Chamorro Standard Time: Friday, October 04, 2024 - 03:00 PM
<div class="center_logo"><i><img src="https://cqa.guam.gov/wp-cqa-content/uploads/2016/12/resources.png" alt=""/></i></div>

PET IMPORT REQUIREMENTS

For additional information, please contact the Guam Department of Agriculture at:

Michelle Santos                                                                                                      163 Dairy Road

quarantine@doag.guam.gov                                                                    Mangilao, Guam 96913

gu.agri@yahoo.com                                                                                                  (671)300-7966

2019 REVISED ISSUE

HAFA ADAI!

Thank you for your inquiry into the requirements for importing dogs and cats into Guam. Please read the enclosed information carefully. Guam is rabies-free. Guam’s quarantine law is designed to protect residents and pets from the devastating problems associated with the spread of rabies. Success of the quarantine program is dependent on maintaining isolation of your pet from other animals during any required quarantine period.  Please be aware that all live animals coming to Guam, regardless of category, REQUIRE AN ENTRY PERMIT,

IT’S THE LAW

Title 10 Guam Code Annotated Chapter 34 Article 3 governs the importation of dogs, cats and other carnivores into Guam. This law states that these animals are required to complete a 120-day confinement in an approved Commercial Quarantine Facility. If specific pre-arrival and post-arrival requirements are met, animals may qualify for a shorter quarantine. Public Law 27-84. This law provides for a five (5) day or less quarantine program for pets entering Guam from some areas, provided that requirements are met prior to entry, by amending ss34302(b) of Title 10, Guam Code annotated. Ss(b)(2) is added to ss34302 of Division 2 of Title 10 of the Guam Code Annotated. The scientific basis for this program is the Compendium of Animal Rabies Prevention and Control published by the National Association of State Public Health Veterinarians. Guam law and the effort to remain in mutual compliance with other rabies-free areas result in some variation from the Compendium, sometimes resulting in more extensive safeguards than recommended by the Compendium.  It is vital to understand that bringing a pet to Guam without a valid Entry Permit can result in imprisonment of the pet owner and a fine not to exceed $1,000.

 Other vertebrates, such as skunks, wolves, raccoons, ferrets, etc. are not covered by this brochure and are generally prohibited entry into Guam.

DETERMINE IF YOUR PET SHOULD MOVE TO GUAM

Guam is a tropical island with high temperatures and humidity throughout the year. The Department recommends that pets that are very old, very young (not less than 9 weeks if coming from exempt areas), chronically ill or debilitated, or pets that experience difficulty in hot climates, not be imported into Guam. Pregnant animals past 45 days of gestation, are prohibited entry into quarantine. Persons importing pets into Guam do so at their own risk. The Government of Guam and this Department will not assume any liability for any consequences during shipment or confinement. The owner assumes all liability upon presenting the animals for entry into Guam.

IMPORTANT: Owners are responsible to ensure that all documents are in order, all requirements are met, and most importantly, copies are provided (facsimile copies and scanned copies are accepted) to Department of Agriculture in advance with the required specifications indicated in this brochure and veterinarian’s signature. All original documents such as the latest Rabies Certificate and Immunization Record, and the original Health Certificate (both with the valid signature of the veterinarian) must be retained and attached to the kennel. NOTE: Due to the limited time from the receipt of the Health Certificate in Guam and the actual flight date, a facsimile copy of the Entry Permit may be attached to the kennel for travel. Deficiencies in any of the requirements will preclude the issuance of the Entry Permit and/or require the animal to complete the 120-day quarantine program. All applications for the less than 120-day quarantine programs must ensure that all general and specific pre- and post-arrival requirements are met.

FOUR PROGRAMS – WHICH FITS YOUR PET?

