Pets in the Cayman Islands

Importing Pets, Cayman Veterinarians, Pet Grooming

Importing your pet to the Cayman Islands

The process for importing your animals can be very hard, but if you follow these instructions then it will be a piece of cake. You need to start the procedure six months previous to shipment. All dogs and cats being imported need to have An Import License. If your cat/dog needs an Import Permit you need to:

1. Your pet must have had an suitable type of ID microchip built-in
2. Your pet must have had shots against rabies using a permitted inactivated vaccine. This vaccine should be done no less 30 days nor more than 1 year previous to shipment.
3. Your pet has to get a blood test showing that there is a serum anti-body level of at least .5IU.ml. This must bear the animals permanent ID
4. Submit an application to Ministry of Agriculture in your home town for the Official Health Certificate submission form to bring a pet into the Cayman Islands
5. 14 days prior to departure you must have a recognized vet fill in these forms. Your pest must then treat your animal for tapeworms and ticks. A vet will charge about $30 to fill out these forms.
6. You then have to fax in the applications, and a copy of the rabies report, to the Official Health Certificate. The application fee is $50. This can be paid through money order, or bank draft.

Limitations of Pets in the Cayman Islands.

There are specific countries from which dogs or cats are not allowed. These countries are: Asia, Africa, Central and South America, Mexico, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico and Haiti. Besides this, there are also some breeds of dogs that are not allowed including: Mallanois, Japanese Tosa, Dogo Argentino, Fila Brasileiro, Chinese Shar-pei, Pit-Bull terrier, Japanese Akita, Staffordshire, Mastiff. If all these dogs are already on the island they must be spayed or neutered, Micro-chipped, and a=have a rabies shot. 

Animals on Planes arriving to Grand Cayman.

Not all airlines permit pets. British Airlines allows pets at a cost $110 per carrier. If you have a dog or a cat that is small and can fit in the same carrier that is permissible.  Some airlines allow for small pets to sit underneath a seat, this is allowed but it is not recommended because it may bother other passengers. The carrier must be approved by the Airport Transport Association. All dogs residing in the Cayman Islands for more than 30 days must have a license from the Department of Agriculture. Feline Aids comes about in the Cayman Islands. Heartworm is very dangerous as it is caused by mosquitoes. You can purchase monthly tablets to give to you cat or dog to recent that

For more information on Grand Cayman Pets.

If you are in the UK then you can get help from the Pets helpline at www.defra.gov.uk/animalh/qauraantine/index.htm or you can email them at pets.helpline@defra.gsi.gov.uk. Their phone number is +44 (0) 870 241 1710, they are available from 8:30am to 5:00pm Monday-Friday. You can also get a hold of Liz Walker: 945-6719. Her fax is 949-9080, and her email address is ewalker@candw.ky.

Finding a pet in Grand Cayman

If you want a pet when you get to the Cayman Islands they are obtainable over here. If you are looking for a cat or a dog then the first place you should look at is the Humane Society. They always have a large variety of puppies, kittens, and full-grown animals. If you need help adopting local vets can help you. There are no breeders on the island so far. If you are looking for small pets you can find them at Animal House (943-7387), Nembhard’s Pets (949-7908), or even Petique (949-7296)

Veterinarians in Grand Cayman

In the Cayman Islands we have two veterinary clinics:

1. Cayman Animal Hospital:

PO Box 1499 GT, 394 Crew Rd

George Town, Grand Cayman

Tel: 946-8387 Fax: 945-6719

2. Island Veterinary Services

PO Box 2316 GT, Eden Center

Walkers Road, Grand Cayman

          Tel/Fax: 949-0787

Kennels in Grand Cayman

You have a couple of choices when it comes to kennels. You can either go the Cayman Pet Paradise or you can go to Petsitters Boarding House. People on the island love pets and more than willing to help out. The Cayman Pet Paradise charges $18/day for a dog and $12/day for cats. The Petsitters Boarding House charges $14/day for a do or $7/day for cats.

Pet Grooming

If you cat or dog needs grooming then you can go to the following places

• Bark and Call: 943-7387
• Cayman Pet Paradise: 947-1334
• Melanie: 949-9256

Grooming normally consists of a bath, nail cutting, and ear cleaning. Trimming and tick dipping is optional.  Grooming normally costs $40 but if you want them to come to your house they will charge an extra $20.

Sources: Cayman Journals,  Cayman Islands Government  and  Enonomics and Stats office.