Meet two of our Travel Coordinators, Leslie and Hannah.
Making World Travel Accessible for You and Your Pet
Pet travel is becoming increasingly common as families move, vacation, relocate, and explore the world with their dogs, cats, birds, rabbits, reptiles, and other exotic pets. But traveling with a pet—especially internationally—requires careful planning.
At Animal Hospital of Huntington Beach, our experienced USDA Accredited Veterinarians and travel team are here to help make the process easier to understand and navigate. Whether you are traveling within the United States or taking your pet to another country, we can help you identify the veterinary services and documentation your pet may need for successful entry into your destination.
Every state and country has its own requirements for traveling with pets. Requirements can be complex, may change over time, and often involve strict timelines and multiple visits. Pet travel preparation should begin well in advance of buying tickets. Starting early is one of the most important things you can do to help ensure a successful trip.
What Do I Need to Travel With My Pet?
The requirements for traveling with a dog, cat or other pet depend on your destination, your pet’s medical history, your travel dates, and your airline. We also have to take in consideration the requirements for your pet to return to the USA (if applicable).
Common requirements may include:
- A veterinary examination
- A domestic or international Certificate of Veterinary Inspection (CVI)
- Current rabies vaccination and the original rabies certificate
- Proof of microchip implantation and microchip verification
- An ISO-compliant microchip for many international destinations
- Rabies antibody testing, also called a rabies titer or FAVN test
- Additional export blood testing (Leishmaniasis, brucellosis, etc).
- Required vaccinations
- Internal and external parasite treatments
- Destination-specific veterinary treatments (internal and external parasite treatments).
- Airline-specific health certificates and forms
- USDA endorsement of international health certificates when required
- UDA endorsed rabies certification for return to the USA from high rabies incident countries
- NWS Screwworm Inspection Certificates
Timing is critical. Certain vaccinations, blood tests, parasite treatments, microchip procedures, and health examinations must occur within specific timeframes before your pet can enter a destination. Some countries require preparation several months before travel.
For this reason, do not wait until shortly before your departure date to begin planning. Contact our travel team as soon as you know you will be traveling with your pet.
Our Pet Travel Services
Our USDA Accredited Veterinarians can provide or coordinate many of the veterinary services commonly required for domestic and international pet travel.
USDA Accredited Veterinarian Travel Examination
A travel health examination is an important part of preparing your pet for travel. Our USDA Accredited Veterinarians can examine your pet and complete required veterinary documentation based on the applicable destination requirements.
Domestic Pet Health Certificates
If you are traveling with your dog or cat within the United States, your destination state or airline may require a Certificate of Veterinary Inspection (CVI) or health certificate. We can help determine what documentation may be required for your trip. Airlines may also have their own forms that need to be completed.
International Health Certificates
International travel typically requires an International Certificate of Veterinary Inspection (CVI) and may involve additional documentation, testing, vaccinations, treatments, and government requirements such as entry permits.
When applicable, our USDA Accredited Veterinarians can prepare international health certificates and submit required documentation through the USDA Veterinary Export Health Certification System (VEHCS).
Rabies FAVN Testing & Rabies Titer Testing
Some countries require a rabies antibody test, commonly referred to as a rabies titer or FAVN test. These tests often have strict timing requirements, so it is important to begin the process well before your departure date.
Export Blood Testing
When required by your destination, we can assist with export-related laboratory testing, which may include testing for conditions such as Leishmaniasis, Heartworm, Brucellosis, and other destination-specific requirements.
Microchipping & Microchip Verification
A properly identified microchip is an important part of international pet travel. We provide ISO-compliant microchipping and microchip verification when required.
In many cases, the microchip must be implanted and recorded before certain vaccinations or testing can be completed. The order and timing of these procedures can be critical.
Travel Vaccinations
Depending on your destination and your pet’s medical history, required or recommended vaccinations may include rabies, leptospirosis, canine influenza, distemper-parvo, Lyme disease (dogs), Panleukopenia, rabies, feline leukemia (cats), and other destination-specific vaccines.
Internal & External Parasite Treatments
Some countries require specific parasite prevention or treatments within a particular timeframe before your pet enters the country. We can provide approved internal and external parasite treatments when required.
Airline Health Forms & Acclimation Certificates
Airlines may have their own requirements that are separate from the requirements of your destination country or state. These can include specific health forms, acclimation certificates, crate requirements, and other documentation.
Always check directly with your airline before traveling, even if you have completed all government and veterinary requirements.
Pet Travel Agent Referrals
Some international destinations and complicated relocations require extensive coordination beyond veterinary health certificates. We can provide referrals to professional pet travel agents and pet transport companies when appropriate. We will partner with the travel agent to make it a team approach.
Our hospital provides veterinary travel services and health certificates for companion dogs and cats and many exotic pets such as rabbits and birds; we are not a pet transportation company and do not book flights.
How to Get Started With Pet Travel
The earlier you contact our travel team, the better.
To begin planning, we will need preliminary information about your pet and your trip, including:
- Your pet’s species and basic information
- Your destination country or U.S. state
- Your approximate date of entry
- Your anticipated travel date
- Airline information, if applicable
- Your pet’s vaccination history
- Your pet’s original rabies certificate
- Your pet’s microchip information
- Your pet’s relevant medical history
- Any travel documents or requirements you have already received
Once we have this information, our travel team can help you understand the next steps and determine when appointments, testing, vaccinations, treatments, and health certificates should be completed.
