PUERTO RICO

Pets

Each animal or fowl introduced into the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico shall be accompanied by a certificate issued and endorsed within 30 days of the date of shipment (dogs and cats are exempt from the endorsement requirement) and the certificate shall contain:

(a) an accurate description of the animals or fowl, including individual identification number, age, sex, breed, tattoos, and ear notches, as appropriate.

(b) the date and results of laboratory or other tests and name of the approved laboratory or person conducting the test.

(c) date of vaccination and vaccines used

(d) the name and address of the consignee, consignor, origin, and destination

(e) a statement that the animals are free from symptoms of infectious, contagious, or communicable disease and exposure thereto

(f) any statements required elsewhere in this summary pertaining to specific species of animals.

Effective December 1, 1988, each shipment of animals covered in these regulations, except for dogs, cats, and privately own pet birds will require a permit number. Permit numbers will be granted by telephone at (787) 796-1650. Persons wishing to receive a permit number for a consignment should call between 8:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Atlantic Standard Time. Information required to receive a permit number will be consignor complete name, telephone number, and mailing address, shipping company, and date of shipment and arrival, number breed, and origin of animals, consignee, telephone number, and physical address of destination in Puerto Rico. Permit numbers must appear on all copies of the health certificate.

Accredited veterinarians or veterinarians employed by the State or by the United States Department of Agriculture may issue certificates. Certificates must be endorsed by the Chief Animal Health Official or by the Veterinarian in Charge of the State of origin before shipment.

General Information

Puerto Rico literally Associated Free State of Puerto Rico —, is a self-governing unincorporated territory of the United States located in the northeastern Caribbean, east of the Dominican Republic and west of the Virgin Islands. Puerto Rico is composed of an archipelago that includes the main island of Puerto Rico and a number of smaller islands and keys, the largest of which are Vieques, Culebra, and Mona. The main island of Puerto Rico is the smallest by land area and second smallest by population among the four Greater Antilles, which also include Cuba, Hispaniola, and Jamaica.