All About Cruising - Pets

Books : Cruising & Sailing with Pets - Cats & Dogs

2009-04-26T11:12:00.002-04:00

Here are some books (available from Amazon.com) that those of you cruising / sailing about with cats and/or dogs aboard, might find interesting...

Amazon.com Widgets

Buffy & Willow say hello!

... well, maybe after their catnap :)

Travel with Pets in the Bahamas and the Caribbean

2008-06-19T17:10:00.003-04:00

We have been working on a charter where the client wants to bring a small dog with them. We found this article by Carol Bareuther who is a marine journalist, along with being a registered dietician in the USVIs. This information is from the December 2006 issue of All At Sea.
We couldn't get the link to work properly
(http://www.allatsea.net/specificissueeditorial.php?featureid=1105)
so we are posting the whole article because we feel it is very valuable to cruisers with pets, especially since it has contact info for many countries.

Thanks a bunch Carol for this very important information. We really appreciate your efforts.

Travel with Pets in the Bahamas and the Caribbean
From ALL AT SEA (http://www.allatsea.net)

by Carol Bareuther
December 2006 Issue

Cruising down the Caribbean island chain can be anything but carefree when you’re traveling with a pet. Each island is a nation unto itself with specific requirements for pets if, that is, the pet wants to put its paws ashore. Here’s what you need to know before you go:

ANGUILLA
Pets are allowed to enter with a permit. At least six months prior to your arrival, contact the Anguilla Agriculture Department, Tel: (264) 497-2615, or Email: agri@anguillanet.com, between 8:00 a.m. to 12 noon or from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Mondays through Fridays for information about how to obtain this permit.

ANTIGUA/BARBUDA
An import permit must be obtained from the Chief Veterinary Officer. The pet must also be micro-chipped and blood tested for rabies titer at an approved lab. The results should be forwarded to the: Chief Veterinary Officer, P.O. Box 1282, St. John's, Antigua, West Indies, Fax: (268) 460-1759.

BAHAMAS
An import permit is required from the Ministry of Agriculture, Trade and Industry. Applications for the permits, plus a $10 processing fee, must be made in writing to the Bahamas Director of Agriculture, P.O. Box N-3704, Nassau, The Bahamas. Tel: (242) 325-7502 or Fax: (242) 326-3960. For pets coming from the U.S. and Canada, dogs and cats must be: 1) six months of age or older, 2) accompanied by a valid certificate which states that the pet has been vaccinated against rabies within not less than 1 month and not more than 10 months prior to importation, and 3) accompanied by a Veterinary Health Certificate presented within 48 hours of arrival in the Commonwealth of The Bahamas to a licensed veterinarian for an examination.

BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDS
Dogs and cats are permitted entry only after the Department of Agriculture’s Veterinary Division issues an import permit. The BVI is a Rabies free territory and in order to protect against the spread of this disease, there are regulations that address pets coming in from countries that are known to have outbreaks of Rabies, such as the U.S. mainland and Canada. Of note is that Caribbean nations such as Anguilla, Antigua, Barbados, Dominica, Montserrat, St. Kitts, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and the U.S. Virgin Islands are Rabies-free. Find the correct forms in a downloadable form at: www.britishvirginislands.com/ntk_permitspet.htm. For more information, call the Department of Agriculture, Veterinary Division, at: (284) 495-2532.

BARBADOS
An import permit must be obtained from the Chief Veterinary Officer before the importation of all pets. This permit can be obtained by calling Veterinary Services at: (246) 427-5073 or Fax: (246) 420-8444. A Veterinary Officer must examine the animal before it’s allowed to leave the customs area. Dogs and cats need to be free of any communicable disease. If they come from the UK, Ireland, Jamaica, St. Kitts-Nevis, Antigua, St. Lucia or St. Vincent, they may be imported directly. Pets from all other countries must undergo six months quarantine in Britain after which time an import permit can be secured.

