Requirements for dog entry into PR

https://www.aphis.usda.gov/import_expor … FICATE.pdf

They don't quarantine, but they need a health certificate and rabies shot. The link above is to the regulations of PR.

Thanks Justpeachyy,
That is the official set of requirements, thanks for digging it out.

Happy New Year Bribri1913
  I've been traveling with my dog to &from NY to PR at least 8 times. PR has no quarantine policy. But Federal Airlines requires a Vet "Animal Health Statement" . Which will verify that certain vaccines are up to date they being Rabies, DA2PP, DA2PPL, Canine influenza, Lyme Vaccine, Bordetella and Lepto Vaccine. A Heartworm Blood Test and Fecal Exam since be current also.  This Animal Health Statement is good for 10 days from statement so schedule Veterinary visit within several days before travel.  Also some Airlines are stricter with rules when traveling below 45degrees and above 85 unless separate document by a Certified Vet stating your breed hand handle these temps. It's called an Acclamation Statement.  I've used it with Delta when 20degrees and they argued he wouldn't be able to fly but I pushed the issue with this Acclamation Form.  He was finally allowed to fly. More of a problem with single coat breeds but ask Vet and get form just in case.  FYI Delta no longer allow Pets in climate control luggage area. American Airlines I experienced are alot stricter with all policies. Short flights they still require providing a water bottle and food during flight.  United not bad, but I will have to fly out of New Jersey. JFK is more convenient and feasible. Call up Airlines from your departing airport and get any answers. Btw any pets under totally 20lbs including the carrying kennel can fly under your seat but only 4 or 5 per flight. Also lots of breed restrictions especially those in the pug nose, pit bulls or hybrids. Plan ahead to avoid massive headaches & rescheduling.. Good Luck and enjoy beautiful Puerto Rico.. jose

The dog needs a health certificate from your veterinarian, completed within two weeks of the trip.  Talk to your veterinarian.   One time I was bringing back my two dogs from NY to PR and one of the dogs had heartworm so he could not travel with me.  I had to have him shipped after the Veterinarian cleared him.
Once the dog lands in Puerto Rico there are no 'dog police' so I would not worry about any further complications.

Frogrock, does customs see the dog or inspect them? Or does paperwork just have to be in order?

If you're coming from the states, there is no quarantine and the only requirements are the health certificate that is required by the airline (which will include a fecal test and some vaccines).
But I do rrecommend that you do all your necessary vetting before coming to PR, including any vaccines your local vet recommends, plus 4DX testing and treatment for any positive results, since the medicine used to treat heartworm (HW) is often difficult to obtain here. (So be sure to keep your dog  up to date on HW preventive, as HW is prevalent here.)
If  your dog requires the care of a veterinary specialists, they are few and far between in PR (there are only 3 accredited veterinary surgeons on the island, no heart specialist, 2 or 3 ophthalmic specialists, no internists).
So if your dog  needs something along those lines, get it done before you come.
Don't mean to scare you, there are many very good veterinarians here. Just maybe not quite as up to date as what you may be used to, depending on where you are coming from.
Good luck!

I live 3 miles away from the tuft veterinary school, do we have a veterinary school of renoun in PR?

ReyP,
No, there are no veterinary schools in Puerto Rico. All veterinarians receive their education off island.
I know that  Tuskegee University provides a number of scholarships to Puerto Rican students who are interested in becoming veterinarians. The problem is, they don't all return and/or stay on the island once  they graduate.
Many of the local universities here offer veterinary technician courses. Very few of the graduates go on to become certified, though. (They can work without the license).

joysarnelli wrote:

ReyP,
No, there are no veterinary schools in Puerto Rico. All veterinarians receive their education off island.
I know that  Tuskegee University provides a number of scholarships to Puerto Rican students who are interested in becoming veterinarians. The problem is, they don't all return and/or stay on the island once  they graduate.
Many of the local universities here offer veterinary technician courses. Very few of the graduates go on to become certified, though. (They can work without the license).

Interesting, thanks.
One of my dogs has heart problems and seizures and is in 5 or 6 medications, we see the cardiologist and neurological specialist at the Tuft Vet school (not cheap).

You mentioned being affiliated with the National Guard in another thread - you may be able to get access to the Vet on Fort Buchanan.  When we were living in SJ, many of our friends were very happy with their services.

Thank you so much! She is a small 13 pound Maltese/poodle mix. I spoke with the airlines and they just said a health certificate and a carrier with specific dimensions. I was worried about quarantine cause on one site I read they may quarantine a dog if the rabies shots being done no less than 30 days and no longer than two years... kind of confused. I'm going to check out this site mentioned above and see what I need to do. Thanks!

Make sure you make preparations for your tickets and the dog in the cabin ahead of time with the airline. There is a maximum of around 4 dogs per airplane which varies by carrier. Also pet may be allowed only in some part of the plane but not other and you may not sit at an exit either due to the pet. Check well and plan early. By the way the airlines rules state that the pet must remain in the carrier until you leave the airplane, hard to say how strongly they will enforce it.

We travel Southwest with our service dog, they are dog friendly.

No one, except the airline before getting on the plane, has ever checked my dogs' paperwork.  I guess the assumption is if you have the proper paperwork to get on the plane, then it would be redundant to go through another checkpoint when the plane lands.  But please be very aware of the temperature guidelines.  The temperature in San Juan is almost always hotter than those guidelines.  If the dog will be in the cabin with you, then there is no problem.
When you travel back from PR to the States, and your original health certificate is out-of-date, you will need to get a local veterinarian to give you a new health certificate, so bring a printout of your dog's vaccinations, etc, from your normal vet. It is not a big deal to get the certificate.  If you are in my area (Humacao) or if you are in the area of Arroyo, I can recommend a veterinarian.  If you are like me, you have your veterinarian's phone number on hand at all times 'just in case'.

We have been back and forth a few times, but never have been asked for the dog's medical record.  We do take it with us if needed. 

In PR you need to protect your dog from ticks, they seem common.

Hola bribri1913,
  13lbs. great!   Shouldn't be a problem taking K-9 on flight placed under your seat.  Carrying kennel must allowed for K-9 to be able to sit up and lay unrestricted.  Not allowed to removed pet during entire flight, although I've taken most of my flights on the Red Eye (lights out) and seen pets on laps hidden away from flight crew..all good but if caught they will reinstruct you to put back in kennel and not to repeat.  What airlines are you looking to use?  Dimension requirements are all close to same measurements.. Either way have no worries just have Health certificate and proper carrying crate. Fly away in peace..jose

We are flying on American Airlines. We are moving so we will have our three month old baby and our dog. I'm so nervous but once we are there I don't have to make that trip again anytime soon.

I called the airlines the day I placed the reservation directly with American Airlines. We will check in 3-4 hours in advance just in case cause I know we will have trouble somewhere between a baby, dog, formula, baby water, and a ton of luggage

I'm on the other side of the island. I'll need to figure out a vet in Aguadilla area.

Just in case they do check, and sometimes they do, you're paperwork (Vet's health certificate), should be within 30 days of travel. I had flown with my Jack Russell, to and from island, several times.

Im flying to St Thomas and I have a layover in PR. Do I still need all the health requirements for PR if I’m already doing it for St Thomas and not staying? Our layover is only a couple hours.

Hello Hannah,

Welcome to expat.com!

You have unfortunately posted on an inactive discussion and I highly doubt that you will receive any responses.

You can try posting a new discussion on the Puerto Rico forum.

Cheers,

Yoginee

Expat.com team