  1. Full 120-Days Commercial Quarantine: If your pet is not arriving from an exempt country or area (see below) and if your pet fails to pass or complete the FAVN testing and other requirements, then your pet will have to complete 120-days of commercial quarantine on Guam. There are no other options or exceptions.
  2. Calculated Quarantine: If your pet has completed all of the requirements and has a rabies FAVN titer of at least 0.5 I.U to 0.99 i.u, then your pet will have to spend only as many days in commercial quarantine as required to reach 120 total days since the FAVN blood sample reached the laboratory.
  3. Five (5) Days or Less with Home Quarantine on Guam: This option is available to animals originating in the mainland United States for 120 days or more and military personnel located on military instillations ( proof of supporting documents must be submitted for review). The entry requirements for the Home Quarantine option are, with a single exception, no different than those of any less-than-120-days quarantine. The pet still requires vaccinations, microchip, FAVN test, etc. But if the FAVN titer meets or exceeds 1.0 I.U. (twice as high as the 0.5 I.U. required for the Calculated Quarantine), after the five days or less of commercial quarantine the pet can be transferred to home quarantine for the remainder of the 120 days of total quarantine.
  4. Exempt From Quarantine: If your pet is coming from an “exempt” country or area such as Japan or Hawaii and has been there for at least 120 days, then there is normally no commercial quarantine required on Guam. The entry requirements can be completed prior to arrival and the animal may be allowed to leave the airport with you. Your veterinarian can help you with the pre-arrival requirements as detailed below. Owners with pets arriving from Exempt areas must contact Guam Customs and Quarantine to schedule for clearance at the port of entry. There is a fee for this process. The contact number is 671-642-8071/2.

Exempt Areas:

Animals originating from the British Isles, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, and Hawaii on direct flights to Guam may be exempt from quarantine requirements after meeting shipping and veterinary examination requirements.

Users of service dogs belonging to a Federal or State Government Agency, and certified guide dogs may wish to have their animals qualified to allow them to enter Guam without being held in quarantine at the Commercial Quarantine Facility. Please contact this department for more information. All dogs and cats, regardless of purpose or health status, are required to comply with Guam’s quarantine law, and all must obtain a valid Entry Permit prior to travel.

TRANSIT/LAYOVERS: If your pet will be laying over in Guam for more than 4 hours, your pet will require quarantine with a licensed facility here on Guam. Owners must determine the layover information with the airline and make arrangements with the any one of the facilities noted here in this brochure. Andersen Pet Lodge caters to military and dependents only.

ARRIVALS FROM SAIPAN, ROTA, TINIAN

Pets arriving from these islands are treated the same as arriving from the mainland United States.  A difference is that it may not be possible to obtain a health certificate prior to travel.  If Guam is the final destination, the health status can be certified by the quarantine veterinarian on Guam, but only if no licensed veterinarian is available at origin.  If Guam is the transit only, the pet may have to remain in quarantine on Guam at owner’s expense until a health certificate can be obtained from the quarantine veterinarian before the airlines will authorize continued movement. 

PETS TRANSITTING GUAM

These pets need to obtain a Transit Permit from our office.  There is no charge for this permit, but if you fail to obtain one it is likely to result in an expensive quarantine stay when that might have been avoided. 

SERVICE ANIMALS

ALL service, working, emotional support, and military working animals are required to obtain an entry permit prior to travel to Guam.  Guam is rabies-free, and all animals are required to meet Guam’s strict entry requirements. There are no exceptions.  If it has a heartbeat it requires an entry permit. Failure to do so will result in a much more difficult and expensive journey for you and the animal.  Quarantine regulations may require an owner to be separated from an emotional support animal.  That should be considered before planning travel to Guam with an emotional support animal. 

****Quarantine times vary; Animal(s) may be subjected to extended Commercial Quarantine pending Post Arrival Inspection****

PRE-ARRIVAL STEPS COMMON TO ALL PETS

For all quarantine programs, you must comply with each requirement and submit copies containing the veterinarian’s printed and signed name on each document. Copies must be provided in English or with English translation. The owner, consignee, handler, or carrier shall pay all applicable expenses. This might include private veterinary examinations, vaccinations, microchip implantation, hospitalization, testing, medication, treatment, transportation and return flight to shipper or consignor for animals failing to meet pre-arrival requirements.

