Bringing Pets To Panama
Most people who plan on moving to Panama do their fair share of research as to what is required to move to Panama. Most of the first concerns include finding a place to live, securing immigration documents and tying up lose ends at home. Often the family pet is one of the last concerns because people assume it’s a very easy process. That is not always the case, as Panama has strict requirements about brining pets in to the country.
To bring a dog or cat in to Panama you must provide the following:
1) USDA Health Certificate sealed and signed by a USDA veterinarian as well as signed by your pet’s vet.
2) A vaccination certificate showing your pet has had their rabies vaccination.
3) A $30 money order addressed to the Consulate General of Panama (along with a self-addressed stamped envelope).
4) Quarantine for Domestic Animals Form The Quarantine For Domestic Animals form must be faxed or emailed to the Ministry of Health in Panama no later than 3 days before your arrival in Panama.
Your pet must be checked out by a vet from the Ministry of Health or the Ministry of Agriculture once you arrive at Panama’s Tocumen International Airport. The vets are in the airport on weekdays only from 9am to 3pm and from 7pm to 10pm. If your flight arrives on the weekend or during hours when there is no vet scheduled, you can make arrangements to have a vet come meet your flight. You must make these arrangements through either the Ministry of Health or the Agriculture Ministry. You will be expected to pay an extra fee to have the vet come meet you after hours. If you don’t make arrangements to have the vet meet you a head of time, your pet will have to stay at the airport until a vet is on shift.
To bring a bird in to Panama, these are the requirements:
To bring a bird in to Panama, you must obtain an import permit. This permit is issued by Panama’s National Environmental Authority (ANAM). You can call them at +(507) 500-0855 or +(507) 500-0839.
Because of Avian Influenza concerns, your bird must be vaccinated against Avian Influenza, New Castle, Tuberculosis, Chlamydia, and Salmonella.
You must also provide the following:
1) Proof that your pet has received the above mentioned vaccines must be included in the Health Certificate issued by your vet.
2) The Health Certificate issued by the USDA and the vaccine certificate issued by your vet must be authenticated by the Consulate in Panama before you arrive.
3) If your pet arrives in Panama with missing paperwork, the authorities may keep the bird in quarantine unless they allow you to take the pet home with you under certain restrictions.
There are a number of lawyers and law firms in Panama that can help you through the process or put you in contact with someone that will do the paperwork before you arrive in Panama.
Make sure to check with your airline to see if they have any other requirements for transporting pets to Panama.
You can find important phone numbers and addresses on the Embassy of Panama website.
| Written by Rebecca Tyre |  |
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Filed under: Living & Retirement, News on February 16th, 2009
This has all been great help. I have a Golden retriever puppy that has been getting all her proper shots. The only problem is that she is not old enough yet to have her rabies shot. She cannot have her rabies shot until May 15th. is that going to be a problem? I have all her documents, and I can easily get a USDA health certificate, so that is not problem.
Thanks,
John
John,
I have some experience in researching international travel requirements for pets. I can tell you that the rabies vaccination is not usually required if the animal is less than 3 months of age; if she is 3 months or older she must have the vaccination. You don’t say when you are traveling, but you should also check to see if the quarantine facility you will be using has any other restrictions or requirements for puppies. Some countries (I don’t know if Panama is one of them) have strong recommendations against bringing pets that are too young to have received all their vaccines.
For more information, you might try contacting consular@embassyofpanama.org
Hope this helps!
- Mary
Keep track of your pet every step. Dont think just because you have done all that is required that it will go smoothly. I did everything that was required for my beloved 2 Shitzus, COPA lost the original papers for flight docs, 5 hours later, stinking hot day, my dogs out on the tarmac, no one spoke english, my spanish not that good as i was learning, my dogs about to be shipped back to LA with no water, toilet break, rest or anything….i lost my temper. Threatened to sue the airport blah blah blah, found a nice american guy who helped me with spanish translation. Finally got my dogs brought inside, dehydrated, looked terrible, so called airport vet wanted $400 to have home quarantine, NO WAY, he didnt even look at the dogs. I paid $200 – just to get my dogs, even though i shouldnt have – i had paid all that was required. NEVER AGAIN. My poor babies…..Panamanians have no idea how to love a dog, or most animals for that matter. Not ALL panamanians but most have no idea how to care for animals except if they are earning money for them.