DOMINICA
Pets can enter the country if accompanied by a valid Veterinary Health Certificate plus an importation permit from the Veterinary Officer of the Ministry of Agriculture, Botanical Gardens, Roseau, Commonwealth of Dominica. Tel: (767) 448-0414.

DOMINICAN REPUBLIC
Pets must have a health certificate issued and signed by a licensed veterinarian. The certificate should contain the name and address of the owner, and complete identification of the animal (name, breed, sex, and age). The pet must also have: 1) been examined within 30 days prior to departure and found to be free of any infectious diseases, and 2) been vaccinated against rabies. The rabies vaccination certificate (which should have been given between one month and 12 months prior to entry) should include the date of vaccination, product name and serial number. For more information, call the Office of Animal Health at: (809) 542-0132.

GRENADA
A health certificate from a veterinarian dated within two weeks of travel. An import permit is also required. The Grenada Tourist Board can fax the permit papers. For more information, call the Veterinary & Livestock Office at: (473) 440-3195 or Fax: (473) 440-4191.

GUADELOUPE
Cats and dogs over three months old are admitted temporarily with certificates of origin and good health (or anti-rabies inoculation), issued by a licensed veterinarian from the country of shipment.

JAMAICA
Animals are not permitted to enter Jamaica without going through quarantine in the UK for six months.

MARTINIQUE
Dogs and cats over three months old are admitted temporarily with certificates of origin and good health (or anti-rabies inoculation), issued by a licensed veterinarian from the country of shipment. For more information, contact: The Capitainerie of Le Marin, Tel: (011 596) 596 74 83 83, Fax: (011 596) 596 74 92 02

PUERTO RICO & THE U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS
Dogs and cats may enter with a health and inoculation certificate from a veterinarian dated two weeks prior to arrival.

ST. LUCIA
Pets must have a Veterinary Import Permit before they may enter St. Lucia. This can be arranged for by contacting the Ministry of Agriculture’s Veterinary Department. Cats and dogs must also adhere to the following requirements: 1) be electronically identifiable by having had an acceptable type of microchip implanted, 2) be vaccinated against rabies at or over three months of age, 3) travel into St. Lucia, 180 days (six months) after the date the blood sample was taken, and 4) be treated no more than 48 hours before entry into St Lucia with a preparation for the treatment of ticks and fleas and with an anthelmintic preparation. For more information, contact the Chief Veterinary Officer at: Email: chiefvet@slumaffe.org.

ST. MAARTEN
Pets can enter St. Maarten with a health certificate issued by a veterinarian dated less than 10 days prior to departure. The pet must have a rabies vaccination certificate that has been issued between one month and 12 months before entering the island.

ST. VINCENT AND THE GRENADINES
Pets from the US must be in quarantine in the UK for six months before entering. Pets can enter Vincentian waters on yachts but must remain onboard at all times unless the above requirements are met.

TRINIDAD & TOBAGO
Pets entering must be declared to Customs on entry. No animal is allowed ashore unless a permit is obtained from the Veterinary Services Division. It’s also essential to have an importation license. This license must be applied for three months prior to travel. In addition, necessary arrangements must be made 24 hours before arrival in order for the dog or cat to be inspected on arrival.
Dogs and cats from the U.S. are required to undergo six-month quarantine at the Quarantine Station. The quarantine time can be shortened to 30 days if three criteria are met: 1) that dogs have a microchip inserted underneath their skin by a vet before the required rabies vaccine, 2) that dogs or cats are vaccinated against rabies within six months but not more than a year before planned travel, and 3) that pets have a blood rabies test one month after vaccination. Permits to allow pets ashore for walking or exercising are not usually issued. For more information, contact: Veterinary Services Division, Ministry of Agriculture, Land and Marine Resources, St. Clair Circle, St. Clair. Tel: (868) 622-1221; Fax: (868) 622-4240; Email: aphmalmr@tstt.net.tt. For a copy of the importation application form and for further information, visit www.agriculture.gov.tt.

Carol M. Bareuther, RD, is a St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands-based marine writer and registered dietitian.