  1. APPLICATION FOR ENTRY PERMIT – Pet owners or their authorized representative(s) (authorization letter must accompany application) are responsible for submitting a completed application with the payment of a non-refundable fee of Sixty Dollars ($60.00) per animal permit, $5.00 per pet license per licensed year. Money orders or certified checks should be made payable to “Treasurer of Guam”. Please do not send cash. Puppies and kittens must be at least nine (9) weeks of age prior to any request for an entry permit. If an animal produces a litter while in quarantine, the offspring shall remain with the mother for the duration of her quarantine period, and additional fees may be charged by the commercial quarantine facility.
  1. AFFIDAVIT FOR EXPORT. Pet owners with animals originating directly from a designated rabies-free area must submit an affidavit for export or certificate of origin. The affidavit certifies that the dog or cat was not outside the area of origin during the 4-month period immediately preceding the date of shipment. In addition, the affidavit shall certify that the animal has not been vaccinated with a modified live rabies virus vaccine during the 4 months immediately prior to the date of shipment. Affidavits of this nature are generally issued by a government entity (i.e. state or National Department of Agriculture veterinarian or U.S. Army veterinarian) in the jurisdiction of origin.
  1. VACCINATIONS – All dogs and cats entering Guam are required to be vaccinated against rabies and other common infectious diseases prior to release on Guam. This also applies to animals arriving from exempt areas. These vaccinations are best completed prior to arrival. A document attesting to the administering of the vaccinations must include the name and address of the pet owner, name and description of the animal (indicating its age, sex, breed, color, body weight, and markings), dates of vaccinations, (rabies certificates must include: manufacturer, serial/lot number, discard and expiration(duration) dates of the vaccine) and certified with a full first and last printed name, clinic address, license number, and legible signature of veterinarian who administered the vaccinations. Health Certificates or other documents cannot be substituted for the actual Rabies Vaccination Certificates (copies are acceptable). For the other required vaccinations, the attending veterinarian must sign a letter or other document that details the date and types of vaccinations administered. : Your pet requires certification of current rabies vaccination with an approved monovalent inactivated rabies vaccine administered not more than 365 days prior to the animal’s release from quarantine on Guam (36 months if vaccinated with an approved 3-year vaccine). Do not vaccinate your pet for rabies after blood is drawn for the FAVN test (if performed). Also, the use of a modified live rabies vaccine is strongly discouraged and can require quarantine periods for as long as six months after that vaccination. Any subsequent rabies vaccination shall be administered not less than 30 days following the first vaccination and not more than 365 days (36 months with an approved 3-year vaccine prior to release on Guam. Each pet must have completed at least two rabies vaccinations in its life prior to release from commercial quarantine, and the most recent rabies vaccination must still be current). 

Other Dog Vaccinations – Dogs shall be vaccinated not less than 10 days before departure, and the vaccination must still be current on arrival against:

  1. Canine Distemper Virus;
  2. Canine Infectious Hepatitis Virus or Canine Adenovirus-2;
  3. Canine Leptospirosis;
  4. Canine Parainfluenza;
  5. Canine Parvovirus;
  6. Canine Bordatella bronchiseptica (kennel cough)

Other Cat Vaccinations – Cats shall be vaccinated not less than 10 days, and the vaccination must still be current on arrival against:

