Traveling with pets: DIGEGA reduces health certificate processing to minutes

Santo Domingo.- The Dominican Republic’s General Directorate of Livestock (DIGEGA) has streamlined the process for obtaining health documents required to travel internationally with pets, reducing a procedure that previously took days to just minutes.

The agency’s Division of Small Animal Diseases has incorporated technological tools and improved its procedures to make the issuance of veterinary health certificates faster and more efficient, while maintaining national and international health requirements.

DIGEGA Director General Abel Madera Espinal said the modernization is part of the institution’s effort to provide more accessible public services, reduce waiting times and respond more quickly to pet owners.

During the first half of 2026, 1,387 dogs and 201 cats were exported from the Dominican Republic to destinations including the United States, Canada, Mexico, several Latin American and Caribbean countries, the European Union and Ukraine.

Pet owners traveling with dogs, cats or other companion animals must obtain the corresponding Veterinary Health Certificate and meet the requirements established by their destination country.

DIGEGA advised owners to begin the process in advance and verify destination-specific health requirements, which can vary from one country to another.

The agency said the new system represents an improvement in the experience of pet owners while supporting the safe and responsible international movement of companion animals.