🇩🇴 Pet Import to Dominican Republic

The Dominican Republic requires pets entering the country to carry an official international veterinary health certificate along with proof of current rabies vaccination, with prior notification or an import permit through the Ministry of Agriculture often required, particularly for entry through smaller airports. Microchipping is not universally mandated but is increasingly recommended. No standard quarantine applies to pets with complete, valid documentation. The most common failure points are health certificates issued too far in advance of the actual travel date and inconsistent enforcement between the country's major international airports (Santo Domingo, Punta Cana, Santiago), which can create confusion for travelers arriving at less pet-experienced entry points. Given the popularity of Punta Cana as a resort destination, tourists occasionally underestimate that pet import rules still apply despite the relaxed general tourist entry process; confirming current requirements before travel is recommended.