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Bringing a Cat from the USA to Antigua & Barbuda: Requirements & Timeline

Cats follow the same titer chain with no breed rules — but confirm the FAVN timing with the VLD, which Antigua doesn't publish.

Rules last verified against official sources: 2026-08-24

Planning for a dog instead? See the dog version of this route →

Pick your travel date to get a dated, backward-planned checklist. (This tool needs JavaScript; the full requirements are listed below either way.)

For a cat, Antigua & Barbuda needs a microchip, a rabies vaccination within the last year, a rabies FAVN titer from an OIE-approved lab, and an import license issued only after the VLD reviews the cat's full medical history — including FIP, FeLV and FIV results. Add a parasite treatment within 7 days, a USDA-endorsed health certificate (original ink) within 7 days, and 48 hours' arrival notice.

Minimum lead time: about 2.2 months (65 days). Plan about 2 months as a conservative estimate. Antigua requires a FAVN titer but doesn't publish the vaccination-to-draw interval or a post-draw wait, so confirm the current rules with the Veterinary & Livestock Division before booking.
Already vaccinated, or already have a titer result? You may be months ahead. Most of Antigua & Barbuda's 65-day lead time is the rabies-antibody (titer) wait. If your cat already passed a titer — and it's still valid on your travel date — use the “How far along is your pet?” selector in the planner above to re-plan from what's left. A titer that's already cleared its waiting period can turn a “too late” into “on track.”

The requirements, in order

Order matters — several steps are only valid if the earlier ones were done first. This is the same sequence the planner above turns into dated deadlines.

  1. Microchip implanted
    A microchip is required (a certification of microchipping goes with your license application). Antigua's documents don't name a standard, but use an ISO 11784/11785 chip and implant it before the rabies vaccination as best practice (and to keep a US return simple).
    Official source ↗
  2. Rabies vaccination (within 1 year)
    A valid rabies vaccination administered within 1 year of import. Antigua's official documents state only this maximum — they don't publish a minimum age or a minimum number of days before entry.
    Official source ↗
  3. Rabies antibody (FAVN) blood test
    A rabies FAVN titer from an OIE-approved lab (e.g. Kansas State) is required; you submit the result with your license application.
    Planning estimate: Antigua does NOT publish the vaccination-to-draw interval or a post-draw wait. We use the standard ~30 days after vaccination as a safe floor, and there's no evidence of the multi-month post-draw wait some other islands impose — but confirm the exact FAVN rules and minimum result with the VLD.
    Official source ↗
  4. Apply for the VLD import license
    Email the Veterinary & Livestock Division (vld@ab.gov.ag) your rabies certificate, microchip certificate, FAVN titer result and full medical/vaccination history (dogs: Ehrlichia + Lyme results; cats: FIP, FeLV, FIV). The license is issued only after they review it — no pet is accepted without one.
    Antigua doesn't publish a processing time or lab turnaround. Allow roughly 2–3 weeks for the FAVN lab plus the VLD review — confirm the current lead time with the VLD.
    Official source ↗
  5. Internal & external parasite treatment
    Within 7 days of export, treat for both internal and external parasites with an approved product; the product and date go on the health certificate.
    Official source ↗
  6. Health certificate with original-ink APHIS endorsement
    A USDA-accredited vet issues the international health certificate within 7 days of arrival (recording the parasite treatment), and APHIS endorses it. Antigua needs an ORIGINAL ink-signed, embossed endorsement — the vet's e-signature via VEHCS is accepted, but a physical embossed certificate must travel with your pet.
    Official source ↗
  7. Notify the VLD 48 hours before arrival
    Tell the Veterinary & Livestock Division your pet's arrival date and time 48 hours ahead. A veterinary inspection (EC$130 / US$50) is done on arrival; there's no stated quarantine.
    Official source ↗

An honest note on timing

Antigua's official documents require the FAVN titer but don't publish the exact numbers — no minimum result, no vaccination-to-draw interval, and no post-draw wait. Our planner uses conservative estimates so you don't under-plan; confirm the current FAVN rules directly with the VLD (vld@ab.gov.ag). Cats skip the pitbull breed ban dogs face, and skip the CDC process on the way home — Antigua isn't a CDC high-risk country.

The trip home: bringing your dog back to the US

Good news — Antigua & Barbuda isn't a CDC high-risk country, so the return is simple. A US-vaccinated dog needs only the free CDC Dog Import Form (a receipt valid 6 months, reusable), a microchip, to be at least 6 months old, and to appear healthy — no titer or endorsed rabies certificate for re-entry. Cats have no CDC requirement either way (Hawaii and Guam set their own quarantine even from the mainland).

Official sources

These are the only authorities on this route. If anything here disagrees with them, they win — and please tell us.

FAQ

Does my cat need a rabies titer for Antigua & Barbuda?
Yes — a rabies FAVN titer from an OIE-approved lab, submitted with your import-license application. Antigua doesn't publish the exact timing, so plan conservatively and confirm with the VLD.
What cat-specific tests are needed?
Your cat's medical history submitted for the license should include FIP, FeLV and FIV testing/vaccination history. Dogs instead need Ehrlichia and Lyme results.
Is the trip home easy for a cat?
Yes — Antigua isn't on the CDC high-risk list, and cats aren't subject to the CDC dog-import rules either way.

Other cat routes

Compare every country's lead time, titer and return requirements side by side →

Disclaimer: Preflight Pet is a planning aid, not legal or veterinary advice. Import rules change; airlines add their own requirements. Always confirm every step with the official government sources linked on this page, and with your airline and accredited veterinarian, before booking travel.
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