Getting Cats Into The Bahamas

[Krakato]

We are getting ready to sail to the Bahamas (then down the Thorny Path to the E. Caribbean). We have two cats on board. In trying to figure out the paperwork to get them legally into the Bahamas, we have sent in the form from the Bahamas and paid the fees (which I think is all they really care about), but our local vet asked if we needed the International Vet. Health Form or just the Interstate Health Form (which apparently is good enough in most Caribbean countries). Does anyone know the answer to this for the Bahamas?

We've contacted the local Bahamas Consulate and they couldn't answer the question and have bumped it up the chain of command in trying to find us an answer.

The main reason we ask is it is ~$200/pet for the interstate form and ~$500 for the international.

Thanks in advance!

[pstadt]

We just made the crossing last week with our three Siamese. We had applied for the approval (sent FedEx to the address, minus the PO Box line) and paid the extra five bucks per cat for a faxed reply (total of $45 in a Money Order, the required tender - $10/animal, $5/animal fax response fee). You can get the application downloaded from the Bahamas website. The address we sent the applications to is:
Director of Agriculture
Department of Agriculture
Levy Building
East Bay Street
Nassau, Bahamas
Cost to send the application was $53 via FedEx and we got the reply via fax to our marina within a week. The local vet in Fort Pierce, FL, was well versed in the Bahamas customs procedure and had the necessary forms on hand for each cat. Ours had been properly vaccinated within the past year, so it was merely a check up, chip read and health record verification for the visit. They charged us $60/cat for that and for filling out the form (Bahamas Dept. of Agriculture FORM IMP 1 (B)). The form asks for the animal's microchip number and it has a pre-filled statement by the vet that signs at the bottom attesting to the cat's good health and current rabies vaccination. Our vet also filled out a US Dept. of Ag. form (APHIS Form 7001 (Nov 2010)) that is entitled, "US Interstate and International Certificate of Health Examination for Small Animals" (one for all three cats as there is space for six animals on the form).
With all that in hand, we checked in at West End, Grand Bahama about a week later. The Customs Officer reviewed the paperwork, stamped each form and sent us on our way.
Good luck!

Pat

[svtrio]

We are in the neighborhood, so I'm curious who the local Fort Pierce vet might be.

Thanks Roger

[pstadt]

Hey Roger, the Vet is "Holy Family Veterinary Hospital", 709 North US 1, Ft. Pierce. Phone 772-242-8321.

Pat

[SimonV]

I read the title as GETTING CATS INTO PAJAMAS. ...........I hope those mushrooms were okay.

[Hud3]

Originally Posted by Krakato

We are getting ready to sail to the Bahamas (then down the Thorny Path to the E. Caribbean)...

If your cats will stay on board and never go ashore, all you will need to do in the Leewards and Windwards is declare your cats when clearing in and state that they always stay on board. No health certificate etc. is required, since you aren't "importing" the animals.

[Snickers]

Do you need a health certificate at all if you keep your cat on board or is this just certain places?

[pstadt]

The way I read their regs, you have to have all the paperwork regardless. We didn't want the slightest chance of a problem, so we jumped through all the hoops, paid the fees, declared them when entering and no problems.
We've known others with cats that say they've never done anything and never been challenged but again, we didn't want to take any chances. All three of our cats stay on the boat and do not go ashore.

Good Luck!

Pat

[kmacdonald]

Last I heard cats were not allowed. Mono's only. Not sure about the tri's though.

[Factor]

Originally Posted by kmacdonald

Last I heard cats were not allowed. Mono's only. Not sure about the tri's though.

Says the person that owns a CAT (alina).

I mean this so funny so funny - the play on words there about Cat (amanran) and Felus Catus, the humble pussy cat. I have never ever heard anyone make that play on the name before, that is so original, so switched on and so sophisticated. Just like my play on Catalina, a leader in witty repartee I am.

FFS.

[kmacdonald]

Originally Posted by Factor

Says the person that owns a CAT (alina).

I mean this so funny so funny - the play on words there about Cat (amanran) and Felus Catus, the humble pussy cat. I have never ever heard anyone make that play on the name before, that is so original, so switched on and so sophisticated. Just like my play on Catalina, a leader in witty repartee I am.

FFS.

I knew you would like the originality.
I can also attest to the Catalina's marginal quality.

[Snickers]

Very very witty! That was good😁

[Krakato]

Just for a follow up. We sent our application to the Bahamas with two international money orders (one for each cat) in the middle of January with the additional funds for the expedited fax back option. Today we received our permit, via fax, from the Bahamas. The date on the permit was today (April 13th, 2017).

So expedited for the Bahamas apparently means 4 months!

Mike
S/V Krakato

[Santana2]

Hmmm I am trying to figure out that last time I heard of a Bahamas Official coming aboard a vessel? I have not heard of that happening. Just have your documentation try for the 90 ticket, pay, and see ya. Good luck. . . I have been there so many times in my vessel and only saw an official vessel once and from a distance.

[Snickers]

Wow that is a long time! I better get on it! Anybody have the website available otherwise I can look it up too. Thank you for that info.