Taking my Pets to Honduras

[JohnTalbot]

Hi, havent found anything in the searches on this, but am moving from Maritime Canada to Utila in a couple of weeks, and bringing my two cats with me. Any tips/feeback on anyone thats done this or people you know that have would be appreciated.

Should be ok till we get to SPS, anyone know if Atlantic Airlines takes pets on the domestic Honduras flights? It was suggested that we take a taxi from SPS to La Ceiba, anyone have thoughts on that?

Also any tips on moving stuff you cant fit within your luggage allowance would help, got about 70-100lbs of stuff i'd like to freight down after i arrive.

Thanks

[Mr.X]

I have no solid suggestions...but good luck with your cats.

[FLdiver]

Sedate the cats on acepromazine and bring them in soft cat carriers as carry-ons. I have read incidents where pets were checked in and either were lost for good or had passed away somehow during the flight in the cargo hold. Other than that, I hope there is no quarantine in Honduras for your pets (as in Hawaii). Good luck.

[DeepBlueDivers]

Hi

I live in Utila as well, You should be abl to get your cats on the flight if not you can take a bus from SPS to Le Ceiba then get the ferry to Utila.

Look into shipping companies for the rest of you things lots of boats go to Porta Cortez then it is easy to get them here, we have a boat that goes there every week from Utila.

Why are you moving here ?

[Scuba65]

Maybe cause it's warmer than Canada!

[JohnTalbot]

Scuba65 has a good point, but im coming for the excellent SCAUBA training, laid back island life, and my savings will go farther than Fla, CA or South Pacific.

[parrotheaddiver]

Another thought....cats do not normally get heartworms....BUT I have heard of a few rare cases here in the states....since mosquitos are abundant there you may want to check with your vet and see if he recommends anything. Our favorite pooch "Poncho" at CoCo View is undergoing treatment now for heartworms. Hopefully in a few weeks he will be clear of heartworms and on the prevenative. Good luck with your move.

[DeepBlueDivers]

Hi

One thing that I would suggest is that you make sure that your animals have all the necessary shots and that you have spare medicine for them as there is not a vet on Utila, to take them to a vet you would have to go to the mainland.

Look forward to meeting you when you get here.

[JohnTalbot]

Good tips, all of you, thanks. In case anyone's looking to bring cats to Honduras, here's what i had to go through in paperwork. Like DeepBlue said, they needed their shots, a certificate saying so, which had to be notarized, then sent to the Honduran embassy for Foreign Affairs to approve and write and stamp an approval letter at 85$US each cat.

Be nice to see you also DeepBlueDivers when i get there, i'm sure you know whats what on Utila, i'll try not to bury you in questions. :) lol

[Missdirected]

I agree with FL diver about sedating the cats. It will be a whole lot less stress on them. Your vet should be happy to provide you with something and it's not expensive at all. Enjoy your new home.

[DeepBlueDivers]

Hi John Talbot

If you have questions ask away, I do not mind

[RoatanMan]

You only have 1/2 of the story.

Find out IN ADVANCE where you have to go for this payment and inspection. As late as a few years ago this all had to occur in Tegucigalpa, there is/was no facility for this in the Bay Islands.

KNOW IN ADVANCE what the rules are for re-importation into the US. I think you will find the return paperwork much easier to find, anticipate and complete... but you had better know about it in advance. I am sure it is much more technically demanding than Honduran inbound.

We have three cats, members of our family. Three months in paradise is just not worth the risk of exposing them to such temptations... not in our mind. We have kitty care that visits twice a day. They sit, comfortably at home, oblivious to our absence. Kitty care plays with them and they see her as alternate food source . Leave them home.

Shiiping freight after? You have to be dreaming. You mightbe able to ship freight in advance. Contact Jackson Shipping in Tampa.

