A Guide to Moving Your Pet to or from the U.S. Virgin Islands

Moving Your Pet to St. Croix or St. Thomas: A Complete 2026 Guide

Moving a dog or cat to St. Croix or St. Thomas comes down to one distinction that decides almost everything else: are you arriving from the US mainland or Puerto Rico, or from somewhere else. That single line determines your paperwork, your timeline, and whether your pet needs an import permit at all. For anyone relocating for St. Croix real estate or a home search on St. Thomas, getting this right before you book a flight saves a scramble at the airport. Coldwell Banker St. Croix Realty and Coldwell Banker St. Thomas Realty work with relocating families regularly, and pet logistics come up in nearly every one of those conversations.

Dogs and cats arriving from the mainland or Puerto Rico need only a health certificate and current rabies documentation, with no import permit required. Dogs arriving from anywhere else now need a CDC Dog Import Form completed before travel, a rule that took effect in August 2024. There’s generally no quarantine period once a pet lands on St. Croix or St. Thomas. Any animal that isn’t a dog or cat needs an import permit from the Office of the Commissioner of Agriculture regardless of where it’s coming from.

Before You Move

• Visit the vet. Pull your pet’s complete medical records, catch up on any remaining vaccinations, and stock up on medication for the transition. If your pet gets anxious traveling, your vet can also prescribe something to ease the flight.
• Update ID. Make sure tags carry your new island contact information, and update the microchip registry too, since a chip only helps if the contact details behind it are current.
• Check licensing. Confirm any pet licensing requirements for St. Croix or St. Thomas before moving day.

Domestic Entry: Arriving From the US Mainland or Puerto Rico

• A health certificate from an accredited veterinarian, issued within 10 days of travel
• Current rabies vaccination status shown on that certificate
• No import permit required

This is the path most relocating homeowners are on, and it’s the simplest of the three.

International Entry: The CDC’s 2024 Dog Import Rule

Any arrival from outside the US mainland and Puerto Rico counts as international entry, even if the pet is still arriving on US soil. Effective August 1, 2024, dogs entering this way need:

• A completed CDC Dog Import Form, submitted online before arrival
• Proof of a microchip
• Confirmation the dog is at least six months old
• An import permit from the Office of the Commissioner of Agriculture

The exact documentation beyond that depends on where the dog was vaccinated and where it spent the six months before travel, so confirm the specifics with a USDA-accredited veterinarian close to your travel date. Cats aren’t affected by this particular rule change, but international cat entries still need their own import permit and health documentation.

Other Animals: Birds, Rabbits, Ferrets, and More

Anything outside the dog and cat category needs an import permit from the Office of the Commissioner of Agriculture, regardless of whether the trip starts on the mainland or internationally. Arrange this well ahead of the move, since it’s a separate process from anything a veterinarian handles.

Flying Into St. Croix or St. Thomas With a Pet

• St. Croix: Henry E. Rohlsen Airport, with direct flights from cities including Miami, Atlanta, Boston, and Fort Lauderdale
• St. Thomas: Cyril E. King Airport
• Choose a nonstop flight where the schedule allows it, to shorten your pet’s time in transit
• Confirm breed and temperature restrictions directly with your airline, since policies vary by carrier

What We See With Clients Settling In With Animals

Pet logistics rarely end at the airport. Families searching Active Long-Term Rentals or considering a Vacation Rentals on St. Croix or St. Thomas often find that pet policies vary property to property, so it’s worth confirming that detail early in a home search . For owners who plan to rent out a property while pets are part of the household mix, our Property Management Services team can speak directly to how pet policies get handled across a rental portfolio. Moving with an animal is one more reason relocating families lean on a real estate team that already knows the island end of the process, not just the mainland side of it.

Frequently Asked Questions About Moving Pets to the US Virgin Islands

Do pets need to be quarantined when they arrive on St. Croix or St. Thomas?
No quarantine period applies to pets arriving in the US Virgin Islands under current regulations. This holds for both domestic and international arrivals, provided the required health documentation is in order on arrival.

Does my dog need the new CDC import form if I’m moving from Florida?
No. The CDC Dog Import Form requirement applies only to dogs entering from outside the US mainland and Puerto Rico. A move from Florida, or anywhere else in the continental US, only requires the standard health certificate and rabies documentation.

How far in advance should I get my pet’s health certificate?
A health certificate must be issued within 10 days of travel for domestic entry into the US Virgin Islands, so schedule the vet visit close to your actual travel date rather than weeks ahead. International entries should confirm exact timing with their vet, since requirements can vary by circumstance.

What if I’m bringing a bird or a rabbit instead of a dog or cat?
Any animal other than a dog or cat needs an import permit from the Office of the Commissioner of Agriculture before traveling to the US Virgin Islands, regardless of whether the trip originates on the mainland or internationally.

Can I fly directly into St. Croix or St. Thomas with my pet?
Yes. St. Croix is served by Henry E. Rohlsen Airport with direct flights from several mainland cities, and St. Thomas is served by Cyril E. King Airport. A nonstop routing is generally the easiest option for a pet, and airline-specific requirements should be confirmed directly with the carrier.

Will my pet be allowed in the rental property I’m considering?
Pet policies vary by property across both islands, so this is worth confirming as part of the home search rather than assuming. Our team can help identify pet-friendly options among current rental and sale listings on St. Croix and St. Thomas.

If you have questions or would like personalized guidance, we invite you to connect with our team.