Sanitary measures - Importing pets

Aruba allows import from dogs and cats from the USA under the following conditions:

The dog/cat must have:

1. Resided continuously in the USA for 6 months, immediately preceding the date of export to Aruba or
2. Been born and lived in the USA continuously if younger than 6 months of age at the date of export to Aruba or
3. Written exemption from the above by the Head of the Veterinary Service of Aruba

Application of the above mentioned legal requirements aims to prevent the import of dogs or cats from countries that are not allowed to export to Aruba (like all countries from Southern and Central America, Cuba, Haiti and the Dominican Republic) via the USA.

The dog/cat must be accompanied by a valid health certificate:

1. Original document as used by USDA
2. Not older than 2 weeks at date of import
3. Issued and signed by a licensed and (USDA) accredited veterinarian
4. The health certificate must clearly state name, initials, address and phone# of owner and issuing veterinarian, description of individual animal(s) (species, race, sex, age, color and external signs) and Chip/transponder #(AVID or ISO, required)¹_.           

Valid written proof of vaccination against rabies² stating:

1. Date of administration (at least one month, but not more than one year before the date of import in Aruba)
2. Name, lot# and expiration date of the rabies vaccine used
3. In animals, younger than 3 (three) months of age at the date of import in Aruba vaccination is not required and should then be replaced by a handwritten statement in the certificate of the issuing veterinarian stating: "Too young for rabies vaccination"
4. Statement that the animal either "has resided in the USA continuously during the 6 months prior to the date of export to Aruba" or if younger than 6 months of age "has resided in the USA continuously since birth"
5. Name, address, phone number and signature of the licensed veterinarian that administered the rabies vaccination, if different from the veterinarian, that issued the Health Certificate
6. Description of individual animal(s): species, race, sex, age, color and external signs
7. Chip/transponder # (AVID or ISO, required)¹

¹Chips or transponders, other than AVID or ISO are permitted, provided that the owner carries the appropriate reader in order to allow veterinarians or customs authorities to verify that issued pertain to the animal at hand.

²The rabies certificate data can be entered into the health certificate.

For more information on importation of other types of animals, visit the following links:

• http://aphis.usda.gov/regulations/vs/iregs/animals_aruba.shtml;
• www.cites.org