Pet travel route
Dog or cat from Hawaii (US) to the Dominican Republic
Possible. With nothing done yet, start at least 4 weeks ahead for a dog. The main steps: rabies vaccination (inactivated vaccine) from 90 days old, at least 30 days before departure, rabies vaccination within the 12 months before departure and vet examination within 72 hours before departure and 2 more.
Rules checked up to 12 October 2026From 4 official pages
In short
- Dogs and cats differ on this route: choose Dog or Cat to see just yours.
- On this route: parasite treatment before travel.
- No rabies blood test, import permit or quarantine on this route for a pet that meets the rules.
Limited official guidance. The authority for entering the Dominican Republic publishes little for this route. Everything it does say is here, with its wording. DIGEGA's page lists what the health certificate must state, but it doesn't say what happens when your pet arrives (inspection, fees), whether a pet travelling as cargo or without its owner needs anything more, or which vaccinations other than rabies are expected. Ask DIGEGA (809-535-9689) before you travel if any of these apply to you.
At a glance
How early to start (dogs)
4 weeks
if your pet has no microchip or rabies vaccination yet
Set by: Rabies vaccination (inactivated vaccine) from 90 days old, at least 30 days before departure (at least 30 days before the departure date)
No official wait
if it is already microchipped and vaccinated
The least time the official waiting periods allow. Vet, lab and paperwork appointments come on top.
On this route (dogs)
- No rabies blood test
- No import permit
- No quarantine
- Parasite treatment before travel
How early to start (cats)
4 weeks
if your pet has no microchip or rabies vaccination yet
Set by: Rabies vaccination (inactivated vaccine) from 90 days old, at least 30 days before departure (at least 30 days before the departure date)
No official wait
if it is already microchipped and vaccinated
The least time the official waiting periods allow. Vet, lab and paperwork appointments come on top.
On this route (cats)
- No rabies blood test
- No import permit
- No quarantine
- Parasite treatment before travel
Rule-change alertsChecked daily
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Rule change for pets travelling from Hawaii (US) to the Dominican Republic
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Hawaii (US) → Dominican Republic
What your pet needs
In the order you do them. Each step says whether Hawaii (US) (leaving) or the Dominican Republic (entering) asks for it.
Dogs
We haven’t verified the leaving side for Hawaii (US) yet: its official veterinary authority usually has to issue or endorse the health certificate.
Get ready
VaccinationEntering the Dominican Republic
Rabies vaccination (inactivated vaccine) from 90 days old, at least 30 days before departure
Your pet is vaccinated against rabies with an inactivated-virus vaccine, given at least 90 days after birth. After a first vaccination, wait 30 days before travelling: the vaccination must be at least 30 days before the departure date.
Details and the official words
“La vacuna debe ser de virus inactivado y administrada no más de 12 meses ni menos de 30 días antes de la fecha de salida.”
“Los cachorros deben haber recibido la vacuna contra la rabia al menos 90 días después del nacimiento (3 meses o 12 semanas) y esperar 30 días después de la vacunación antes de viajar.”
VaccinationEntering the Dominican Republic
Rabies vaccination within the 12 months before departure
The rabies vaccination on the certificate must be no more than 12 months before the departure date, even if your pet's vaccine is valid for longer. If your pet's last shot will be older, give a booster before you travel. An adult dog with a history of rabies vaccination and boosters doesn't need to wait 30 days after the booster; a cat does.
Details and the official words
Add the date of your pet's most recent rabies shot to check this.
DIGEGA's exemption from the 30-day wait names adult dogs only, so we apply the 30 days to every cat's vaccination.
“La vacuna debe ser de virus inactivado y administrada no más de 12 meses ni menos de 30 días antes de la fecha de salida.”
“Los perros adultos con antecedentes de vacunación contra la rabia y dosis de refuerzo no necesitan esperar 30 días después de la vacunación.”
In the days before you travel
Vet examEntering the Dominican Republic
Vet examination within 72 hours before departure
A vet examines your pet within the 72 hours before the departure date and finds it free of infectious or contagious diseases. By then it must already have been treated against internal and external parasites.
