Health Certificate Information
Planning a trip with your pet? At the Medical District Veterinary Clinic, we understand that pets are family, and when it’s time to travel, ensuring your pet's safety and well-being is our top priority. Whether you’re preparing for domestic or international travel, there are specific guidelines and health requirements to follow for your pet’s journey to be smooth and stress-free.
Key Resources for Pet Travel
When traveling with pets, each destination country may have unique health requirements and documentation. It’s essential to be well-prepared, and we’re here to help. Below, we’ve listed trusted resources for pet travel:
- USDA APHIS (Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service) - USDA APHIS is a primary source for international travel guidelines, including health certificates and vaccination requirements. Visit the USDA APHIS Pet Travel Website to review the specific entry requirements for the country you’re visiting.
- Airline Pet Policies - Airlines may have their own policies for pet travel, so it’s crucial to check with your airline for carrier requirements, booking policies, and any restrictions on pet travel in the cabin or cargo.
- State and Local Regulations for U.S. Domestic Travel - For travel within the United States, review state and local guidelines, as some areas may have specific vaccination or health certificate requirements for pets entering the region.
Preparing for Your Pet's Travel Appointment
Before scheduling a travel consultation with one of our USDA-accredited veterinarians, please fill out the Travel Health Certificate Form (English version or Spanish version) on our website. We can schedule your travel consultation once we receive this form and review the information provided.
Important Notice
We are USDA-accredited veterinarians qualified to issue health certificates and perform the necessary health checks for international travel. However, we are not a pet travel agency and do not handle travel logistics, such as flight arrangements or country-specific regulations beyond the health certification process. If any information on provided documents (e.g., rabies certificates, microchip details) is incorrect or if documentation is missing, we cannot be held liable for any resulting travel delays or issues.
For complex travel arrangements, we recommend consulting a pet travel agency.
Thank you for entrusting us with your pet's health for safe and successful travels!
Pet Travel Health Certificate Appointment Checklist
To ensure a smooth and efficient appointment, please bring the following items and information:
Required Documentation
- Rabies Vaccination Certificate: Ensure it includes vaccination date, expiration date, microchip number, and veterinarian’s signature.
- Proof of Microchip Implantation: Including microchip number and implant date. We can confirm the chip is readable by ISO standard scanners (if required by your destination).
- Vaccination Records: For any additional vaccinations required by the destination country (e.g., leptospirosis, Bordetella).
- Previous Health Certificates (if applicable)
Pet and Travel Information
- Pet’s Passport (if applicable)
- Name of prevention and Date of last administration (Some countries require veterinarians to administer prior to travel)
- Address(s) and Phone Numbers(s) in the destination country where your pet will stay during the visit
- Flight Information including airports, date, flight number, and layovers
Additional Tips
Travel can be stressful for pets, especially on flights or long drives. Ask if anti-anxiety medication or supplements are appropriate for your pet and, if so, discuss the dosage and any potential side effects.
Ensure you have any medications, including prevention, you may need during your travel period.
Important Reminder
Please review all documents in advance. We are USDA-accredited veterinarians qualified to issue health certificates but are not responsible for correcting errors on documents provided by other sources (e.g., rabies certificates, microchip details). For detailed travel logistics, consider consulting a pet travel agency.
Thank you for helping us prepare for your appointment, and we look forward to assisting with your pet’s travel needs!