If you’re planning a trip within the United States or to Puerto Rico with your pet, a domestic health certificate is often required. These state-to-state pet certificates confirm that your pet is healthy and up-to-date on vaccinations, particularly rabies, which is required for most states. While domestic health certificates tend to be more straightforward, you should check the specific requirements of the state you’re traveling to, as they may vary between states. We recommend scheduling an appointment with us as soon as you know your travel plans.

International travel with pets requires more extensive planning. Unlike domestic health certificates, international health certificates are usually complex and often take longer to process. Each country has its own specific set of requirements, ranging from vaccinations and parasite treatments to microchipping and blood titer tests. The timeframe for obtaining an international health certificate can range from a few days to several weeks, depending on the destination. Once you have the pet health certificate, it is only valid for 10 days.

When traveling with your pet, being informed about the health and safety regulations of your destination matters. Here are some essential resources to help you prepare:

• USDA Pet Travel Requirements: Visit the USDA’s website to look up the requirements for traveling to specific states or countries.
• CDC Guidelines for Return U.S. Travel: If you’re traveling round-trip internationally, make sure you are familiar with the CDC’s guidelines for bringing pets back into the country.
• Packing for Your Pet: Not sure what to pack for your pet? Check out this helpful article from GlobalVetLink about getting ready for a comfortable trip.

As soon as you begin thinking about traveling with your pet, contact us immediately for an appointment with our USDA-certified veterinarian. They will guide you through the steps to meet the specific requirements of your destination country.

To make the pet health certificate process as efficient as possible, please fill out our Health Certificate form prior to your appointment. This will help our USDA-certified veterinarian gather the necessary information, avoid clerical errors, and expedite the preparation of your pet’s health certificate. This small step will save you and our team time and verify that we have everything we need for your scheduled appointment.