Interstate/International Health Certificates

Taking a pet overseas is rarely a last-minute endeavor - it often requires months of meticulous planning to satisfy strict international biosecurity guidelines designed to prevent the spread of communicable diseases. Because every destination enforces its own unique entry requirements, pet owners should rely exclusively on the official USDA APHIS Pet Travel website to verify the exact rules for their target country. They should also take into consideration any specifications set by their airline or transportation service. Sometimes you will need to adhere to other guidelines set by countries passed through on the way to the destination country. Factors that heavily influence your preparation timeline include obtaining initial and booster rabies vaccinations, administering other country-specific vaccines, microchipping, and performing rabies titer testing (which often demands a lengthy post-draw waiting period). Additionally, depending on the destination, you may need to account for diagnostic disease screenings, mandatory identity declarations, and potential quarantine periods upon arrival. Finally, factor in the endorsement of the official USDA health certificate itself, which typically requires a 3 to 7-day processing window right before your departure date. Starting early ensures a smooth, stress-free journey for both you and your pet. 

 

We ask all pet owners to begin their research at least 8 months prior to departure, allotting plenty of time for all requirements to be met. There will likely be many vet visits necessary to complete all requirements along the timeline given by the country of origin’s requirements on the USDA APHIS Pet Travel website. It is a good idea to print or create a physical timeline of all things that need to be completed in accordance with the destination country, airline/travel agency, and any countries with requirements that you pass through along the way. Once you have your timeline, reach out to us at cadillacvetinfo@gmail.com and give us all the details of your plans, situation, and timeline. We will look it through and let you know of any veterinary related delays, timeframes for diagnostic results, or other things for you to consider as well as begin setting appointments for completion of all tasks/requirements that have a veterinary aspect. 

 

For ALL international health certificates, we will need to know:

• Name, full address, phone number, and email address for US residence/owner

• Name, full address, phone number, and email address for destination country residence/owner

• If the relocation is temporary or permanent

• What the port you will be leaving the US from (likely the airport): port of embarkation 

• If the pet has had any vaccinations at any other veterinary clinic in their life, if so - we will need records. 

• Date of departure

• Means of travel (air, ship, etc)

• Number of packages (crates)