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 and
veterinary attestations that your pet is not originating from an area under rabies restrictions.

Further, your veterinarian must certify that your pet is healthy enough to travel and is over 12 weeks of age. 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. A copy of the certificate must be sent to the Department of Agriculture in the US Virgin Islands.

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 7: Import Permit

Pet dogs and cats entering the US Virgin Islands with their owners do not need an import permit. Other animals will require an import permit.

Importing puppies and kittens to the US Virgin Islands

Puppies and kittens should not be vaccinated for rabies prior to three months of age. They must be vaccinated after three months of age and wait for 30 days before travel. Pet puppies and kittens must be vaccinated for rabies to conform to US Virgin Islands pet import requirements.

Breeds Banned for Import to the US Virgin Islands

The US Virgin Islands do not publish a list of banned breeds. Pet owners are always responsible for their pet’s behavior.

Entering the US Virgin Islands by Air

Pets must enter the US Virgin Islands by air via Cyril E. King Airport in Charlotte Amalie in St. Thomas or Henry E. Rohlsen Airport in St. Croix Both are approved entry points. Pets can enter in the cabin, as checked baggage or air cargo according to airline pet policies.

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. Your airline may assist with this notification.

A government veterinarian will provide further examination if your dog or cat is not in apparent good health when entering the US Virgin Islands. All costs associated with further inspections or treatments will be borne by the importer.

All domestic dogs and cats must be free of evidence of disease communicable to humans when examined at the entry airport.

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 the US Virgin Island, it is always advisable to carry some form of identification indicating ownership of your pet.

Importing Other Pet Animals to the US Virgin Islands

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 an import permit and health certificate to enter the US Virgin Islands. 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: Read more about CITES

Need More Detailed Pet Import Requirements and Forms for the US Virgin Islands?

Visit PetTravelStore.com to find further detail on permits, costs, tests and pet import requirements for the US Virgin Islands. They all contribute to the US Virgin Islands pet passport. Our instructions are current and always verified before sending to you. Unlimited email support is included.

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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 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 US Virgin Islands pet import requirements.