  1. Feline Panleukopenia Virus (feline viral enteritis);
  2. Feline Viral Rhinotracheitis (feline herpesvirus-1);
  3. Feline Calicivirus
  1. ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS FOR CALCULATED & HOME QUARANTINE
    1. ELECTRONIC MICROCHIP – All dogs and cats attempting to qualify for something other than the full 120-day commercial quarantine program are required to have an implanted electronic microchip. The microchip must be U.S. made and readable with an AVID universal scanner (i.e. AVID chip, Home Again chip).
    2. It is the owner’s responsibility to have the microchip implanted by a veterinarian and ensure that the microchip number is recorded on the serum sample before it is submitted for the rabies testing. The microchip number must be included on the results of the rabies antibody test.
    3. OIE-FLUORESCENT ANTIBODY VIRUS NEUTRALIZATION TEST (aka OIE-FAVN Test, Rabies Antibody Test). A rabies blood test (requiring 1 to 3 ml of serum) to determine if dogs and cats have responded adequately to the rabies vaccination is required prior to arrival as the first step to qualifying for the 0-5 day quarantine program. The testing laboratory must submit the test results directly to the Animal Quarantine Program at the Department of Agriculture, 163 Dairy Road, Mangilao, Guam 96913.
      1. The OIE-FAVN test must be conducted no more than 12 months prior to arrival into Guam. A result of 0.5 I.U. of rabies antibodies or greater per milliliter of blood or is required (1.0 I.U. required for the Home Quarantine). When updating rabies vaccinations prior to conducting the FAVN testing, you should wait at least 10 days before drawing the blood sample. This gives time for the pet to respond to the vaccine and build a titer high enough to pass the FAVN testing requirements. NOTE: DO NOT ADMINISTER FURTHER RABIES VACCINATIONS AFTER THE BLOOD IS DRAWN FOR THE FAVN TEST.
      2. The day that the laboratory receives the OIE-FAVN sample counts as the first day for the 120-day countdown.
      3. To be considered valid, the test results must include the number of the implanted microchip and a complete description of the animal (sex, breed, age, color or color pattern, any visible unique identifying characteristics, etc.) LABORATORIES WHERE THE PRE-ARRIVAL OIE-FAVN TEST IS AVAILABLE

Laboratories are not allowed to provide results over the phone. There are no exceptions. The laboratory must provide the results directly to your veterinarian and this Department by facsimile, email, or traditional postal mail.  It is incumbent upon you to ensure that the laboratory you choose is willing to comply with this requirement. 

Authorized laboratories available to Civilian and Military Personnel :

The Rabies Laboratory

Kansas State University

2005 Research Park Circle

Manhattan, Kansas 66502

Telephone: 785-532-4483

Fax: 785-532-4474

Fax: 785-532-4522

Website address: http://www.vet.k-state.edu/depts/dmp/service/rabies/index.htm

 

Research Institute for Animal Science & Biochemistry & Toxicology

3-7-11 Hashimotodai, Sagamihara

229-1132 Japan, Kanagawa, Japan

If you have questions, please contact the laboratory by telephone at 81-42-762-2775 or by

facsimile at 81-42-762-7979.

 

Additionally, all laboratories currently listed on the EU DEFRA website are approved for performing the FAVN test for rabies. see www.EUapproverabieslabortories  or https://ec.europa.eu/food/animals/pet-movement/approved-labs_en

 Available to Military Personnel Only:

Food Analysis & Diagnostic Laboratory

Attn. MCVS-LAB

2472 Schofield Road, Bldg. 2632

Fort Sam Houston, Texas 78234

If you have additional questions, please contact your nearest Military Veterinary Facility or email Gonzalo_Rodriguez@LN.amedd.army.mil.

If your pet passes the pre-arrival OIE-FAVN test and provided that all other requirements are met at least 120 days prior to arrival, your pet will then be considered as having met the prequalification requirements for the Calculated Quarantine (Home Quarantine requires higher titer). No quarantine of less than 5 days can be guaranteed based on the availability of a veterinarian to perform the arrival quarantine examination. Note: If documentation is incorrect or incomplete, arriving animals will be sent to a commercial quarantine facility while awaiting proper documentation. The costs for this holding period will be born by the owner. If documentation is incomplete to meet the requirements a less than 120-day quarantine program, the full 120-day commercial quarantine program will go into effect.

  1. QUARANTINE RESERVATION. (For animals originating from non-exempt areas) Animals requiring quarantine on Guam must attach evidence of confirmed reservations at a government approved quarantine facility with the Entry Permit packet. It shall be the pet owner’s responsibility to contact the facility directly for kennel reservation and rates. Below provides a listing of approved quarantine facilities on Guam.

