An Easier Road
Traveling internationally with pets can be a complex and time-consuming process. To help you prepare, the doctors and staff at Caring Hands Animal Hospital have created this guide.
Planning ahead is essential, especially for travel to Rabies-free countries and states like Hawaii, Australia, and the UK. Some destinations require preparations to begin at least 180 days in advance, so early planning is crucial.
To Begin Planning For International Travel With Pets
We recommend that all pet owners planning international travel visit the USDA-APHIS website for pet travel guidelines. Additionally, check with your airline for their specific requirements, as most require a health certificate within 10 days of departure.
It’s also a good idea to contact the U.S. Embassy of your destination country to confirm their pet travel regulations. Once you’ve researched the necessary requirements, call us to schedule an appointment with one of our USDA-accredited veterinarians.
What To Bring
Please have the following items ready and available during your appointment:
- A copy of all vaccination records (if done elsewhere).
- The original rabies certificate (if administered elsewhere).
- Details of your pet’s flea/tick and heartworm medications, including the last administration date.
- Your pet’s microchip number and implantation date. If your pet is not yet microchipped, we can implant an ISO-compliant microchip at Caring Hands Animal Hospital. Note that some countries require rabies vaccination after microchip implantation.
- The travel destination address. If unknown, the U.S. Embassy address can be used.
- Your departure date from the U.S. and arrival date at your final destination.
- A list of the airlines you will be traveling with and any layover countries.
Endorsement
For most countries, once your International Health Certificate is completed by a USDA-accredited veterinarian, it must be endorsed by the USDA State Veterinarian. If mailing, be sure to account for federal holidays, as they may impact processing times.
This can be completed by one of two methods:
- In-person: By appointment only in Richmond, VA (walk-ins are not accepted).
- By mail: Overnight shipping to the USDA office in Albany, NY (preferred method).
We wish you safe and smooth travels and look forward to seeing you soon!