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michelle tinsen · 08-12-2012, 14:24

I am wondering if anyone has ever cruised the Caribbean with a pet ferret on board?? I have a pet Ferret, dog and a dove... the dog and the dove seem to be fairly easy to travel with, the ferret not so. We will be departing from the Florida Keys and heading to the USVI, island hopping along the way.

any input is valued! Thanks

Teknav · 08-12-2012, 14:42

Check with Astrid, on here; she is a DVM in Canada and knows more about this topic. There might be issues with vaccinations and quarantine requirements. Non US-territory entries will be a major hassle, even with vaccination papers. I realize that pets are as valued as ones children, but this issue can be very messy. You need to contact Dept. of Health, in the various islands you intend to visit.

michelle tinsen · 08-12-2012, 15:02

Thanks for your reply, I have contacted various agricultural departments but can not seem to get very clear answers regarding legality of ferrets and what the rules are as far as leaving an animal on board vs bringing them to land. permits are proving a hassle!

Teknav · 08-12-2012, 15:18

The values of many countries are different than that in the US. To give you a graphic idea...ferrets in many countries are considered as a one level above rats, hence they can spread diseases, decimate wild life and destroy crops. Many countries see the US as a weird country that nurture "weird pets". Ferrets are cuddly, very clean and require a minimum of grooming. To third-world countries, it is a glorified rat...you get the picture. That is why I said...it will be a hassle to get the paperwork done for entry into foreign ports. (I sincerely hope that I did not offend you in any way.)

michelle tinsen · 08-12-2012, 15:30

no offence taken :-) I understand ferrets have a bad name in many places, Puerto Rico has made them illegal, I believe the Bahamas will also not allow a ferret into the country. do you know anything about keeping an animal aboard your vessel, rather than bringing them to shore making it any easier to clear customs?

**Hud3** · 09-12-2012, 06:23

I can't advise you concerning the Bahamas to Puerto Rico, but you won't have any problems once in the Lesser Antilles (Virgin Islands to Grenada). Just state on your Customs form that it is always kept onboard.