So, you want to come to Panama and you are thinking of the most important things to bring with you. Whether relocating here permanently, or coming for an extended vacation - your pets will love it here as much as you do. To get the pup, cat or other animal of your choice here, is just a series of steps (read paperwork) that you have to take care of and we at Panama Coast Property are here to help you in any way possible. We have successfully relocated dogs here and look forward to helping you bring your creatures here as well. Panama actually has the strictest guidelines regarding bringing pets into the country, but do not let this deter your decision. Your furry family member will undoubtedly spring into a new step being here as the beaches are fun to run on, the mountains are great for climbing and dogs are welcome most anywhere. Trained dogs are a rare sight down here, so you might be able to show off some tricks.
This will be a step by step process, therefore a longer blog than most.
The quick and easy of this situation:
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.
Now, this is how the process should go, if you follow it, this process will go easily and stress free for you and your furry creature.
First, you will need to contact the Panamanian Embassy - this needs to be done two weeks prior to arrival. The information that needs to be in this letter is as follows:
a. Your name and your pet's name.
b.When you are arriving, what airline, what time, etc.
c. You need to apply for home quarantine - this is the easy part as you do not want your pet to be in the airport, in its travel cage for 30 days.
d. IMPORTANTE: If entering through Aeropuerto Internacional de Tocumen an attorney or acquaintance in Panama has to request an exemption from quarantine in writing before the health minister 2 weeks before the trip - indicating arrival and pet information. The request must be submitted hand-delivered at PETA-MINSA (Proteccion de Alimentos of Ministerio de Salud, at former Gorgas US Army Hospital, tel. 562-1671)
Next, you need to schedule a vet's appointment that will be 10 days or less before you leave for Panama. I would suggest you do it as close to 10 days as possible, because there are a few more steps that you will need to take that will take 2-3 business days because of mailing forms. At the vet's office, you will need to get a 7001 form filled out. This is a certificate of health from the vet. Only vets have it, this form is not online for download. Here you can get your rabies vaccination updated and the appropriate paperwork that shows you have the vaccination. I suggest getting several copies of the 7001 and the rabies form from you veterinarian.
After you have gotten this form and the rabies vaccination, you need to take these forms to a local USDA Animal Health Office to get them properly stamped by an official. Please visit this website for information on your local office http://www.aphis.usda.gov/animal_health/area_offices/
Now, you have all the steps completed in the US, except for one last mailing. You need to mail those stamped documents to the Consulate General of Panama office in the US. There are a few, so please choose the closest one. You will need to provide $30 payment in check or money order, and a self-addressed envelope to return all paperwork. This entire process will take about 4 business days of mailing, so make sure you take that into account. Go to the Embassy of Panama website and check out the closest local office. http://www.embassyofpanama.org/cms/consulates3.php
Alright, now you have all the paperwork done. Breath a sigh of relief and get your little furry creature mentally prepared to travel.
A few items and suggestions include:
1. Make sure your crate is big enough for your animal - there needs to be at least 3 inches above the head when the animal stands up. Petmate makes crates that airlines accept.
2. Put absorbent material inside the cage
3. Put something of yours that has your scent in the cage - a t-shirt worn for a few days, a small blanket, etc.
4. Make sure there is food and water. My suggestion is to freeze a liter bottle of water and then poke holes in the bottle so it slowly melts over the journey. This can all be collected in a bowl that the bottle sits in. On the food front, please do not feed your pet 6 hours prior to the flight - this will help with digestion and not initiating an upset stomach.
5. Make sure you fly into the airport when the local veterinarians are working. 9 AM to 3 PM and 7 to 10 PM. If you do not arrive during these times, make special arrangements with the local vet to be there. If you do not, your pet will sit in its cage until the vet returns.
6. One final suggestion - if you have a dog that gets nervous or anxious, please do not consider any sort of tranquilizer. If you must do something for your sanity, I suggest Rescue Remedy, a natural valerian root remedy for dogs. It is quite similar to B-Complex and Kava Kava for people. Also, ask suggestions from you trusty vet of you want more information.
The last bits of information:
Once you fly into Panama City, get ready to go to the Ministerio de Salud and the Ministerio de Agricultura in the airport.
After you pass through customs (la aduana), you need to go upstairs in the airport to the security station (la estacion de seguridad). Give them a photo ID and receive a security pass to go back into the main part of the airport. The offices are right inside as you go back into the main part of the airport. You will see crates by the offices. Go through the process of the paperwork and paying $130 for your animal to be home quarantined.
