Ensure a Smooth Journey for Your Pet
Traveling internationally with pets requires careful planning and time. The team at Caring Hands Animal Hospital has created this guide to assist you in the process.
Advance preparation is essential, especially for Rabies-free destinations such as Hawaii, Australia, and the UK. Some locations require at least 180 days of preparation.
Starting Your International Pet Travel Plans
We recommend visiting the USDA-APHIS website for pet travel regulations. Additionally, check with your airline for specific requirements, as many require a health certificate issued within 10 days of departure.
Contacting the U.S. Embassy in your destination country can help verify pet travel regulations. Once you have gathered the necessary details, 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 documents ready:
- Complete vaccination records (if administered elsewhere).
- Original rabies certificate (if administered elsewhere).
- Information on your pet’s flea, tick, and heartworm treatments, including the 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 layovers.
Health Certificate Endorsement
For most destinations, once an International Health Certificate is completed by a USDA-accredited veterinarian, it must be endorsed by the USDA State Veterinarian. Be aware of federal holidays, as they may affect processing times.
Endorsement can be completed in one of two ways:
- In person, by appointment, at the USDA office in Ashburn, VA (no walk-ins).
- Mailed overnight to the USDA office in Albany, NY (preferred method).
We wish you a smooth journey and look forward to assisting you with your pet’s travel needs at Caring Hands Animal Hospital!