APPROVED QUARANTINE FACILITIES

Harper Valley Kennels

Phone: (671) 477-8381

Fax: (671) 477-8380

133 Manibusan Lane, Chalan Pago, Guam

Website: www.harpervet.net

e-mail: harperkennels@guam.net (no spacing)

 

Available to Military Personnel Only

Andersen Animal Quarantine & Kennel Facility

Andersen Air Force Base, Guam

Phone: (671) 366-5020

Fax: (671) 366-5021

Website: to be announced

e-mail: chumporn.velte@andersen.af.mil

 

Animal Medical Quarantine Facility

Phone : (671) 637-8387

Fax : (671) 637-7383

email : amcpetlodge@outlook.com

 

  1. HEALTH CERTIFICATE – A health certificate issued by an accredited veterinarian within 10 days prior to arrival is required. (Check with the specific airline regarding their health certificate time requirements.) The health certificate must be written in English, and it must be an original document (facsimile or photocopy will be accepted for processing, however the original document shall accompany the animal). The health certificate must bear an original or stamped signature with legible name, address, and telephone number of the certifying veterinarian.

The health certificate must contain all of the following information:

  1. A complete description of the animal, including age, markings, sex, breed, body weight, and any additional identifying characteristics. “Mixed” or similar wording is not acceptable for breed. Please indicate the nearest approximate breed.
  2. Veterinarian’s statement certifying the following: 1) If determined to be so affected, the animal has been treated to remove internal (helminths and heartworms) and external parasites (fleas and ticks) within 14 days of arrival on Guam. 2) The date of any parasite treatment. 3) The name of the product(s) used and how applied.
  3. Certification that the animal is free of any evidence of infectious or contagious disease (to include heartworm testing/treatment information).
  4. Certification by the issuing veterinarian to the accuracy of the information stated on the health certificate.
  5. The microchip number and the date of implantation (not required for 120-day Commercial Quarantine).
  6. The name, serial or lot number, expiration date of the lot, and date of rabies vaccination must appear on the health certificate.

8. POST-ARRIVAL REQUIREMENTS

Post-Arrival Health Examination

  1. Any dog or cat eligible for less than 120 days of quarantine shall be transported directly to a commercial quarantine facility where a post-arrival examination by the quarantine veterinarian must be completed. This same examination must be completed for all dogs and cats arriving from EXEMPT AREAS too, but that examination shall be arranged and completed by the owner/agent within 72- hours of pet arrival, and any veterinarian licensed on Guam can complete this examination. No animal can be sold until this examination and any required treatments have been completed. Failure to comply can result in the full 120-day quarantine at the owner’s expense.
  2. The veterinarian responsible for the post-examination must submit a health examination certificate to the department verifying the health of the dog or the cat and provide his/her recommendations for the animal’s early release or continued quarantine status as deemed necessary. The examination certificate along with the attending veterinarian’s recommendation must be submitted to the Department of Agriculture prior to approval and release of any dog or cat. A certificate of completion must be obtained from the department prior to release.
  3. The post-arrival examining veterinarian may require quarantine for observation for animals that show signs of illness or disease during the examination.

* Animals eligible for Calculated or Home Quarantines that are held by the quarantine veterinarian during post-arrival examination due to any health anomalies must be cleared for release by the Territorial Veterinarian.  Quarantine issues not specifically addressed by this document will be resolved by the Territorial Veterinarian.

  1. PLANNING YOUR PET’S MOVE – HOW MUCH QUARANTINE?
    1. If your pet is not coming from a country or area recognized by Guam as rabies-free, then your pet will have to complete commercial quarantine on Guam.  The length of that quarantine varies.
    2. Regardless of quarantine status, the entry requirements must be completed prior to arrival. Animals originating in non-exempt areas shall be transported directly to a commercial quarantine facility where a post-arrival examination by the quarantine veterinarian must be completed.
    3. If your pet is coming from a non-exempt country, you still may be able to reduce the duration of commercial quarantine potentially to as little as a single day, if you have the time and the resources to meet the requirements. This is the least expensive way to bring a dog or cat to Guam. Those people who have less than 120 days of preparation time can still endeavor to minimize the commercial quarantine duration on Guam. This can result in an individualized quarantine period on Guam that will be explained below. Pets that have not initiated the laboratory testing prior to arrival on Guam must begin the full 120 days of commercial quarantine. However, this period can be shortened if the FAVN testing and other requirements are completed during the commercial quarantine. After successful FAVN testing is completed in quarantine it should be possible to release the animal into home quarantine for the remainder of the 120 days.
    4. The other potentially significant difference regards the number of required rabies vaccinations.

