We're taking our cat with us next time we go down and have noticed that Continental & American Airlines have completely opposite rules for taking pets to Belize. Curious as to comments from any boarders that have had experience in taking their pets down on either airline.

Sorry, I've only carried a puppy out of Belize on American. Had no problem, carried her right on the plane and put her under the seat in front us. Of course we had to have papers from the VET.

i brought both my cats down when i moved here. was only supposed to be allowed to bring one on board, but...sometimes a smile is worth a thousand...that and a LOT of tears.

anyway, technically, for both airlines it should be pretty simple and relatively the same. you will need international vet certificate, a carrier that will allow him/her to stand and turn around in (not that anyone is going to check), and thats about it.

when you book your reservation, you need to tell them that you are going to bring a pet. the airlines are only allowed to have so many pets on board per flight.

if i were you, i'd wait till i got there, plan on the cat being a carryon, and try to get them to let you put him under the seat in front of you. less stress for you, less stress for the cat. you SHOULD be allowed to do this provided you are the first to ask for it.

its a MUCH more common occurrance than you think. no one at security or anywhere else was surprised to see my babies. they WERE however surprised at the carrier i had that was on wheels so i just pulled these two cats behind me as i ran through the airport

(best deal ever...small cat carrier $8 from a catalogue i found online and they had freakin wheels! it was PURRRfect!)

On their respective websites, Continental will only allow carry-on pets when traveling to Belize; American states carry-on is not allowed to Belize, only check in and only if the temperature at your destination is predicted to be 85 degrees or less. It's like a crap shoot. We plan on taking her down every time we go which will be about 4 times a year, so we'll probably get it all figured out very quickly!

ArtZ SmartZ, you were traveling TO the US. Different rules from the US to Belize on American. American will allow a carry on pet going to the US, but not going to Belize. Going to Belize they have to be checked in.

would love to help with this question. I brought my animal to the island. There are two very informative threads on this topic, however when I do a search on this new format to bring up both links it says "can not do a search at this time." Have you tried and do you have the same situation?

We bring our little dog each year on Contenial. You need to pay $200 for the carry on pet and only 2 are allowed on any one flight. Do not show up and expect to get on the flight. I have tried to book flights and one leg of the flight already had the 2 pets allowed. Before it is all over bringing the dog down cost around $350us. The last time even more as we traveled on NWA & Cont.air.-they each charged us. We have had them check to make sure the dog could turn around and carrier had to be hard sided.
To get into Belize you need a USDA form filed out by your Vet. And you need to apply before arrival to bring the pet in.

So...once you bring your cat/dog down...is the process the same if you return to the US?

On the way back to the States I just showed the US folks the same papers I showed on entry to Belize. They did look Miss Molly over and ask if I had dog food (a no no). That was after a 3 month stay. I did not do an up date.

Brussel, are you considering a cat or dog and if it's a dog what is the size? There are weather restrictions on American Air and if your pet is over a certain size and must be flown with Cargo. Noticed you are in NYC and you messaged me you are coming in Jan. Will be too cold to fly out of NYC on American so check american if you have a large dog.

Small cat...okay slightly overweight. You can just bring a cat back and forth no matter how long you stay in Belize? Even as long as a year?

Yes you can!

I like it. Thank you.

yep! Just remember the health certificates and vaccinations.

The island has plenty of animals, leave yours at home.

Peoples pets are part of their family. MYOB

Got that right Jesse - a "member" of my family recently passed away and I am still very upset about it. If I was moving or considering a long stay there, it would not be negotiable whether my pets came with me or not.

Very helpful feedback Mountain Larry.

While I found Mountain Larry's comment to be rather abrupt, I wouldn't say that Jesse's "MYOB" was necessarily any more helpful.

I think Mountain Larry is right. Animals certainly can be a part of your family, that said they are usually better off left at home in their own environment.
P.S. San Pedro Daily... This is a public board asking for advice, ML has a perfect right to answer things with his opinion. I think saying MYOB is quite rude in this forum.

And I have a perfect right to answer too.

Of course you have the right to answer, Jesse. You also pretty much have the right to be a jerk about it - and you seem hellbent on exercising that right.

I don't agree. Karmin absolutely LOVES the beach, the ocean, and the environment way better than where she came from. Even the day she arrived she felt like she was heaven and thankful. If you are going for a month or more and feel you should bring your pet, do it. If they are over 8 years old talk to your vet, depending on the breed it can be dangerous to their health.

Kra-Z-K,
Maybe if you are going to be there a month or more you would want your pets with you, but I think in most instances having a them stay behind with a trusted keeper and/or kennel is better.

correct, I agree if someone is going less than a month keep them in a kennel or get an in house dog sitter, I used to do that when I went 1-2 weeks as a tourist.