Jul
18

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Cost to import or export a pet to Costa Rica

Category: Animals, Leaving Costa Rica, Moving pets to Costa Rica, Moving to Costa Rica, Veterinary care Leave a Comment

The costs are ever-rising for pet transportation into and out of Costa Rica. It is always less expensive if the pet owner manages the move themselves but not everyone can do this because they are leaving either before or after their pets travel.

You must keep in mind that the most of the reason that costs are high because dogs and cats need to be hand carried through much of their travel. When you have a pet to leave Costa Rica for instance the pet must be carried through security and each check point before being hand-loaded onto the plane. Once your pet arrives at its destination or airport of transfer it must again be transported by airline employees from point A to point B.

Airfare for people is far less than that of pets because we can do our own walking through the airports and change planes without supervision of anyone. Also, people do not need to have someone to clear customs for them as they can do it themselves. We have to walk all over the airport to get through customs but we don’t have to be carried as the pets do.

Another item that contributes to the higher cost for transporting pets to destinations far away is the fact that we put pets on flights that are not too long. The long 12-15 hour flights we will not put a pet on because the time that they are in their kennel can exceed 20 + hours with the time that they have to be at the airport before departure and after arrival at their destination.

Animal travel is regulated by the Animal Welfare Act, USDA and TSA when traveling to or from Costa Rica so the animals are taken good care of along their journey but this is at a cost to the pet owner.

May
8

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Bird to Costa Rica

Category: Animals, Moving pets to Costa Rica, The Dark Side, Veterinary care Leave a Comment

I write a lot about animals coming into Costa Rica, but this is a subject close to my heart. This past week 3 birds FINALLY made it into Costa Rica after a year of toil and trouble with Costa Rica government issues. They came in last November only to be turned away after being given an import permit and being approved to enter by the government. It was a sad day last November when we had to put those babies back on a plane to the US. It was very scary too because the MAG threatened to euthanize them because they said that their papers were not in order. Again, after giving them permission (in 2 different forms) to come into the country.

About 3 weeks ago a woman brought a parrot into Costa Rica through the passenger terminal without as much as a health certificate. She didn’t have any paperwork whatsoever. Nothing, nada! And the dumb a…. in the US at the airport allowed her to get on the plane with the bird in cabin. (This is so illegal it is not even close to funny). When the bird arrived in the passenger terminal without and documents the woman and bird had a very serious problem. I was called to see if there was anything that I could do but without a health certificate the bird could not even go back on a plane to go back into the US.

There are international laws that protect parrots on the endangered species list from trafficking and this bird was one of those birds. There was no way to prove ownership of the bird, where it came from, where it was born, captive or wild, nothing. This bird, a pet of many years, was taken from the owner at the airport and euthanized, killed, destroyed!

This could have been prevented if the owner had done her due diligence and gotten the proper permits for her bird. This was not the fault of the Costa Rica government in this instance. It was the fault of the owner and the airline for letting her on the plane without any documents.

Getting everything right and in order IS a long, drawn out and expensive process to come into Costa Rica, but THIS is what happens when you don’t follow the laws of the country.

Another client of ours was more fortunate than this woman. She had her CITES permit from the US and her health certificate when she arrived. This was only a small portion of what is required to enter the country but she had enough to keep her baby alive. Laurel was allowed to board the plane and go back to the US with Jean Luc and we are now working on getting her blood tests and documents in order for his safe return in a month or so.

This same rule applies to dogs and cats. DO NOT run the risk of coming into the country without the proper paperwork. Your pet WILL be euthanized!!!! Costa Rica does not fool around with this stuff. It happens more times than the public will ever be aware of.

Apr
16

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Moving to Europe with Pets

Category: Animals, Leaving Costa Rica, Moving pets to Costa Rica, Uncategorized, Veterinary care Leave a Comment

Once you land in Costa Rica, most think that they are going to stay here forever.  Sometimes it doesn’t work out that way and for one reason or another you have to leave.  This is directed at those that are leaving to go to any European country with pets….

Costa Rica is not considered a rabies controlled country as is all of Central and South America.  Because of this, your dog  must undergo a blood test by your veterinarian or ours.  After this is done, the blood is sent off to University of Kansas in the US for the titre test.  It usually takes 3-4 weeks to get these results back, BUT…your pet CANNOT leave the country for 90 days from the date that the blood draw took place.

