West Chelsea Veterinary

International Pet Travel Certificates

We are booking months in advance for international travel certificates. If you are traveling internationally, please contact our team ASAP to discuss the next steps, otherwise, we cannot guarantee you will be accommodated. At this time we are only providing this service for existing clients.

West Chelsea Veterinary

International Pet Travel Certificates

To ensure your pet’s health and safety, pet travel requires planning and preparation. We have experience assisting our clients with both domestic and international pet travel, and our certified USDA accredited veterinarian is qualified to issue pet health certificates.

Domestic Pet Travel

Air travel with your pet can be enjoyable for everyone involved. There are many factors to consider while preparing to travel to help ensure your pet’s health, safety, and eligibility to travel by plane. Minimally, a current health certificate and history of vaccinations are recommended. Specific air travel requirements vary by airline and can change at any time. We urge you to contact your airline carrier for complete regulations before booking. Key considerations include:

1. Health documents — Pet health certificate, vaccinations such as rabies, or other health requirements
2. Size of pet — Determines if your pet can accompany you in the cabin or must travel in the cargo area
3. Type of carrier — Restrictions on size, materials, labeling, and bedding
4. Temperature — Airlines may restrict the transport of pets placed in their cargo hold based on the anticipated arrival and departure temperature
5. Fees — Additional handling fees may be required for your pet
6. Security screening/check-in — Details regarding extra time or requirements for checking in your pet

International Pet Travel Certificates

Traveling internationally with your pet requires more planning and preparation than domestic travel. We are certified by the USDA to issue pet health certificates and can help to ensure your pet has the necessary vaccinations and blood testing as required. We strongly encourage you to research the health and transportation requirements, such as:

1. Airline Carrier—Requirements for health documentation, pet crate specifications, and eligibility
2. USDA animal exporting requirements
3. The consulate of your destination county
4. USDA animal importing requirements

Before scheduling an appointment for a Domestic or International Health Certificate with us, you must follow the steps below to ensure smooth and safe travel for you and your pet.

1. Call the airline. Airlines may have specific paperwork or requirements needed for travel.
2. Call YOUR veterinarian. Your veterinarian is an excellent source for information regarding the importation of pets into another country. They will be able to help you with your questions and the steps you need to take to bring your pet to another country. You may visit their website at http://www.aphis.usda.gov/regulations/vs/iregs/animals/
3. Call the Consulate, Government Official, or Embassy of the destination country. There are some countries that require special permits or paperwork to import your pet into their country. You will want to follow all the country’s guidelines to ensure your pet passes through customs – failure to do so can result in your pet being quarantined or turned away from the entry.
4. Check your microchip registration. Make sure your pet’s microchip registration is up-to-date and is international travel friendly. Microchips placed several years ago may not be compatible with the international ISO standards. Call your microchip’s registrar to ensure that all contact information is current and that your microchip number is compatible with international travel.
5. Schedule all necessary appointments. Countries may require your paperwork to be inspected and signed by the USDA veterinarian of your state or area. They may also require signatures from consulates or other government officials. Be sure to have all appointments scheduled before travel. Some USDA offices allow you to FedEx paperwork overnight to be inspected and signed; make sure you leave adequate time to return this paperwork to you before travel.
6. Email all your pet’s travel paperwork and documents before your appointment. It is required that the client email all appropriate paperwork and documents before their International Health Certificate examination appointment. We will need to see if the client provides any missing or inaccurate paperwork.

Complete the international travel certificate form online.

veterinarians

Meet our international travel team!

Kat
Kat Laboy-Rivera
Krissy
Krissy Mendoza

Please note International Health Certificate exam appointments can take up to 40 – 60+ minutes, this is to ensure your paperwork is thoroughly completed by our doctors and technicians.

Microchip information

Pet Microchip Lookup website: http://www.petmicrochiplookup.org/

Travel Information changes frequently, so it is always best to call the country of destination to find out up-to-date importation rules and regulations.

PLEASE NOTE: We CAN NOT be held responsible for any inaccurate information or paperwork provided by the client. Please bring in all the necessary paperwork that needs to be filled out prior to travel according to the airline of travel and regulations of the destination country.

PLEASE BE ADVISED: WE DO NOT HAVE ANY CONTROL OVER THE TURNAROUND TIME OF YOUR INTERNATIONAL PAPERWORK. WE SUBMIT THE DOCUMENTS TO THE USDA DEPT AND ONCE IT HAS BEEN ENDORSED THE USDA WILL SEND THE ORINGALS BACK TO US.

THIS CAN TAKE A FEW DAYS. THIS IS WHY YOU MUST BOOK YOUR APPOINTMENT CLOSER TO THE 10TH OR 9TH DAY BEFORE OF YOUR TRIP.

Complete the international travel certificate form online.