Moving Pets to Guam: What to Expect
If you’re looking to move your pets to Guam expect a lot of paperwork, time and money as part of the process. The island is rabies-free and has stringent requirements to ensure the disease doesn’t enter its shores.
Guam is rabies-free, which keeps people and animals safe—but also means strict entry rules, paperwork, time, and money. If your pet isn't arriving from a Guam-recognized rabies-free area (Hawaii, Australia, New Zealand, Japan and the British Isles), your pet must undergo one of three quarantine periods consisting of 120 days, calculated quarantine, or up to five days at a Guam Department of Agriculture-approved animal quarantine facility.
Pets must enter Guam via the airport so prepare to have enough money to pay the airline fee to bring them in.
Steps Before Arrival
- Microchip first. Your vet's health certificate must list the chip number and confirm it scans.
- Rabies vaccinations: Minimum two prior to arrival (keep dated certificates). You'll also need to have other vaccinations depending on if you have a dog or cat.
- FAVN (Fluorescent Antibody Serum Neutralization Test) must be conducted to determine if a pet has responded adequately to rabies vaccination and is required prior to arrival. The test must be conducted no less than 90 days and no more than 12 months prior to arrival in Guam. A result of 0.5. IU per milliliter of rabies antibodies or greater is required.
- Import permit: Apply with the Guam Department of Agriculture, $65 per pet fee. Email documents like rabies certificates, vaccination records, FAVN, health certificate, to [email protected]
- If from a designated rabies-free areas: Provide an affadavit for export/certificate of origin stating your pet has not left the area in the 4 months prior to shipment (usually issued by a government entity such as the Department of Agriculture veterinarian or U.S. Army veterinarian).
- Book the flight + quarantine space (if needed): Pets must arrive by air; confirm airline pet policies and crate specs.
- Budget and prep: Airline fees, vet visits, FAVN lab costs, permit, and if applicable, commercial quarantine.
Quarantine Options
How the FAVN Results Affects You
- If your pets don’t pass the requirements they’ll need to be put into a quarantine facility for 120 days at the owner's expense.
- Pets coming in with a FAVN of 0.5 IU to 0.99 IU will spend only as many days in commercial quarantine as required to reach 120 total days since the FAVN blood sample was received by the laboratory.
Pets coming in with a FAVN of 1.0 IU or greater and having all other vaccinations will be examined by a veterinarian within 5 days of arrival and will complete the remainder of their 120 quarantine at home.
Helpful Resources
The U.S. Coast Guard Sector Guam has a great guide with helpful information on moving pets to the island.
Guam quarantine guidelines are subject to change, so contact the Department of Agriculture at (671) 300-7965/66 if you have questions.
Animal Medical Clinic & Pet Quarantine is a full-service vet and quarantine facility.
If you would like to adopt a pet in Guam, reach out to Guam Animals in Need or any of the animal shelters. Just be sure that the responsibility is a permanent one, and that you will take your Fur Baby with you if you leave.
