Pet Migration to Panama

Posted By: Panama Expertos on 09.04.2007
Views: 858, Published in sections: Life in Panama ::

For those who are migrating to Panama, there must be quite a few things that you will miss leaving behind. Among other things, you may be rather reluctant to have to part with your pet, especially if they have been your faithful companion for a long time. But truly, it is not too troublesome to bring your pet along.

The procedures are not too difficult, really. Before anything else, you have to get your veterinarian to produce a Health Certificate for your pet. This should be done at least ten days prior to your departure. Every animal seeking entry into a foreign country has to be accompanied by such a certificate as prove that the pet is in good health and most importantly, parasite-free. This certificate should include details such as the name of your pet, the breed, the owner’s name and country of residence, the routine vaccinations and a certificate which confirms the pet was vaccinated for rabies during the last 6 months before the date of departure.

Thereafter, you have to make a trip down to a USDA office within your state to get them to endorse the certificate. Two copies of the certificate have to be presented to them and a fee of $24 will be charged for an endorsement form. This same form can be used for more than one animal. Once the endorsement is done, you have to bring the health certificate to the Panama Consulate for authentication. You are required to pay around $10-$20 for the authentication. This completes all the procedures required before your departure to Panama.

When you arrive in Panama, you will be referred to the airport veterinarian who will replace your health certificate with new documents. The preparation of the documents can be rather time-consuming, usually between 2-5 hours and you will be charged a fee of $130. When the documents are ready, your pet will be released back to you, but it is subject to a 40 day home quarantine. In the event that you do not have any health certificate, you will have to leave your pet in the airport for 40 days of quarantine, and each day will cost you $12.

There are certain things you have to be aware of when you transport your pet. If you are going to Panama during the peak season, it is better to call the airline to find out if they transport pets, because certain airlines do not carry pets during busy months. Depending on the size and weight of your pet, some airlines allow you to carry your pet into the cabin which is the best alternative because accidents are known to happen in cargo compartments. The rates for transportation of pets vary from airline to airline, some charge a fixed rate while others charge according to weight.

Now that you know the procedures of pet transportation, you can bring your good animal friend to Panama and enjoy the beauty of paradise together, just like old times.