Quampapetet

We had one dog in our neighborhood - or really the next street over that would always show up at either our house or the house across the street. This happened ALL the time.

 

Finally the house across the street asked if they could just have the dog since he was there all the time. The owner agreed as they knew they weren't taking proper care of him. It ended up being a win for the dog, as we can see he's very well taken care of and has become a part of their family.

 

Why get a dog if you aren't going to take care of him/her?

 

Glad the dog is happier now! I agree with not getting a dog if you are not going to properly care for it, which includes keeping it out of harm's way by not letting it be at large.

Yes, it is illegal in our county, and I've seen a deputy speak to the owner (I've spoken to her myself) but she still leaves the dog free to run off the property. It is also illegal in our subdivision according to HOA By-Laws. Once the poodle darted across the road toward my dog on the other side, just as a truck drove past and put on his brakes to avoid hitting the little pup. The owner is a person who thinks she can ignore rules.

 

That stinks! One of our neighbors used to let their German Shepherd run loose - and one day it showed up inside our garage while one of us was building something, showing up right by them! We had already talked to them more than once about it, but finally after that incident threatened to call the police next time and they got the message.

 

I don't know why people don't take better care of their dogs - wouldn't your neighbor be upset if the dog was hit by a car?! I hope that doesn't happen!

Roz is so right. My dog wouldn't attack another dog, unless I suppose if that dog was attacking me. There's a tiny poodle in my neighborhood I call the Terrorista who charges into the street (unsupervised with no tether, leash, fence) and gets in Raylene's face barking almost daily when we are out on a loose-leash walk... Poor Ray just looks up at me and tries to maneuver around the little pup and get away as soon as she can. I worry that the little poodle will be hit by a car someday.

 

Call animal control and explain the situation in hopes that they'll pick the dog up. I bet it is illegal where you live for a dog to be at large (off leash off the owner's property). Not all animal controls will pick up animals anymore, so you might have to catch it and bring it to the shelter yourself. Your service dog's safety comes first!

Does a service dog ever attack another dog? I read a friend's post about a ?service dog attacking her dog. Her dog is not a service dog.

Welcome home to the recent cruisers. Thanks Susan

 

Not typically, but there have been exceptions. My retired service dog was bitten by another service dog (from a small program) and they still graduated it that weekend. One of the large programs (CCI?) had a dog that tried to attack a child, I think it was, and they immediately retired that dog. If a program/private trainer doesn't recertify their dogs every year or two, a dog can easily become untrained, especially if something bad happens to it. Most owner-trainers are good, but not all are, and many refuse to have a third party test their dog, which I think is ridiculous, but they are probably afraid their dog isn't good enough.

 

If it was a real service dog, it should be retired. It may have been a fake, though, and that's the most likely answer.

Quam, you are correct that I've cruised a lot and had NO KNOWLEDGE of this cruise going into dry dock. Lesson learned. When I book a cruise, I will ask this question first....."WHEN IS THIS SHIP GOING INTO DRYDOCK?" NO ONE from CRUISE CRITIC mentioned this anywhere on the boards, prior to and my TA never said a word!!!!!

 

That stinks that nobody said anything! Usually that type of info. is readily found on these boards. I wouldn't expect a TA to say or even know, though.

The Golden Princess was going into dry dock following our cruise and in no way was it in cruising shape for over 2700 guests. This posting could go on for pages explaining my prior sentence so I'll go into more depth when I'm at work tomorrow.

 

I must say, after all the cruises you've been on and all the years you've been on Cruise Critic, I am surprised you'd choose to go on a cruise just before dry dock! I think I learned that from here before my first cruise. Also, sometimes dry dock takes longer than expected, so sometimes the first cruise after dry dock gets cancelled.

 

The Aphis form, a recent immunization record and exam from your Vet, where he states that your dog is current, in good health, on Heartguard and Advantix is all you need. You will meet with Immigration in the early morning (usually at the first port) and your good to go for the rest of the cruise and the visits to the rest of the ports. Just remember, to be very careful with the strays.

 

Heartguard and Advantix are brand names; your dog is not required to be on those specific brands! Heartworm preventive is essential, as is flea and tick prevention of whatever form you choose. I use the Seresto collar for flea and tick prevention - it lasts for eight months and has no messy, oily stuff to put on like the spot-ons do. Unlike other collars, it has no scent, which is great, since I used to use the Adams collar that had a so-called baby powder scent.