This is the case for the majority of European countries.  When you are going to England, Ireland, Sweeden or Malta, there is a completely different process.  Your pet MUST go into quarantine for 6 months as these are considered rabies free countries.  There is no way around this.  The only option that you would have is to move to the US for 7 months and do inhome quarantine and testing there.

When going to England, and many other countries, you must acquire and import permit.  There is also special documentation that is required to travel with your pet.  Without this paperwork, your pet can be returned to Costa Rica or if you cannot afford to pay the fare back, your pet WILL be euthanized.

This is why it is so important to work with someone that does this all the time.  So many of the veterinarians in Costa Rica will tell you they know just what needs to be done to get your pet to Europe then the pet is returned because the vet didn’t know what the heck he was talking about.

Don’t make the mistake so many others have made at the cost of losing a loved one.  Contact a local pet transportation specialist to help you with all of the documentation and following of the laws of the country of which you are entering.  They can work together with specialists in the country of which you are going to ease the process for everyone.

In Costa Rica there is one company that does this.  They are members of IPATA (Independent Pet and Animal Transportation Association)  If you are considering a move to Europe, please contact them so that all is done correctly.  www.worldpettravel.com or you can email to info@worldpettravel.com.

Check out the website and good luck with moving your animals in and around Europe.

Feb
1

By

Deposit Needed

Category: Animals, Living in Costa Rica, Moving pets to Costa Rica, Moving to Costa Rica, The Dark Side, Veterinary care Leave a Comment

World Pet Travel/Guardian Angels CR and many other pet transporters have encountered problems recently with people contacting us and asking for help with their international moves for their pets.

Just this week Frank and Susana Wheeler from London England, new to Costa Rica, refused to pay for the services that they requested that I have been working on for months in preparation of their pets and their relocation arrangements for housing which they requested me to find them temporary and permanent housing. Since these cats originated in Spain then went onto London and were on their way to Costa Rica there was quite a bit of time and effort put into this move.

Prior to the Wheelers, John and Mary Harding of Phoenix Arizona needed help getting their 13 cats to Costa Rica. After making all of the necessary arrangements with the airlines and customs, the Hardings decided that they did not want to pay WPT for their time or expenses. They would pay for the airline expense but that was it. This has happened 3 times this week and we have been out hundreds of dollars in international phone calls and other expenses involved and will not be reimbursed by these dishonest and cheating people.

For years we have done this at no charge to our client and have never had a problem with our clients following through on their obligation or proceeding with their moves.

As of late, many professional pet transporters including World Pet Travel/Guardian Angels CR have had a problem with people not following through on their move after we and other agents have gone through all the motions setting up the move.

Setting up an international move requires a lot of time, phone calls and contacts with agents and veterinarians in the destination country as well as the departure country. Often times we spend a minimum of 2-3 days pulling everything together for the move with the help of the airlines, other agents and brokers in the country of destination.

After we have made all of the necessary arrangements for this move, including setting up airline reservations and customs arrival requirements, many people have backed out of their obligation to make the move with our company and others. This seems to be a problem across the board with professional pet transporters that work together to insure the safest and most stress-free trip for your pet. If you read our blog, you know that we have been doing this successfully with 100’s of happy clients and 4 legged friends.

Because of this, we will be requiring a deposit from this point forward (February 1, 2008) to work up international moving arrangements for each pet.

World Pet Travel/Guardian Angels CR now requests a deposit of $50.00 per pet to move forward with making the necessary arrangements for your international move.

We are very sorry that it has come to this but at this point, we see no other way to be reimbursed for our expenses when someone backs out of their move at the last minute.

This fee will be credited to your move if you complete your move with us. If you back out at the last minute, your deposit will not be refunded.

Please note pet transportation when handled by a professional pet transporter is tax deductible.

Jan
31

By

Costa Rica Pet Transportation

Category: Animals, Leaving Costa Rica, Moving pets to Costa Rica, Moving to Costa Rica, Veterinary care Leave a Comment

I am very upset with the information that I have found on Costa Rica websites regarding importing pets to Costa Rica. This information is not only incorrect it will cause your pets to be put into quarantine or put down upon entry into the country.

One very well known website states that the laws importing birds changed in January 2008 and you are now allowed to bring your birds into Costa Rica but you can never take them out. This is completely and totally wrong according to the MAG (Ministry of Agriculture) in Costa Rica who oversees the importation and exportation of birds.

The laws have not changed since the embargo was put into place in late 2006. The only way to bring your bird into the country is to complete a ridiculous set of tests but the kicker is that you MUST have the flight tendon cut which will prevent your bird from ever being able to fly again. These rules have not changed as of last week. My last conversation with the MAG (the government office that controls the import and export of animals), people that do not meet these requirements will be taken away from the owner and put into quarantine and the owner will never be able to see them again.

