As a federally accredited veterinary practice, West Orange Animal Hospital can issue travel certificates for your healthy pet so they can travel internationally and domestically with you. A health certificate is a federal document generated by a federally-accredited veterinarian that ensures a pet has met certain health criteria. Interstate (usually by air) and international travel have strict rules that cannot be bent. Please research the requirements set by your destination site prior to travel.
Domestic Health Certificates:
Check with your airlines and state you’re driving through to see if they require a Health Certificate. Animal health requirements may differ state to state; even airlines have their own pet travel requirements. Click here to see the requirements for your destination state(s).
Most Health Certificates must be issued within 10 days of travel and have the following base requirements:
- > 8 weeks old and full weaned
- Passing health exam
- Up-to-date Rabies vaccination
- Negative heartworm test
- Up-to-date on heartworm prevention
International Health Certificates:
International Health Certificates vary by destination country and can be very detailed. Because the requirements are country-specific and often time-sensitive, these certificates cannot be completed during a routine office visit and must be arranged in advance. For this reason, international health certificates are offered only for previously established patients of West Orange Animal Hospital.
Timing varies significantly depending on the destination. Some certificates can be completed within a few weeks, while others may require several months of preparation. For example, travel to rabies-free countries such as New Zealand may take up to 7 months to complete due to strict testing and documentation requirements.
We recommend contacting us as soon as your travel plans are confirmed so we can help guide you through the pet travel process.
Our team will work with you to help determine the health certificate requirements for your pet’s destination. These requirements are set by each individual country and may change frequently, so we also recommend reviewing the most current pet travel requirements for your destination country here.
To help us assist you as efficiently as possible, please provide the following information when contacting us:
- Destination country and designated port of entry
- Date of departure from the United States
- Whether your pet will be traveling in-cabin, as cargo, or separately from you
- Airline information
- Type of pet traveling, such as dog or cat
- Proof of rabies vaccination, as many countries require documentation of at least two rabies vaccines prior to travel
- Microchip information
Return to the United States
If your dog will be traveling internationally, please be aware that the CDC has specific requirements for dogs entering or re-entering the United States. These rules may vary depending on whether your dog has been in a country considered high-risk for dog rabies within the past 6 months.
Dogs that have visited high-risk countries may need to meet additional CDC requirements before returning to the U.S., including rabies vaccination, microchip identification, rabies titer testing, health documentation, and age requirements. These rules are separate from the health certificate requirements of your destination country.
Because CDC requirements can change, we recommend reviewing the current CDC travel guidelines before making international travel plans with your dog. You can read more here.
Return to US from a Rabies-free or Low-risk Country
The online CDC Dog Import Form must be completed for each dog traveling. The Form is available here.
Return to US from High Risk Rabies Country
If your dog was vaccinated for rabies in the United States and has been in a country considered high-risk for dog rabies within the past 6 months, the CDC requires additional documentation before your dog can return to the United States. These requirements are separate from the health certificate requirements for your destination country. You can read information here.
Before Leaving the United States:
- Confirm that your dog has a microchip. The microchip must be implanted before the rabies vaccine is given in order for the vaccine to be considered valid.
- Make sure your dog’s rabies vaccine will not expire during travel.
- Have a USDA-accredited veterinarian complete the required Certification of U.S.-Issued Rabies Vaccination form. This form must be completed before your dog leaves the United States and must be endorsed by the USDA. Please note that this CDC form is not the same as a routine rabies certificate.
Requirements for Travel Back to the United States:
- CDC Dog Import Form receipt: Complete the online CDC Dog Import Form for each dog traveling the week prior to re-entry.
- USDA-endorsed Certification of U.S.-Issued Rabies Vaccination form
Frequently Asked Questions
What Information Will We Need?
Before your appointment, please take some time to review the USDA APHIS requirements for your destination. If your pet will be traveling to more than one country, you’ll need to review the requirements for each destination on your itinerary. To help our team prepare your pet’s travel documents, we may ask you to provide:
Your Pet’s Veterinary Information
• Your pet’s most recent rabies certificate, and in some cases, prior rabies certificates
• Vaccine history and medical records, which may include DA2PP, Leptospirosis, Bordetella, Rabies, and heartworm testing
• Your pet’s microchip number, if applicable
• Any additional testing or treatment records required by your destination
Your Travel Details
• Name of the person traveling with your pet, as it appears on their ID or passport
• U.S. address and phone number
• Destination address and phone number
• Method of travel, including whether your pet will be in-cabin, checked baggage, or cargo
• Travel itinerary details, such as flight confirmations or airline booking information
• Date or dates of travel
• Mailing address for any paperwork that may be sent directly to you after USDA endorsement
How Can We Help?
West Orange Animal Hospital is here to help guide you through the travel certificate process. Depending on your pet’s destination and requirements, our team can assist with:
• Collecting the necessary veterinary records and travel details
• Reviewing the documents provided to our team
• Performing your pet’s travel exam
• Completing the applicable health certificate paperwork
• Submitting USDA health certificate documents for endorsement, when required
Because travel requirements vary by destination and can change often, pet owners are responsible for reviewing and meeting all destination, airline, and return travel requirements. Our team is happy to provide guidance, but final approval and travel clearance are determined by the appropriate government agencies.
What Happens After Submission?
When USDA endorsement is required, the completed travel documents are submitted to the USDA for review and endorsement.
Depending on the process, shipping partners such as UPS may also be involved in document pickup and return. Once documents are submitted, endorsement and shipping timelines are managed by these outside partners.
Please note that West Orange Animal Hospital cannot expedite USDA review, shipping delays, holiday closures, or any additional requirements that may come up after submission.
What Are the Requirements for Traveling With a Pet?
