Bringing a pet to Dominican Republic

Last reviewed October 2, 2026

The Dominican Republic applies the same dog-import rules regardless of the origin country's rabies status: no quarantine, no rabies titer test, and no import permit. A dog must arrive with a current rabies vaccination certificate and a health certificate issued by an official government veterinarian within 10 days of arrival. The health certificate must be in Spanish or legalized by a Dominican consulate or apostilled. Airline rules, especially for brachycephalic breeds and cargo travel, may be stricter than government rules.

Requirements for your pet

Showing requirements for a dog travelling from United States to Dominican Republic.

Microchip
Not required
Rabies vaccine
Required
From 12 weeks old, wait 21+ days before travel
Rabies titer test (FAVN)
Not required
Quarantine
None
Health certificate
Required
Official government veterinarian (e.g., USDA APHIS for US-origin dogs, or equivalent national authority) · valid 10 days before arrival
Import permit
Not required

Breed restrictions

The Dominican Republic does not ban any dog breeds at the national level. Some airlines restrict brachycephalic breeds such as pugs, bulldogs, and boxers from cargo travel, especially in hot months. Check with your airline before booking.

Documents checklist

  • Rabies vaccination certificate showing vaccination at least 21 days before travel and still valid
  • Health certificate issued by an official government veterinarian within 10 days of arrival
  • Dominican consulate legalization or apostille of the health certificate if it is not in Spanish

Rough budget

Rough estimates only: rabies vaccination about US$20-50, health certificate about US$100-200, consular legalization or apostille about US$50-100, and optional microchip about US$30-50. No titer test, import permit, or quarantine fee applies. Confirm current prices with your veterinarian and the Dominican consulate.

No quarantine, titer test, or import permit. The health certificate must be issued within 10 days of arrival and legalized or apostilled if not in Spanish. A microchip is not a government requirement, but airlines may require one.

Apply / official dog import page

Microchip
Not required
Rabies vaccine
Required
From 12 weeks old, wait 21+ days before travel
Rabies titer test (FAVN)
Not required
Quarantine
None
Health certificate
Required
Official government veterinarian (e.g., USDA APHIS for US-origin dogs, or equivalent national authority) · valid 10 days before arrival
Import permit
Not required

Breed restrictions

The Dominican Republic does not ban any dog breeds at the national level. Some airlines restrict brachycephalic breeds such as pugs, bulldogs, and boxers from cargo travel, especially in hot months. Check with your airline before booking.

Documents checklist

  • Rabies vaccination certificate showing vaccination at least 21 days before travel and still valid
  • Health certificate issued by an official government veterinarian within 10 days of arrival
  • Dominican consulate legalization or apostille of the health certificate if it is not in Spanish

Rough budget

Rough estimates only: rabies vaccination about US$20-50, health certificate about US$100-200, consular legalization or apostille about US$50-100, and optional microchip about US$30-50. No titer test, import permit, or quarantine fee applies. Confirm current prices with your veterinarian and the Dominican consulate.

No quarantine, titer test, or import permit. The health certificate must be issued within 10 days of arrival and legalized or apostilled if not in Spanish. A microchip is not a government requirement, but airlines may require one.

Apply / official dog import page

Microchip
Not required
Rabies vaccine
Required
From 12 weeks old, wait 21+ days before travel
Rabies titer test (FAVN)
Not required
Quarantine
None
Health certificate
Required
Official government veterinarian (e.g., USDA APHIS for US-origin dogs, or equivalent national authority) · valid 10 days before arrival
Import permit
Not required

Breed restrictions

The Dominican Republic does not ban any dog breeds at the national level. Some airlines restrict brachycephalic breeds such as pugs, bulldogs, and boxers from cargo travel, especially in hot months. Check with your airline before booking.

Documents checklist

  • Rabies vaccination certificate showing vaccination at least 21 days before travel and still valid
  • Health certificate issued by an official government veterinarian within 10 days of arrival
  • Dominican consulate legalization or apostille of the health certificate if it is not in Spanish

Rough budget

Rough estimates only: rabies vaccination about US$20-50, health certificate about US$100-200, consular legalization or apostille about US$50-100, and optional microchip about US$30-50. No titer test, import permit, or quarantine fee applies. Confirm current prices with your veterinarian and the Dominican consulate.

