Cayman Islands
Pet Travel Policy Information
Pet Travel Requirements for Cayman Islands
Pet Entry Requirements for Cayman Islands
Country Classifications
The Cayman Islands classify countries as rabies-free, rabies-controlled, and high-rabies. Dogs and cats must reside in these countries for at least three months prior to import.
Pet Microchip
The first step to importing a dog, cat, or ferret to the Cayman Islands is to have your pet identified with a non-encrypted, 15-digit pet microchip that is compliant with ISO 11784 or Annex A of ISO 11785. If your pet’s microchip is not ISO-compliant, you can either bring your own. A licensed veterinarian, a veterinary hospital, or a trained nurse should implant the microchip. You should receive documentation as to the manufacturer of the microchip and instructions on how to register your pet’s information in the manufacturer’s or government database in your country.
Vaccinations
After the microchip is implanted, your dog or cat must be vaccinated for rabies between 30 days and 12 months prior to entering the Cayman Islands. If your dog was vaccinated for rabies prior to the microchip, then it must be vaccinated again after the chip is implanted. Your pet must be at least 12 weeks of age before the primary rabies vaccine is given. Note that multi-year vaccinations are accepted as booster vaccinations. The primary vaccination should be a one-year vaccination.
Rabies Titer (Serology) Test
A rabies titer test measures the level of rabies antibodies in your pet’s blood. It must be administered more than 30 days after the rabies vaccination. Fluorescent Antibody Virus Neutralization (FAVN) tests are recommended, as they are accepted by every country that requires this test. Pets entering the Cayman Islands from all countries will need a rabies titer test no sooner than 30 days after the most current rabies vaccination. Samples must be processed at approved laboratories. The blood sample can be drawn in a non-approved country; however, it must be processed by an approved laboratory in the United States or the United Kingdom. Pets entering from a rabies-free country are eligible to enter the Cayman Islands immediately after acceptable results are received.Pets entering from a rabies-controlled country are eligible to enter the Cayman Islands two months after acceptable results are received.Pets entering from a high-rabies country are eligible to enter the Cayman Islands three months after acceptable results are received.
Parasite Treatments
Your dog or cat must be treated against ticks, tapeworm, nematodes, and cestodes by a licensed veterinarian shortly prior to travel.
Health Certificate
Every country worldwide requires an original health certificate in their pet import regulations, and the Cayman Islands are no exception. The health certificate must clearly identify your pet, including its microchip number and species. A licensed veterinarian must complete awithin 14 days of entry stating that your pet is healthy and free of parasites and indicating the above vaccinations and the results of the titer test. For pets entering from rabies-controlled countries (step 1), health certificates must contain a statement that your dog or cat has been in your country of origin for six months prior to export and that there have been no incidents of rabies among un-quarantined animals in your country for the past 24 months.
Import Permit
An import permit must be obtained from the Department of Agriculture. All tests, treatments and certificates must be submitted in order to receive an import permit.
Complete all 7 steps to enter Cayman Islands with your pet
Requirements may change. Always verify with official sources before travel.
Is Quarantine Required for Pets in Cayman Islands?
Not specified
What Additional Information Do I Need for Cayman Islands?
- Other Information:
Not specified
- What is a Pet Passport?:
We refer to a pet passport as a collection of documents that fulfill Cayman Islands pet import requirements for dogs or cats entering this country.This term is not to be confused with an official EU Pet Passport issued in the European Union for EU-resident pets.Your pet’s passport to enter the Cayman Islands will include an import permit, proof of microchip, current rabies vaccination, and an export health certificate issued by a licensed veterinarian in the origination country.
- Find a Licensed Veterinarian:
Before beginning any pet export procedure, make sure your veterinarian is approved by the governing veterinarian authority in your pet’s country of origin. Your veterinarian should work for or is licensed by the agency of the government that is responsible for the movement of live animals.
