relocate from malaysia to st. lucia

Question
Dear Rachel We are planing to relocate from Malaysia to st. Lucia and want to know how it is done best and what we need. we have a rabies anti body test done 6 month ago in england, the two common vaccination and he is also chipped.

Answer
Hi Juergen,

Thank you for your inquiry.  Here are the current import requirements for a pet going into St. Lucia:

  1. The dog/cat must be electronically identifiable, having had an acceptable type of mirco-chip implanted. Microchips must conform to ISO standard 11784, and reader to ISO standard 11785. If the microchip does not conform to the standard, pet owners will need to provide their own microchip reader to enable the microchip to be read successfully.

  2.  The Dog/Cat must be vaccinated against rabies at or over three months of age using an inactivated and adjuvanted vaccine approved by the Veterinary Authority of the exporting country.

  3. A blood test to determine the rabies antibody titre must be carried out not less than 30 days after the date the vaccination was done.

  4. The blood sample must be sent to an approved laboratory facility. In order to qualify for permission, the blood test must show a rabies antibody titre equal to or greater than 0.5 IU/ml. The blood test reflecting successful results must have been done not more than 24 months prior to importation.

Your pet will not be allowed entrance until 6 months have passed from the date that your vet took the blood sample which led to a successful result.

The original copy of the laboratory result must accompany the Health Certificate.


  5. In the case of booster vaccinations, to remain qualified for entry, the animal must have been vaccinated against rabies not less than one month and not more than one year prior to export. If your pet has missed a rabies booster vaccination date, it will have to be vaccinated and blood tested again, and the 6 months wait will apply.

  6.  The Dog/Cat must be treated for endoparasites including tapeworms with an approved broad spectrum anthelmintic, and for ectoparasites including ticks, not less than 24 hrs and not more than 48 hrs before entry into St. Lucia.

  7.  The Dog/Cat must be accompanied by a valid Veterinary Health Certificate issued by a Veterinary Surgeon attached to the Veterinary Authority of the exporting country that shall also state that:

         * The dog/cat is in good health and free from symptoms of any prescribed or any other infectious or contagious diseases, and is free from external parasites.
         * Dog has been inoculated for common disease conditions, not less than two weeks prior to exportation: Canine Distemper, Leptospirosis, Hepatitis/Adenovirus, Parainfluenza, and Parvovirus.
         *  Dog has been inoculated and tested negative for Lyme Disease where applicable.
         *  Dog has been tested negative for heartworm, where applicable.
         *  Cat has been inoculated not less than two weeks prior to exportation for Feline Leukaemia, Feline Rhinotracheitis, Feline Calicivirus, Feline Panleukopenia and Feline Pneumonitis.



Dog/cat must be transported by Air Freight directly into St. Lucia and should not be in contact with any other animal on the flight except those for which similar permit has been issued.


Please note that:

a) Arrangements for Import Permits must be made in advance of travel date.

b) Animals failing to meet Import Requirements or entering without a permit will be refused entry or be humanely euthanized.

c) Please notify the Veterinary and Livestock Services Division of your port of entry, date, time and flight number at least 3 days in advance of your arrival date.


Chief Veterinary Officer

Email: vetunit@slumaffe.org

Good luck!

Rachel Farris
rachel@petrelocation.com