Details and the official words
“El animal fue examinado dentro de las 72 horas previas a la fecha de salida. Se determinó que no padecía enfermedades infecciosas o contagiosas y que había recibido tratamiento contra parásitos externos e internos.”
Vet examLeaving Hawaii (US)
Use a USDA-accredited veterinarian
Only a USDA-accredited veterinarian can issue your pet's international health certificate. Tell them the destination, any transit countries, your departure date and whether the pet travels in the cabin or as cargo.
Details and the official words
“contact a USDA-accredited veterinarian as soon as you decide to travel”
TreatmentEntering the Dominican Republic
Internal and external parasite treatment before the vet examination
Your pet is treated against internal and external parasites before the vet examines it. The certificate names the dewormers with their manufacturer and active ingredients. DIGEGA gives no time window: ask your vet.
Details and the official words
“El animal fue examinado dentro de las 72 horas previas a la fecha de salida. Se determinó que no padecía enfermedades infecciosas o contagiosas y que había recibido tratamiento contra parásitos externos e internos.”
“El certificado debe especificar: las vacunas administradas y el control de parásitos internos y externos (los desparasitantes deben especificar el fabricante y los principios activos).”
PaperworkHawaii (US) and the Dominican Republic
Vet's health certificate, endorsed by an official vet at the port of embarkation
A vet issues and signs a health certificate after the examination, and an official vet at the port of embarkation endorses and stamps it. It gives the name and address in the Dominican Republic of the person accompanying the pet, the pet's full identification (name, breed, sex, colour, date of birth, microchip and/or tattoo), the vaccinations given and the parasite treatments. Attach the vaccination record with the vaccine labels (batch number, manufacture and expiry dates).
Details and the official words
DIGEGA's page places the official endorsement at the port of embarkation. In many countries the official vet endorses certificates before you go to the airport (in the US, USDA APHIS): ask your country's official veterinary service how it endorses a certificate for the Dominican Republic.
USDA APHIS endorsement: Your accredited vet submits the certificate to USDA APHIS (usually electronically through VEHCS) for endorsement; the endorsement date counts as the issue date for the destination.
“Los animales deben ir acompañados de un certificado sanitario expedido y firmado por un veterinario. Este certificado debe ser refrendado y sellado por un veterinario oficial en el puerto de embarque.”
“El certificado debe contener el nombre y la dirección de la persona que acompaña al animal en la República Dominicana y la identificación completa del animal (nombre, raza, sexo, color, fecha de nacimiento, microchip y/o tatuaje).”
“Debe ir acompañado de un registro de vacunación con las etiquetas de las vacunas, incluyendo el número de lote, la fecha de fabricación y la fecha de caducidad.”
“assist you through the process of obtaining a USDA-endorsed pet health certificate”
Good to know
- USDA: destination requirements can change at any time — check them every time you travel.
- Coming back to the U.S. with your dog? Your destination is high-risk for dog rabies, so get the 'Certification of U.S.-Issued Rabies Vaccination' from a USDA-accredited vet BEFORE you leave — it can't be issued afterwards.
Cats
We haven’t verified the leaving side for Hawaii (US) yet: its official veterinary authority usually has to issue or endorse the health certificate.
Get ready
VaccinationEntering the Dominican Republic
Rabies vaccination (inactivated vaccine) from 90 days old, at least 30 days before departure
Your pet is vaccinated against rabies with an inactivated-virus vaccine, given at least 90 days after birth. After a first vaccination, wait 30 days before travelling: the vaccination must be at least 30 days before the departure date.
Details and the official words
“La vacuna debe ser de virus inactivado y administrada no más de 12 meses ni menos de 30 días antes de la fecha de salida.”
“Los cachorros deben haber recibido la vacuna contra la rabia al menos 90 días después del nacimiento (3 meses o 12 semanas) y esperar 30 días después de la vacunación antes de viajar.”
