Health Documentation for Pet Travel

If you plan on traveling with your pet in the next few months, it’s never too early to begin the process of obtaining a travel certificate. These certificates are legally required for many forms of travel, especially international trips, and help ensure your pet is healthy enough to travel safely.

Dr. Sara Toner at TotalBond Veterinary Hospital at Forestbrook is USDA-accredited and qualified to complete International Health Certificates for pets who are traveling or relocating with their owners.

The travel/health certificate process also ensures your pet is:

Healthy to travel
Disease-free
Parasite-free
Current on vaccinations

Before your visit, the hospital recommends checking travel regulations with the USDA and contacting your airline to confirm their requirements, as rules can vary and change. Some airlines require travel certificates a number of days before departure.

What is a Health Certificate?

A health certificate (also called a veterinary certificate or certificate of health) is an official document issued by a veterinarian that confirms your pet:

Is healthy enough for the trip
Does not carry contagious diseases
Has appropriate vaccinations
Meets age and species requirements for the destination

If the veterinarian cannot certify one or more of these items, the certificate cannot be issued until the issues are addressed; the hospital can help with necessary vaccinations or treatments first.

When is a Health Certificate Required?

Domestic Travel: Some states or regions within a country require health certificates for pets traveling across borders or entering certain areas.
International Travel: Almost all international destinations will require a health certificate, often with very specific requirements that may include endorsement by a government agency.

Obtaining a Health Certificate

Because each country’s entry requirements differ, you’ll need to research your destination’s specific rules before your pet’s exam. These may include required vaccines, lab tests, quarantine rules, and government endorsements.

Once your pet’s travel certificate is completed, it can be sent for USDA endorsement if required — but this process takes time, so you should plan well in advance of your travel date.

Scheduling Your Pet’s Health Certificate Exam

To schedule the exam:

Complete the travel information checklist (available from the hospital).
Provide vaccination records, including rabies certification and your pet’s microchip information.
Call the hospital to set an appointment.

In some international cases, the original USDA certificate may need to be returned via FedEx or similar, and your travel details (like destination address and traveler name) will need to be provided in advance.

Pet Travel Tips

Plan ahead: Start the process early to ensure all requirements are met.
Check regulations frequently: Requirements can change, so verify current rules.
Prepare documentation: Have all vaccinations, records, and microchip details ready before the exam.