Adopting A Dog From Belize: A Guide For Prospective Pet Parents

Adopting a dog from Belize is a great way to give a loving home to a dog in need. There are many dogs in Belize that are looking for their forever homes, and by adopting, you can help to reduce the number of stray and homeless dogs in the country. One popular place to adopt a dog from Belize is the SAGA Humane Society, which often has puppies and adult dogs available for adoption. When adopting a dog from Belize, it's important to consider the specific needs of the dog, including any vaccinations or medical treatments they may require. It's also crucial to provide a safe and comfortable space for your new dog to adjust to their new home.

Required vaccinations for dogs

To adopt a dog from Belize, you will need to ensure that the dog has all the necessary vaccinations. The specific vaccinations your dog will need depend on the country you are travelling to and any specific health risks in that country. Here is a list of the required and recommended vaccinations for dogs when travelling from Belize:

Required Vaccinations:

• Rabies: Dogs must have a valid rabies vaccination certificate. The vaccination should be administered between 30 days and 12 months prior to entering the country.
• Distemper
• Hepatitis
• Leptospirosis
• Parvovirus

Other Recommended Vaccinations:

In addition to the required vaccinations, it is highly recommended that dogs travelling from Belize be vaccinated against the following:

• Hepatitis A
• Rabies pre-exposure (if spending a lot of time outdoors or in close contact with animals)
• Ticks and tapeworm treatment (within 30 days of entering)
• Influenza
• COVID-19
• Chickenpox/Varicella
• MMR (Measles, Mumps, Rubella)
• Polio
• Tetanus
• Hepatitis B

Applying for an import permit

To apply for an import permit for your dog, you must submit an application to the Belize Agricultural Health Authority (BAHA). You can either send your application by fax to 011-501-822-0271 or by email to [email protected]. The application should be processed within about seven days, but it is recommended to follow up if you do not hear back within this time frame. Once your application is approved, you will need to pay a fee to receive the import permit.

It is important to note that the import permit does not guarantee entry into Belize. Your dog will undergo a quarantine inspection at the port of entry, and you will need to pay an additional fee for this veterinary inspection. The port of entry must be Philip S.W. Goldson International Airport in Ladyville, regardless of your final destination within Belize.

To obtain the import permit, you will need to provide various documents, including a valid international veterinary health certificate issued within 14 days of travel and a valid rabies certificate issued between 30 days and 12 months prior to entering Belize. The rabies vaccination must be valid for at least one month and no more than one year prior to the date of importation.

Additionally, your dog must be treated for ticks and tapeworm within 30 days of entering Belize, and you must provide a statement that your dog is free from ehrlichiosis (tick-borne diseases). It is also strongly recommended to have your dog microchipped before travelling, although this is not a requirement for entry into Belize.

Make sure to notify the Director of Animal Health at least two days in advance of your arrival. Veterinary inspections at the port of entry are only conducted during daylight hours, typically between 9 am and 4 pm.

Preparing your dog's kennel

To prepare your dog's kennel for the journey to Belize, you'll need to ensure it meets the requirements of the airline you're travelling with. Kennels need to be properly ventilated, with ventilation on all four sides. They also need to be the correct size for the type of aircraft you're flying on, so check with your airline that the kennel will fit in the cargo hold. The kennel should be labelled and contain secured food and water dishes, with a large ziplock bag of dry kibble and a leash taped to the top.

In terms of general kennel preparation, it's important to establish good habits from the beginning. It's recommended that you purchase a quality dog kennel before your dog arrives so that they can bond with it from day one. Puppies need a safe, familiar place to help them feel secure, and a kennel can provide this. Sleep is important for a young dog, so consider adding a soft bed to an insulated dog kennel. Smaller dogs need to be kept warmer during their first few weeks of life, so a thermostat-controlled whelping pad is a good option. Make sure your kennel is equipped with a feeder and waterer that is accessible and easy to clean.

