Traveling with Pets to Turks and Caicos

Can I Bring My Pet to Turks and Caicos?

The Turks and Caicos Islands have everything you need for an ideal island vacation. But for some travelers, the ideal vacation is not complete without their pets. After all, where’s the fun in a vacation when your beloved four-legged furry friend can’t have fun with you? It is common for would-be visitors to ask whether or not they could bring their pets along to the Turks and Caicos. Fortunately for all the jet-setting pet-owners out there, by applying for an additional pet permit, visitors may be allowed to bring their cats or dogs with them to Turks and Caicos.

How to get a pet permit for Turks and Caicos

Although it would be nice for visitors to be able to bring along their pets to the Turks and Caicos freely, in order to keep the people and the local environment safe, your pet will require an approved import permit before it can enter Turks and Caicos. In order to get this, there are a few steps and requirements both you and your pet need. You will need to complete this import application and have it approved by the Turks and Caicos Island Government vet.

To obtain a pet permit for Turks and Caicos you will need to ensure that your pet fulfills these requirements:

• The animal needs to be microchipped, and the microchip is readable.
• The animal needs to be treated for internal and external parasites within 14 days of the scheduled shipment date
• Your pet needs vaccinations against the following:
  1. For dogs: Canine Parvovirus Distemper, Hepatitis/Adenovirus, Parainfluenza, Leptospirosis and Lyme disease
  2. For cats: Feline Calicivirus, Panleukopenia, Feline Rhinotracheitis, and Feline Leukaemia
• If coming from a rabies endemic country,
  1. The animal needs to be vaccinated against rabies
  2. The animal needs a rabies titer test done post-vaccination with the results of the test being at least 0.5 IU/mL.
• If not coming from a rabies endemic country,
  1. the animal needs to have been kept in the said country since birth or for at least 6 months prior to shipment.
  2. Countries considered rabies-free are: Antigua, Anguilla, Australia, Bahamas, Barbados, Bermuda, British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Dominica, Fiji, Finland, Iceland, Jamaica, Japan, Montserrat, New Zealand, Norway, Republic of Ireland, St. Kitts, St. Lucia, St. Martin (Netherlands Antilles), St. Pierre et Miquelon, St. Vincent, Sweden, Taiwan, The United Kingdom, Uruguay, USA (Hawaii), US Virgin Island

Unfortunately, not all dog breeds can be permitted to enter Turks and Caicos. If your beloved companion is one of these breeds, we’re sorry to say that they will have to be left at home (but we’re sure they’re still good boys, nonetheless!):

• Akita
• Any breed of Bulldog
• Any breed of Mastiff
• Any Pit Bull including the American Staffordshire Terrier, The Staffordshire Bull Terrier, and a mixed-breed dog that has any Pit Bull lineage
• Bandog
• Beauceron
• Canary dog or Presa Canario
• Doberman Pinscher
• Dogo Argentino
• Fila Brazilliero or Brazilian Mastiff
• Japanese Tosa
• Jondo
• Kuvasz
• Rhodesian Ridgeback
• Roman Fighting Dog
• Rottweiler
• South African Boerboel
• any dog which appears to have been bred for fighting, and all non-domestic canine species and hybrids of such

To obtain approval to import your pet, you will need to send the following documents to the animal health service in the Turks and Caicos Islands at animalhealthservicestci@gmail.com for approval:

• The completed import permit application form
• A health certificate issued by the veterinary authority of the country of origin stating:
  • The animal has a readable microchip identification
  • The animal has been vaccinated against the diseases mentioned in the section above
  • The animal is treated against internal and external parasites
• Vaccination certificate that certifies vaccination against the diseases mentioned, bearing the signature, license number, and stamp or seal of the licensed veterinarian who vaccinated the pet
• The results of the rabies titer test

If you and your pet successfully fulfill these requirements, you can expect your import permit application to be approved, and your pet is allowed to accompany you on your vacation. Additionally, you will have to present the documents you submitted at the port of entry upon the arrival of your pet, and you will have to pay an entry fee of $US50.00 at the port of entry.

It may seem like a lot, but we assure you that it is worth it if it means spending an amazing vacation with your beloved pets! These precautions are done all for the safety of our visitors, be they human, cat, or dog. If you need any details regarding the import process, the import application contains a checklist with more details regarding the requirements. Additionally, you can call the Turks and Caicos animal health services at 1.649.946.5801 or email them at animalhealthservicestci@gmail.com if you have any questions. We hope this article helped you with planning your perfect vacation at the Turks and Caicos Islands and we look forward to seeing you (and your pets) here!

airport vip services

airport fast track services

providenciales airport transfer

airport transportation service