No quarantine, titer test, or import permit. The health certificate must be issued within 10 days of arrival and legalized or apostilled if not in Spanish. A microchip is not a government requirement, but airlines may require one.

Apply / official dog import page

Frequently asked questions

No. The Dominican Republic does not require a rabies titer test for dogs from any country. A current rabies vaccination certificate showing vaccination at least 21 days before travel is sufficient.
No. There is no quarantine for dogs entering the Dominican Republic, regardless of the origin country's rabies status. Your dog can enter after border inspection.
There is no published numeric limit for personal pets, but bringing more than 5 dogs may be treated as commercial and require additional import permits and veterinary inspections. For 1-2 dogs, the standard rabies vaccination certificate and health certificate are sufficient.
No. Service dogs and emotional support animals must meet the same government requirements as other dogs: a rabies vaccination certificate showing vaccination at least 21 days before travel and a health certificate issued within 10 days of arrival. Airline cabin policies may differ.
You need: (1) a rabies vaccination certificate showing vaccination at least 21 days before travel and still valid; (2) a health certificate issued by an official government veterinarian within 10 days of arrival; and (3) Dominican consulate legalization or apostille of the health certificate if it is not in Spanish. No import permit is required.
No. The Dominican Republic does not require a microchip for dogs entering the country. Some airlines require one for identification, so check with your carrier. If implanted, an ISO 11784/11785 compliant microchip is standard.
The health certificate must be issued within 10 days of your dog's arrival in the Dominican Republic. If travel is delayed beyond that, a new certificate is required.

Showing requirements for a cat travelling from United States to Dominican Republic.

Microchip
Not required
Rabies vaccine
Required
From 12 weeks old, wait 21+ days before travel
Rabies titer test (FAVN)
Not required
Quarantine
None
Health certificate
Required
Licensed veterinarian endorsed by the origin country's official veterinary authority (e.g. USDA APHIS, DEFRA, or equivalent) · valid 10 days before arrival
Import permit
Not required

Documents checklist

  • Rabies vaccination certificate showing vaccination at least 21 days before arrival and not expired
  • International health certificate issued within 10 days of arrival and endorsed by the origin country's official veterinary authority

Rough budget

Approximate ranges: health certificate ~$100-200, rabies vaccination ~$20-50. No microchip, titer test, import permit, or quarantine fee applies in this tier. Confirm current prices with a local vet and the Dominican Republic Ministry of Agriculture.

For cats from countries with negligible rabies risk (e.g. Andorra, San Marino, Vatican City). Rabies vaccination and an endorsed health certificate are required; no titer test, import permit, or quarantine.

Apply / official cat import page

Microchip
Not required
Rabies vaccine
Required
From 12 weeks old, wait 21+ days before travel
Rabies titer test (FAVN)
Not required
Quarantine
None
Health certificate
Required
Licensed veterinarian endorsed by the origin country's official veterinary authority (e.g. USDA APHIS, DEFRA, or equivalent) · valid 10 days before arrival
Import permit
Not required

Documents checklist

  • Rabies vaccination certificate showing vaccination at least 21 days before arrival and not expired
  • International health certificate issued within 10 days of arrival and endorsed by the origin country's official veterinary authority

Rough budget

Approximate ranges: health certificate ~$100-200, rabies vaccination ~$20-50. No microchip, titer test, import permit, or quarantine fee applies in this tier. Confirm current prices with a local vet and the Dominican Republic Ministry of Agriculture.

For cats from low-risk countries (e.g. USA, UK, Japan, Australia). Rabies vaccination and an endorsed health certificate are required; no titer test, import permit, or quarantine.

