Prepare Your Pet for a Smoother Journey
Traveling internationally with pets can be complex and time-intensive. The team at Caring Hands Animal Hospital has prepared this guide to assist you in planning.
Advance preparation is crucial, particularly for Rabies-free destinations like Hawaii, Australia, and the UK. Some of these locations require a minimum of 180 days of preparation.
Getting Started with International Pet Travel
We recommend visiting the USDA-APHIS website for pet travel guidelines. Additionally, check with your airline for specific requirements, as most require a health certificate issued within 10 days of departure.
Reaching out to the U.S. Embassy in your destination country can help confirm pet travel regulations. Once you have gathered this information, schedule an appointment with one of our USDA-accredited veterinarians at Caring Hands Animal Hospital.
What to Bring to Your Appointment
Please have the following ready for your visit:
- Complete vaccination records (if administered elsewhere).
- Original rabies certificate (if administered elsewhere).
- Details of your pet’s flea, tick, and heartworm treatments, including last administration dates.
- Microchip number and implantation date. If your pet is not microchipped, we can implant an ISO-compliant microchip at Caring Hands Animal Hospital. Some countries require rabies vaccination only after microchipping.
- Travel destination address (if unknown, the U.S. Embassy address can be used).
- Flight departure date from the U.S. and arrival date at your final destination.
- Airline details, including any layover locations.
Health Certificate Endorsement
For most countries, once an International Health Certificate is completed by a USDA-accredited veterinarian, it must be endorsed by the USDA State Veterinarian. Be mindful of federal holidays, as they can affect processing times.
Endorsement can be completed in one of two ways:
- In person, by appointment, at the USDA office in Richmond, VA (no walk-ins).
- Mailed overnight to the USDA office in Albany, NY (preferred method).
We wish you a safe and successful journey and look forward to assisting you with your travel needs at Caring Hands Animal Hospital!