Pets clearance in Caribbean - UK based sailing trip

[00Si00]

Hi guys

This has been asked on another forum but as I have had little response(think it's a U.S site), thought at least I would ask here.



We are planning a round trip from the UK to the Caribbean via the Canaries and on return via the Azores and France where we shall organise our dog to be taken through the correct route back to the UK. We have already moved aboard in preparation for this and are planning to go April 2009.



We have a PETS passport for our dog. He is microchipped, has had a rabies innoculation, and the passport has been stamped showing the rabies innoculation dates and a stamp confirming from a vet that the blood sample which has been taken has met the required titre.



Our itiniery are far as the Caribbean goes is quite flexible, although we would like to travel to Trinidad,Tobago, the Grenadines, Guadeloupe and Martinique.



Is there anything else that we need to do before we depart? I know that in certain countries tick and tapeworm innoculations must be completed 24-48 hours before arrival and that must also be recorded in the passport. I have read on Noonsite that some countries require a "health certificate".

Is this something else we have to arrange?



The plan is to be abe to take our dog ashore for walks etc



If there is anyone out there that has done something similar, ie, take a pet dog from the UK to the Caribbean and back, I would really appreciate your help.



Thanks



Si

 

[SimonJ]

I understood from dog owners when in Trinidad that they were not permitted to go ashore with their dogs. If confirmed this is likely to apply in Tobago as well. The only organisation I can think of that might help is YSAT (Yachting Services Industry of Trinidad). You might also find guidance in the (excellent, you cannot do without) Doyle guides to the Windwards, Leewards, T & T etc.
If you are going to Tobago I hope you are aware that the 'easy' way to get there is on first arrival in the Caribbean as if you miss it at first it becomes up (big) wind and current thereafter! The other aspect to consider is that unlike most other Caribbean islands it does not have any truly leeward anchorages until about May when wind should shift and reduce. If you can bear the rolling and sometimes difficulty getting ashore, it is apart from some fussy customs guys, a great place to visit with few other sailboats except at regatta time.

 

[jeremyshaw]

Every island has its own rules, and frankly whether you have a Health Certificate or not won't make much difference IMHO.

As the previous poster has said Trinidad is pretty strict, but most islands are more relaxed. Even in Trinidad people do walk dogs on leads in the yards.

So I would not worry too much, and just be sure to check the protocol in each island prior to arrival.

As the previous poster has said Tobago is a little difficult to get to. However I would not advise making first landfall there as it has very little in the way of yacht facilities and after a transat there's bound to be some stuff which needs fixing.

Grenada is welcoming to yachts, relaxed about dogs and has excellent facilities, as well as a much bigger yachting community to give you advice.

You can read a description of a Grenada-Tobago run here: http://www.zingano.com/Articles%20-%20Four%20Boats%20to%20Tobago.htm

If you do decide to make landfall in Tobago bear in mind that unlike other islands ALL the crew must visit customs and immigration, not just the captain. And you need to clear in and out of different ports, and clear in and out for Trinidad, even though it's the same country.

The French islands are pretty relaxed and clearing in there with a pet should present no problems assuming you have EU passports etc. Given your timing and that you'll want to head south for the hurricane season you might want to consider making landfall at Guadeloupe and then working south. Martinique has excellent yacht facilities at Le Marin - even a few Yanmars in the shop window normally!

 

[Bob]

You will be able to find a lot of the information you require regarding pets at each island/country on the World Cruising Wiki - start with the Caribbean section.

Have a wonderful, safe trip.

Bob

 

[00Si00]

Ok, thanks for the info. We really are at the very early stages of planning the route but I take on board what your saying about Tobago. I'll check out the websites that have been posted.

/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

Simon

 

[Redmond]

Hi

we have just done the trip with a dog flying her home from the US at the end.

There were no problems in Europe although in Spain we were suposed to clear the dog back in from Morocco nobody seem to care. We did check with Vets in each country

No problems with the Canaries or Cape Verde Islands

Barbados simply said they would shoot the dog if she landed

We didnt do Trinidad and the Grenadines.

St Lucia wouldnt allow the dog ashore unless accompanied by a Vet officer at @$50 a time.

Martinique didnt care and we renewed the Rabies vacine there

Dominica, we didnt take her ashore as it was a weekend and we couldnt find any Customs

Same for Guadaloop but as its France they probably wouldnt have minded

Antigua needs a blood titre test within 2 years (ours was 3 years old) so we got her retested but it took to long for us. If necessairy get it done now

Because we didnt have the blood test Nevis and St Kitts wouldnt allow her ashore

St Martins didnt mind

Virgin Isles didnt want her landed

US Virging Isls Puerto Rico and US didnt care but did check paperwork

Dominican republic didnt care

Bahamas required import licence which took nearly a week and can be done by fax before you arrive (I think about $30)

Shipping her back from US was a nightmare

If you want more info send me a PM

Red

 

[TQA]

As Redmond says the Ex British Islands in the Caribbean will be worried about rabies and will not want you to land your dog without some considerable hassle IF AT ALL.

However when I was there as a liveaboard it was not uncommon to see people ignore this law and take their dogs ashore for loo calls. But I also know of one case in 1994 in St Lucia where a dog was taken to a vet on arrival without going through due process and all h*** broke loose. The dog was quarantined and the owner fined.