- Breeds Banned by the Cayman Islands:
The following breeds of dogs and their breed types are not permitted to enter the Cayman Islands – Akita Inu (American) (Japanese), Alano Español (Spanish Bulldog), American Pit Bull Terrier, American Bandogge (Bandog), American ulldog (AmBull), American Staffordshire Bull Terrier (AmStaff), Armenian Gampr dog, Aryan Molossus (Afghanistan Mastiff), Asian Shepherd Dog (Central), Belgian Mastiff (Matin Beige) (Chien de Trait) (Belgian Draft Mastiff), Boerboel (Burbul), Cane Corso (Italiano) (Cane di Macellaio) (Sicilian Branchiero), (Italian Mastiff), Catahoula Leopard Dog (Catahoula Hog Dog), Caucasian Shepherd Dog (Caucasian Sheepdog) (Caucasian Ovcharka) (Kavkaskaia Ovtcharka) (Caucasian Owcharka) (Caucasian Mountain Dog) (Sage Ghafghazi) (Kavkazskaïa Ovtcharka) (Caucasian Ovtcharka) (Russian Caucasian Ovtcharka) (Russian Caucasian), Central Asian Ovtcharka (Middle Asian Ovtcharka) (Mid-Asian Shepherd) (Central Asian Sheepdog) (Central Asian Shepherd Dog) (Alabai) (Sredneasiatskaïa Ovtcharka) (Turkmen Alabai), Dogue de Bordeaux (French Mastiff) (Bordeaux Bulldog), Dogo Argentino(Argentinian Mastiff) (Argentine Dogo), Fila Brasileiro (Brazilian Mastiff)(Brazilian Molosser)(Cao de Fila), Georgian Shepherd Dog, Guatemalan Bull Terrier, Gull Dong (Pakistani Bulldog), Gull Terr (Pakistani Bull Terrier), Irish Staffordshire Bull Terrier, Kangal Dog, Karelian Bear Dog (Finnish Bear Dog), Korean Jindo Dog, Lottatore Brindisino, New Guinea Singing Dog (New Guinea Highland Dog) (Singer) (NGSD), Olde English Bulldogge (not to be confused with an English Bulldog), Pakistani Mastiff (Bully Kutta) (Pakistani Bully Kutta) (Bohli Kutta) (Bully Cutha) (Pakistani Mastiff) (Sindh Mastiff) (PBK), Perro de Presa Canario (Canarian catch dog), Perro de Presa Mallorquin (Ca de Bou), Pit Bull Terrier, Staffordshire Bull Terrier (American, English, Irish, etc.), Tibetan Mastiff, Tosa (Japanese) (Inu) (Ken).
- Cayman Islands Pet Import Requirements:
All steps required to conform to the Cayman Islands pet import requirements must be completed in the origination country. Complete steps 1-7 in the order given.
- Entering the Cayman Islands with a Pet:
All pets can enter the Cayman Islands at Owen Roberts International Airport (ORIA) on Grand Cayman. Pets can arrive in the cabin, as checked baggage, or as air cargo according toairline pet policies. Related:Is your pet’s crate IATA-compliant? A minimum of 48 hours notice must be given to the Department of Agriculture as to your pet’s arrival. All domestic dogs and cats must be free of evidence of disease communicable to humans when examined at the port of entry to Austria. If your dog or cat is not in apparent good health, further examination by a licensed veterinarian may be required at importer expense.
- Quarantine for Pets Entering the Cayman Islands:
There will be no quarantine imposed on your pet when entering the Cayman Islands if pet import regulations detailed here are met. If your pet does not conform to the regulations as stated below, it will be subject to quarantine if facilities are available, returned to the origination country, or euthanized. The importer will be responsible all costs involved.
- Importing Other Pet Animals to the Cayman Islands:
Birds, invertebrates, tropical fish, reptiles, amphibia, and mammals such as rodents and rabbits are not subject to the requirements of rabies vaccination but will have to meet other requirements and must have an import permit and a health certificate to enter the Cayman Islands. Pet owners are strongly advised to seek further information from the relevant authority of their country and/or that of the country of destination.
- Animals Eligible for These Pet Import Requirements:
These rules apply to the transport of domestic dog and cats including assistance and service animals. Unless 5th generation removed from the pedigree, wolf hybrids, Savannah and Bengal cats cannot be imported under these regulations. Owners of other types of pets (amphibia, reptiles, birds, rabbits, rodents) covered by these regulations should refer to IMPORTING OTHER PET ANIMALS TO THE CAYMAN ISLANDS below.
- Importing Puppies and Kittens to the Cayman Islands:
Unvaccinated pets under the age of three months cannot enter the Cayman Islands. Puppies and kittens should be microchipped and vaccinated for rabies no sooner than 12 weeks of age and wait for 30 days prior to having a titer test. More information ontransporting a puppy.
- Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES):
Importers should verify that their pet is not protected under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). This is important if your pet is not a dog or cat, and it is even more important if it is a turtle or parrot. You will need to apply for additional permits if this is the case. Over 180 countries participate in and enforce CITES regulations. Related:Search the CITES databaseorSearch the Species+ database Related:Read more about CITES
Related Resources
Traveler Tips & Experiences
Emily Parker
February 12, 2025
I visited Cayman Islands last year with my French Bulldog and found the process straightforward and well-documented.
Michael Chen
January 3, 2025
Air travel to Cayman Islands was a breeze and my cat had no issues. Highly recommend booking early!