BELIZE

Pets

Dogs and cats can be brought into Belize without quarantine. Pet guardians must get a certificate from a veterinarian after an examination not more than 48 hours before to shipment stating that the animal is free from infectious diseases and has been vaccinated for rabies not less than one month and no more than six months before departure.

Cats and dogs require an import permit from the Agriculture Department Belmopan, Belize, attn. Chief Agricultural Officer, a General Health Certificate (issued within the last 14 days) and a rabies shots certificate (issued not less than 1 month or more than 1 year prior to date of importation). This certificate can be included in the General Health Certificate.

Bringing a pet into the country falls under live animal importation and is regulated by the Belize Agricultural Health Authority (BAHA). Domestic pets are allowed to enter the country provided their owners have a valid import permit, international veterinary certificate, a valid rabies vaccination certificate, and that their pets have been inspected by a quarantine officer.

To apply for an import permit, request an application form from the Permit Unit of the Belize Agricultural Health Authority, and then return the completed form to the same agency. The date of arrival must be specified. Approved permits will be faxed to the applicant at a cost to be paid at the point of entry on the day of arrival. If you don't follow this application process, you will be subject to a US monetary violation fine in addition to the US entry fee.

Small dogs and cats can usually be carried in the cabin of scheduled commercial airlines. For larger animals, American and Continental are two of the airlines flying into Belize that ship pets. Pets are transported in pressurized cargo holds. Charges vary depending on the weight of the animal. You can also drive through Mexico with your pets.

General Information

Belize, formerly British Honduras, is a country in Central America. Belize has a diverse society, composed of many cultures and speaking many languages. It is the only country in Central America where English is the official language. It is bordered by Mexico to the north, Guatemala to the south and west, the and Caribbean sea to the east. Kriol and Spanish are also widely spoken. With 8,867 square miles (22,960 km²) of territory and 320,000 people (2008 est.), the population density is the lowest in the Central American region and one of the lowest in the world. Belize is the least populous non-island nation outside of Europe.

Belize is located on the Caribbean coast of northern Central America. It shares a border on the north with the Mexican state of Quintana Roo, on the west with the Guatemalan department of Petén, and on the south with the Guatemalan department of Izabal. To the east in the Caribbean Sea, the second-longest barrier reef in the world flanks much of the 386 kilometres (240 mi) of predominantly marshy coastline. The area of the country totals 22,960 square kilometres (8,860 sq mi), an area slightly larger than El Salvador or Massachusetts. The abundance of lagoons along the coasts and in the northern interior reduces the actual land area to 21,400 square kilometers (8,300 sq mi).