Bringing Pets to the Dominican Republic: Complete Import Guide for 2026

Relocating with a furry family member? Good news: the Dominican Republic is one of the more pet-friendly countries in the Caribbean for newcomers. Dogs and cats can enter from most countries without quarantine, provided you arrive with the right paperwork and a healthy animal. The bad news is that the paperwork is fussy, timing matters, and a single missing stamp can mean a stressful detention at the airport. This guide walks you through the realistic process of bringing pets to the Dominican Republic in 2026 — what to prepare, how to handle the airline side, and what to expect on arrival.

Rules and fees do change. Before you book flights, always confirm the latest requirements with the Ministerio de Agricultura's Dirección General de Ganadería (DIGEGA), your origin country's veterinary export authority (USDA APHIS in the US, CFIA in Canada, or your EU member state), and your airline's live-animal desk.

What animals can you bring?

The standard process covers domestic dogs and cats, which is what the vast majority of expats move with. Birds, reptiles, rabbits, ferrets, and exotic species fall under different rules — often involving CITES permits or outright restrictions — and you should contact DIGEGA directly before assuming anything. Some dog breeds considered "potentially dangerous" (varies by airline and by Dominican municipal ordinance) may face additional restrictions or be refused by certain carriers, so check breed policies early.

The core documents you'll need

For dogs and cats, plan on assembling the following before departure:

• An international health certificate issued by a licensed veterinarian in your country of origin, typically within 10 days of travel (some sources say 14 — confirm with DIGEGA and your airline).
• Government endorsement of that health certificate. In the US this means USDA APHIS endorsement (often via the VEHCS online system); in Canada, CFIA; in the EU, your national competent authority.
• Proof of rabies vaccination, generally administered more than 30 days but less than one year before travel (for the standard one-year vaccine; multi-year vaccines have different windows). Puppies and kittens under the minimum age may not be eligible.
• Proof of additional vaccinations — DHPP for dogs, FVRCP for cats — current at the time of travel.
• A recent veterinary exam confirming the animal is free of clinical signs of infectious or parasitic disease and has been treated for internal and external parasites.
• Microchip: not always strictly required for the DR, but strongly recommended and often required by your airline and origin country's export rules.

Keep originals and color copies. Bring a folder with everything organized — Dominican officials, like officials everywhere, prefer paperwork they can flip through quickly.

Step-by-step: the realistic timeline

3–6 months out

• Confirm your animal is microchipped and that the rabies vaccine is current and will still be valid on your arrival date.
• Decide whether your pet flies in-cabin, as checked baggage (accompanied), or as manifest cargo. This decision drives everything else.
• Research airlines. Not all carriers fly pets to Santo Domingo (SDQ) or Punta Cana (PUJ), and embargo seasons (summer heat restrictions) can disrupt plans.

4–6 weeks out

• Book your pet's spot directly with the airline. In-cabin and cargo slots are limited and fill quickly.
• Buy an IATA-compliant travel crate that fits the airline's specs. Let your pet sleep in it at home so it isn't terrifying on travel day.
• Schedule your veterinary appointment for the health certificate — you want the appointment as close to departure as the rules allow.

10 days out

• Visit your vet for the international health certificate and final exam. Confirm parasite treatments are recorded.
• Submit the certificate for government endorsement immediately. APHIS endorsements can sometimes be returned within a day digitally, but don't bank on it.

Before you board

• Notify DIGEGA of your pending arrival if your airline or shipper recommends it. Some travelers email the import paperwork ahead so an inspector is ready at the airport.
• Reconfirm the pet booking with your airline 48–72 hours before the flight.

Arrival at SDQ or PUJ

After landing, you'll claim your pet and proceed to the animal sanitary inspection point, usually staffed by DIGEGA. An inspector will:

1. Review your health certificate and endorsement.
2. Check vaccination records.
3. Visually inspect the animal.
4. Issue an import permit / sanitary clearance and collect a modest inspection fee, payable in pesos or US dollars depending on the airport (have small bills).

The fee is generally inexpensive by relocation standards, but the exact amount changes — verify with DIGEGA or your pet relocation agent rather than relying on figures you read on forums.

Provided your paperwork is in order, there is no quarantine for healthy dogs and cats arriving from countries the DR recognizes as low or controlled rabies risk. Animals arriving without proper documentation, or showing signs of illness, can be detained, sent back, or quarantined at the owner's expense — a genuinely awful outcome you want to avoid.

In-cabin, checked, or cargo?

• In-cabin is the gentlest option but is limited to small dogs and cats, usually under about 8 kg (17 lb) including the carrier. Each airline sets its own weight, dimensions, and per-flight cap.
• Checked baggage (accompanied hold) is available on some airlines for medium and large pets when you fly the same flight. Temperature embargoes apply in summer.
• Manifest cargo is how larger pets, snub-nosed breeds, or pets traveling unaccompanied typically move. It's more expensive and requires a customs broker on arrival, but climate-controlled cargo holds are professionally handled.

A reputable pet relocation company (IPATA-member shippers are a good starting point) is worth the cost if you're moving a large dog, multiple pets, or if you simply don't want to manage the logistics yourself.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Vaccinating too late. A rabies booster given fewer than 30 days before travel can invalidate the certificate.
• Skipping the government endorsement. A vet-signed health certificate alone is not enough; it must be endorsed by your country's veterinary authority.
• Wrong crate size. Airlines measure strictly. Your dog must be able to stand, turn, and lie down naturally.
• Snub-nosed breed surprises. Bulldogs, pugs, Persians, and similar breeds are restricted or banned in cargo by many airlines for safety reasons.
• Flying into the wrong airport. Some smaller Dominican airports have limited animal inspection hours. SDQ and PUJ are the safest bets.

Settling in: vets, food, and daily life

Once you're here, you'll find a solid network of veterinarians in Santo Domingo, Santiago, Punta Cana, Las Terrenas, Sosúa, and Cabarete. Vaccines, parasite preventives, and routine care are typically more affordable than in North America or Western Europe. Premium pet food brands (Royal Canin, Hill's, Purina Pro Plan) are widely sold; specialty prescription diets may need to be ordered ahead.

A few practical realities of life with pets in the DR:

• Heat and humidity are serious — walk dogs early morning and after sunset, never on midday asphalt.
• Stray dogs are common in some areas; keep your pet leashed and current on vaccines.
• Ticks and heartworm are year-round threats. Stay on monthly preventives.
• Rentals: many landlords allow pets but expect a higher deposit. Put the agreement in writing in your lease.

Mini-FAQ

Is there a quarantine? Not for healthy dogs and cats arriving with complete, properly endorsed paperwork from recognized countries. Incomplete paperwork can trigger detention.

Can I bring more than one pet? Yes, but airlines cap pets per passenger (often two), and each animal needs its own complete paperwork set.

Do I need a pet import permit before arriving? DIGEGA handles sanitary clearance on arrival in most standard cases, but policies evolve. Email DIGEGA or check with a local pet relocator before you fly to confirm whether advance authorization is currently required for your situation.

What about taking my pet back out of the DR later? You'll repeat a similar process in reverse: a Dominican vet's health certificate, DIGEGA endorsement, and whatever your destination country requires. Start that paperwork at least a month before flying.

Rules, fees, and timelines for animal imports change without much fanfare. Before you book a non-refundable ticket, confirm current requirements directly with DIGEGA, your origin country's veterinary authority, and your airline. When in doubt, a licensed pet relocation specialist is the cheapest insurance you'll buy on the whole move.