This section gives you detailed information about importing pets into the Cayman Islands. We list the current regulations and laws, and we suggest insider tips into making the process easier. We also list restrictions on importing from various countries and restrictions on importing a few specific breeds of dog. We list how to find a pet once you move to Cayman and we give a comprehensive list of every veterinary clinic on Grand Cayman.
Importing Pets into Cayman
Regulations
The process for importing animals into Cayman is a lengthy one, but easy as long as you know the time scales. You need to start planning at least 6 months prior to shipment. All dogs and cats entering the Cayman Islands must have an Import Permit issued by the Department of Agriculture (DOA). Application forms are available from the DOA at Tel: (345) 947 3090, Fax: (345) 947 6501 or email Colin.Wakelin@gov.ky. We highly recommend that as soon as you know you would like to import your pet, contact the DOA and ask them to send you the application form and the most up to date requirements. The sooner you do this the better.
The following are the basic steps required to get an import permit if you are importing from the US, Canada and other countries where rabies is endemic. For countries which are rabies free, the requirements are less stringent and much quicker.
● Your pet must have had an approved type of microchip fitted PRIOR to the rabies vaccination being administered. Only microchip brands accepted by the International Standards Organisation (Standard 11784 or Annex A to standard 11785) should be used. If the vaccination was given before the chip was inserted, it will have to be repeated.
● Your pet must then be vaccinated against rabies using an approved inactivated adjuvanted vaccine. The vaccine must be administered not less than 30 days and not more than one year prior to shipment. Your pet must be at least 12 weeks old before the primary rabies vaccine is given.
● Your pet must then take a blood test, which must show a serum antibody level of at least 0.5 IU/ml. Your pet will be allowed into the Cayman Islands six months after the date of the blood sample showing a successful test result. If you are in the US, the address where the blood has to be sent for the titres to be done is: Kansas State University, 1800 Veterinary Medicine Centre, Manhattan, KS 66506-5600, Tel: (785) 523 4483, www.vet.ksu.edu/depts/dmp/service/rabies/index.htm. (For the address in other countries your vet will be able to assist you. Please contact the Department of Agriculture for more information.)
● UK residents must apply to DEFRA (Ministry of Agriculture in your home town) for the Official Health Certificate (application form) to bring a pet into the Cayman Islands a few weeks before you travel (one can be used for multiple pets). This will be sent direct to your vet. Please note that this only applies to the UK.
● Not more than 14 days prior to departure, you must have a registered veterinarian complete an official health certificate and treat your pet for tapeworms and ticks with an approved product. For tapeworms: a preparation containing praziquantel at a dose rate of 5mg/kg body weight. For ticks: a topical preparation known to have residual action. A product containing fipronil is preferred. Other products include amitraz, pyrethrins and permethrins. This must be recorded on the health certificate. This certificate then needs to go to a government vet of the country of origin for endorsement (USDA, CFIA, DEFRA etc.). Call or go on-line to locate the one nearest you.
● You must then fax the Official Health Certificate, completed application form and a copy of the rabies lab report to the Department of Agriculture. They will fax an Import Certificate back to you, please note that permits can take up to three days to be processed, provided the proper paperwork is given. The application fee (single entry: CI$50/US$61; multiple entry passport: CI$150/US$183) can be paid in the form of a bank draft or International Money order made payable to the Cayman Islands Government. A tip is to send this fee before you even have the vet do the 14-day inspection as the mail can take a few weeks to get to the Cayman Islands, and they will not issue an import certificate without this fee. The health certificate is valid for 14 days.
NOTE: The Cayman Islands is rabies free and, to keep this deadly zoonotic disease out of Cayman, no exceptions will be made by the government of the Cayman Islands. An inability to meet all requirements can lead to the destruction of or the return to the country of origin of any illegally imported animals.
Restrictions
In accordance with the Animals Law (2003 Revision), no animal of any description may be imported into the Cayman Islands from any country in Asia, Africa or Central and South America. Other territories from which dogs and cats are prohibited are Cuba, Mexico, Puerto Rico, Haiti and the Dominican Republic.
Certain breeds of dogs or crosses of such breeds are prohibited from entering the Cayman Islands: Mallanois, Rottweiller, Catahoula Leopard Dog, Japanese Tosa, Dogo Argentino, Fila Brazileiro, Chinese Shar-Pei, Pit Bull Terrier, American Bulldog, Dogue de Bordeaux, Japanese Akita, Staffordshire Bull Terrier and Staffordshire Terrier, Bull and Neapolitan Mastiff (Old English mastiff and pug are some exceptions).
The Cayman Islands Dangerous Dogs Law states that all the above dogs who are currently on the Cayman Islands must be micro-chipped, have a rabies shot, be spayed or neutered, and be registered with the Department of Agriculture.
Animals on Airlines
Some airlines do not allow animals on-board and over the summer months many airlines will not take pets due to the high heat in the hold. Also a direct flight is preferable, as changing in Miami with pets is not a pleasant process. British Airways has a special hold for pets and charges $110 per carrier. If you have small dogs/cats they may travel in the same carrier as long as the animals can stand up. Sleeping pills are not advised for your animals as they stop them from being able to regulate their body temperature. Also, a hamster water feeder is the best way to give them drinking water on the journey. No food should be put in their cages and it is best to put crumpled up newspaper at the bottom of their carrier. The carrier must be an approved container meeting standards set by the International Air Transport Association.
