If you are considering traveling with your pet, whether it be within the United States or abroad, it is important to be aware of each state and country’s rules and regulations for importation or movement of pets.
In the United States, the interstate movement of animals requires a pet health certificate. Furthermore, many countries and airlines require an official health certificate performed by a USDA accredited veterinarian. You should contact your veterinarian directly to find out if he/she is accredited. The process of obtaining the necessary testing or examinations can take days to weeks, so you should plan well in advance to be sure all paperwork is complete prior to your travels.
Which country you are traveling to determines which type of health certificate you need.
You can find out what all the requirements are for any country by visiting the website https://www.aphis.usda.gov/aphis/pet-travel/take-pet-to-foreign-country/export-pets
A Health Certificate is issued by a vet stating that the animal is healthy and has been given all the vaccines and parasite treatments required. A health certificate is good for 10 to 30 days depending on where you are going.
Here are a few things you need to have ready to get your animals' health certificate:
Canada only requires a Rabies Certificate to get in however the USA requires a health certificate to return.
Mexico has its own special health certificate and does require parasite treatment within 30 days of entering the country.
Hawaii requires rabies titers to be done at least 30 days before arriving, however keep in mind this test takes a couple of weeks so it is best to test at least 6 weeks before travel. It is best to look up and do everything on the checklist. You can get it at the website given above.
Other International Health Certificates
Different countries require different tests and procedures done in the months prior to travel. A checklist for all requirements can be found on the Aphis website.
Depending on the country some of these have to also be signed by USDA Vet as well. This will add a couple of days to the process so be sure to acount for that when you are scheduleing the appointments.
In the United States, the interstate movement of animals requires a pet health certificate. Furthermore, many countries and airlines require an official health certificate performed by a USDA accredited veterinarian. You should contact your veterinarian directly to find out if he/she is accredited. The process of obtaining the necessary testing or examinations can take days to weeks, so you should plan well in advance to be sure all paperwork is complete prior to your travels.
Which country you are traveling to determines which type of health certificate you need.
You can find out what all the requirements are for any country by visiting the website https://www.aphis.usda.gov/aphis/pet-travel/take-pet-to-foreign-country/export-pets
A Health Certificate is issued by a vet stating that the animal is healthy and has been given all the vaccines and parasite treatments required. A health certificate is good for 10 to 30 days depending on where you are going.
Here are a few things you need to have ready to get your animals' health certificate:
- A home Address and a Destination address
- A record of vaccines and a rabies certificate
- A Microchip that is ISO standard
- Any other paperwork or permits needed by your destination.
Canada only requires a Rabies Certificate to get in however the USA requires a health certificate to return.
Mexico has its own special health certificate and does require parasite treatment within 30 days of entering the country.
Hawaii requires rabies titers to be done at least 30 days before arriving, however keep in mind this test takes a couple of weeks so it is best to test at least 6 weeks before travel. It is best to look up and do everything on the checklist. You can get it at the website given above.
Other International Health Certificates
Different countries require different tests and procedures done in the months prior to travel. A checklist for all requirements can be found on the Aphis website.
Depending on the country some of these have to also be signed by USDA Vet as well. This will add a couple of days to the process so be sure to acount for that when you are scheduleing the appointments.
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