Expert: Roberto Gomes - 7/17/2006

Question

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Followup To

Question -
Hello,
Please tell me which Caribbean islands allow cats to enter from the US. I believe most of the British-affiliated islands do not. I'm especially interested in Jamaica. But do any other islands besides the US Virgin islands and Puerto Rico allow cats to enter from the US?

Also, I live in PR and would like to fly to Kingston, Jamaica. Do I have to fly to NY or FL first and then catch a flight to Jamaica? I'd like to avoid that. Any ideas?

Thank you for the info and your time.

Sincerely,
Christine

Answer -
Dear Christine,

According to Jamaica's Ministry of Agriculture info, live animals which arrive at the ports of entry in Kingston are physically examined by an official veterinarian.  If healthy and accompanied with the official Veterinary Health Certification from the exporting country, the animals are released into veterinary quarantine (Quarantine Station, Plumb Point) by way of a Detention Notice prepared by customs.   

The minimum length of stay in quarantine is fourteen (14) days, during which the animals are constantly monitored.  Animals are released from quarantine by the official Veterinary Officer after the quarantine period, and there is documentary evidence that customs requirements and quarantine payments are satisfied.

The above procedure is commonly applied in most countries/islands. I'll need to know a particular destination to give you more details.

As far as the flight from San Juan to Kingston, you'll need to make a connection in Miami.

Hope this helps. If you need any additional information, please let me know.
Best Regards,
R.Gomes

Dear Roberto,
Thank you for your very timely reply. I went online to a few sites concerning bringing pets into Jamaica and they gave conflicting info. One said no pets are allowed into the country; another said only if the pet has been born, bred, and originates from G. Britain or Ireland; the third said only if the pet has NOT been vaccinated for rabies. Your info is totally different, and, I may add, very encouraging. Is this true? I would hate to get to Kingston with cat and be turned away. Your source is correct?
Thank you for your time, again.
Regards,
Christine  

Answer
Dear Christine,

Please see http://www.moa.gov.jm/structure/VSD.htm

at the section Veterinary Inspection and release of Imported Animals and Products of Animal Origin

If still in doubt, you can email them at

psoffice@moa.gov.jm

to have an official confirmation to your query.

Best Regards,
R. Gomes

PS. If possible please inform me (rapgomes@yahoo.com)about the results in order to save this information to future queries. Thanks !