None of these sites mention that you must have a CITES permit (CITES stands for the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora and more information can be found at http://www.cites.org/eng/disc/what.shtml . CITES is an international treaty drawn up in 1973 to protect wildlife against over-exploitation, and to prevent international trade from threatening species with extinction.) which is required by both the US government which takes 90 days to acquire (minimum) or the CITES that is required by the CR government. You must also get an export permit from the USDA in addition to the health certificate mentioned before you are permitted to leave the US with a bird on the endangered species list which covers just about all birds but cockatiels’ and parakeets.

This is a very hard lesson for someone that has had their birds for 20+ years and I hate like everything that the people that are running these websites are putting up bad information. They are obviously not looking out for the best interest of the animals but trying to please their readers by telling them what they want to hear.

Another website states in several places on their forum that all you need is a health certificate from your local veterinarian within 3 weeks of your arrival in Costa Rica. This is NOT true!!! You must have a health certificate from a USDA accredited vet then the USDA/APHIS form must be signed and sealed by the state USDA veterinarian. This document is only good for 10 days. If you happen to “slip” by customs with the wrong paperwork you are very lucky but unfortunately all of the MINAE quarantine facilities are overrun with animals that didn’t “slip” by. This same website advises their clients to contact the airlines to get the proper information on shipping your pet. The reservation agents with the airlines do not have knowledge of what is required by each country or Consulate to ship a pet to ANY country. If you talk to 5 different agents, you are guaranteed 5 different answers and NONE of them will be correct. The LAST person that you want to go to for information on shipping your pet is the airlines. Contact the closest USDA office to where you live http://www.aphis.usda.gov/animal_health/area_offices and they can give you the requirements for shipping your pets to any country if you choose not to use a professional pet transporter.

There are professional pet transporters for a reason. I have offices in the US and Costa Rica and get emails weekly from the different airlines with constant changes and updates on the requirements of the airlines. I am also registered with the USDA as an Intermediate Handler and the TSA as a known shipper as well as a member of IPATA which is an International Association of Pet Transporters. These are very difficult licenses to obtain and you do not get these licenses if you don’t know what you are doing.

If because of the expense involved, you do not want to hire a company like mine, please contact the USDA closest to where you live to get the correct information for shipping your pet in or out of Costa Rica. If you are going to a European Country, you would do better off to hire a pet transporter because there is a lot of hoops to jump through to get an animal from a third world country into any European Country and you need someone well versed and well connected to secure a safe transportation for your pet.

Jan
10

By

Horse Transportation

Category: Animals, Leaving Costa Rica, Living in Costa Rica, Moving pets to Costa Rica, Veterinary care Leave a Comment

Horse Transportation Worldwide

World Pet Travel Horse Transportation Division is dedicated to providing you with the highest quality transport service for your horses at competitive prices.

At World Pet Travel, we pride ourselves on providing you with trouble free transport for your horses from door to door.

Fly Horses on Demand

Most importantly, transport is arranged to suit your own personal requirements. We fly horses on demand. Subject to numbers and preparation requirements, we go when you want to go. And any inquiry you make with us is treated in the strictest confidence.

Veterinary Surgeons

World Pet Travel has close connections with qualified veterinary surgeons and road transport companies. However, you can elect to use your own preferred veterinarian and road transport company. World Pet Travel listens to your requirements and makes every possible effort to meet your needs.

Experienced Grooms

All shipments are accompanied by an Experienced Groom that is both licensed and well equipped to deal with any situation that may arise. All horses receive a high quality head collar and lead rope.

World Pet Travel can send your horses accompanied by a groom to almost any destination in the world from Costa Rica or the United States.

International Destinations

Some international destinations include:

• Costa Rica, Central and South America
• Sydney, Melbourne
• Singapore, Kuala Lumpur
• Tokyo, Sapporo
• Seoul
• Shanghai
• Israel
• Amsterdam, Frankfurt, London
• Bombay, Delhi
• Saudi Arabia

For a large numbers of horses, World Pet Travel can arrange to charter an aircraft for your exclusive use.

Horse Travel Within the Continental United States
Can Also be Provided by Air or Ground Transport.