[Hank49]

I moved a cat twice. At least in my case, cats take a while to adapt to a new home. It's like she was pissed at me and on three different days, crapped on my buddies dive gear (talked about pissed...we finally figured out that tomato juice took out the smell after trying all soaps), the couch and my rain coat. After about a week she calmed down. Then I moved her down to Placencia and she disappeared. I think I see her around but she's gone wild. Maybe it was the boat ride....

[DeepBlueDivers]

Hi

Roatan Man is correct about all the paperwork and do not forget that it all has to be completed in Spanish.

I am not sure now if you are moving here for good or is it just a few months, I was under the impression it was a permanent move.

Apart from Jackson Shipping in Tampa there is Hyde/Hyber in Miami if you use these contact Juan LLambes if you PM me I can give you telephone number etc if you cannot find it, I use them for shipping things here.

As for shipping things down after I do not know what it is like from the USA but I moved here from England and 3 months after I arrived I shipped all my belongings here to Honduras.

I must admit a few boxes went missing but luckily nothing important.

[UTLgirl]

I'm with Steve on this one. Shipping into Honduras can be a bit tricky. Your best bet is to come on down, settle in, talk to the local operators & see who they use. Chances are, they've tried everyone & know who has the quickest, most reliable service.

[UTLgirl]

PS: Figuring a month from shipping to arrival/clearing customs.... is not unheard of.

[DiversMom]

Good tips, all of you, thanks. In case anyone's looking to bring cats to Honduras, here's what i had to go through in paperwork. Like DeepBlue said, they needed their shots, a certificate saying so, which had to be notarized, then sent to the Honduran embassy for Foreign Affairs to approve and write and stamp an approval letter at 85$US each cat.

Be nice to see you also DeepBlueDivers when i get there, i'm sure you know whats what on Utila, i'll try not to bury you in questions. :) lol

When we drove down, we had to have USDA health certificates on each dog, current, vaccinations ( between 30 days and 6 months). We didn't have to have any of it notarized or signed by the Honduran consulate at that time...but things change. We did have a 4 day quarantine period in San Pedro Sula after crossing the border at Agua Caliente and I know when I was in the airport at SPS last year at Christmas, the SAG agents are there at customs and immigration (The agriculture department).

[DiversMom]

You only have 1/2 of the story.

Find out IN ADVANCE where you have to go for this payment and inspection. As late as a few years ago this all had to occur in Tegucigalpa, there is/was no facility for this in the Bay Islands.



in Siguatepeque and in Comayagua. There are also several in SPS. The OP needs to find an SAG (ag department) certified vet that handles animal imports and exports. Our dogs had to be quarantined in SPS. Three years ago there was no one in our area or we could have come directly here without the hassle in SPS. The vet also needs to be contacted in advance so he can have all of the ag dept paperwork prepared and OP can provide his name and phone number to the ag people in SPS when the OP gets off the plane with cats in hand.

[JohnTalbot]

Thanks for all the info guys, ill be sure to look you up Deep Blue, you're right, this is a permanent move, i wouldnt dream of putting them through this for a fling holiday. Might fall flat on my face beggin for peanut butter sandwiches at the ferry dock, but sometimes in life you gotta try that thing that you know when you're 70 you'll regret it.

I figure with my old life/job, id have been lucky to see the cats reach old age anyway, so any time we have down there is a bonus.

[JohnTalbot]

Thanks Diversmon and Roatanman for the info, best to avoid nasty suprises, will call the H-embassy tomorrow, have been in close contact with someone there, hope he didnt leave anything like that out, looks like ill be going to SPS after all, as Continental has an embargo on pets till probably after the x-mas season, so it AA all the way.

