Importing pets

To all pet lovers: I'll be moving to SD in August, and am concerned about the ease of bringing my cat into the country. I'm looking for some clarification of customs regulations, such as: What are the customs regulations controlling movement of household pets like cats and dogs? Is there a lengthy quarantine? Exactly what are the requirements: A vet's health certificate? Proof of vaccination? Other? Any response or suggestion will be appreciated.

Sue McClatchy, Biology teacher American School of Guadalajara

My husband just took my Rottweiler to the DR. The dog had to have all distemper shots and rabbies. Note, the rabbies has to be in the system for at least 30 days and not longer than 6 months. Then we went to the a large Animal hospital with the dogs medical records from our Vet. There you have to get a International travel paper. It was about 80.00US and the only problem my husband has was the dog was left in Puerto Rico by the airline. He had to wait at the airport for 4 hours until Rufus arrived. In the DR he had the paperwork and flew through customs. NO QUARANTINE.

American Airlines gave me all this information. You should call you airline to make sure.

Good luck, Lori

Request a certification from your vet that your dog has been vaccinated for the current period for rabies and distemper. At the airport in the DR you must ask for the animal control person (Sanidad Animal) in the customs area. They will examine the paper the vet gave you and fill out an official entry form or permission, for which you must pay RD$100 (about US$6). Note you will have to make a special reservation for the cat to board with you and the travel cage will count as carry-on luggage and should fit under the seat. The airline will most likely charge you a fee for carrying the cat.

My family and I are also moving to the DR as missionaries this summer. We have a golden retriever who definitely will not fit under the seat as carry on luggage. Does anyone know what my options are and consequent cost?

My husband flew American and my dog was to big for under the seat. We had to have him in a cage which was the largest we could find since Rufus weighed 80lb. We paid 140.00 for the cage and the airline charge an additional 50.00 for transporting the dog. The only thing we had to make sure that the connecting flight (if you are connecting) was also another large plane. The airline told me that they could not fly dogs in the small planes like American Eagle. But this didn't matter because even though we made sure the connecting flight was not American Eagle it ended up being American Eagle and my husband had to wait for Rufus and the he did not get any water or food the whole time. Also my dog gets car sick so my vet gave him something to calm him down and it wore off. My husband said he was covered in vomit. the airlines do not care about the animals so try to make them as comfortable as possible prior to the flight. Good luck Lori

Thank you Lori. Your reply helped alot. We will also be traveling by American Airlines so I appreciate the "heads up" on their lack of concern. Adios, Cathy