VaccinationEntering the Dominican Republic
Rabies vaccination within the 12 months before departure
The rabies vaccination on the certificate must be no more than 12 months before the departure date, even if your pet's vaccine is valid for longer. If your pet's last shot will be older, give a booster before you travel. An adult dog with a history of rabies vaccination and boosters doesn't need to wait 30 days after the booster; a cat does.
Details and the official words
Add the date of your pet's most recent rabies shot to check this.
DIGEGA's exemption from the 30-day wait names adult dogs only, so we apply the 30 days to every cat's vaccination.
“La vacuna debe ser de virus inactivado y administrada no más de 12 meses ni menos de 30 días antes de la fecha de salida.”
“Los perros adultos con antecedentes de vacunación contra la rabia y dosis de refuerzo no necesitan esperar 30 días después de la vacunación.”
In the days before you travel
Vet examEntering the Dominican Republic
Vet examination within 72 hours before departure
A vet examines your pet within the 72 hours before the departure date and finds it free of infectious or contagious diseases. By then it must already have been treated against internal and external parasites.
Details and the official words
“El animal fue examinado dentro de las 72 horas previas a la fecha de salida. Se determinó que no padecía enfermedades infecciosas o contagiosas y que había recibido tratamiento contra parásitos externos e internos.”
Vet examLeaving Hawaii (US)
Use a USDA-accredited veterinarian
Only a USDA-accredited veterinarian can issue your pet's international health certificate. Tell them the destination, any transit countries, your departure date and whether the pet travels in the cabin or as cargo.
Details and the official words
“contact a USDA-accredited veterinarian as soon as you decide to travel”
TreatmentEntering the Dominican Republic
Internal and external parasite treatment before the vet examination
Your pet is treated against internal and external parasites before the vet examines it. The certificate names the dewormers with their manufacturer and active ingredients. DIGEGA gives no time window: ask your vet.
Details and the official words
“El animal fue examinado dentro de las 72 horas previas a la fecha de salida. Se determinó que no padecía enfermedades infecciosas o contagiosas y que había recibido tratamiento contra parásitos externos e internos.”
“El certificado debe especificar: las vacunas administradas y el control de parásitos internos y externos (los desparasitantes deben especificar el fabricante y los principios activos).”
PaperworkHawaii (US) and the Dominican Republic
Vet's health certificate, endorsed by an official vet at the port of embarkation
A vet issues and signs a health certificate after the examination, and an official vet at the port of embarkation endorses and stamps it. It gives the name and address in the Dominican Republic of the person accompanying the pet, the pet's full identification (name, breed, sex, colour, date of birth, microchip and/or tattoo), the vaccinations given and the parasite treatments. Attach the vaccination record with the vaccine labels (batch number, manufacture and expiry dates).
Details and the official words
DIGEGA's page places the official endorsement at the port of embarkation. In many countries the official vet endorses certificates before you go to the airport (in the US, USDA APHIS): ask your country's official veterinary service how it endorses a certificate for the Dominican Republic.
USDA APHIS endorsement: Your accredited vet submits the certificate to USDA APHIS (usually electronically through VEHCS) for endorsement; the endorsement date counts as the issue date for the destination.
“Los animales deben ir acompañados de un certificado sanitario expedido y firmado por un veterinario. Este certificado debe ser refrendado y sellado por un veterinario oficial en el puerto de embarque.”
“El certificado debe contener el nombre y la dirección de la persona que acompaña al animal en la República Dominicana y la identificación completa del animal (nombre, raza, sexo, color, fecha de nacimiento, microchip y/o tatuaje).”
“Debe ir acompañado de un registro de vacunación con las etiquetas de las vacunas, incluyendo el número de lote, la fecha de fabricación y la fecha de caducidad.”
“assist you through the process of obtaining a USDA-endorsed pet health certificate”
Good to know
- USDA: destination requirements can change at any time — check them every time you travel.
Money
What it costs
Government fees exactly as the official pages state them, and what vets and labs in Hawaii (US) publish for the steps above. The two are never added together.