Friday BOAT Cat Blogging : Jacob aboard Flame

2007-10-26T10:29:00.000-04:00

Today's boat cat is Jacob who lives aboard the charter motor yacht FLAME.

Jacob is a fabulous charter cat. He really does the balance of entertainer, but not too-much-in -your-face charter host. His folks are very pleased with him and Flame's guests have adored him.

This morning, we asked Barbara and Wayne for a new photo and a bit about Jacob. Here is what they said:

Jacob is skinny in this picture cause he was still a kitten. He is still pretty slim but he has this funny droopy stomach that the vet says is very normal, just usual in older cats.

Jake is two years old. We got him at the St Thomas (USVI) humane society when he chose us for parents. I sat down in the cat enclosure and he climbed in my lap. I put him down to check out the other kittens and he climbed back on... my heart was won! He is not a lap cat for other people...

He likes to interrupt me when I am at the computer. When he was little he would lie on the computer keyboard and roll around listening to it beep! I had to stop that when somehow he managed to make my entire picture file go away. He loves to lie on the counter at the bottom of the steps going into the main salon so he can keep track of everyone. Me, he whacks as I go by so he can get attention. He is playful in the morning and the evening.. right now he is finding the charging cord for the phone a fun toy. He is also fond of hunting flies. I suppose the funniest thing about him is that he uses the toilet. We used the insert to train him and now he is down to the last ring with no litter in it. Last summer Wayne and I did a charter on Eliza (they had no crew and were in a panic) and we told them we come with cat. Jake just rolled with the punches and used the toilet there just like on Flame (on land he uses the great outdoors).

Well, obviously I could go on and on about him! He is just the sweetest, good natured cat!

You can see another post (June 12, 2006) with Jacob and Flame HERE.

Unfortunately, Flame won't be at the November St. Thomas charter yacht show as they will be on charter. But, as we will be in the Virgin Islands aboard our boat, we will probably run into them and catch up on everything... including more pictures!

View FLAME's brochure : CLICK HERE

Contact us, Paradise Connections, to book Flame : CLICK HERE

Costumes for pets

2007-10-23T21:26:00.000-04:00

I recently received an email from Amazon.com concerning products for Halloween

As there are a few parties coming up, I decided to check out their Halloween Costume Section and I was surprised to find that they also had costumes for pet.

Check it out!

Here's something for people:

Pirate Costumes

Have fun!

Pet Locator Transmitter

2007-10-07T12:40:00.000-04:00

I just ran across this in an old 2004 Sail Magazine... The Cat Locator.

Their website is: http://www.thecatlocator.com/ but it looks like they no longer sell this item... Could it have been some FCC issue? Oh well, check it out anyway.

It would have been handy for all of those times I would go around the Joinville-Le-Pont marina shaking a box of cat food and calling Wacka's name. She loved to go into the greasy engine room of a unused motor boat that was a couple of spaces up from us. Usually, she'd just look at me... then I'd have to try the "cheese" ploy. Our cats loved fromage!

Books: Sailing and Cruising with Pets

2006-07-28T10:51:00.000-04:00

Cruising With Your Four-Footed Friends: The Basics of Travel with Your Cat or Dog (Paperback)
by Diana Jessie

Editorial Reviews:

Boat US : "It's about time someone researched and wrote about taking their pets on boats. In "Cruising With Your Four-Footed Friends", Diana Jessie has been able to add facts with personal experience, plus draw on others' experiences into something that at times reads like it could be called "Chicken Soup for the Boating Pet Lover's Soul". This book is both entertaining to read and is full of helpful information! Now the rest of us have one book that will help us prepare and plan for taking our pets on board.

The First Aid Companion for Dogs & Cats (Prevention Pets) (Paperback)
by Amy D. Shojai

Book Description

Is there an animal doctor in the house? Most likely, the answer is no. And when an accident or other emergency threatens your pet, every minute counts. Don't be unprepared! Open The First-Aid Companion for Dogs and Cats and learn:

Basic first-aid techniques, such as cleaning a wound, making a splint, and performing CPR-- step-by-step!
Which over-the-counter human medications can help-- or harm-- your dog or cat
What to keep in your pet's medicine chest (many essential items are probably in your house already!)
How to quickly pinpoint what's wrong with your pet, using the First-Aid Symptom Finder

Plus, you'll discover a comprehensive A-to-Z guide to more than 150 common, and not-so-common, injuries and conditions.