Apply / official cat import page

Microchip
Not required
Rabies vaccine
Required
From 12 weeks old, wait 21+ days before travel
Rabies titer test (FAVN)
Not required
Quarantine
None
Health certificate
Required
Licensed veterinarian endorsed by the origin country's official veterinary authority (e.g. USDA APHIS, DEFRA, or equivalent) · valid 10 days before arrival
Import permit
Required

Documents checklist

  • Rabies vaccination certificate showing vaccination at least 21 days before arrival and not expired
  • International health certificate issued within 10 days of arrival and endorsed by the origin country's official veterinary authority
  • Import permit from the Dominican Republic Ministry of Agriculture

Rough budget

Approximate ranges: health certificate ~$100-200, rabies vaccination ~$20-50, import permit ~$50-100. No microchip, titer test, or quarantine fee applies in this tier. Confirm current prices with a local vet and the Dominican Republic Ministry of Agriculture.

For cats from high-risk rabies countries (e.g. Thailand, Russia, most of Africa). An import permit from the Dominican Republic Ministry of Agriculture is required; rabies vaccination and an endorsed health certificate are also required. No titer test or quarantine.

Apply / official cat import page

Frequently asked questions

No. The Dominican Republic does not require a rabies titer test for cats from any country. A valid rabies vaccination certificate showing vaccination at least 21 days before arrival is sufficient.
No. The Dominican Republic does not mandate a microchip for cats. If your cat is microchipped, an ISO 11784/11785 compliant chip is recommended for international consistency.
There is no published limit for non-commercial travellers. Bringing more than 5 cats may be treated as a commercial import with additional requirements; contact the Ministry of Agriculture in advance if you plan to bring multiple cats.
No. The Dominican Republic does not grant exemptions for emotional support or service animals. All cats must meet the same requirements: valid rabies vaccination and an endorsed health certificate.
The health certificate must be issued within 10 days of arrival and endorsed by the official veterinary authority of the origin country (e.g., USDA APHIS for the USA, DEFRA for the UK).
An import permit is not required for cats from free or low-risk rabies countries, but it is required for cats from high-risk rabies countries. The permit is issued by the Dominican Republic Ministry of Agriculture; apply at least 2-4 weeks before travel.
No. The Dominican Republic does not have breed-specific restrictions for cats. All breeds are allowed entry if they meet the general health and vaccination requirements.

Showing requirements for a ferret travelling from United States to Dominican Republic.

Microchip
Required
ISO 11784/11785
Rabies vaccine
Required
From 12 weeks old, wait 21+ days before travel
Rabies titer test (FAVN)
Not required
Quarantine
None
Health certificate
Required
Official government veterinarian or accredited veterinarian endorsed by the origin country's competent authority · valid 10 days before arrival
Import permit
Not required

Minimum age: 3 months

Documents checklist

  • Rabies vaccination certificate showing vaccination at least 21 days before travel
  • International health certificate issued within 10 days of travel and endorsed by the origin country's competent authority
  • Microchip certificate or proof of ISO 11784/11785 microchip

Rough budget

Approximate ranges: microchip ~$30-50, health certificate ~$100-200, rabies vaccination ~$20-50. No titer test or import permit is required for this tier. Confirm current prices with a local vet and the Dominican Republic Ministry of Agriculture.

Ferrets are not explicitly listed in Dominican Republic's pet import regulations but are generally treated as pets. No quarantine on arrival if documents are complete.

Apply / official ferret import page

Microchip
Required
ISO 11784/11785
Rabies vaccine
Required
From 12 weeks old, wait 21+ days before travel
Rabies titer test (FAVN)
Not required
Quarantine
None
Health certificate
Required
Official government veterinarian or accredited veterinarian endorsed by the origin country's competent authority · valid 10 days before arrival
Import permit
Not required

Minimum age: 3 months

Documents checklist

  • Rabies vaccination certificate showing vaccination at least 21 days before travel
  • International health certificate issued within 10 days of travel and endorsed by the origin country's competent authority
  • Microchip certificate or proof of ISO 11784/11785 microchip

Rough budget

Approximate ranges: microchip ~$30-50, health certificate ~$100-200, rabies vaccination ~$20-50. No titer test or import permit is required for this tier. Confirm current prices with a local vet and the Dominican Republic Ministry of Agriculture.

No rabies titer test or import permit is required for ferrets from low-risk countries. No quarantine on arrival if documents are complete.