Pet travel requirements vary depending on your destination, airline, and whether you are traveling within the U.S. or internationally.
In general, pets who travel by air need to be current on rabies vaccination. For many international destinations, pets may also need a rabies certificate, an ISO-compliant microchip, and an International Health Certificate completed by the appropriate veterinarian. For some domestic or interstate travel, a Certificate of Veterinary Inspection may be required.
Our team can help you review what type of documentation may be needed for your pet’s trip. Common travel documents include:
Certificate of Health
A Certificate of Health is a non-government document that confirms your pet has been examined, is up to date on applicable vaccinations, and appears healthy for travel. This may be used for some domestic travel when more formal government paperwork is not required.
International Health Certificate
An International Health Certificate is commonly required for pets traveling outside the U.S. This is a government document that must be completed by a USDA-accredited veterinarian and may also need to be endorsed by the USDA.
Certificate of Veterinary Inspection
An International Health Certificate is commonly required for pets traveling outside the U.S. This is a government document that must be completed by a USDA-accredited veterinarian and may also need to be endorsed by the USDA.
Before your appointment, we will ask you to provide your pet’s vaccination history and medical records. Depending on your destination, additional proof of vaccinations, parasite prevention, testing, or import permits may also be needed.
How Do I Book a Travel Appointment?
Before scheduling a travel appointment, please complete our inquiry form. A member of our team will follow up to review your pet’s travel plans, answer questions, and help determine what documentation may be needed.
Once we have reviewed your destination, timeline, and required documents, our team will help coordinate the appropriate appointment for your pet. During the visit, your veterinarian will examine your pet and complete the required travel paperwork.
Please note that International Health Certificates may take additional time to be completed and endorsed, when endorsement is required. Certificates of Veterinary Inspection for domestic travel are typically provided at the time of your appointment. Depending on your destination and USDA endorsement process, international documents may be emailed or mailed once finalized.
What is the Process for Receiving My Documents?
Once our team has reviewed your pet’s travel plans and confirmed the required documentation, we will help schedule the appropriate travel appointment. During your visit, your veterinarian will examine your pet and complete the required travel paperwork. If USDA endorsement is needed for international travel, the documents will be submitted for review after they are completed.
International Health Certificates may take additional time to be endorsed. Depending on your destination and the USDA process, finalized documents may be emailed to you or mailed directly once endorsement is complete. For domestic travel, a Certificate of Veterinary Inspection or Certificate of Health is typically provided at the time of your appointment. We can provide a physical copy and, when available, email a PDF copy for your records.
Please note: If you are traveling internationally within 3 business days of submitting your inquiry, there may not be enough time to complete a USDA-endorsed certificate. USDA processing timelines, weekend closures, shipping delays, and destination-specific requirements may affect when your documents are finalized, so we strongly recommend reaching out as early as possible.
What Should I Know About Domestic Travel?
If you are traveling with your pet within the United States, requirements may vary by destination and airline. Our team can help you review what documentation may be needed before your trip. For domestic travel, your pet may need:
• A current rabies vaccine certificate
• Vaccination records
• A Certificate of Veterinary Inspection, depending on your destination
• A Certificate of Health, depending on your airline’s requirements
• Microchip information, if required by your destination or airline
Please be sure to check with your airline directly, as each airline may have its own pet travel policies and required documents. We recommend submitting your inquiry at least 30 days before your travel date so our team has time to review your pet’s needs and prepare the appropriate documentation. For travel to Hawaii, please contact us at least 100 days before travel, as requirements can take significantly longer to complete.
What Should I Know About International Travel?
If you are traveling with your pet outside of the United States, your destination may require an International Health Certificate and additional documentation before your pet can travel. For international travel, your pet may need:
• An International Health Certificate completed by the appropriate veterinarian and endorsed by the USDA, if required
• Copies of your pet’s two most recent rabies vaccination certificates
• Complete vaccination records
• Microchip information, if required by your destination
• Any additional testing, treatments, or import permits required by the destination country
What Fees Should I Expect?
Travel certificate costs can vary depending on your destination, your pet’s needs, and the type of documentation required. Before your appointment, our team will review the expected costs with you so you know what to plan for. Depending on your pet’s travel requirements, fees may include:
• Physical examination and consultation
• International Health Certificate, Certificate of Veterinary Inspection, or Certificate of Health
• Microchip placement or verification
• Rabies vaccination
• Other required vaccinations
• Required testing, if applicable
• Additional fees for urgent or time-sensitive travel requests
We always recommend reaching out as early as possible. If travel documentation is requested outside of our recommended timeline, an additional rush fee may apply.
What Should I Bring When Traveling With My Pet?
A little preparation can help make travel more comfortable for you and your pet. Before your trip, we recommend packing:
• Vaccine records and travel documentation
• ID tags with current contact information
• Pet license, if applicable
• Pet passport, if traveling to or within the EU
• Any calming aids recommended by your veterinarian
• Treats, toys, and familiar comfort items
• Secure leashes, harnesses, and carriers
• Food, medications, and other pet supplies needed for the trip
Before traveling, please also check with your airline directly, as pet travel rules, carrier requirements, and restrictions may vary.
What is a FAVN Test, and Why Might My Pet Need One?
A FAVN test is a blood test that measures your pet’s rabies antibody level. Some destinations, especially island nations or rabies-free countries, require this test before your pet can enter to help prevent the introduction of rabies.
FAVN requirements vary by destination and are strictly enforced by the importing country. Results generally take 4–6 weeks to come back from the laboratory, and expedited testing is not typically available. Because West Orange Animal Hospital does not control outside laboratory turnaround times, we recommend starting the travel planning process as early as possible if your pet may need a FAVN test.