Government fees on this route
USDA APHIS health certificate endorsementLeaving United States101 USD
“Number of Pets Associated Fee per Certificate 0 Any $101 per certificate 1-2 1 $160 1-2 2 or more $160 for the first pet, plus $10 for each additional pet on the same certificate.”
Cost to endorse your pet's health certificate · as of 2026-06-18
Government fees in total: 101 USD (each currency separately)
What vets and labs charge Not official figures
Vet examinationyour vet · for: vet examination within 72 hours before departure, use a USDA-accredited veterinarian25–87 USD
the United States: 4 published prices
- Humane Fort Wayne (Fort Wayne, IN): Wellness exam: $25 spayed/neutered pet, $45 intact pet 1 year and older25–45 USD · per pet · read 2026-10-12
- WesternU CVM Pet Health – Spay & Neuter Center (Los Angeles, CA): Wellness exam (required for each pet)40 USD · per pet · read 2026-10-12
- Humane Society of Southern Wisconsin (Janesville, WI): Exam fee, taken as a non-refundable booking deposit of $46.42 ($44 + tax)44 USD · per appointment (plus tax) · read 2026-10-12
- The Pet Doctors of Sherman Oaks (Sherman Oaks, CA) – price sheet on the practice's JotForm: Exam required with health-certificate services (not charged on the new-patient consult, where the exam is included)87 USD · per pet · read 2026-10-12
Parasite treatmentyour vet · for: internal and external parasite treatment before the vet examination7–30 USD
the United States: 3 published prices
- Humane Society of Southern Wisconsin (Janesville, WI): Dewormer: pyrantel $7, ponazuril $15 (not a tapeworm drug)7–15 USD · per dose · read 2026-10-12
- WesternU CVM Pet Health – Spay & Neuter Center (Los Angeles, CA): Pyrantel dewormer (roundworm/hookworm, not tapeworm); flea/tick control listed at $15–$5015 USD · per treatment · read 2026-10-12
- Sacramento SPCA (Sacramento, CA): Praziquantel tapeworm treatment, one treatment: $20 cats, $30 dogs (listed in the spay/neuter 'Other Services' table headed 'PRICING EFFECTIVE JUNE 1, 2017')20–30 USD · per treatment · read 2026-10-12
Rabies vaccinationyour vet · for: rabies vaccination (inactivated vaccine) from 90 days old, at least 30 days before departure, rabies vaccination within the 12 months before departure15–29 USD
the United States: 4 published prices
- WesternU CVM Pet Health – Spay & Neuter Center (Los Angeles, CA): Rabies vaccine as a wellness service (wellness exam $40 required; prices effective 13 Jan 2025)15 USD · per dose · read 2026-10-12
- Sacramento SPCA (Sacramento, CA): Rabies vaccine for a dog (cats also $20) at a low-cost vaccine appointment20 USD · per dose · read 2026-10-12
- Humane Fort Wayne (Fort Wayne, IN): Rabies vaccine (1-year); a wellness exam is required20 USD · per dose · read 2026-10-12
- Humane Society of Southern Wisconsin (Janesville, WI): Rabies vaccine: 1-year $21, 3-year $29 (3-year needs proof of current rabies vaccination); exam fee extra21–29 USD · per dose · read 2026-10-12
Health certificate (vet’s fee)your vet · for: vet's health certificate, endorsed by an official vet at the port of embarkation289.50–1,250 USD
the United States: 6 published prices
- The Pet Doctors of Sherman Oaks (Sherman Oaks, CA) – price sheet on the practice's JotForm: International health certificate (Hawaii, Guam, all countries except Canada/Mexico); exam $87 and set-up consult ($165–$354) are extra; additional pet on the same certificate $265289.50 USD · per pet · read 2026-10-12
- Pittsfield Veterinary Clinic (Ann Arbor, MI): Completion of the international health certificate at the final IHC exam (planning time $50–$150 and required treatments billed separately)300 USD · per certificate · read 2026-10-12
- Clarendon Animal Care (Arlington, VA): International health certificate appointment (vet fee); USDA VEHCS submission/endorsement billed on top at $154–$355; $150 retainer at booking410 USD · per appointment · read 2026-10-12