It's also important to keep your puppy safe and out of trouble while you're away, so a secure kennel is essential. Your puppy will need exercise, so your yard is an ideal place for them to get some fresh air, but you'll also want to provide an outdoor kennel so they can rest and get out of the weather.

Microchipping your dog

It is important to note that microchips do not have GPS or other locating capabilities. If your dog goes missing, they must be scanned by a chip reader to initiate the process of finding the owner. Therefore, it is crucial to keep your contact information up to date with the microchip registration company. Additionally, make sure to register your dog's microchip in your name and enter all relevant contact information, including landline and cell phone numbers.

Some microchips may migrate from the area between the shoulder blades, so it is important to scan the dog's entire body during the scanning process. While microchips are designed to last for the life of your pet, there have been rare cases of microchip failure or adverse reactions, such as migration, hair loss, infection, swelling, or tumor formation near the implantation site. However, the benefits of microchipping far outweigh the risks, providing a permanent form of identification for your pet.

In addition to microchipping, your dog should also wear a collar with tags that include the owner's contact information. This ensures that if your dog is lost or stolen, they can be quickly identified and returned to you. Remember to keep your contact information updated on the tags as well, especially if you move or change phone numbers.

By following these steps and keeping your information up to date, you can increase the chances of being reunited with your dog if they ever go missing.

Quarantine and inspection requirements

To adopt a dog from Belize, you must comply with the Belize Agricultural Health Authority's (BAHA) requirements. BAHA's main function is to prevent the entry of animal diseases and facilitate early detection to protect human and animal health. Here are the key quarantine and inspection requirements:

• Import Permit: Obtain a valid import permit from BAHA. Submit your application to their email or any BAHA office. The import permit and conditions of importation will be sent to the port of entry, and you will need to pay a fee for this service.
• International Veterinary Certificate: Your dog must have a recent international veterinary certificate, issued within 14 days of entry into Belize.
• Rabies Certificate: Ensure your dog has a valid rabies certificate. The rabies vaccination must be administered between 30 days and 12 months prior to the date of importation into Belize.
• Vaccinations: Dogs must be vaccinated against Distemper, Hepatitis, Leptospirosis, and Parvovirus.
• Ticks and Tapeworm Treatment: Your dog must undergo treatment for ticks and tapeworm within 30 days of entering Belize.
• Notification of Arrival: Notify the Director of Animal Health at least two days in advance of your arrival.
• Veterinary Inspection: A veterinary inspection will be conducted at the port of entry during daylight hours (9 am – 4 pm). This inspection is mandatory for all dogs entering Belize and may incur an additional fee.
• Health Requirements: Your dog must be free of any communicable diseases that can be transmitted to humans. If your dog shows signs of illness, further examination by a licensed veterinarian may be required at your expense.
• Quarantine for Unvaccinated Puppies: If you are importing puppies that are not yet vaccinated, they will be confined at home until they are old enough for the rabies vaccination (3 months). They will also need to be quarantined at home for 30 days after receiving the rabies vaccination.
• Microchipping: Although not mandatory, it is strongly recommended that your dog is microchipped before travelling to Belize.
• Kennel Requirements: Ensure your dog's kennel is ventilated on all four sides and properly labelled. It should contain secured food and water dishes, along with a bag of dry kibble and a leash taped to the top of the kennel. Check the kennel size and brand requirements of your chosen airline.
• Temperature Restrictions: Airlines will not ship dogs in the cargo hold if the temperature at either airport is above 85°F (29.4°C).
• Screwworm Inspection: If your dog is coming from a country considered at risk for screwworm, such as South America, it will need to undergo a veterinary inspection at the port of entry.
• Foot-and-Mouth Disease Requirements: If your dog is coming from a country affected by foot-and-mouth disease, ensure its fur and bedding are free of excessive dirt, hay, or straw. It should be bathed upon arrival and kept separate from livestock for 5 days.
• Tapeworm Quarantine: Dogs used in livestock handling, imported from anywhere other than Canada, Mexico, and certain regions of Central America and the West Indies, may be subject to quarantine and inspection for tapeworm infection.

Frequently asked questions