[JohnTalbot]

Thanks for the gear info, thats what ill do settle in and poke around to see whats what. Its mostly just my PC & software, guitar and a few odds and ends. Sides ill be too busy diving and hoping my cats dont mess on my dive gear in retaliation :)

[mjnansen]

Have you joined the Yahoo group Roatan? It covers all the Bay Islands and there is a lot of information about bringing your pets to the island- and lots of people who have done it and will be happy to help you.
I work for an airline and see animals who traval all the time- I don't recommend sedation unless there are no other options- it can suppress their respiration and if it wears off in mid flight can contribute to panic and disorientation- but talk to your vet- heartworm meds are a great idea and of course all vaccines. I hear there is a good vet on Utila, but Roatan is still hoping to attract a full time vet. Good luck, and keep us updated on your move!

[JohnTalbot]

Thanks mjnansen for the Roatan group info, will sign in to that 4 sure. Agree with you on no sedation, one of the boys will be a pro, other will be a little nervous, but ok, biggest thing that i dont like is they cant travel together in same box, i think that would help their comfort bigtime.

Am seeing vet on friday for final just in case checkup, will get some flea pills and look into what they have for heartworm, funny didnt think cats got them, is that a tropical thing?

things seem to be lockin in, SOSA will go direct from SAP to Utila. Now its time to make my travel agent work for the $$$ :)

since you work for an airline, maybe you know if travel agents can pull any clout if a hotel reservation gets messed up, or flight gets bumped/delayed? I keep hearing how you have to confirm and reconfirm specially with SOSA, im a little worried about no hotel waiting for me in Miami or SAP.

[mjnansen]

When you check your cats in at the airline counter ask if they can load them facing each other- most airlines try their best to accomadate these type of requests and it may be nice for your cats to see each other- I know that I have received this request before, and I have gone out to personally make sure it was done.
Sadly, travel agents no longer have much influence on the airline industry- your best bet is always to call and confirm reservations yourself. I can not tell you how many passengers are told that they have pre-reserved seats only to find out that the travel agent didn't enter it correctly into the system- the ticketing agent then has to explain why you are in a middle seat 20 rows away from your companion on an oversold flight- not fun for anyone!
Your hotel in Miami should be easy to check on. Where are you staying in SAP? I really like the Microtel near the airport, but it's pretty far from town. In SAP the Gran Sula is nice too.
The Yahoo group is going to great for you as it is filled with lots of ex-pats that live on the islands or go back and forth. It is also a great way to become aquainted with the people who will be your neighbors!
Make sure when you pack up the cats you put a bags of their food and a bottle of water on the top of their crates (in a ziplock, taped is usually just fine). Also make a name tag for each of the kennels with the cats name. Whenever possible we talk to the animals and using their name can help keep them calm. My office is overlooking the ramp and I often have pets wait with me to keep them from the heat/cold and noise of the ramp. Heartworm is something cats get, but it is not common where I am for cats- the same medicene I give my dog is also acceptable for cats. You will want to set up a mail account at Jackson or Hyde and you can get most meds online this way. Good luck and keep us updated on how it goes!

[parrotheaddiver]

Am seeing vet on friday for final just in case checkup, will get some flea pills and look into what they have for heartworm, funny didnt think cats got them, is that a tropical thing?


As I mentioned in a previous post it is not as common in cats as dogs but....since you will be in an area (the tropics) where mosquitos are in abundance I would feel safer knowing my cat was on a preventive. I am sure your vet will fill you in. You can google cats and heartworms and get a lot of info..here is just one link http://www.animalclinic.com/FEHEARTW.htm

[JohnTalbot]

I never would have thought about the facing each other thing, we are so thankful for all the smart helpul people on this forum, especially you, and its nice to hear how much care you take with the pets you deal with in work, as im sure lots of airline staff do. Lets face it many of us have pets, and its not hard to see a little of our pets in others, but some people are not so nice.

