Cook Islands
Pet Travel Policy Information
Pet Travel Requirements for Cook Islands
Pet Entry Requirements for Cook Islands
Pet Microchip
Having your pet identified with a microchip is important when traveling internationally for several reasons. First, a microchip will tie your pet to its documentation when entering a foreign country. Second, if, for any reason, your pet is separated from you during travel, the chances of reuniting with your pet significantly increase if you register your information in a microchip database. Third, mostcountries require that pets be microchippedand compliant microchips may be difficult to find should your pet ever leave the country. Microchipping is not required to import your pet to the Cook Islands; however,your pet must be microchipped to enter Australia, New Zealand or Fiji. The microchip should be a 15-digitwhich is compliant with International Standards Organization standard 11784 or Annex A of ISO standard 11785 prior to entering COUNTRY NAME. All documentation must reflect the microchip number. If your pet’s microchip is not ISO 11784/11785 compliant, importers can provide athat will read their pet’s microchip. Your veterinarian, a veterinary hospital or trained nurse should implant the microchip. Documentation should be provided as to the manufacturer of the microchip and registration instructions.
Vaccinations | Tests
Rabies vaccinations should be administered according to import requirements of Australia, New Zealand or Fiji and should be valid when entering the Cook Islands. The administering veterinarian should record vaccination information, sign and stamp one of the following documents depending on veterinary practices in the country of origin: a rabies certificatea government-issued vaccination booklet oran EU Pet Passport
Rabies Titer (Serology) Test
A rabies titer test, also known as a rabies antibody test or rabies serology test, is a blood test that measures the level of rabies antibodies in your pet’s blood. The test will assess the effectiveness of a rabies vaccination or determine your pet’s immune response to the rabies virus. When required, a licensed veterinarian will administer the test more than 30 days after the most current rabies vaccination. All cats and dogs must arrive in the Cook Islands with results of a rabies titer test administered not sooner than 3 months and not later than 24 months of import. Titer tests are also required to enter Australia, New Zealand and Fiji. Note that rabies titer test results or veterinary exemption letters are no substitution for proof of rabies vaccination.
Parasite Treatments
According to all preventative measures to ensure public health and the safety of your pet, treatments for internal and external parasites should be administered prior to entering Cook Islands. The treatment of pets for internal parasites, especially Echinococcus multilocularis, as well as external parasites (fleas and ticks) should be discussed with your veterinarian who will administer the treatments with products approved in the origination country. These treatments are required very shortly prior to travel. The administering veterinarian can record these treatments on the health certificate or issue you a record of treatment. Heartworm is present in the Cook Islands; however, prevention products that protect your pet against heartworm are not available so pet owners should bring those products with them.
Pet Health Certificate
All countries worldwide require an original health certificate (sometimes known as a Certificate of Veterinary Inspection) for live animals entering their country. The certificate should include the following information: details of your pet andvaccinations and treatments andveterinary attestations regarding symptoms of contagious diseases at the time of export. Further, your veterinarian must certify that your pet is healthy enough to travel and is not from a region that has been subject to rabies restrictions within the past 5 years. The health certificate must properly identify your pet. Your veterinarian will include additional details and treatments on the certificate. A licensed veterinarian in the origination country must complete the health certificate very shortly prior to import. Related: A government veterinarian must either issue the certificate or endorse the certificate after issuance by a licensed veterinarian. This official represents the agency in the origination country that is responsible for the import and export of live animals.
Import Permit
Pet dogs and cats entering the Cook Islands with their owners will need an import permit from the Ministry of Agriculture. The permit is valid for 6 months after issuance. Dogs must also be registered with local police once cleared for import.
Complete all 6 steps to enter Cook Islands with your pet
Requirements may change. Always verify with official sources before travel.
Is Quarantine Required for Pets in Cook Islands?
Not specified
What Additional Information Do I Need for Cook Islands?
- More Information:
Not specified
- Export Requirements:
These instructions do not reflect export requirements for your country. You should contact your veterinarian, customs, Embassy or the government responsible for the import and export of animals (usually the Ministry of Agriculture) for that information. We also have export requirements posted for many countries. You can select your country from the menu dropdown and scroll down to find themhere.
