International Health Certificates

Traveling with a Pet

Scheduling an International Health Certificate Appointment at Belmont Animal Hospital

If you are reviewing this, it is because you have taken the first step to traveling with your pet! This can be a very time-sensitive and stressful process, so be sure to prepare in advance as much as possible to avoid any unnecessary delays. Unfortunately, delays can occur due to incomplete documentation, inaccurate data, or even reasons which are completely out of our control and are soley the responsibility of the USDA. We do not have direct contact with the USDA office, so please allow as much time in advance to prepare accordingly and notify us immediately of any changes to your travel plans any time during the preparatory process.  Also, please understand that we reserve the right, at any time, to opt out of working on an international health certificate due to lack of required information or timeliness.

Please carefully read the instructions below so we can help you prepare for traveling with your pet. A health certification is required for international and interstate travel. Your pet must be seen by an accredited veterinarian within 10 days prior to travel in order to obtain a health certificate for international travel. 

It is important that you confirm travel requirements with your transportation service (ie: airline, train, ship, etc.) as well, as each can vary significantly. It is also important to consider any connection flight destinations, the requirements of that particular location, as well as your return travel plans.

To obtain a valid health certificate, we require you to provide the following information at least 24 hours prior to your scheduled appointment. Failure to provide this information may result in rescheduling of your appointment and potential delays in your travel plan goals.

• Destination Address (street, city, country, etc.)
• Connecting Flight Destinations
• Time and Date of Departure
• Airline (if appropriate)
• Time and Date of Arrival to Destination
• Full Name of Individual Traveling with Pet
• Preferred Method of Contact for Owner
• Anticipated Return Departure Time and DateUsing a Pet Travel Agent? Yes or No
  • If yes, the name of the agency and your contact person

Because of varying country requirements, it’s essential that we obtain any and all vaccination records performed outside of our hospital which should include the lot number, serial number, and expiration date of the vaccinations used (not to be confused with the expiration date of a rendered certificate). Depending on your destination location, parasite treatment records may also be required; and proof of any flea and or heartworm preventatives purchased outside of Belmont Animal Hospital may also be required.

Prior to your appointment, please review and complete the required travel documents to the best of your ability. These documents can be found on the USDA Animal and Plant Inspection Services website (https://www.aphis.usda.gov/aphis/home). Bring these documents with you to your appointment. There is a possibility that you will need to leave the documents with us to complete them, if more time is required than the appointment allows.

International Health Certificate 

• Required for travel from the United States to other countries
• Each country has specific requirements for pet travel which can change at any time
• Some countries have requirements that take several months to complete
• To obtain travel documents for your destination country, go to: https://www.aphis.usda.gov/aphis/pet-travel/take-pet-to-foreign-country 

Interstate Health Certificate 

• Required for travel between U.S. states 
• States have specific requirements for pet travel 
• To obtain travel documents for your destination state, go to: https://www.aphis.usda.gov/aphis/pet-travel/interstate-pet-travel 

To avoid any unnecessary delays, we strongly recommend working with a company that can assist you with your upcoming travel. Below is a list of some pet travel agencies, but it is important that you perform your own research to find an organization with which you feel most comfortable working:

• ipata.org (international pet and animal transportation association)
• jetapetinternational.com
• petrelocation.com 
• petaircarrier.com
• woofairlines.com 

Contact Us For More Health Certificate Information

We hope you have found this information to be helpful with your travel plans! Please do not hesitate to contact us with any questions you may have by calling or texting 615-383-1000 or emailing us at [email protected], understanding that you may be directed directly to the USDA for the most accurate information available.