Pets in Haiti

MARNDR's animal-health structure includes the Direction de Production et de Santé Animale, departmental directorates, technical services and veterinary centres, but actual access varies by département and commune. Private veterinarians and local NGOs often provide the most practical way to obtain routine care, rescue support and adoption services. Public fee schedules, insurance standards and nationwide emergency-care arrangements have not been established in the available evidence. Haiti's legal framework for animals is described as outdated, including the 1934 animal-health law and the 1962 Rural Code. No verified national obligation requires a pet owner to microchip, register or generally vaccinate a pet, although owners should keep reliable vaccination and identity records. Canine rabies remains endemic; the CDC reports limited vaccine availability and more than 2,000 dog-bite victims per year, while CDC-supported campaigns vaccinated more than 100,000 dogs in 2025. Campaigns may operate centrally or door to door, without a documented nationwide schedule for privately kept pets. MARNDR handles animal-disease surveillance and vaccination campaigns, while MSPP provides human post-exposure care after possible rabies exposure. A bite or suspected rabies exposure requires urgent medical assessment rather than waiting for a routine pet appointment. Local adoption and rescue can be practical ways to obtain a dog. Haiti Street Dog Project applications may require photo identification, proof of ownership or a lease with landlord permission, three references and existing vaccination or health records; stated fees start at USD 150 for a puppy and USD 250 for an adult dog. Foster care is arranged case by case, and foster carers may have to cover the full cost of care without resource support. Haiti has no verified nationwide public surrender or return pathway, so households that can no longer keep an animal generally need to contact a rescue group, adoption network or foster provider directly. Haiti Street Dog Project also supports local adoption and transport, with transport to the United States starting at USD 750 and other costs varying by case. Moving a pet across a national border requires advance confirmation with DQCPAP or its Quarantine Unit. Import or export applications may require a written request, importer and exporter details, supplier information and a zoo-sanitary certificate from the country of origin; authorities may also require animal identification, a valid rabies certificate, a rabies antibody titre and arrival notification. Destination and transit countries add their own rules, and the United States classifies Haiti as a high-risk country for dog rabies. Wild animals are different from ordinary companion animals: protected reptiles, birds and mammals may not be captured, sold, kept, transported or exported without express permission from the relevant wildlife authorities, including ANAP and MDE. Cage or aviary birds can therefore still be protected wildlife rather than legally unrestricted pets.