Saipan DoctorsCHCC · Saipan, CNMI
Bringing Pets

Bringing pets to Saipan

It takes paperwork and planning, but families do bring their dogs and cats here. Start a few months before your move.

Saipan is rabies-free and works hard to stay that way, so pets need vaccines, a rabies blood test and an entry permit. Getting here also takes some planning, because the regular airline doesn't fly pets.

If you're coming for two years or longer, it's usually worth bringing your pet. For a shorter locums contract, you might leave your pet with family or friends instead.

United Airlines doesn't carry pets to Saipan

United ended its PetSafe cargo program in 2018 and doesn't allow pets in the cabin on flights to or from the CNMI. Most families use a pet shipper and a pet charter flight (below). Trained service dogs are the exception: confirm the airline's current rules well ahead of time.

A fluffy white dog sitting on a wooden floor and looking up at the camera

Getting your pet here

Pets usually fly a charter from the mainland to Guam, then connect to Saipan on a smaller cargo flight. Charter dates depend on demand and fill up, so contact a shipper early. They also handle Guam's own transit paperwork.

  • Pet charters
  • Mainland → Guam

Animal Travel Agent

A long-time pet travel agency that books pet charters to Guam and helps with the paperwork and with getting your pet to the charter's departure city.

Request a quote
  • Charter, cargo & in-cabin
  • Guam

Pet Shippers Guam (Harper Valley Kennels)

A Guam pet shipper and quarantine kennel offering charter, cargo, accompanied and in-cabin options, plus boarding and health certificates.

Pet shipping services
  • Guam → Saipan
  • Air cargo

Micronesian Air Cargo Services

The CNMI's pet guide lists this company for booking a pet's flight between Guam and Saipan. Your pet shipper can usually arrange this leg too.

  • (670) 288-6227

Vet steps & the CNMI entry permit

These rules are for dogs and cats coming from the U.S. mainland. Work through them with a vet who does pet-travel health certificates, and tell them the destination is the CNMI, a rabies-free island.

  1. Months ahead

    Microchip and two rabies vaccines

    Your pet needs at least two rabies vaccines in its lifetime, given at least 30 days apart, each with a signed rabies certificate. Make sure the microchip number is on the paperwork.

  2. 30+ days after the 2nd rabies vaccine

    FAVN rabies blood test

    Your vet sends the blood to a CDC-approved lab. The result must be above 1.0 IU/mL, and the destination should be listed as “CNMI.” Results can take a few weeks. Pets that have lived at least 6 months in Hawaii, Guam or Japan don't need the FAVN test.

  3. Keep current

    Other vaccines

    Dogs: DHPP, leptospirosis and Bordetella. Cats: FVRCP.

  4. At least 14 days before arrival

    Apply for the entry permit

    Email your records and travel itinerary to DLNR's Animal Health section with the entry permit form (PDF). The $25 fee is paid by cashier's check or money order to the CNMI Treasury. You can email a photo of it to speed things up. The permit is valid for 60 days.

  5. Within 14 days of arrival

    Parasite treatment

    Your vet treats and documents internal parasites (deworming, heartworm) and external parasites. DLNR suggests an oral flea and tick medicine such as Bravecto or Simparica for dogs.

  6. Within 10 days of travel

    Health certificate

    A USDA-accredited vet issues the health certificate. It should list the parasite treatment (product and date), the microchip number, and the rabies vaccine details. Send DLNR a copy.

  • Official contact
  • CNMI government

DLNR Division of Agriculture: Animal Health

For permit questions, imports from outside the U.S., or animals other than dogs and cats.

Importing a pet into the CNMI Entry permit form (PDF)

Vet care on Saipan

Saipan has no full-time private veterinary hospital. Day-to-day care comes from the Saipan Humane Society, a nonprofit clinic founded in 2023. Its team works with visiting and virtual veterinarians.

  • Vaccines, parasite prevention, microchipping and sick visits.
  • Spay/neuter and other surgery only when a visiting vet is on island.
  • No after-hours emergency care, and hours vary. Check their website or social media.

Before you come

  • Talk with your vet about a plan for emergencies.
  • Bring copies of records and a supply of your pet's medicines and preventives.
  • If your pet may later move to Hawaii, Guam or Japan, get its FAVN test done before you come. It's hard to arrange here.