Dec
15

By

Worldwide Pet Travel

Category: Living in Costa Rica, Moving pets to Costa Rica, Veterinary care Leave a Comment

Worldwide Pet Travel provides transportation services for pets moving both international and domestic.  We have offices in Costa Rica and in the Central United States and can move your pets from either location to anywhere worldwide. Focusing on your pet’s safety and comfort, our pet transportation specialists help you with every detail.

Relocating pets requires careful planning and gentle handling. Our animal relocation specialists have been helping pets reach their new homes since 1998. Emphasizing safety and comfort, we navigate the regulations, manage the paperwork and handle your pet with gentle hands and a soft voice.

Why use Worldwide Pet Travel?

Convenience is not the only reason to use a professional pet shipper. Knowing that every detail is being properly addressed is even a higher priority. Seeking the expertise of a professional can assure you piece of mind.

Inexperienced shippers will face complicated regulations. Did you know that regulations are set by the United States Department of Agriculture AND that individual airlines can set their own regulations for domestic travel? Do you realize international travel will have additional regulations set by consulates, customs and quarantine agencies? Are you aware that each of these policy setting agencies are free to change any policy they deem necessary and change it as often as they choose with no notice to the consumer?

None of these policy-setting agencies are required to govern the other. That means that not even the airline is required to share with you all of the set requirements needed to assure a smooth relocation of your pet.

Pets attempted to be shipped without ALL of the required regulations set by each of these individual agencies are subject to being:

1)Denied flying on their scheduled flight
2)Refused entry at the destination airport, and returned to their original origin
3)Not released from the airport after arrival
4)Put into unnecessary quarantine stations

Shipments with these types of complications are always upsetting for the pets’ family. These shipments can then become difficult or impossible to fix and are almost always very costly.

Worldwide Pet Travel goes to great lengths to make sure that your pets travel is stress free. We work with companies in corporate relocations for the family pets.

We are in constant communication with all policy making agencies; we work with them on daily basis. We confirm current airline regulations with every flight booked and know the best routing and aircraft available for pet travel. Our crate labeling system insures that your pet gets to the correct destination. We track the travel and confirm your pets’ safe arrival. In the unlikely event of an unforeseen circumstance we will know what to do and notify you immediately.

World Pet Travel works hand in hand with the pets’ owner to address each pets individual needs. We communicate with the pets owners at length so that there will be no unexpected surprises along the way.

We are pet care professionals first and foremost. Pet Travel is not just an additional service we provide it is THE ONLY service we provide and we do it well.

World Pet Travel formally named Guardian Angels CR has been satisfying our two legged and four legged customers since 1998 with both international and domestic moves.

* Registered, U.S. Department of Agriculture. All procedures meet or exceed USDA Animal Welfare Act specifications.
* Charter member, Independent Pet and Animal Transportation Association International (IPATA).

Oct
30

By

Birds Into CR

Category: Animals, Moving pets to Costa Rica, Veterinary care Tags: , , , Leave a Comment

Not many people learn of the Ministry of the Atmosphere and Energy or the MINAE unless they are bringing a bird or want to know something about the National Parks and Wildlife of Costa Rica.  The only reason I know anything about this entity is because I have a bird that is on the endangered species list so I have tried to familiarize myself with their organization.

Now I help other people with birds get them into Costa Rica.  It is not an easy process and requires approval from the MINAE to bring the birds in.  If you are leaving you need their permission to take your bird out of the country as well. All of this is in the form of a CITES permit. You also need a CITES permit from the US government but they are a little more regimented in the way they do things so that part is easy compared to Costa Rica procedures.

At the present time Costa Rica is not allowing any birds to enter the country because of the bird flu.  The way that they handle this is to turn off their fax machine and not return emails when you are making a request.  If you know who to contact (fortunately I do) you can get current information on the status of this latest problem.  I’ve been told it will be a couple of months before they allow birds in again.  We will see.

Jun
20

By

Veterinary care

Category: Animals, Veterinary care Leave a Comment

We have outstanding veterinarians in Costa Rica.  But note that anyone can call themselves a vet so you have to be careful that your vet is actually a vet and not just someone that has hung up a sign that has no license.

Our vet Juan Carlos with Pet Cafe I believe to be one of the best in the San Jose area. He cares so much for the animals and it shows, he’s not superficial at all. Juan Carlos has several clinics and rotates throughout the week.  In one of his clinic’s, in Belen, they serve all types of coffee treats for the owners while the pet is in with the vet.
Today I went to see Juan Carlos for health certificates for 2 dogs going to Moscow, Russia for a fraction of what the cost would be in the US.  While you get excellent care, the prices are excellent as well.  Very reasonable!!!