Animals participating in quarantines on Guam of less than 120 days will have had their rabies titers tested  and a minimum of TWO rabies vaccinations (lifetime) required before release. The most recent rabies vaccination cannot be more than 365 days old, unless it is an approved 3-year vaccine. In that case the vaccine must have been administered not more than 36 months prior to arrival. Animals participating in the full 120 day commercial quarantine on Guam will not require laboratory testing and must show proof of at least TWO completed rabies vaccinations (lifetime) prior to release from quarantine, and the most recent one must still be current at the time of release.

If your pet uses United Airlines to travel to Guam you will be required to use an IPATA pet transporting company. Many are available. https://www.ipata.org/ipata-pet-shippers-air-and-ground 

Please be aware that Island Pet Movers out of Hawaii does not work with the Andersen Air Force Base Pet Lodge.  If you are a military dependent and desire to use the Andersen Pet Lodge, you will need to choose a different pet transporting company

THIS IS A LOT TO READ AND UNDERSTAND! This entire process is fairly complex, and while it may not be apparent, this brochure attempts to simplify without loss of clarity. There is redundancy, but it is there to improve clarity at the expense of brevity and simplicity. But not every possibility is spelled out. For example: A thorough understanding of this process reveals that a pet must be at least 5 months old before it can arrive on Guam if using the Calculated or Home Quarantine options. Here is why: Unless coming from an exempt country, the pet must have current rabies vaccinations and a minimum of two lifetime rabies vaccinations. All pets must be at least 3 months old to get the first rabies vaccination, and that vaccination must be in the pet for at least one month before the second rabies vaccination can be administered. Although not required, it is wise to wait ten more days to draw blood for the FAVN test, and it usually takes 3-4 weeks before the test results get to Guam. Then if all other qualifications have been met, the animal could enter with 5 days or less of commercial quarantine plus another 90 days or so of home quarantine on Guam (the 120-day clock starts when the FAVN blood sample arrives at the laboratory. If it takes another 30 days for the test results, entry permit, and airline flight to be completed, then there would still be 90 days left for the completion of the 120 day total quarantine). This home quarantine option applies only for animals coming from the United States or pets of U.S. military owners vaccinated and prepared for entry by U.S. military veterinarians. Additionally, these animals must have a FAVN titer of not less than 1.0 I.U. It is actually possible to enter Guam and the 120-Day Commercial Quarantine with no vaccinations (the vaccinations would have to be administered while in quarantine). The Department will not approve the entry permit for an animal younger than 5 months if it will be required to complete 120 days of commercial quarantine (because of the human socialization needed by young animals). The Calculated and Home quarantines require more paperwork and effort from the owner than the 120-Day Commercial Quarantine, but it is much cheaper and much less stressful for the animal. Please call or email the Guam Department of Agriculture to clarify any issues that remain unclear after reading this brochure.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Q: WHEN AND HOW DO I SEND IN MY DOCUMENTS?

A: Documents should be sent in as soon as possible for review. Preferably 2-3 months prior to arriving is best. Please allow ample time for documents to be reviewed. Documents may be sent by fax, email, or snail mail.

Q: HOW DO I SEND IN MY PAYMENT?

A: Payments may be sent by cashier’s check or money order made out to the Treasurer of Guam. You may send the payments by FEDEX or USPS. NOTE: Payments are NON-REFUNDABLE.

Q: WHO CAN I TALK TO ABOUT GETTING AN EXCEPTION TO THE RULES AND REGULATIONS EXPLAINED IN THIS BROCHURE?

A: Most of these procedures and policies are based on explicit Guam law, and there are no exceptions to Guam law granted.