 

I haven't gone to Mexico since my first cruise, but I didn't have to meet with any officials from Mexico for entry. The health certificate will have the vaccination record on it, plus the statement the vet checks stating the dog is healthy and all, but I do recommend bringing the rabies certificate just in case.

 

Mexico, like the rest of the Caribbean, does have strays, but they can be avoided - just use your senses and knowledge of dog body language.

Not directly dealing with cruising with a SD directly...but I have a question for the teams here.

 

Did you feel like an absolute klutz when first working with your dog?

 

Yes, and that includes working with a new dog even after you've had a service dog for years. It isn't just the dogs that require training! Don't worry, you will eventually "click" and become a great team instead of two separate individual beings - it is kinda like a marriage, I guess! :p

Thanks! I just put that on my Amazon Wish List!

 

BTW, for those who do shop at Amazon, do you know about the Smile Program? You can have most, if not all, of your purchases have an amount go to whatever charity you select. Costs you nothing, but can make a huge difference to your charity.

 

My SD organization participates and I tend to buy from Amazon often, so it's a win-win.

 

All you have to do is look to see if whatever charity you like is listed.

 

Holly

 

The collar came yesterday and it is nice! I didn't take it out of the plastic bag it came in (it is for my puppy, of course, not my retired dog), but did push the light's button to turn it on. It has two blinking modes, one faster than the other, and a steady-on mode, plus off, of course. The light is nice and bright - plenty visible in daylight, but really nice in the dark. From the photos, I thought you wouldn't really be able to see the Pluto image when the light is on, but you can actually see it very well with the light on, even in the dark! I love it! Now I just need my pup to finish training (in the fall) and figure out when I can get to Disney next!! I am sooooo longing to see the new Fantasyland, since I haven't been since it opened!

 

I shop via Amazon Smile for St. Jude's Research Hospital (cancer hospital for children). Amazon gives such a tiny amount from each person, but every penny counts for those kids!

that is just horrible...by the way there are some businesses around here that do allow non-service animals in their stores - Home Depot and Lowes come to mind, and of course Pet Smart and Petco. I am sure most of the pets who enter those establishments are well behaved, but it is something to think about if you have a Service Dog.

 

Pets are not allowed anywhere food is sold or served. Convenience stores sell food, therefore it is against the health codes for pets to be there. Businesses can get in trouble (including be fined) if found with pets in them if they sell or serve food.

 

Lowe's corporate policy is that pets are NOT allowed in their stores. If you see a store violating this policy, you can report it to corporate.

Oh, and did you guys hear about the new guide dog team (together for two weeks) who went into a 7-Eleven (big chain convenience store) and a pet that was illegally inside the store attacked the guide of this completely-blind woman?! So upsetting!! Who knows if he will be able to work again. He is recovering from his injuries.

 

Woman's Guide Dog Attacked

I forgot that I wanted to mention this cool item I found for my fellow Disney lovers! It is a Pluto dog collar that lights up (steady or blinking), perfect for nighttime at Disney parks (or Disney cruise) so people see your dog instead of bumping into him! It comes in several different colors, including pink, yellow, blue, orange, and red. At first I was going to get the pink one because that's the one that showed up in my search result, but then I saw the yellow one and got that one because Pluto is yellow (so it looks the best when the light is off, IMO) and it looks like it is the brightest of all the colors. I am looking forward to it arriving! I hope the quality is good enough for it to last.

 

Amazon - Pluto LED Dog Collar

No, they didn't require it. I asked on the phone when I made my appointment with the APHIS office. They said I didn't need to bring any training papers or anything that said he was a service dog. I just told them and they took my word for it. I had no problems and they stamped it without question. No fee.

 

This was in February of this year.

 

Cindra

 

That's great, helpful for owner-trainers. I know their Web site at least used to say that proof of training was required, but haven't checked it recently since in the last few years, I have only gone to countries that don't need the endorsement. When I did it, I brought my service dog team certificate. I do believe they told me on the phone that I would need to bring it. My vet told me a few months ago that the office I used to go to now no longer does endorsements, so I will have to mail my stuff out of state instead of bringing them in person next time I need endorsement - that's annoying!

"The certificate" It's USDA APHIS form #7001. You get it from your USDA certified veterinarian. Mine cost about $120 if I remember correctly. You get this just prior to your cruise, as it is time sensitive. After you get the certificate from the vet, you visit your closest USDA APHIS office by appointment, or if one is not within driving distance, you FEDEX it to the office.

