Bringing Your Pet to Panama
We were very curious about what it takes to get your pet into Panama. When I was looking into Costa Rica, because we are getting a bird soon, I was dismayed to learn that while we could bring a bird in, we could not take it back out again. So far, I have seen no similar restrictions with birds in Panama. That is not to say that it’s easy to bring your bird, dog or cat, or other pet into the country.
Based upon conversations I have had with pet owners here, you would be wise to consider using a pet relocation service, probably out of Panama City. There is a great deal of paperwork associated with bringing your pet and it has to be letter perfect. For example, you have to get a current health certificate from your vet stating that the pet is in good health and has received a rabies vaccine in the past year. (Hopefully that doesn’t apply to birds, too!) The form then somehow has to get to a Panamanian Consulate’s Dept. of Agriculture and get stamped. (I’m not really clear about this step. Maybe someone who has done it could help clarify?) Then, before your pet arrives in Panama, you have to apply for a “Home Quarantine” permission, so your pet doesn’t have to be boarded for a period of time. I believe I was told the pet may then be kept indoors at your home for the necessary quarantine period. I understand this is generally handled by your relocation agent.
Upon your pet’s arrival in Panama, your pet is met by a government-appointed vet, who either turns the pet over to you or if your flight arrives after hours, takes custody of the pet overnight.
I’m sure this is not an inexpensive process, and would love some comments from pet owners in Panama as to the cost of this process overall and any snafus to watch out for.
Also, when scheduling your pet’s airline travel, you should be aware that if you want your pet to travel in the cabin with you, most airlines only allow 2 pets in the cabin on any given flight, so arrangements must be made well in advance. Additionally, there is a 10 pound limit, including the carrier for cabin travel. No problem for my bird, but big cats and most dogs breeds will end up having to travel in the cargo hold. Friends of mine who brought several cats over had to arrange for cargo travel, and though they were initially quite concerned, they said the airline took excellent care of their pets.
Curiously, we learned that pet supplies are purchased at the hardware store or a dedicated pet shop. You won’t find your pet’s food, toys, bedding, etc at the department or grocery store, so don’t bother looking!
Anything I left out, expats? Please let me know.
The grocery stores now carry a good supply of dog and cat foods and some bird foods, and even some meds. Once you know what you are doing, travel with a pet is not nearly as bad as imagined and much less expensive to do it yourself than use a pet service.
Barbara, Can you go in and out with a pet fairly easily? If I wanted to become a part time resident of Panama and skip most of the wet season, could I do it with a bird?
I did a little research into pets going to foreign countries when I researched the possibility of living in Luxembourg awhile back. Turned out that it was going to cost over $10,000 to get my two dogs and a cat there, and only about $1500 to get ME there. Yikes!