- Polk Street Animal Hospital (San Francisco, CA): International health certificate appointment; excludes tests, medications, vaccines, treatments and USDA endorsement fees (Canada/Mexico certificate $170)750 USD · per appointment · read 2026-10-12
- Boca Park Animal Hospital (Las Vegas, NV): Health certificate all-in from $990: exam, certificate by USDA-accredited vet, USDA review/endorsement and overnight shipping (page on the practice's kinsta.page web host)990 USD · per certificate (starting price) · read 2026-10-12
- Meadowlands Veterinary Hospital – travel inquiry form on the practice's JotForm: International travel appointment incl. exam, USDA documents, USDA endorsement and shipment when required; vaccines/tests/treatments extra; $250 deposit (Canada/Mexico from $485)1,125–1,250 USD · per appointment (starting price) · read 2026-10-12
Prices that businesses publish on their own pages, quoted as we read them; yours can differ. Ranges are the lowest to highest of these examples, never our estimate. How we collect prices
If you need them Not official figures
Travel cratea pet shop or the airline139.99–269.99 USD
- Petmate (petmate.com): Petmate Sky Kennel, 28" (28 x 20.5 x 21.5 in), weight range 25-30 lbs as the page states; page says it complies with the IATA Live Animals Regulation (51st edition, 2025); manufacturer's own online store139.99 USD · read 2026-10-13
- Petmate (petmate.com): Petmate Sky Kennel, 40" (40 x 27 x 30 in), weight range 70-90 lbs as the page states; IATA LAR-compliant per the page; manufacturer's own online store269.99 USD · read 2026-10-13
Pet shipper, door to doora pet relocation company3,395–10,000 USD
- Starwood Pet Travel: Published starting price for relocating 1 pet (dog) from the USA to the UK with Starwood Pet Travel; the page calls it a starting estimate and says final costs vary3,395 USD · read 2026-10-13
- PetRelocation, Inc.: Published pricing example: door-to-door move of 1 small pet from the United States abroad with PetRelocation (Complete Relocation Support); the page says vet visits and a travel crate are not included5,975–10,000 USD · read 2026-10-13
- PetRelocation, Inc.: Published worked example: one small dog moving from the United States to Singapore with PetRelocation Complete Support, total of required costs plus service fee; the page calls these estimates based on typical cases7,500 USD · read 2026-10-13
Airline fees aren’t included: check your airline’s pet page.
Round trip
Coming back to Hawaii (US)
Nothing for the trip back has to happen before your pet leaves Hawaii (US).
The trip back asks for 7 steps: rabies vaccination #1, rabies vaccination #2 (a booster, more than 30 days before arrival), rabies antibody blood test (OIE-FAVN) and a 30-day wait and tick treatment within 14 days before arrival and more.
Nearby routes
Other routes
Where this comes from
Official sources
Questions owners ask
Does my dog or cat need a rabies blood test to go from Hawaii (US) to the Dominican Republic?
No. The official rules we have verified for this route don't ask for a rabies blood test.
Do I need an import permit to bring my dog or cat into the Dominican Republic?
No. The official rules we have verified for this route don't ask for an import permit.
Will my dog or cat be quarantined in the Dominican Republic?
Not on the routes we have verified: the official rules list no quarantine for a pet that meets the requirements.
How early should I start preparing my pet for Hawaii (US) to the Dominican Republic?
With nothing done yet, start at least 4 weeks ahead for a dog. The main steps: rabies vaccination (inactivated vaccine) from 90 days old, at least 30 days before departure, rabies vaccination within the 12 months before departure and vet examination within 72 hours before departure and 2 more.
Every rule here is quoted from the official page and checked word for word; not legal advice. How we verify · Report a mistake
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