o your pooch wants to join you!! Well he or she can come along for the ride if you follow these simple procedures below. The information provided was offered by the Costa Rican Consulate in New York City, therefore, it is likely that the requirements will be the same regardless of your current location. First, your dog or cat must be taken to a local veterinarian for a complete examination; the animal must be free from all infectious and/or contagious diseases, including rabies (the rabies shot must be no sooner than 30 days prior to departure and no later than 1 year). The examination report must also identify the animals name, specie, breed, sex, color and name, in addition to the owners name and address. This examination report (health certificate) must be on business letterhead and signed by the appropriate veterinarian. When this process is completed the papers must be forwarded to the Consulate in your area. Upon receipt of that material, the Consulate will prepare Certificate #10-SC, which is filled out by the Consulate; you are not required to fill out this form.

Providing that the required health documents are completed properly this certificate will be completed, signed, sealed and sent back to you for your departure. In addition, a fee of $40.00 US dollars is required for two stamps which are placed on this Certificate; the price may vary depending on your location. When flying it is recommended that you notify the airline personnel regarding your pet. It is important that the compartment in which your dog is place is properly heated during the flight; some airplanes have special compartments set aside for animals. If you arrive with all your documents in proper order, and present them in an orderly way, you should have no problem getting your animal at the airport in which you arrive; there is no quarantine required. Upon departing Costa Rica you will have to complete a form which is supplied by the Department of Health, or more specifically the Department of Zoonosis. This office is located behind the Hospital of San Juan Dios on Avenida 2nd. The form is titled "Solicitud de Permiso" and requires much of the same information necessary to bring your pet into the county. All the requirements are on the back of the form, however, they are in Spanish; there are no documents provided in any other language.