Q: WHAT IF MY PET ARRIVES ON GUAM WITHOUT A VALID ENTRY PERMIT?

A: The pet will be placed in a 120-day commercial quarantine at the owner’s expense or returned to origin at owner’s expense. Additionally, the transporter is subject to a fine for each pet that shall not be less than $500 nor more than $1,000.

Q: WHY ARE THE ENTRY REQUIREMENTS DIFFERENT FOR A PET FROM ANOTHER COUNTRY, LIKE THE PHILIPPINES WHEN COMPARED TO ARRIVAL FROM AMERICA?

A: In different countries there can be significant differences in the incidence of rabies, the types of vaccines used, and many other parameters. The quarantine laws of Guam are designed to jealously protect the rabies-free status of Guam. Countries other than the United States and Exempted Areas would fall under the Calculated Quarantine or the 120-day Program.

Q: WHAT IS THE FASTEST WAY TO GET A PUPPY OR A KITTEN HOME ON GUAM?

A: A puppy or kitten could arrive from an exempted area like Hawaii or Australia at 9 weeks of age. If the pet arrives form America or a non-exempt country, the pet would be at least 5 (five) months of age before it could be released into home quarantine on Guam. If the origin is an exempt area, date of birth must be on all documents. Pets may enter Guam from sixty-three to eighty nine (63-89) days of age without a rabies vaccination. At ninety days of age proof of one rabies vaccination must be provided.

Q: WHAT IF MY PET BECOMES ILL WHILE IN COMMERCIAL QUARANTINE?

A: After obtaining permission from Agriculture, the pet can be removed by the quarantine veterinarian for treatment in an isolated area of the clinic operated by the quarantine veterinarian.

Q: WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE CALCULATED AND THE HOME QUARANTINE?

A: There are two important differences. The Calculated Quarantine allows the animal to complete the FAVN testing and spend only the remaining days in commercial quarantine on Guam. For example, if the pet’s passing FAVN sample arrived at the laboratory on 1 October, and the pet arrived on Guam on 1 January, then it would only have to remain in commercial quarantine on Guam until 27 January.  If it arrived after 27 January then it would only remain in commercial quarantine long enough to be examined by the quarantine veterinarian – usually only one night.  This is the best option if there is enough time to complete the preparations. The Home Quarantine applies only to pets originating in the United States or US military installations and  requires the pet to remain in a strictly enforced home quarantine on Guam for the days remaining to complete the 120 days. The second difference is that the Home Quarantine requires a titer that is twice as high as the minimum required for the Calculated Quarantine.

Q: HOW DOES THIS WHOLE PROCESS WORK IN SHORT?

A: You may take this brochure to your veterinarian and go through it together. The first step is to make sure that your pet has two rabies vaccination certificates (if arriving from a non-exempt area) that follow the Guam Department of Agriculture’s (DAG) requirements. If it is the initial rabies vaccination at 12 weeks, wait 30 days to get another rabies vaccination, and then wait 10 days to do the FAVN. Email rabies vaccination certificates, current immunizations, and request an entry permit. You will receive additional instructions. Once you get clearance, make flight and kennel reservations and forward that information to the Department of Agriculture. When your flight and kennel reservations have been made, you are now able to obtain and send to (DAG) a copy of the health certificate. Health certificates expire 10 days from the date of issue. (DAG) will then in turn, send by email, (an) Animal Entry Permit(s) that you will attach to the

kennel(s). Check with your airline on the requirements. Permits are $60.00 each per pet, plus $5 per year for a pet license. When your pet arrives on Guam from a non-exempt area, the licensed commercial kennel quarantine facility that you have registered with will pick your pet up from the airport. The quarantine veterinarian will administer a post-arrival examination and verify microchip of your pet to determine release. The owner or the agent has the responsibility of making contact with the quarantine facility. When the pet has cleared post-arrival examination, the owner/agent would proceed to (DAG) to obtain a copy of the release and obtain a pet license.  And it should be clear that any changes to the flight itinerary MUST be cleared through DAG and the commercial quarantine facility.