Apply / official ferret import page

Microchip
Required
ISO 11784/11785
Rabies vaccine
Required
From 12 weeks old, wait 21+ days before travel
Rabies titer test (FAVN)
Required
Blood draw 90+ days before travel
Quarantine
None
Health certificate
Required
Official government veterinarian or accredited veterinarian endorsed by the origin country's competent authority · valid 10 days before arrival
Import permit
Required

Minimum age: 3 months

Documents checklist

  • Rabies vaccination certificate showing vaccination at least 21 days before travel
  • FAVN rabies titer test result (titer ≥ 0.5 IU/ml) from an approved laboratory
  • International health certificate issued within 10 days of travel and endorsed by the origin country's competent authority
  • Import permit issued by the Dominican Republic Ministry of Agriculture
  • Microchip certificate or proof of ISO 11784/11785 microchip

Rough budget

Approximate ranges: microchip ~$30-50, health certificate ~$100-200, rabies vaccination ~$20-50, FAVN titer test ~$100-250, import permit fee ~$50-100. No quarantine fee applies. Confirm current prices with a local vet and the Dominican Republic Ministry of Agriculture.

Ferrets from high-risk countries require a rabies titer test and an import permit. Obtain the permit before travel. No quarantine on arrival if all documents are in order.

Apply / official ferret import page

Frequently asked questions

Yes. Ferrets are not explicitly listed in the regulations but are generally treated as pets. You will need a rabies vaccination certificate, a health certificate issued within 10 days of travel, and an ISO 11784/11785 microchip. An import permit is required only for ferrets from high-risk rabies countries. Contact the Dominican Republic Ministry of Agriculture in advance to confirm current requirements.
The Dominican Republic does not specify a maximum number of pets for non-commercial import. Bringing more than 5 ferrets may be considered a commercial import, which can require additional permits and inspections. Check with the Ministry of Agriculture if you plan to bring more than a few.
No. The Dominican Republic does not exempt emotional support or service animals from standard import requirements. All ferrets must meet the same health and vaccination criteria. Airlines may have separate cabin policies, but the country's import rules apply equally.
A rabies titer test (FAVN) is required only if your ferret is coming from a country considered high-risk for rabies. For low-risk or rabies-free countries, no titer test is needed. If required, the blood sample must be taken at least 30 days after the first rabies vaccination and at least 90 days before travel, and the result must show a titer of at least 0.5 IU/ml.
The health certificate must be issued within 10 days of arrival in the Dominican Republic and endorsed by a government veterinarian or an accredited veterinarian authorized by the origin country's competent authority.
No. There is no quarantine for ferrets entering the Dominican Republic if all import requirements are met. If documents are incomplete or the animal appears unhealthy, it may be detained or refused entry.
The ferret must be at least 3 months old and vaccinated against rabies at least 21 days before travel. The rabies vaccine must be given when the ferret is at least 12 weeks old.

Good to know

No import permit and no quarantine are required for dogs entering the Dominican Republic. Required documents are a rabies vaccination certificate showing vaccination at least 21 days before travel and still valid, plus a health certificate issued by an official government veterinarian within 10 days of arrival. If the health certificate is not in Spanish, it must be legalized by a Dominican consulate or apostilled. Airlines may impose additional requirements such as microchips or breed restrictions.

Airline rules & connecting flights

Government import rules are only half the picture — your airline sets its own pet policy on top of them: whether your petcan fly in the cabin at all, size/weight limits for the carrier, breed embargoes (many airlines refuse brachycephalic breeds like bulldogs and pugs in cargo), and seasonal heat restrictions. Check your specific airline's pet policy before booking — see IATA's Traveler's Pet Corner .

If your flight has a layover, the transit country can have its own pet rules — sometimes these apply even if you never leave the airport. If you're transiting through another country on the way to Dominican Republic, check that country's pet-entry/transit rules separately (search "pets" on this site for that country too).

For guidance only. Pet import rules change without notice and a wrong step can mean quarantine or a refused entry for your animal — always confirm current requirements with Dominican Republic's official veterinary/agriculture authority and your airline before travelling.