Please bring your pet’s previous vaccination and medical records to your travel consultation. Original rabies certificates and proof of microchip implantation are particularly important for many international destinations.
Start With the USDA APHIS Pet Travel Website
The USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (USDA APHIS) is the definitive resource for current U.S. requirements for traveling with pets internationally. Destination requirements can change, so we use the current USDA APHIS requirements to help guide our travel consultations.
We strongly recommend that pet owners familiarize themselves with the requirements for their specific destination.
USDA APHIS Pet Travel:
https://www.aphis.usda.gov/pet-travel#modal-link-cdc-alert
You should also review the requirements published by the government of the country you are entering and check directly with your airline for airline-specific requirements.
Traveling With Your Pet to an Island Country or State?
Travel to an island country or state deserves special attention. Pet travel to Destinations such as Australia, New Zealand, Japan, Taiwan, or Hawaii, etc. can be an extremely lengthy process, often requiring at least 6–9 months (island country) and 3-4 months (island states, Hawaii) of preparation, depending on your pet’s circumstances and the applicable requirements.
Islands can have extensive import requirements, and the process involves coordination well beyond a routine veterinary health certificate. Pet owners traveling to an island country should begin planning as early as possible and should work directly with an experienced pet transport company to coordinate the overall process.
Our veterinary team can help with the veterinary components that fall within our scope, but we are not a pet transport company and do not coordinate the complete transportation process. Australia and New Zealand have rigorous permit and shipping requirements. Ask us for a list of pet transport/shipping companies.
Helping Your Pet Travel More Comfortably
Travel can be stressful for pets, particularly if they are not accustomed to car rides, air travel, crates, airports, or extended periods away from home.
If travel is new for your pet, talk with our veterinarians about ways to help make the experience more comfortable and reduce travel-related stress. We can discuss your pet’s individual needs and appropriate strategies for preparing your pet for the journey.
Frequently Asked Questions About Pet Travel
How early should I start preparing my pet for international travel?
Start as early as possible. Several months may be necessary depending on your destination. Some countries require vaccinations, microchipping, rabies titer testing, parasite treatments, or other procedures to be completed within very specific timeframes. Certain destinations can require six months or more of preparation.
Does my pet need a health certificate to fly?
It depends on your destination and airline. A domestic or international health certificate, also called a Certificate of Veterinary Inspection (CVI), may be required. Airlines may also have their own health certificate or documentation requirements.
Does my pet need a microchip to travel internationally?
Many countries require pets to have an ISO-compliant microchip, and the microchip may need to be implanted before certain vaccinations or testing. Requirements vary by destination, so the timing of microchipping is important.
What is a rabies titer or FAVN test?
A rabies titer is a blood test that measures the level of rabies antibodies in your pet’s blood. Some countries require a passing rabies antibody test before allowing a dog or cat to enter. Because there may be waiting periods after the test, it is important to plan well in advance.
Can you help me determine what my pet needs to travel?
Yes. Our experienced travel coordinators will help guide you through the veterinary requirements based on your destination, approximate entry date, pet’s medical history, vaccinations, and microchip information. We recommend starting the process as early as possible.
Are airline requirements different from country requirements?
Yes. Airlines may have requirements that are separate from the health certificate and government entry requirements. Always check directly with your airline before traveling with your pet.
Do you transport pets?
No. Animal Hospital of Huntington Beach provides veterinary travel services and health certificates for companion dogs and cats, but we are not a pet transport company. When appropriate, we can provide referrals to professional pet travel agents or transport companies.
Does my pet need a Screwworm Inspection?
New World Screwworm is an emerging disease in the United States. Requirements are being added to many locations daily. Mexico and Hawaii pet travel may likely need this inspection. Ask us for the current requirements.
Can my pet return to the USA with the same paperwork?
Re-entry requirements can be complex. Preparation is often needed before your pet leaves the USA to make sure that your pet can return without being quarantined. Our pet travel coordinators can let you know if you need a Certification of U.S.-issued Rabies Vaccination form or other CDC re-entry forms to make returning an easy process.
How much does it cost?
Every destination has unique requirements. Some destinations require multiple visits and services before the final travel documents can be provided. Some documents need endorsement by the USDA (separate fees) and shipping fees. A comprehensive cost estimate will be provided at the completion of your complimentary phone consultation.
Ready to Start Planning Your Pet’s Trip?
Whether you’re taking your dog on a domestic flight, moving your cat internationally, or planning a long-term relocation with your pet, early planning is the key to successful pet travel.
Our USDA Accredited Veterinarians and travel coordinator team can help you understand the veterinary requirements, identify important deadlines, and plan the examinations, vaccinations, testing, treatments, microchipping, and health certificates your pet may need. We provide a free initial phone consultation to set up a plan and cost estimate to meet the requirements for your specific travel itinerary.
Don’t wait until the last minute. Start your pet’s travel planning today.
Reach Our Pet Travel Team
Contact Animal Hospital of Huntington Beach to schedule a complimentary pet travel consultation.
Before contacting us, please have your destination, approximate date of entry, airline information, vaccination records, rabies certificate, microchip information, and other relevant medical records available.
Important Pet Travel Information
Important: Pet travel requirements are determined by the destination state or country and may change. Requirements should always be verified with the current USDA APHIS Pet Travel guidance, destination-country authorities, and your airline. Our experienced travel coordinators will provide up to date travel requirements and information.