Health & Travel Certificates

Traveling With Your Pet

Before traveling to a different state, your pet will need a physical exam and a Certification of Veterinary Inspection (CVI) by an accredited veterinarian. The CVI is (typically) valid for 30 days. Some states require additional tests and treatments. Hawaii is the most stringent state because it is rabies-free.

International travel is more complicated and may require months of preparation depending on your destination. In general, your furry traveling companion must be microchipped, current on required vaccinations, contagious disease and parasite-free, and have a health certificate endorsed by the USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) - Veterinary Services.

You may find more information on pet travel at the following websites:

• USDA APHIS Veterinary Services - Helpful References for Pet Travel
• US Department of Transportation - Traveling with Animals
• American Veterinary Medical Association - Traveling with Your Pet FAQ's
• USDA APHIS Veterinary Services - Pets on a Plane
• International Air Transport Association - Live Animals
• USDA APHIS Veterinary Services- Travel with Your Pet State to State (Interstate)
• USDA APHIS Veterinary Services - Take Your Pet from the United States to a Foreign Country (Export)
• USDA APHIS Veterinary Services - International Regulations (IRegs) for Animal Exports Home
• US Department of State - Pet Certification Requirements Overseas Briefing Center
• USDA APHIS Veterinary Services - State Animal Health Officials 2019
• USDA APHIS Veterinary Services - APHIS Veterinary Services Endorsement Offices
• USDA APHIS Veterinary Services - Bring Your Pet into the United States from a Foreign Country (Import)
• USDA APHIS Veterinary Services - Bringing Pet Birds Back to the US
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention - Bringing an Animal into the United States
• US Customs and Border Protection - Bringing Pets and Wildlife into the United States