On arrival in Cayman you will need to go to the ‘Goods to Declare’ counter and hand over your paperwork for the animals. They will ask you to take the animals out of their carriers to inspect them, unless they don’t like to handle animals in which case they may not bother!
All dogs staying in the Cayman Islands for longer than 30 days must be licensed with the Department of Agriculture.
There are certain criteria where the 6-month waiting period is waived:
If you are importing from a rabies-free territory i.e. Antigua, Australia, Barbados, Bermuda, Great Britain, Hawaii, Ireland, Jamaica, New Zealand and St Vincent.
Pets over nine months of age that can show a rabies vaccination history of at least two vaccinations, not more than one year and not less than six months apart. The microchip must have been fitted before the most recent vaccination was given.
Pet Importing Services
Liz Walker runs a service whereby she will assist in the process of importing your animals into the Cayman Islands. She charges between CI$100 and CI$250 depending on how much time she spends on your particular case. She can be contacted on Tel: (345) 945 6719 Fax: (345) 949 9080, Email: Lizw@britcay.ky.
Custom ERrands imports pure breed puppies from registered breeders, providing vaccinations and paperwork for shipping and transport. Contact Veronique Bise Tel: (345) 926 5599, Email: errands@customerrands.ky.
More Information
In the UK more information can be gained from the PETS Helpline. Their new address is www.defra.gov.uk/animalh/quarantine/index.htm (click on site map and then fact sheets). Email: helpline@defra.gsi.gov.uk Tel: +44 (0) 8459 33 55 77
Looking After Your Pet
Heartworm disease is a deadly condition transmitted by mosquitoes and affects both dogs and cats in Cayman All dogs and cats should be given a simple heartworm chew once a month to prevent it.
Frontline medication can be given to dogs and cats to help control ticks and flees. You can buy this from your vet.
Feline leukemia (FeLV) and feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) are serious diseases in cats. Both viruses are spread contagiously from cat to cat and are very common amongst the stray population. To minimize your cat’s risk for these diseases, there are vaccines available.
Parvovirus, hepatitis and leptospirosis are infectious viruses that are highly contagious to dogs. All these viruses are common amongst dogs that are not vaccinated.
Due to the threat of hurricanes, every family should have an emergency preparedness plan that includes your pets. Hurricane shelters on the Islands do not allow animals to stay. Familiarize yourself with the import and export regulations to ensure that your pet can evacuate and return to the Island safely.
Finding a Pet
If you would like a dog or a cat, the first place to look would be the Humane Society on North Sound Road. At any given time they have a large variety of puppies, kittens and full-grown animals which need good and loving homes. They, and the local vets, can also point you in the right direction for finding a pure-bred animal – there are no serious breeders on the Island but there are the occasional litters.
For smaller animals like hamsters, rabbits, birds, iguanas and fish there are two pet stores:
Animal House
North Sound Road
Tel: (345) 943 7387
Petique
Pasadora Place, Smith Road
Tel: (345) 949 7296
Veterinarians
There are two veterinary clinics:
Cayman Animal Hospital
394 Crewe Road, George Town
Tel: (345) 946 8387 Fax: (345) 946 7387
Island Veterinary Services
Eden Centre, Walkers Road
Tel: (345) 949 0787 Fax: (345) 945 4712
Kennels
Cayman Pet Paradise
Tel: (345) 947 1334
A full-service kennel with 36 kennels, five of which are oversized to accommodate multiple dogs from the same family and eight double kennels. They are not air-conditioned. There is a cattery with 13 large kennels. Expect to pay about CI$20 per day for dogs and CI$14 for cats. This includes all food, daily treats and daily exercise for the dogs. They are usually completely booked over holidays.
Liz Walker
Tel: (345) 945 6719
Takes small dogs for overnight boarding. Dogs must be on a flea and tick programme. She charges CI$15 overnight. The dogs are walked on the beach daily and have the run of her house and garden. This is as close to home from home as you could want. She takes a maximum of 3–4 dogs at any one time. The house is air-conditioned.
Nigel’s Playhouse
Tel: (345) 926 1242
This establishment comes complete with 32 kennels all oversized to accommodate multiple animals if need be, fully air-conditioned with two distinct areas for cats and dogs with the ability for well-behaved animals to wander between both. This smaller and more personalized kennel caters to animals in need of special attention; the owner has a veterinary background and monitors the animals closely with the ability to administer medicines and treatments. Prices are $22 for dogs and $19 for cats and the price includes food.
Pet Grooming
You can either drop your dog or cat off with the following companies or call for a home visit. The service usually includes a bath, nail cutting and ear cleaning. Trimming and tick dipping is also an option. Cost is usually about CI$40 without a home visit; expect to add an extra CI$20 if you want them to come to your home.
Bark & Call (Animal House)
Tel: 943 7387
Melanie/Island Veterinary Services
Tel: 949 9256
Precious Paws Pampering
Tel: 947 2578
Poop Patrol
Favourite dog walking areas are South Sound Beach (access by the Community Centre), Barker’s Beach in West Bay and Seven Mile Beach. It is recommended that you keep your dogs on a leash when walking on roads or park areas. If your dogs are well behaved and controllable no one has a problem with you letting them loose down the beach. However you must take a plastic bag with you and pick up after your dog. Leaving waste in public, especially on the beach, is very frowned upon and may lead to dogs being banned from certain areas.
