Can I bring my dog or cat or other pets to Belize?
Boris Mannsfeld - Boris Mannsfeld & Associates
You can bring your pets to Belize; you just have to go through the standard procedure. You have to apply for an import permit for your animal. Then you have to fill out some documents from the USDA Animal Health Department. Then you need to get a vet to check your animal and make sure the animal is healthy. You need to get a rabies certificate that says your pet has rabies shots, and I think there are a few little things like diseases they check for when they do the health checkup...You can bring your pets to Belize; you just have to go through the standard procedure. You have to apply for an import permit for your animal. Then you have to fill out some documents from the USDA Animal Health Department. Then you need to get a vet to check your animal and make sure the animal is healthy. You need to get a rabies certificate that says your pet has rabies shots, and I think there are a few little things like diseases they check for when they do the health checkup performed by the vet in the States to make sure they don’t have certain diseases that they can bring here to Belize. I am not sure how long it takes, but I think that takes 1 to 3 business days. Once you do all that, you bring your animal down here and you are all set to go.My third animal was self-quarantined, but you do not have to do it at the airport. If you have a house or condo or a place you’re renting you can have them come down and look at it first before you come over. If you have already been here in Belize before you bring the pet, they can look at it and say “okay, you can just quarantine your animal in your house for a couple of weeks.” The reason why they want to look at where you will “house quarantine” your animal is to make sure that your animals are not going to come to Belize, start running around free, and possibly spread disease. That is standard. You can quarantine your pet inside your own property; not necessarily inside your house. The quarantine is only for a couple of weeks and it is a really easy process. There are many Americans here in Belize who have pets. People here have dogs, cats, even birds.
We don’t have a “dog issue” in Belize. We did have a regulation on dogs about 15 years ago. We now have spay and neuter. I just saw a dog run off just a few minutes ago. It has a red collar on and it walks around free but I know somebody from around here owns that dog.
Posted December 1, 2014
Christian Burn
Yes, you can definitely bring your dog or cat or other pet with you to live in Belize. First of all, you have to check with the airlines to see what their requirements are for the transportation of pets. You have to get a veterinarian to give your pet a certificate of health within ten days of travel. The vet has to prove your pet is currently in good health and has had its rabies vaccinations. They limit the number of pets on the plane, so you have to book a place for...
Yes, you can definitely bring your dog or cat or other pet with you to live in Belize. First of all, you have to check with the airlines to see what their requirements are for the transportation of pets. You have to get a veterinarian to give your pet a certificate of health within ten days of travel. The vet has to prove your pet is currently in good health and has had its rabies vaccinations. They limit the number of pets on the plane, so you have to book a place for your pet. You cannot just show up at the airport with your pet. And you have to have a kennel for your pet.
Second, I suggest that you travel during the “shoulder seasons.” I do not recommend transporting a pet in the extreme summer or extreme winter because of where the pet carriers are situated. If it is a larger dog, it is going in the belly of the plane, and so if it is subzero; that is terrible on the animal. But if you travel from April to May, the temperatures are a little bit friendlier for travel. Timing is important.
You will pay a small fee for bringing the pet into Belize. It is just around US $12. I suggest that you make four copies of your paperwork because the authorities will ask for copies and you would not want to give your original. I, personally, take photos of the original just in case and keep them on my phone, so if I run out of copies, I can print it somewhere else.
Posted December 2, 2014
Penny James - Better in Belize Eco Village
Bringing domestic pets to Belize is relatively easy insofar as the requirements are involved. The Belize Agricultural Health Authority (BAHA) regulates live animal importation. As an owner, you need to render an application to the BAHA for a valid import permit. Upon entry in Belize, accompanied by your domestic pet/s, the process is as follows:
- Submit your valid import permit from the BAHA;
- Submit your international veterinary certificate of...
Bringing domestic pets to Belize is relatively easy insofar as the requirements are involved. The Belize Agricultural Health Authority (BAHA) regulates live animal importation. As an owner, you need to render an application to the BAHA for a valid import permit. Upon entry in Belize, accompanied by your domestic pet/s, the process is as follows:
- Submit your valid import permit from the BAHA;
- Submit your international veterinary certificate of health (valid within 14 days prior to departure);
- Submit your valid rabies vaccination certificate (not less than one month or more than one year prior to the date of importation into Belize. This certificate can be included in the veterinary certificate.);
- Undergo inspection by Quarantine Officer;
- Pay US $30 entry fee + US $12.50 fax fee.
There are conditions to accompany the import permit (e.g. certain vaccinations are stipulated), so it is advised to contact the BAHA directly for up-to-the-minute requirements so that you can safely bring your beloved pet/s to Belize.
It's strongly recommended to do your own due diligence regarding pet-friendly airlines. The airlines that service Belize are: American Airlines; Avianca; Delta; United Airlines; and US Airways.
Posted March 19, 2015
Ryan Wrobel - Wrobel & Co., Attorneys-at-Law
Yes, you can bring your pet to Belize and many people do. There are several steps from acquiring a permit from the BAHA (like a passport for your pet) to getting your pet through the airport. The worst thing that can happen is to have your pet spend a night in the kennel so make sure you go down that checklist and submit all necessary forms. Alternatively, our office handles this. To connect with other pet owners in Belize, join the group on Linkedin: Your Pets and Belize.
Yes, you can bring your pet to Belize and many people do. There are several steps from acquiring a permit from the BAHA (like a passport for your pet) to getting your pet through the airport. The worst thing that can happen is to have your pet spend a night in the kennel so make sure you go down that checklist and submit all necessary forms. Alternatively, our office handles this. To connect with other pet owners in Belize, join the group on Linkedin: Your Pets and Belize.
Posted February 1, 2016