Puerto Rico Overhauls Pet Entry Travel Rules

Government officials in Puerto Rico announced a new set of pet import rules that apply to all dogs and cats entering from the mainland United States.

According to Air Animal Pet Movers, the new pet import rules require animal owners traveling to Puerto Rico to arrange for a U.S.-accredited veterinarian to examine their pets and issue an interstate health certificate.

If the cats or dogs do not meet the standards or do not have the proper accreditation, owners will be charged to return the animals to the U.S., with the new rules officially going into effect on May 1.

“Not all veterinarians hold USDA accreditation,” Air Animal Pet Movers founding veterinarian Walter M. Woolf said. “Setting up a veterinary appointment for a pet can be tough without guidance from the pet’s regular veterinarian or an experienced pet shipper.”

To ensure an animal will be approved for the journey to the Caribbean, pet owners are advised to microchip for identification, ensure vaccinations are up-to-date and obtain the interstate health certificate from an accredited veterinarian.

Different regulations apply for birds, exotic pets and all animals from other countries.

“Pet parents should always register with a local veterinarian in their new locale to keep their pets’ rabies vaccinations up to date,” Woolf continued. “Veterinarians typically send reminder notices when vaccinations are due. If another move is in their future, they will be ready.”

In March, Discover Puerto Rico (DPR) revealed the island was one of six Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO) members to surpass pre-pandemic visitor arrivals numbers last year, with the visitor surge continuing into 2023.