Updates

In the early editions of the book, I recommended Jimmy Cornell's website noonsite.com, as a good source for animal import regulations. Upon further evaluation, his site provides a lot of useful cruising information, but there is really not much pet-related. I have since done some further web research and have found other sites that are much more useful for pet entrance requirements. I have provided some excellent web links on my links pages here at this website, which will provide you with much more useful and abundant information.

Lines reading:
1 fluid ounce = 29.6 milliliters = 237 milliliters (ml) = 16 tablespoons (Tbsp)
1 cup = 8 fluid ounces

Should read:
1 fluid ounce = 29.6 milliliters
1 cup = 8 fluid ounces = 237 milliliters (ml) = 16 tablespoons (Tbsp)
(Corrected in versions 2.6.2 and greater)

Rather than the vinegar, rum, vodka, meat tenderizer, etc. described in the book, try using just the salt water washdown (wearing gloves, of course) and follow up with a fresh water bath and let dry. Then brush thoroughly with a slicker brush. This procedure hopefully should remove any jellyfish debris from the coat.

I have repeatedly looked into this issue and I think I have a couple of realistic suggestions. I stated in early editions of my book that, when voyaging internationally with your pet, you should get an AVID rather than a Home Again chip. My understanding was that the AVID chip was ISO compatible (the international standard) and that Home Again was not -- wrong again -- NEITHER one is ISO compatible. This issue is a real can of worms. The problem with microchips is that the scanners tend to be specific and will not read other types of chips. In many non-North American countries the officials will be using scanners designed for the ISO chip. So your AVID or Home Again chip will not be read by their scanner. You can solve this by carrying your own chip scanner (pain in the butt and generally a couple hundred dollars to buy) OR you can get your chip at a Banfield Pet Hospital. They now install TWO chips, one is an ISO and the other is compatible with the AVID and Home Again chips, so, no matter where you go, you should be good. Cost? About the same as most places will charge you for a single chip. OR, if your pet already has one of the above NON-international chips, you can get an ISO chip implanted once you leave the U.S (even in Canada) or at a Banfieldhospital. Be aware that this is one issue where America is NOT setting the standard.

I criticized a Florida veterinarian for selling an unnecessary cat vaccination to my good friends before they crossed to the Bahamas. I was wrong and I sincerely apologize. The veterinarian had more current information than did I. I was unaware that the entry requirement for cats had changed to include a feline leukemia vaccination. However, my ranting and raving over unnecessary vaccinations is now directed at the Bahamian requirements for stipulating canine coronavirus and feline leukemia in their import permit (form IMP/1(A)). Whether ashore or aboard a boat, these requirements are really debatable as, in both cases either the vaccine efficacy or the threat of disease is arguable -- risk of vaccine versus risk of disease.