Who has a Cruising Pet?

[MBLittle]

I see a lot about cruising pets, but most of those threads are 3+ years old by now and don't really cover clearing in and out...

Anyone cruising with pets?

I'm curious to know how the process works from island to island. Meaning, you bring a dog from the US to the Bahamas. All cleared and GTG. Now you want to move on to The Turks and Caicos. Can you get a Bahamian vet to give you a vet letter and be good clearing T&C? Same from T&C to BVI?

I know noonsite has a wealth of information, but nothing is addressed like this...unless I'm dense

[sailcruiser]

Check this site:

http://www.noonsite.com/

Choose the country or countries in question and look on the left a good ways down for the pets link.

SC

[Amapola]

If you choose to do this, Dr. Bailey is a good vet in Marsh Harbour.

[MBLittle]

Originally Posted by sailcruiser

Check this site:

http://www.noonsite.com/

Yea, I've researched those, as my OP stated, but each country wants vet letters from the exporting country. The question is do we have to go bak to the US every time we leave one country to go to another since we are US and our dog is US, or can we use the vets in the country we are in...

[MBLittle]

Originally Posted by Amapola

If you choose to do this, Dr. Bailey is a good vet in Marsh Harbour.

So that's how people do it? Clear one country, use the vet in that country and move on to the next country?

[SaucySailoress]

Originally Posted by MBLittle

So that's how people do it? Clear one country, use the vet in that country and move on to the next country?

I hope so. We're setting off with our two dogs in three weeks, and that's what we plan to do!

[Alibi35]

We left the US last February (2012) with a Brittany Spaniel on board. She is a great companion and wonderful on the boat. Each island/country is different and some have very strict regulations about the importation of pets from "rabies prone" countries like the US. I can tell you that you can get your pets into the Bahamas, T&C, Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico and Spanish Virgin Islands, USVI, St. Martin, Guadeloupe, Martinique, and Grenada without any trouble. The ones that I have not listed might be a problem unless you have all the requisite blood work and papers and in some cases plenty of money. Be sure that you have your pet on heart worm prevention, flea and tick, prevention and current rabies vaccinations and the islands listed should be no problem. There were two articles written for the Caribbean Compass in 2010 regarding pets and the individual islands that helped us - as well as the noonsite web page.

Best wishes cruising with your pets! Perhaps we will meet somewhere in the islands when we are "walking the dog'.

[MBLittle]

Originally Posted by Alibi35

We left the US last February (2012) with a Brittany Spaniel on board. She is a great companion and wonderful on the boat. Each island/country is different and some have very strict regulations about the importation of pets from "rabies prone" countries like the US. I can tell you that you can get your pets into the Bahamas, T&C, Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico and Spanish Virgin Islands, USVI, St. Martin, Guadeloupe, Martinique, and Grenada without any trouble. The ones that I have not listed might be a problem unless you have all the requisite blood work and papers and in some cases plenty of money. Be sure that you have your pet on heart worm prevention, flea and tick, prevention and current rabies vaccinations and the islands listed should be no problem.

WOW! Thank You. This is perfect info and exactly what we were hoping and looking for. Did you try BVI? Their regulations seem very easy on noonsite and it's not a place we want to miss!

[/QUOTE]
Best wishes cruising with your pets! Perhaps we will meet somewhere in the islands when we are "walking the dog'
[/QUOTE]

I sure hope so!

[Alibi35]

Yes, we tried BVI's. The cost was too high since we did not have the rabies titer (blood test). I recommend getting the rabies titer just before you leave (5 weeks before to get the results back) but not much more that that because some islands want it to be within the last six months. You will not have to go back to the US but you will need to furnish documentation of you pet's health and current immunizations. Many of the islands with British rule will have the most difficult regulations to comply with. That is why I listed the ones where we have been. Also, some islands require microchip in the pets.

[Mike OReilly]

Sounds like everyone is talking dogs so far ... what about cats? I'm assuming import regs are roughly the same, but would love to hear from Caribbean sailors who've traveled with their cat.

[MBLittle]

Originally Posted by Alibi35

Yes, we tried BVI's. The cost was too high since we did not have the rabies titer (blood test). I recommend getting the rabies titer just before you leave (5 weeks before to get the results back) but not much more that that because some islands want it to be within the last six months. You will not have to go back to the US but you will need to furnish documentation of you pet's health and current immunizations. Many of the islands with British rule will have the most difficult regulations to comply with. That is why I listed the ones where we have been. Also, some islands require microchip in the pets.

So helpful, thanks so much! Our lab is AKC and chipped, so that's no issue either.

[MBLittle]

Originally Posted by Mike OReilly

Sounds like everyone is talking dogs so far ... what about cats? I'm assuming import regs are roughly the same, but would love to hear from Caribbean sailors who've traveled with their cat.

Ditto on that. We have a great ol cat that we got when we lived in England and spent quite a bit shipping her back to the states, and would hate to give her up to my mom.

[MBLittle]

Originally Posted by Alibi35

Bahamas, T&C, Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico and Spanish Virgin Islands, USVI, St. Martin, Guadeloupe, Martinique, and Grenada

I'm seeing on noonsite that these places only charge a minimum fee for the pet (about $50). If you don't mind, is that true in your experience?

[Capt Phil]

Most hassle I've heard of is getting pets into Australia... very strict and from what we hear, regardless of shots, blood tests, etc... significant time required in isolated quarantine. We looked into it a few years ago when we were considering immigrating from the US to 'down under' and recall it was a major issue. Phil

[Capt Phil]

Forgot to add that cruising to Mexico from the US was pretty easy with cats... Phil