Bringing The Dog

[Steve Costa Azul]

What's involved in bringing your dog to the DR from Toronto? Quarentine length (spelling), shots, travel cages, cost etc.
Thanks in advance
Steve

[expatsooner]

Much of it depends on the size of the dog. Our mini australian shephard would ride in the cabin with us as one of our carry ons for a 50 dollar additional fee when we would travel back to the States for vacation. She has also traveled this way into and out of Canada.

You need to have a vet. cert. done no more than 30 days before entry and all shots (esp. rabies) need to be current.

At the gate when exiting the airport in the DR it is a 300 peso fee to the department of agriculture and then you and the pooch are free to enjoy the beach.

If the dogs are too big to go as a carry on then you must pay an additional cost of I believe 80 usd (depends on airline) the crate counts as a bag and you will not be allowed to ship the dog if the temperature at either departure or arrival is projected to be 85 degrees or higher.

These are just the general norms for airline travel all over the world (except for 300 peso fee of course) and much of the fee structure will vary from airline to airline.

[twhitehead]

Originally Posted by Steve Costa Azul

What's involved in bringing your dog to the DR from Toronto? Quarentine length (spelling), shots, travel cages, cost etc.
Thanks in advance
Steve

Steve: Flew our dog down earlier this year with our move. Flew from Toronto to Puerto Plata. Our dog is a Golden Retriever (Plexico). You will require updated shots and a health certificate issued within 14 days of departure. Cage has to fit the rules of the airline (cages are expensive). Dog will not be quarentined but a vet will check it out at the airport upon arrival - cost for this is 300 pesos. We flew Air Transat (they were great with Plexico) because of the size of our dog - Air Canada could not guarantee that our dog would go on the plane until the day before the flight (had to fly cargo with Air Can). Cost with Air Transat was $100 Cdn. Would also recomend that your dog be micro-chipped - not so much for down here but if you ever wish to return to canada you will need this to prove that this is the actual dog you brought down with you. Air Transat website has some good information on it about travelling with your pet. Any other questions, feel free to ask. What breed of dog are you bringing? Tom

[twhitehead]

Steve: Also forgot to mention that you should expect to be searched by customs as you are an easy target travelling with a dog (they know you are not going to an AI for a weeks holiday)...Tom

[heldengebroed]

If you're dog is traveling in the cargobay
1 fill his waterbowl and put it in the freezer the day befor and put the frozen bowl in the crate (atached to the door) this way your dog has something to drink during the trip
2 Make copies off all his papers and put them in a bag and tape it to the crate
3 Secure the door with these plastic strips cops use as handcufs (smaller versions) (twisties)
4 On entering make sure your dog is on board
5 Do not use tranquilisers they may interfere with the temperature of your dog and he might die from cold (The temperature in the cargobay is only a few degrees C°)

Greetings

Johan

[twhitehead]

Originally Posted by heldengebroed

3 Secure the door with these plastic strips cops use as handcufs (smaller versions) (twisties)
Greetings

Johan

I would not advise doing this (if it is even permited) - if you have delays or an unexpected stopover the dog will need to be taken out of the cage for a walk etc. Also not good to have twisties in the event of an emergency...tom

[expatsooner]

I agree with heldengebroed on much of his advice. When we moved our dog had to go cargo (PIA doesn't like dogs in the cabin ) I locked her cage with a luggage lock and taped the key to the top of the kennel along with copies of her papers (include microchip number) a bottle of water and a plastic baggy with dog food. Also fly direct flights if at all possible.

Make sure to tape down contact information to the kennel as well. Put names and numbers that can be reached locally at both your departure and arrival destinations.

[diane]

Talk to your vet before leaving for repdom. I traveled with my dog there before and on my return had a lot of problems getting rid of HOOKWORMS and when you are there check for TICKS on your dogs especially between fingers,under his paws and in ears.It is good to continue the treatment that we use in Canada in summer so that your pet is protect,my vet said so.