- Pets in the Cook Islands:
Pets are important members of many households, though the culture around pet ownership can vary between the different islands. Dogs are very popular in the Cook Islands, often kept as companions and for security purposes. Cats are also widely kept, appreciated for their companionship. Veterinary service is available on the main island of Rarotonga, and pet owners should familiarize themselves with theveterinarian on the island. Stray dogs and cats are an issue, particularly on the larger islands. Pet owners should take steps to protect themselves and their pets from exposure to stray animals.
- Flights to the Cook Islands:
Flights to the Cook Islands must originate in Australia, New Zealand or Fiji into Rarotonga International Airport. Commercial airlines that serve pets that fly to the Cook Islands are very limited and include Air New Zealand and Qantas.
- 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. The agency of the government that is responsible for the movement of live animals should either license or employ your veterinarian.
- Entering the Cook Islands by Air:
Pets must enter the Cook Islands by air via Rarotonga International Airport. Pets must enter as air cargo according toairline pet policies. Notification of arrival must be provided to the Ministry of Agriculture at least one working day prior to departure so inspectors will be available to inspect your pet and its passport documentation upon landing. This is especially important if your pet will be arriving outside of normal business hours.. Related:Is your pet’s crate IATA-compliant? Flights should be direct if the duration of the flight does not violate animal welfare laws. Whenever your pet travels to a foreign country like the Cook Islands, it is always advisable to carry some form of identification indicating ownership of your pet. All domestic dogs and cats must be free of evidence of disease communicable to humans when examined at the entry airport. A government veterinarian will provide further examination if your dog or cat is not in apparent good health when entering the Cook Islands. All costs associated with further inspections or treatments will be borne by the importer.
- Breeds Banned by the Cook Islands:
The following breeds are banned from import to the Cook Islands: Doberman Pitt Bull Terrier Bull Dogs Rottweiler, Brazilian Fila, Dog Argentino, Japanese Tosa, Perro de Presa Canario, American Pit Bull Terrier (any type), hybrid species (any type) or any other breed of dog that the police may specify from time to time.Hybrid species of cats are prohibited, except for Bengal cats with documentation proving 5th generation removed from the pedigree.
- Cook Islands Pet Import Requirements:
All steps required to import a pet dog or cat to Cook Islands must be completed in the country of origin. Complete steps 1-6 in the order given.
- Animals Eligible for These Requirements:
Unless otherwise stated, the regulations below apply to domestic dogs and cats including service and assistance dogs and cats. These regulations do not include the import of wolf hybrids, Savannah and Bengal cats, unless 5th generation removed from the pedigree. At the present time pets (cats and dogs only) can only be imported to the Cook Islands fromAustralia,New ZealandandFijiafter six months of residency in one of those countries. Cats and dogs are not allowed to enter the Cook Islands from any other country. There is no quarantine facility in Rarotonga.
- Quarantine for Pets Entering the Cook Islands:
Quarantine will not be imposed on your pet if the following regulations are met as there are no quarantine facilities in the Cook Islands. Pets not meeting import regulations will be returned to the origin country or euthanized. All costs are the responsibility of the importer.
- Importing Other Pet Animals to the Cook Islands:
The Cook Islands only classifies dogs and cats as pets. The import of other species of pets is not permitted.
- Importing Puppies and Kittens to the Cook Islands:
Puppies and kittens should not be vaccinated for rabies prior to 3 months of age. Minimum age of import to conform to Cook Islands pet import requirements is seven months of age. Related:More information on transporting a puppy.
- What is a Cook Islands Pet Import Requirements Pet Passport?:
A Cook Islands pet passport is a collection of documents that are required for dogs and cats entering the Cook Islands from other countries.This term is not to be confused with an official EU Pet Passport issued in the European Union for resident pets. Your pet’s passport will include proof of microchip, rabies vaccination and international export health certificate. Details of all Cook Islands pet import requirements can be found in the steps below.
- Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES):
The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) prohibits the trade of some species of animals, including pets. This is crucial if you have a pet that isn’t a dog or cat, and it’s crucial if it’s a turtle or a parrot. If this is the case, importers will have to submit additional permit applications. The agency that issues these permits is responsible for the protection of wildlife in your country. 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 Cook Islands last year with my French Bulldog and found the process straightforward and well-documented.
Michael Chen
January 3, 2025
Air travel to Cook Islands was a breeze and my cat had no issues. Highly recommend booking early!