Tourists planning a journey with a pet should be aware of the import policy of the destination country. Before visiting Honduras, you will need to collect all essential documents and check your pet’s health. In this article, you will find requirements that apply only to the import of dogs and cats. Other species such as reptiles, birds, etc. can be imported under other special requirements.

To prepare your pet for the journey, consider the following requirements:

· Travelers with pets (dogs or cats) must obtain the veterinary health certificate, in original and its copy. The veterinary health certificate proves that the pet is completely healthy, has no signs of infectious diseases, has no fresh wounds, and is ready for the journey. Therefore, the pet must be examined by an authorized veterinarian in your country;

· The pet must be treated against ectoparasites and endoparasites within 30 days prior to the journey;

· It is important to vaccinate the pet on time against rabies and other dangerous diseases. The pet owner must obtain a vaccination certificate that includes all records about the current vaccines such as the date of the immunizations, and the type and brand of product used;

· If you travel with a dog or a cat under 3 months of age you have to provide the veterinary health certificate and the vaccination certificate with records of vaccinations that correspond to the age of the pet;

· Pets must be carried in clean and disinfected cages or containers that comply with international regulations.

Pets must be vaccinated within 30 days prior to the journey against the following diseases:

a) Dogs:

· Distemper;

· Canine hepatitis;

· Leptospirosis;

· Parvovirus;

· Rabies (animals older than 3 months);

· Parainfluenza.

b) Cats:

· Feline panleukopenia;

· Calicivirus;

· Rhinotracheitis;

· Feline leukemia;

· Rabies (animals older than 3 months).

Please note that the documents should match the data of your pet such as age, breed, color, and sex to avoid delays or denial of entry.

Upon entry to Honduras, tourists with pets undergo the following procedure:

1. First, you present all the documentation that identifies the pet to the official quarantine inspector at the point of entry.

2. Next, the animal is examined for the presence of infectious diseases and parasites.

3. Once the documentation has been checked, and if verified, there is no evidence of communicable diseases or parasites, the pet will be allowed to enter the country. After the procedure, you have to inform the officer of the passport or other travel document number, and the address where you are going to stay in Honduras.

4. If the animal is not in a good health, it will not be allowed to enter the territory of the country.

5. A healthy pet that does not meet pet import requirements will be denied entry as well until its owner presents the required documentation.

6. A healthy pet that does not have the required documentation and that is entering the territory national by air or sea will be accepted only if an authorized veterinarian in Honduras issues a veterinary health certificate for the pet and the pet undergoes a mandatory quarantine for at least 10 days.

7. All expenses associated with the importation, inspection, or quarantine of the pet shall be borne by its owner or authorized representative. The cost of the inspection at the point of entry is 250 L.

People who want to enter Honduras with dogs or cats for commercial purposes need to request an import permit, present a copy of the veterinary medical health certificate and vaccination card, prior to arrival in the territory of the country and must answer the services of a Physician Veterinarian to perform fiduciary quarantine for a minimum of 10 days.