Waiting for our Pet Travel Scheme

Dr Paul Cadogan, Contributor

Many dog and cat lovers in Jamaica have been frustrated by our old laws and regulations, which date back to 1948, governing the importation of these animals into Jamaica. Under these regulations, dogs and cats are only allowed in from the United Kingdom (UK) and Ireland, which were also rabies free.

While in the distant past we were well served by these statutes, helping us to maintain an enviable rabies-free status, in today's world of advanced vaccine technologies, testing procedures, and changed international practices, we are probably now at greater risk because of them.

The UK changed its pet-travel policies over a decade ago, implementing a scheme that allows dogs and cats from some rabies-infected countries to enter without the stressful six-month quarantine. Strict procedures for vaccination, testing, identification and certification were put in place and now thousands of pets enter and leave the UK freely. Other rabies-free Caribbean islands have already implemented similar policies.

changes necessary

Here in Jamaica, our changes have been years in the making, and the veterinary community has worked hard to get them through. But we are still waiting, and many people are still frustrated. Returning residents are unable to bring their pets home. Foreigners coming to Jamaica to work, tourists coming to visit cannot bring their pets and often do not come because of this. Dog breeders are unable to bring in new bloodlines that can revitalise their breeds, or are unable to take their animals abroad for dog shows - or if they do, they can't bring them back. We have waited patiently.

We need to have our regulations changed and our scheme implemented as soon as possible.