 

You only need to send the health certificate to the USDA office if one or more of the countries you're going to requires it to be endorsed.

 

(If Half Moon Cay is in the Bahamas...)

Regulations for taking a pet dog or cat to the Commonwealth of the Bahamas

 

The Bahamas do not quarantine healthy dogs and cats who meet the following requirements:

 

From the United States and Canada:

 

Import Permit from the Ministry of Agriculture, Trade and Industry (Nassau).

Your pet must be 6 months of age or older.

Rabies vaccination not less than 1 month and not more than 10 months prior to entry.

Your pet must be accompanied by a Veterinary Health Certificate for the Bahamas presented within 48 hours of arrival in the Commonwealth of the Bahamas to a licensed veterinarian for an examination. Although it is not required, we recommend that a USDA or CFIA licensed veterinarian complete the form and you have it endorsed by the USDA or CFIA if traveling from the United States or Canada. If you are not traveling from either of these countries, the Governing Authority of your country responsible for the import and export of animals should endorse the forms.

A copy of the Rabies Certificate should be included for endorsement.

Unaccompanied pets traveling as manifest cargo will need a health certificate issued within 10 days of travel. Your airlines may also require a health certificate even if your pet is traveling with you in the cabin or as checked baggage.

The permit is valid for 90 days from the date of issue. There will be a customs duty at the point of entry.

 

This information is not correct. They take the three-year rabies, there is no need for the health certificate to be endorsed, the import permit is good for one year (for one entry - if you are going there twice in one year, you need two permits). Cruisers do not need to see a Bahamian vet upon arrival since they will only be in the country for a few hours. I believe I posted the link to the form to fill out for the import permit (it is a new one) a few pages ago. Make sure you write that your dog is your service dog on the form so they know to waive the fee.

 

Oh, when you get your form 7001 signed and stamped, make sure you tell them the dog is a service dog. That will waive their fee.

 

I believe they require proof of the dog's training, not just stating it is a service dog, in order to waive the fee.

Under the heading of "You Can't Make This Stuff Up"...read the following!!

 

http://www.inquisitr.com/1988264/woman-denied-entry-at-disneys-magic-kingdom-for-trying-to-bring-in-baby-bengal-tiger/

 

Uhhhhhh, what?! How could anyone think you could bring a baby tiger/cat into Disney World?!?! :confused:

For Alohatoo -

 

I stumbled across something today that says Barbados has very recently revised their requirements:

 

"As of 1st January 2015 the rules governing the importation of dogs and cats into Barbados have changed to allow pets to enter the island from all countries."

 

The new information and details can be found in an official Barbados document posted on the USDA APHIS website: http://www.aphis.usda.gov/wps/portal/aphis/home/

 

Click on Imports and Exports (menu at left), then continue to click - Exporting animals FROM the United States, Animals or Animal Products, IREGs for Animal Export, and then find the dropdown menu of countries.

 

Awesome!!! I wish they had this back when I had a cruise that went there, but it is good that they are finally changing it.

[quote name='Kiddiecakes']Hi Everyone! Questions! My daughter is 15 and just got her service dog in October. She desperately wants to go on a cruise and take Hoover. I can't seem to get an answer from anyone concerning leaving her service dog aboard when she goes to ports. We prefer not to take him off ship. Can you leave him in a crate in the cabin? I know you can't leave him alone in the room without a crate or can they keep him somewhere ?[/QUOTE]

No, someone must stay onboard with the dog, who cannot be left alone in the room. You wouldn't want your precious service dog left alone, anyway, and it would be a liability issue. So, your options are: (1) Take the dog off the ship so he can do his job, (2) Have someone in your party stay in the cabin with the dog, or (3) Don't bring the dog on the cruise. I always out for option 1, especially since I need my service dog at all times. Yes, some ports we can't get off due to the import regulations, but I know that in advance of booking, so don't have an issue with it. Yes, taking the dog off the ship requires advanced research, preparation, and possibly additional costs, but that's just par for the course when you need a service dog. (Note: If you take the dog, but don't plan for getting off at any ports, you still need to get an international health certificate because you need it for returning to the US at the end of the cruise.)