So lots of good karma to you and yours, will keep everyone posted, as im sure ill still have questions. Would like to say SOSA airlines is the first ive dealt with that will let me bring my two behemoths in the plane, thats Bay Island hospitality for ya :)

[Hawkeye Mark]

Moving animals can be an adventure. When my wife and I got married she brought her cat from Rio to Houston. Cat had never been out of an apartment and spent its time mostly in the window. In Houston it had a big yard to play in. Had to have it fixed immediately. A few years later it got mauled to death by two dogs that got loose in the neighborhood. At least the cat wasnt in an apartment

[shelgreb]

My father-in-law is an American who livesnear La Ceiba on the coast. Make sure you bring Revolution, and Advantage, or whatever your vet recommends. It is hard to get these there and you will need it. Keep the cats indoors if possible they will get sick if you don't take preventative measures. You will hate the vet bill and any uneccesary kitty stress.
As for shipping it is cheaper to buy a large bag and bring it with you. Airlines will allow you to pay extra for excess baggage. This is far cheaper than shipping which is extremely unreliable and slow.
SPS to LaCeiba you will be driving forever. The roads are not good and it will take you forever. I don't think the charter would be a problem, but I know the drive is not good. A cab would not be the way to go.

[DiversMom]

My father-in-law is an American who livesnear La Ceiba on the coast. Make sure you bring Revolution, and Advantage, or whatever your vet recommends.

My vet in Siguatepeque sells both Advantage and Frontline. So does the agricultural supply store down the road from the vet. A BIG problem here on the mainland where I am is tick infestations. In spite of keeping the yard weed free, using Frontline on the dogs, and keeping them only on our property, I still had a dog pick up ticks and develop Tick Fever (erlichiosis) - which has lead to chronic hepatitis, anemia, glaucoma, and fluid retention. He's on iron supplements, folic acid supplements and Lasix (diuretic) injections.

[mjnansen]

I have a friend on Roatan who has tried all the tick meds and says that advantix (or advanticks? not sure on spelling) is the only one that keeps of the Honduran ticks- I think you can get it online from one of the pet med sites.

[oceancat]

You cats will likely get intestinal parasites while in utila--some of the heartworm preventatives also have worming meds in them (i know for dogs they do anyway)--you might want to talk to your vet about getting those pills (take 1 a month)

[JohnTalbot]

Well, we all arrived, safe and sound, was an interesting journey, left for the airport at 9pm, got into Halifax at midnight, woke up at 330am to get my flight. After a quick stop in JFK, got to see some of my family there, then to Miami with a 5 hr layover.

Last leg was to SPS, arrived at 730pm, and as Roatanman said they pulled the ol local vet garbage on me, my seatmate on the flight got one there for me in 20 min. Now the Honduran embassy in Canada is "trying" to sort that out with the airport but im not holding my breath on getting my document cert. money back.

Stayed at microtel Inn, treated us like kings, would stay there again in a heartbeat. Then took the flight to utila via SOSA, we had to wait in La Ceiba for our extra bags to arrive, but it was worth it.

Utila airport was interesting, fortunately id see pics of it ahead of time. Mango Inn staff was great to us, and found a sweet apartment on the Island, taking a few weeks off for the holidays before doing my DM, saw a nice version of my avatar on the Haliburton wreck, he was HUGE.

I can surely say that i relied on the kindness of strangers on this trip, as there were a few bumps along the way, but so far, ha be well worth it. All i can say if you're doing what i did, you can NEVER call the airlines too many times for clarifying stuff, saved my tushie in Halifax when they tried to say there was a baggage embargo*made it under the wire on the LAST day*and that JFK had a box embargo year round, which they didnt.

Again, thanks so much to all of you on the board who helped so much, GoPro Honduras, DeepBlueDiver, Blow Bubbles, Dandy Don, Mesinja*spelling sry*, and all of you who posted to my questions, the heartworm idea alone would have gone right by me, as my vet said it wouldnt be a problem. Thank goodness for the internet.

Enjoy your Xmas

[parrotheaddiver]

Glad to hear you and your felines made it safe and sound...hope you have a very Merry Christmas

[RoatanMan]

Glad to hear you and your felines made it safe and sound...hope you have a very Merry Christmas

A very meowy Christmas. :kitty: :kitty: :kitty: