DOG TRAVEL - UK to Barbados

Here I'm going to share the requirements needed for dogs to travel to, and enter Barbados from the UK. Based on my own experience, I want to share my knowledge of the steps involved, hoping to provide a helping hand to other pawrents who may be going through the same process and finding it confusing!

NOTE: I ADVISE YOU TO DO YOUR OWN RESEARCH AND CHECK OFFICIAL GOVERNMENT WEBSITES YOURSELF. RULES & REGULATIONS CAN CHANGE AT ANY TIME. THIS INFORMATION IS PURLEY BASED ON MY OWN EXPERIENCE.

Depending on your budget, you can pay more money for assistance through the process however, if you need to cut as many costs as possible like I did, it means organizing most of it yourself.. Below you'll find a break down of the requirements for travel and necessary timelines. This information has been put together purely to offer the simple guidance all in one place, something I wish I had access to at the time!

1. IMPORT PERMIT from Barbados ministry of agriculture. You can obtain this way in advance of your travel plans as it is valid for 6 months. You will need to contact a import broker in Barbados who can obtain this on your behalf. (I believe it costs around 30 BBD) You will also need to arrange for a broker to meet your dog at the airport on their arrival for a mandatory vet check & clearance. I used 'Michael Greaves Associates Pet Clearance' who I found extremely helpful and would highly recommend! Upon contacting them, you can share your travel plans/details and discuss the relevant costs & fees for the services required. They will also be able to share the exact and current entry requirements for your dog which I always advise reading thoroughly! - At the time we went through this process, dogs entering Barbados were and possibly still are subject to import duty & VAT which the broker will be able to calculate for you. If your dog is originally from Barbados and you have the required paper work to prove they are a returning national rather than an imported good, you MIGHT be able to avoid the import duty.

2. RABIES VACCINE: All dogs entering Barbados from the UK are required to have or be covered by a previous rabies vaccine. - Check with your vet if your dog has had a rabies vaccine and if so whether they'll be covered at the time of travel. (Depending on your travel plans, it's good to think ahead about your return too) For example, depending on how long you travel for, your dogs current rabies vaccination might run out which means you'll need to get this done before travelling back.

3. FLEA, TICK & WORM TREATMENT: All dogs entering Barbados must have received the necessary parasite treatment from a vet within 7 days of travel. Make sure the timing aligns with the time & date of your arrival too. I personally recommend doing this within the 5 day before travel period which will cover you incase of any unexpected travel delays.

4. EXPORT HEALTH CERTIFICATE (EHC):

You will need to obtain a EHC in the UK which is a document that needs to be signed by an official export vet within 10 days of travel. Not all vets are authorized to provide this document so you will need to check in advance with your local vet, and if needed, find the nearest vet which is certified to do it on your behalf. The certified vet was able to point me in the right direction, I had to create an account on the government website and apply for the EHC to be sent to my selected certified vet, to then be filled out, signed and stamped accordingly. Within 10 days of travel. (The EHC cost roughly around £100 however I cannot remember exactly)

I always recommend doing your own research as things can quickly change and things can become very confusing.. Because we had recently been in Spain with Roo, I was required to get her tested for Leishmania as well as heartworm which again had to be done within 30 days of travel. These tests are taken by blood sample which needs to be sent to the lab for testing. Be prepared to wait a few days before receiving the results.

I went to 'Export Vets' who were super helpful and I'd highly recommend, she was able to preform the necessary tests, provide us with the EHC and advise us accordingly. https://exportvets.uk/?utm_source=chatgpt.com

- This is Roo after having her blood sample taken to be sent off to the lab!

5. UK BROKER: Booking their flight.. It's not actually possible to do this yourself and you will need to contact a broker in the UK and arrange for them to do this for you! After reaching out to a few companies which seemed to have in my opinion, crap service and communication skills with extremely high prices, I'll admit to feeling super stressed and financially defeated..

I'm forever grateful to have come across 'JCS Cargo' who I would highly recommend! They were SO helpful, comuniacative, kind, patient and compassionate in what can be a very stressful time for pawrents. Not only did they have a competitive price, they even provided a crate which was custom built to Roo's size and met all of the airlines requirements! (This alone took a huge pressure off my shoulders) If you are providing your own crate for your dog to travel in, make sure it meets specific airline requirements designed for your dogs safety. If there is any issues with the crate or it does not meet the necessary dimensions for your dog's size, it could cause unwanted travel set backs!

I provided them with all the information they required, and they were able to arrange with British Airways and book Roo on her flight! Airlines often don't accept bookings for pets until 14 days before departure which can make it seem extremely difficult to time everything right, especially if you don't have money to waste! However the broker team were super responsive and always kept me in the loop which gave me peace of mind in such an unsure and stressful time.

As perviously mentioned, I always advise you to do your own research and find your own quotes. Prices can vary hugely depending on the time of year you plan to travel and the current demand, as well as the size and weight of your pet! Some airlines don't accept certain breeds with 'snub noses' so be prepared to specify the breed of your dog and provide photos if asked. - KEEP ALL THE PAPERWORK SAFE & IN ONE PLACE! The last thing you want is to loose an important piece of paperwork or not have information to hand when you need it!

Not only can this be a stressful time for you, it can be very stressful for your dog too.

Unlike you, they might not understand what's actually happening. It's important for you to prep them for their journey and keep them calm and positive through your own calmness & positive energy. Although I was worried about Roo traveling, especially as we had to travel on different aircrafts, I didn't pass my worry through to her and sent her off with a big smile and a blanket with all of our smells on for comfort.. When we collected her on the other side, she was totally unfazed, super happy to see us of course, and keen to start exploring!

I hope you have found this information some what useful and wish you the best of luck on you & your pups journey! - Flying your dog in cargo is not something I would personally recommend for a short trip as it's not worth the hassle or stress for either of you. However if you're planning to re-locate or travel for a long period of time, it's definitely worth it!

Because life isn't the same without your best friend by your side.