[quote name='Alohatoo']Hi. We just decided to take a cruise in 2 weeks on Celebrity Summit with my guide dog Regina. Does anyone know about the regulations for the islands of Barbedos, St. Lucia, Puerto Rico, St. Thomas and Antigua and St. Maarten. Thanks. Alohatoo. I have found this forum very helpful in the past.[/QUOTE]

Barbados won't permit the dog (they only accept dogs coming directly from the UK), I believe St. Lucia requires a rabies titer with a six-month wait after (and possibly the health certificate to be endorsed - I don't recall), PR and St. Thomas just need the health certificate, I don't know about Antigua since I haven't had that on an itinerary, and St. Maarten I guess needs the form someone posted the link to and the health certificate. Google to find out about Antigua dog import requirements.

Sounds like a nice itinerary! Have a blast!

PS: One more post - LOL...

 

Unless something goes wrong - I know who my dog is going to be! :)

 

Awesome!! Congratulations!

.

This isn't hard to believe...

 

http://www.bbc.com/news/magazine-31646970?SThisFB&fb_ref=Default

.

 

Unfortunately, fakers have become a big problem! And many of them even brag on Instagram and Twitter about it! It definitely affects real service dog teams because these untrained pets can attack or distract real teams and their poor behavior puts a sour taste in the mouths of the public and businesses towards service dogs and the fake IDs they flash for access makes some businesses think all teams have or are willing to show IDs (it is illegal for businesses to request or require them) so kick out teams without IDs.

I am not an expert on European travel. That said, I have read that any animals entering the UK must be quarantined. When the actress Elizabeth Taylor was receiving an O.B.E she brought her little dog along, but could not bring it into the country because of the quarantine requirement. Others, including Roz have commented on this. So you may hear from somebody with actual experience. (Sounds like a wonderful trip though.) :)

Thanks!

Beckie

 

There are exceptions for service dogs, but of course it requires a lot of work and I believe there are only a few particular airports you can enter into (not sure about seaports if the cruise is originating outside of the UK). I believe the rabies titer with six-month wait is one of the requirements.

Not sure yet. They have had two dogs in mind, who just need their final training. However, there MAY be a catch as I MIGHT need cervical spine surgery.

 

I have fallen in love with one of the 13 month old dogs and he likes me. So if I get him, it'd be a little later as he needs to be trained a lot more.

 

So basically between the next three months and ten months...I think. :)

 

Sorry to hear that you might need surgery! :( I hope you don't have to have it! Hopefully, you will get the best dog for you!

Quam, you are the BEST! I knew somebody had the info Cruisemom87 needed.

 

I'm going to save all this great Bahamas info on my computer - never know what islands may be on a future itinerary.

 

No problem. The Bahamas is a good winter escape! :D

 

BTW, I don't know if I mentioned it in the above post, but I have mentioned it before: there are lots of stray dogs (Potcakes) in the Bahamas. They're not usually trouble-makers from what I have seen, but since you don't know if they are vaccinated and all, plus could carry fleas or ticks, I would recommend staying away from them. They are typically pretty cute, though, and if you want one, there are plenty available at the humane society.

 

(Be sure your dog is on flea and tick prevention before you travel anywhere in the Caribbean! Heartworm preventive, too, of course!)

 

Many restaurants use cats for mice prevention, so you may come across cats wandering around, even at resorts. Make sure your dog ignores cats, including ones that stare at him and stalk him, or have the others in your party ready to shoo a cat far away!

In looking something else up, I noticed that there seems to be a new form for sending away for the Bahamas import permit, so use this one instead. (I don't know how new this is, but I used the old one this past fall to get my permit for this past January and was never told about the new form. The permit itself was the same as all the previous years.) If your microchip is a different brand than the ones listed on the microchip line, I am not sure if you then put the microchip info. on the "Other Identifier" line or what, since I haven't filled this new form out yet. They give an address for FedEx-ing the form, which I would recommend because I have Bahamian friends who say the postal mail delivery there is not great and always use FedEx (they even use a mail forwarding service that gives them a US address and then they pick up their mail at the service's retail location) - this may or may not get you your permit sooner, as they are still on island time and papers still sit on their desks for a long time.

 

https://forms.bahamas.gov.bs/documents/AGRI_Application%20to%20import%20Domestic%20Animals.pdf

Hi everyone. I'm not the boards and this thread. I tried searching the thread but wasn't seeing what I needed.

