Department of Agriculture – Rabies Vaccination Services to Transition to Accredited Private Veterinarians from January 2027.
Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands, 8 October 2026 — The Cayman Islands Department of Agriculture (DoA), under the Ministry of Planning, Lands, Agriculture, Housing & Infrastructure (MPLAHI), is transitioning rabies vaccination services for cats and dogs from Government-operated Rabies Vaccination Clinic to accredited private sector veterinarians.
The DoA Rabies Vaccination Clinic will officially close on 1 January 2027. Accredited private veterinarians who have successfully completed the Department’s accreditation requirements may begin providing rabies vaccination services immediately upon accreditation, ahead of the clinic’s closure.
The transition is intended to maintain access to rabies vaccination services through private veterinary practices while the department continues its regulatory and animal health oversight responsibilities. Accreditation confirms that a veterinarian has completed the Department’s training on rabies vaccination protocols, record-keeping and pet health certification requirements.
What Pet Owners Need to Know
Until 31 December 2026, pet owners may continue to use the DoA Rabies Vaccination Clinic or a private veterinarian for rabies vaccination services.
From 1 January 2027, rabies vaccinations will be provided solely through accredited private veterinarians. The Department will publish a list of accredited veterinarians on the DoA website ahead of the clinic’s closure to assist pet owners in identifying veterinary practices offering the service.
Rabies vaccination certificates already issued by the DoA Rabies Vaccination Clinic remain valid for their stated period and are unaffected by the clinic’s closure.
There will be no Government-set fee for rabies vaccinations provided by private veterinarians. Private veterinary practices will operate independently and determine their own fees for the service.
The transition applies across the Cayman Islands. Doa will continue to offer rabies vaccinations to pets in the Sister islands in the absence of a veterinarian.
Changes to pet Health Certificates and Export Permits
The accreditation programme also establishes requirements for veterinarians completing health certificates for pets travelling from the Cayman Islands.
Effective 1 January 2027, only accredited veterinarians will be permitted to complete pet health certificates, which includes conducting the required health assessment. These certificates must still be submitted to the Department of Agriculture for the issuance of the applicable export permit.
Pet health certificates completed by unaccredited veterinarians will continue to be accepted by the Department up to and including 31 December 2026.
The Department will continue to provide guidance and oversight through its Veterinary Services and Import and Export Service Functions.
Veterinary Accreditation
The Veterinary Accreditation training sessions were held on 18 June, 2 July, 2 September, 23 September 2026, with participating veterinarians who fulfilled the requirements receiving certificates confirming their accreditation.
A further in-person accreditation training session will be held on Wednesday, 18 November 2026. Veterinarians who have not yet completed the accreditation process are encouraged to register and attend.
Veterinary accreditation is valid for two years, subject to ongoing compliance with the accreditation requirements. This two-year period applies to the veterinarian’s accreditation and does not refer to the validity period of individuals rabies vaccinations certificates or pet health certificates.
Minister’s Statement
The Honourable Johany “Jay” Ebanks, MP, JP, Minister for Planning, Lands, Agriculture, Housing & Infrastructure (MPLAHI), stated:
““Our priority is to ensure pet owners continue to have reliable access to rabies vaccinations as these services transition to accredited private veterinarians. The Department of Agriculture will continue to provide the oversight needed to protect animal health across the Cayman Islands.”
Director’s Statement
Director of Agriculture, Mr. Wilbur Welcome, stated:
“The Department is working closely with local veterinarians to ensure a smooth transition and continuity of service for pet owners. Accredited veterinarians can begin providing rabies vaccinations once they have completed the accreditation requirements, while the DoA will continue to oversee the applicable animal health and export requirements.”
For pet travel and export-related enquiries, members of the public may contact the Department of Agriculture’s Veterinary Services at CI.agricultureVS@gov.ky, or call (345) 947-3090.
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For media enquiries, please contact:
Telephone: (345) 244-2412
Email: PublicRelations.PLAHI@gov.ky
Telephone: (345) 947-3090
Email: CommunicationsDOA@gov.ky
