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Whether you might be touring to Puerto Rico on trip or as a household transfer, Puerto Rico now has new importation guidelines for canines (and cats). If you fail to comply with the foundations, your canine can be returned to the US mainland at your expense.
What Are the New Rules for Bringing a Dog to Puerto Rico?
According to the up to date rules, pet homeowners are required to coordinate with a veterinarian accredited within the United States to conduct a radical examination of their pets and concern an interstate well being certificates.
Not simply any veterinary workplace will have the ability to concern the certificates. Walter M. Woolf, founding veterinarian of Air Animal Pet Movers, notes, “Not all veterinarians maintain USDA accreditation. Setting up a veterinary appointment for a pet could be robust with out steerage from the pet’s common veterinarian or an skilled pet shipper.”
Steps for Entering Puerto Rico with Your Dog
Before your journey, you’ll have to take particular steps–within the appropriate time interval–to permit entry of your canine (or cat) into Puerto Rico. These embrace:
- Microchip the pet for identification.
- Ensure the rabies vaccination was administered not more than 6 months earlier than entry. This rabies certificates should accompany the pet.
- Book an appointment with an accredited United States veterinarian to acquire the interstate well being certificates. The appointment should happen not more than 72 hours earlier than arrival in Puerto Rico. USDA endorsement isn’t required.
- Ensure the pet has obtained an exterior parasite therapy not more than 72 hours earlier than entry. The veterinarian should document the therapy on the well being certificates.
- Dogs ought to obtain the next vaccinations: DA2PPL/DAPPL (distemper, hepatitis, parvovirus, parainfluenza and leptospirosis). Cats ought to obtain FVRCP (feline rhinotracheitis, calcivirus, and panleukopenia) vaccinations.
- Different regulations apply for birds, unique pets and all pets from different international locations.
If you might be transferring to Puerto Rico, you’ll need to find a neighborhood veterinarian. “Pet mother and father ought to all the time register with a neighborhood veterinarian of their new locale to maintain their pets’ rabies vaccinations updated. Veterinarians usually ship reminder notices when vaccinations are due. If one other transfer is of their future, they are going to be prepared,” Woolf added.