 

We are cruising on Carnival to the Bahamas with my Guide dog. I called carnival's guest services but they were no help in finding out what vaccinations and paperwork I need and where to get the paperwork from. We have never cruised before so I'm so confused on animal laws.

 

I had contacted the USDA but got no answers. Where do I start? Who do I call to get the paperwork and info. We are stopping at Freeport and Nassua.

 

Also, I'm worried about cabs and restaurants. I'm worried we won't get a cab because of my dog. What are the laws and General attitudes towards service dogs in the Bahamas? Thanks guys!!!!

 

You need to fill out this form and send it in to the Bahamas in order to obtain their import permit. Note that service dogs are exempt from the $10 fee, so be sure to write on the form that your dog is your service dog!

 

http://www.bahamas.com/sites/default/files/Bahamas_Application_to_Import_Domestic_Animals_in_TIOTB.pdf

 

It takes around three months for them to mail back the import permit, but if you need it sooner, they can fax it to you. It is valid for a year, for one entry, so if you go to the Bahamas again later in the year, you will need another permit.

 

The permit will state all the vaccines needed: rabies, distemper, hepatitis, parvovirus, leptospirosis, adenovirus, and coronavirus. They do accept the three-year rabies. Except for rabies, they do accept titers - but leptospirosis only lasts for one year, so you'll need to give that if you haven't done so in the last year. You need a negative fecal float result (do this prior to the health certificate vet appointment if your vet sends it out to a lab, since it will take a day or two for the results - they have always accepted mine done three or four months prior at my dog's annual exam) and your dog must be parasite-free, of course.

 

Also included with the permit will be a form for your vet to fill out and sign in regards to your dog's microchip number and general health.

 

Within the 48 hours prior to your trip, you need to go to a USDA-accredited vet (which may be your usual vet, but not all are accredited to be able to do international health certificates, so you will have to ask them) to get the international health certificate and have them fill out the microchip number form I mentioned above.

 

You DO NOT need to have the health certificate endorsed by your regional USDA office for the Bahamas! Only some countries require that and the Bahamas isn't one of those.

 

Since you're on a cruise, you don't have to go to a Bahamas vet within 48 hours of arrival for the paperwork to be checked.

 

To get back in the US, you just need the health certificate, so you're all set!

 

As for access, the Bahamas doesn't currently have any access laws for service dogs. I go there a lot on land trips and don't really have access issues. Although I haven't taken a taxi in several years, since we rent a car for the duration of our stay, I have never been denied access after educating them about service dogs (what they do, how well they are trained, that my dog will just lay on the floor the entire time, etc.) and at the end of the ride, they love service dogs - and have remembered us when they see us years later! Some people do know about service dogs from TV and movies - I had one gas station attendant who saw my dog in the car and got way too excited to see a service dog in real life - he was yelling to all his fellow attendants about what service dogs do and everything. Pretty funny!

 

Anyway, if a place doesn't have their own access rules for service dogs (like Atlantis on Paradise Island off of New Providence, where Nassau is - service dogs are allowed basically everywhere on resort grounds that they would be in the US [not in the pools or swimming with the dolphins water, of course]), just calmly educate them, tell them what your dog does for you, tell them how he behaves, tell them how he goes practically everywhere in the US (including mentioning places like theirs, like restaurants for a restaurant), etc. It may take some time and you're not guaranteed access, of course, but it should work.

LOL - true. That's why I am learning to sew them. Now it's that I have to stay away from Etsy with all the cute ribbon!

 

We have four styles of Disney Cruise line ribbon, plus a whole lot of Disney themed ribbon. Plus other stuff that is just cute. For example I found the cutest ribbon that is Monopoly (the game) themed. My future dog will probably have a ton of collars.... :rolleyes:

 

As I said, right now he/she has two and they aren't even here yet.

 

Ah, Dianne, I feel your pain. I'm still waiting. Probably easier for me as I volunteer with the organization so I get to see dogs every weekend. Hard to not do the "wonder if that one will be mine?" thoughts. But I get to see them and work with them, so that makes waiting easier. I hope you get your partner soon!

 

I think I would be in trouble if I started making my own!!!! :p Yeah, I have seen lots of awesome ribbon and collars with ribbon on Etsy - too many to choose from!! I am currently trying to choose which bandanna I want to get for my puppy's first birthday and it is tough to decide!

 

Any news on when you'll be getting your dog?