Are you planning a move to Costa Rica, but have no idea what is required to bring your pets with you? At CostaRicaLandToday, we have the Cliff Notes version of this information below, so do not feel daunted by all the technical jargon. Not only did we bring our pets here and on board the plane with us, but we know a few unpublished tricks to help you with this transition as well.

Here are the requirements that need to be met to ensure a safe and easy transition for your pets to Costa Rica:

1. Your veterinarian must be approved by the government veterinary authority in your country. For example, if an animal is departing the United States, the veterinarian must be USDA Accredited.

2. You should obtain a Pet Immigration Form ahead of time from the Ministry of Agriculture (Ministerio de Agricultura y Ganadería) in Costa Rica. The form costs 20,000 colones (US $40.00) and is good for only a one-month period from the date of issue. A USDA endorsement is required – the form must be sent to your local USDA for their stamp of approval. You should have this form with you when you pass through customs at the airport in Costa Rica. Don’t worry – your vet will probably have these forms.

3. All animals need to have the following vaccination certificates:

· Dogs: Distemper, Hepatitis (CAV-2), Leptospirosis, Parainfluenza, Parvovirus (DHLPP), Coronavirus, and a Rabies vaccination administered within the last 12 months and at least 30 days before arrival.

· Cats: Feline Viral Rhinotracheitis, Calicivirus, Panleukopenia (Feline Distemper) (FVRCP), and a Rabies vaccination administered within the last 12 months and at least 30 days before arrival.

(The Costa Rican government will not acknowledge a three-year rabies vaccine)

· Birds: As of January 2008, Costa Rica is now allowing the importation of birds after many months of not allowing any bird to enter the country. Although you may now bring your birds to Costa Rica, you will never be permitted to export them. Therefore, you should be 100% sure that Costa Rica is for you as you will not be able to change your mind later and take your birds with you to any other country.

Parrots require import permit (Permiso de Importación) issued by the Ministry of Agriculture (M.A.G). Parrots must have been in the possession of the owner for at least six months. A Government Veterinary Certificate, issued by the nearest Costa Rican Consulate, is required stating that the parrots come from an area free of Psittacosis, Ornithosis, Salmonella, and any other contagious diseases.

4. International Health Certificate – this is an international health certificate that needs to be completed by your veterinarian within 10 days of departure. This certificate must be signed and sealed by the government of your country. If an animal is departing the United States, the certificate needs to state that the US is free of African Horse Sickness and Rift Valley Fever and that your pets have not traveled to regions affected with these diseases. An additional USDA endorsement is required on the APHIS Form 7001 Health Certificate – the form must be issued by a USDA approved veterinarian and sent to your local USDA for their stamp of approval.

5. Your pets must have all their immunological tasks up to date, and you must have approval from the Zoonosis section of the Costa Rican Health Department (mainly registration procedures). All veterinary documents must be approved by the Costa Rican Embassy or Consulate closest to you, and they must be presented to immigration – along with the animals – upon arrival in Costa Rica.

6. Pet Quarantine Permit – the quarantine permit must be issued by the Ministry of Agriculture and Animal Control (Ministerio de Agricultura y Ganadería). It costs US $22.00 per pet. You can file for this permit prior to your pets’ arrival through a Custom Agency, in person if you are already in Costa Rica, or through a third party that represents you. Cats and dogs are subject to quarantine for up to 6 months.

7. A personal letter stating your pets’ market value or a document that proves it such as an invoice.

8. All original documentation must travel with the pets.

9. You can bring your pets on most airlines as checked baggage if you plan to fly with them on the same flight. They will take the place of one of your checked bags although they will be kept in a separate area from your luggage. The port for the pets is pressurized and the temperature is controlled so that your pets are as comfortable as possible during the flight.

10. If you can’t fly with your pets, you will need to send them as manifested cargo. This is really safe, and your pets will do just fine whichever way you need to send them.

11. Coming into Costa Rica, you will probably need assistance with clearing customs from a specialist who is accustomed to handling the importation of animals to ensure that your pets are released from the customs warehouse in only a few hours.

12. Please note that sedating your pets is absolutely forbidden by all airlines. Sedating your pets for the trip can be fatal to them.

Pet relocation can be the least stressful part of your trip for you and your pets if you use the services of a pet relocation expert. Please visit our relocation specialists, who will guide you through the whole process of relocating your pets and the paperwork involved, at http://relocationcr.com/. And remember, your vet has probably done this a hundred times and more than likely he/she has the paperwork in their office and will ask only the specifics requested by Costa Rica. Stress not!

Pura Vida!