Cat Owner's Home Veterinary Handbook (Cat Owner's Home Veterinary Handbook) (Hardcover)
by Delbert G. Carlson, James M. Giffin

Book Description

Signs and Symptoms Index on inside front cover
Easy-to-understand text
Authors with collective experience of over a half century
Hundreds of instructional photos and drawings throughout
Covers every problem from Pediatrics to Geriatrics

All cat owners wish that their pets really did have nine lives. Now, with this newly revised and expanded edition of Cat Owner's Home Veterinary Handbook, the one life cats do have can be made longer and happier. Virtually every problem that owners will encounter is dealt with in language that teaches everyone how to cope with and prevent those unpleasant surprises. Part of the cat's mystique is a uniquely curious nature. This innate curiosity can create many dangerous situations and unwelcome consequences. This book, a classic in its first edition, has been updated to include the very latest solutions to the daily occurances and special problems in all phases of cat care, including behavior and training. Yes, training! Now, in clear and simple terms, symptoms are identified and thorough instructions are given so that with this book, owners can become the best friends their cats can have in a lifetime.

Dog Owner's Home Veterinary Handbook (Howell Reference Books) (Hardcover)
by James M. Giffin, Liisa D. Carlson

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com : Open the front cover and the first two pages you see contain the Index of Signs and Symptoms, from Abdomen (painful, swollen, distended, and tucked up) to Weight loss, Wheezing, and Whining (continual). There's a comprehensive index in back, of course, running the gamut from Abortion to Zinc-Responsive Dermatosis, which is all very useful, but when your pooch is in pain, it's great to be able to turn, with the minimum of folderol, to the page that says to relax, it's nothing a bit of extra grooming won't fix, or alternatively to hightail it over to the vet hospital. It's a wonderful reference for any dog owner, with chapters on emergencies (such as burns, dehydration, and poisoning), as well as worms, infectious diseases, skin care, and canine eyes, ears, and nose. There are chapters on the digestive, respiratory, and circulatory systems, the nervous, musculoskeletal, and urinary systems, plus dog sex, whelping, puppy pediatrics, geriatrics, and chapters on cancers and medications. In short, it covers every health dimension a dog owner might want to know more about, identifies the possible causes, helps you determine the severity of the condition, and indicates what treatments or actions to take to best insure your dog's good health. --Stephanie Gold --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Vet - Animal Hospital - St Maarten

2006-07-23T18:32:00.001-04:00

Click on photo to enlarge

This is a bit of a walk but not too difficult when just going for Bullwinkle's (ship's cat) vaccinations.

Dinghy over to the Port de Plaisance Marina and tie up at one or the other dinghy docks. Follow the diveway to the left until you reach the main road, then take a right towards Philipsburg direction, not towards Marigot. The veterinarian office will be on the right hand side of the street, after the gas station, and just after the Subway sandwich shop.

ANIMAL HOSPITAL OF THE NETHERLANDS ANTILLES
599-544-4111
ahsm@caribserve.net
Unit 4 & 5 Crowne Plaza
Union Road, Cole Bay
St. Maarten, N.A.

There is another vet on your way to Cost-U-Less, after the roundabout and before the old, Rams supermarket. Much too far to walk.

Bullwinkle, ship's cat

2006-03-05T16:09:00.000-04:00

Here's a photo of Bullwinkle (Mr. B) that I took on Friday. He is waiting for us to come out in the cockpit as sundown approaches.

Il est beau!

The Simpson Bay Lagoon has been pretty crowded for the last few days because of the 26th annual Heineken Regatta. The weather has been pretty good but there was no wind today so they cancelled the final day of racing. This was OK with most folks as it just meant that the beach parties would start a bit earlier!