Taking Pet to Guam

 

When moving to Guam with your pet, know that quarantine – if even for just a few days – is almost always mandatory (There are a few origin countries which will allow you to avoid quarantine).  Guam is rabies-free and, thus, much care is taken to keep it that way.

If you do not meet all of the requirements, your pet may be placed in mandatory 120-day quarantine or returned to the country of origin (at your expense) so it is worth doing your homework. Our Pet Move Counselors are always here to help.

These are the general steps and requirements for taking pets to Guam:

MICROCHIP

All pets must be micro-chipped.  This should be taken care of first, before vaccinations and blood tests.

VACCINATIONS

All pets must have had two rabies vaccinations prior to their release from quarantine.  Make sure your pet is at least 3 months old before the first vaccination.

Your pet should then be vaccinated again 30 days or more after the first vaccine.

Dogs should also have the following vaccinations done not less than 10 days and not more than 365 days before arrival:

• Distemper Virus;
• Canine Infectious Hepatitis Virus or Canine Adenovirus-2;
• Leptospirosis;
• Parainfluenza;
• Parvovirus;
• Bordatella bronchiseptica (kennel cough)

 

Cats should have the following vaccinations done not less than 10 days and not more than 365 days before arrival:

• Panleukopenia Virus (feline viral enteritis);
• Viral Rhinotracheitis (feline herpesvirus-1);
• Feline Calicivirus

 

BLOOD TITER (or FAVN) TEST

Wait at least 10 days after the second rabies vaccination to have the blood titer (or FAVN) test administered to check for rabies antibodies.

GUAM-APPROVED LABORATORIES

Then send all results to one of these laboratories for approval.  In the United States, these are:

Kansas State University
Veterinary Clinical Sciences Building
Department of Pathobiology/Diagnostic Medicine
1800 Denison Avenue
Manhattan, Kansas 66506-5600
(785) 532-4455

HEALTH CERTIFICATE and TRAVEL INFORMATION

Once you hear back and get clearance from the laboratory, send your veterinarian’s health certificate as well as your (and your pet’s) flight information to the Guam Department of Agriculture.

AFFIDAVIT FOR EXPORT

Any pets traveling from a designated rabies-free area must submit an Affidavit for Export or Certificate of Origin.  This document certifies that your pet did not travel out of the area for 4 months prior to the date of travel.  It should also certify that your pet has not been given a modified live rabies vaccine during those 4 months.  In the U.S., the Department of Agriculture can issue an Affidavit for Export for your pet.

QUARANTINE RESERVATION

If you know your pet will have to be kept at a commercial quarantine facility, you will need to show proof of your reservation.  Please see our blog on quarantine for the two approved locations on Guam.

ENTRY PERMIT

All pets require an entry permit.  Puppies and kittens must be at least 9 weeks old before getting a permit.  You will be sent one once you have sent in proof of all the other requirements.  Permits are $60.00 per animal.  Attach this to your pet’s kennel before the flight.

POST-ARRIVAL

Upon arrival, your pet will be inspected and a veterinarian will determine the terms of quarantine.  Once your pet has cleared this exam, you will be given a copy of the release form (including the date of your pet’s release) and you can obtain a pet license from the Department of Agriculture.  Licenses cost $5.00 per pet and last the duration of the rabies vaccination.

Sources:

Guam One Stop:  http://guamonestoppcs.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/animal-quarantine-information.pdf

Military Installations:  http://www.militaryinstallations.dod.mil/MOS/f?p=MI:CONTENT:0::::P4_INST_ID,P4_CONTENT_TITLE,P4_CONTENT_EKMT_ID,P4_CONTENT_DIRECTORY:2110,Shipping%20Pets,30.90.90.30.210.0.0.0.0,39