Afterwards, take your pet out and go to your desitnation!!!!!
Please feel free to contact us with any questions!!!
Places that you might want to research:
Ministry of Health - ministerio de salud
Ministry of Agriculture - ministerio de agricultura
This will be a step by step process, therefore a longer blog than most.
The quick and easy of this situation:
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.
Now, this is how the process should go, if you follow it, this process will go easily and stress free for you and your furry creature.
First, you will need to contact the Panamanian Embassy - this needs to be done two weeks prior to arrival. The information that needs to be in this letter is as follows:
a. Your name and your pet's name.
b.When you are arriving, what airline, what time, etc.
c. You need to apply for home quarantine - this is the easy part as you do not want your pet to be in the airport, in its travel cage for 30 days.
d. IMPORTANTE: If entering through Aeropuerto Internacional de Tocumen an attorney or acquaintance in Panama has to request an exemption from quarantine in writing before the health minister 2 weeks before the trip - indicating arrival and pet information. The request must be submitted hand-delivered at PETA-MINSA (Proteccion de Alimentos of Ministerio de Salud, at former Gorgas US Army Hospital, tel. 562-1671)
Next, you need to schedule a vet's appointment that will be 10 days or less before you leave for Panama. I would suggest you do it as close to 10 days as possible, because there are a few more steps that you will need to take that will take 2-3 business days because of mailing forms. At the vet's office, you will need to get a 7001 form filled out. This is a certificate of health from the vet. Only vets have it, this form is not online for download. Here you can get your rabies vaccination updated and the appropriate paperwork that shows you have the vaccination. I suggest getting several copies of the 7001 and the rabies form from you veterinarian.
After you have gotten this form and the rabies vaccination, you need to take these forms to a local USDA Animal Health Office to get them properly stamped by an official. Please visit this website for information on your local office http://www.aphis.usda.gov/animal_health/area_offices/
Now, you have all the steps completed in the US, except for one last mailing. You need to mail those stamped documents to the Consulate General of Panama office in the US. There are a few, so please choose the closest one. You will need to provide $30 payment in check or money order, and a self-addressed envelope to return all paperwork. This entire process will take about 4 business days of mailing, so make sure you take that into account. Go to the Embassy of Panama website and check out the closest local office. http://www.embassyofpanama.org/cms/consulates3.php
Alright, now you have all the paperwork done. Breath a sigh of relief and get your little furry creature mentally prepared to travel.
A few items and suggestions include:
1. Make sure your crate is big enough for your animal - there needs to be at least 3 inches above the head when the animal stands up. Petmate makes crates that airlines accept.
2. Put absorbent material inside the cage
3. Put something of yours that has your scent in the cage - a t-shirt worn for a few days, a small blanket, etc.
4. Make sure there is food and water. My suggestion is to freeze a liter bottle of water and then poke holes in the bottle so it slowly melts over the journey. This can all be collected in a bowl that the bottle sits in. On the food front, please do not feed your pet 6 hours prior to the flight - this will help with digestion and not initiating an upset stomach.
5. Make sure you fly into the airport when the local veterinarians are working. 9 AM to 3 PM and 7 to 10 PM. If you do not arrive during these times, make special arrangements with the local vet to be there. If you do not, your pet will sit in its cage until the vet returns.
6. One final suggestion - if you have a dog that gets nervous or anxious, please do not consider any sort of tranquilizer. If you must do something for your sanity, I suggest Rescue Remedy, a natural valerian root remedy for dogs. It is quite similar to B-Complex and Kava Kava for people. Also, ask suggestions from you trusty vet of you want more information.
The last bits of information:
Once you fly into Panama City, get ready to go to the Ministerio de Salud and the Ministerio de Agricultura in the airport.
After you pass through customs (la aduana), you need to go upstairs in the airport to the security station (la estacion de seguridad). Give them a photo ID and receive a security pass to go back into the main part of the airport. The offices are right inside as you go back into the main part of the airport. You will see crates by the offices. Go through the process of the paperwork and paying $130 for your animal to be home quarantined.
Afterwards, take your pet out and go to your desitnation!!!!!
Please feel free to contact us with any questions!!!
Places that you might want to research:
Ministry of Health - ministerio de salud
Ministry of Agriculture - ministerio de agricultura
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