TRAVEL & HEALTH CERTIFICATES
If you’re going on a trip and want to take your pet with you, we can help! Our vets are USDA-accredited, which means they are able to prepare and sign government documentation to enable your pet to travel with you.
We will be honest- the process includes a lot of red tape, so give yourself plenty of time to prepare. Traveling abroad with your pet? You should start your research by clicking here.
Steps for Obtaining a Travel Health Certificate
4. Have a great trip!
Are you planning on taking a trip with your pet? The doctors at Lyons Veterinary Hospital are USDA Accredited Veterinarians, and are proud to be able to prepare both Domestic and International Health Certificates. While any travel can be stressful (for pets and their humans!), the team at Lyons Vet is here to help make it as seamless a process as possible. Here are some important things to consider before booking your trip!
- Consider your pet: Before you commit to taking your pet on the plane, think about whether they are a good candidate to travel. While air travel is safe for pets, some animals can be more stressed than others, and there are of course, always some risks. We would be happy to consult with you and discuss whether your pet is ok to travel! Of course if you are moving overseas permanently, taking your pet along is not optional, so we will be more than happy to help figure out how to keep them as safe, calm and healthy as possible during their travels!
- Check out the requirements for traveling with your pet to your destination. Every country and state has different requirements, and it varies with different animals! The requirements for each country are mostly aimed at preventing the transmission of diseases that can be a risk to human and animal health. Some examples are Rabies and various parasites. Please visit the USDA APHIS pet travel site. and select your country of choice to find out what is needed.
- Plan ahead! We can’t stress this enough. Some countries have very strict timing requirements for vaccine titers or other tests, which can take weeks! Make sure to have all of this information BEFORE booking your trip. Once you have decided on bringing your pet with you internationally, please call us so we can help guide you through the process!
- Get previous records. If you have visited other vets before us, it will be very helpful to obtain those records so we can confirm their vaccination and deworming status, as well as microchip placement, as these are often requirements for international travel! We will need you to provide us with all of your pet’s vaccinations records and medical documents. Many destinations need proof of vaccinations, parasite prevention, tests, and/or import permits.
- Contact your airline. Policies vary a lot between airlines, so it is important to contact them and determine their requirements as well as any other information such as connecting airlines requirements. Some questions to consider are: where will your pet be during the flight (cargo or in the cabin)? How many pets are allowed? How early do you need to arrive to check in? Is there a fee? Will they require paperwork? Be sure to check online reviews and speak to anyone you know who’s traveled with a pet to find the most pet-friendly airlines!
- Consider the possibility of Quarantine. Some countries (especially those that are Rabies-free) may require your pet to quarantine for a period of time. This may affect your decision as to whether or how you travel with your pet.
- Schedule your exam! Usually, an international Health Certificate is only good for 10 days, so keep this in mind when scheduling your appointment with us! At this appointment, we will examine your pet and make sure they are in good health, as well as make sure you have all of the proper documentation in order and then complete your pet’s international health certificate.
- Get equipped. Whether your pet will be in the cabin with you or in cargo, proper carriers and other equipment is essential. This is to ensure they don’t get scared and run away or injure themselves. Crates that will go in cargo must be hard-sided, while carriers used on board can be soft. Remember, animals traveling in the cabin will need to remain in their carrier for the duration of the flight, so a comfy carrier is important! Either way, check with your airline before purchasing a carrier. Don’t forget to ask the airline what their policies are for food and water for dogs in cargo, and make sure to ask about pet relief! Pets in cargo can be provided with food and some water, but remember that that next bathroom break may be a few hours away, so don’t offer too much. A wee-wee pad in the carrier is a good option just in case, and be sure to use the pet relief area in the airport just before boarding.
- Think about the trip home: If you are planning on returning to the US, this process will be very similar to when you left. Make sure to do any research needed for coming back
Overall, with careful planning and open communication with your vet, you can say “Bon Voyage” without any issues!
Lyons Veterinary Hospital is only responsible for performing the examination and filling out the health certificate documentation. All other requirements are the responsibility of the pet owner since each country or state is different and requirements change often.
