International Health Certificates and eCVIs
Traveling internationally with your pet can be a rewarding experience, but it’s crucial to be aware of the specific requirements each country has for pet entry. Proper research and preparation are essential to ensure a smooth journey for both you and your furry companions.
Understanding Entry Requirements
Every country has its own set of regulations regarding pet entry, which can vary significantly. These requirements often include:
- Health certificates from a licensed veterinarian, endorsed by the USDA
- Proof of current vaccinations, including rabies
- Microchip identification
- Parasite treatments
- Quarantine periods
It’s important to note that obtaining a health certificate involves more than just a visit to your veterinarian. The certificate must be endorsed by the USDA, and the timing of obtaining and submitting this certificate is very specific. Failure to adhere to these timelines can result in travel delays or denial of entry for your pet.
Microchip Requirement
One critical requirement for international pet travel is the implantation of a microchip. Pets must have an ISO compliant microchip to travel, and it must be implanted before countries (including the United States) will recognize the validity of a rabies vaccination. This ensures that your pet can be accurately identified and tracked, which is essential for maintaining vaccination records and complying with entry requirements.
Rabies-Free, Low-Risk, and High-Risk Countries
When traveling internationally, it’s important to understand the classification of countries based on their rabies status:
Rabies-Free Countries: These countries have stringent entry requirements to maintain their rabies-free status. Pets may need to undergo specific vaccinations, blood tests, and even quarantine upon arrival. The timeline for planning to travel to these countries can be up to 6 months in advance!
Low-Risk Countries: While the requirements might be less stringent than rabies-free countries, pets traveling from low-risk countries still need to meet certain health and vaccination criteria.
High-Risk Countries: Traveling to or from high-risk rabies countries involves the most stringent regulations. Pets must have up-to-date rabies vaccinations and may require a rabies antibody titer test to prove immunity. Upon returning to the United States, pets from high-risk countries face strict entry requirements to prevent the introduction of rabies.
To view entry requirements for other countries, states and what you will need to re-enter the United States, please visit https://www.aphis.usda.gov/pet-travel
Returning to the United States
If you plan to return to the United States with your pet, be prepared for the following:
- Your pet must have a valid rabies vaccination certificate signed by the veterinarian that administered the vaccine.
- If traveling from a high-risk rabies country, a rabies antibody titer test may be required to ensure your pet’s immunity. This process can take several weeks to months.
- If traveling from a high-risk rabies country, you will need an additional health certificate endorsed by the USDA prior to your original departure from the United States, in order to re-enter the country.
- You will need to obtain a CDC Dog Import Permit regardless of which country you are returning from. As the pet owner, you must complete this form electronically. You can view and fill out this form here: https://www.cdc.gov/importation/dogs/index.html
- There could be a mandatory quarantine period upon arrival in the U.S.
Planning Ahead
To avoid any complications during your travels, we recommend the following steps:
- Research: Start by researching the specific entry requirements for your destination country. The [U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS)](https://www.aphis.usda.gov/aphis/pet-travel) is a valuable resource for up-to-date information.
- Consult Your Veterinarian: Schedule an appointment with your veterinarian to discuss your travel plans and ensure your pet meets all necessary health requirements. Remember, the health certificate must be endorsed by the USDA, and the timing of obtaining and submitting this certificate is crucial.
- Microchip Implantation: Ensure your pet has a microchip implanted before obtaining a rabies vaccination. This is a mandatory requirement for international travel. Please note that there is a 30 day waiting period after an initial rabies vaccine before your pet can leave the country.
- Prepare Documentation: Gather all required documents, including health certificates, vaccination records, and any necessary permits. Make sure to have at least three physical copies of all documentation.
- Plan for Quarantine: Be aware of any quarantine requirements in your destination country and plan accordingly.
- Hire a Pet Travel Agent: Consider hiring a pet travel agent to assist with navigating the complex requirements and ensuring all paperwork is completed correctly and on time.
Traveling with your pet internationally can be a memorable experience with proper preparation. If you have any questions or need assistance with the necessary documentation, please do not hesitate to contact us.
Steps to Obtain a Health Certificate at South Hyland Pet Hospital
- Initial Contact
Call us to discuss your travel plans and provide essential details, such as your destination and travel dates.
- Complete the Health Certificate Form
To proceed with scheduling your appointment, please fill out our electronic form. This form provides the necessary information to determine if we can meet the travel requirements and schedule your appointment appropriately.
Travel Health Certificate Form
For new clients or patients, please include a copy of your pet’s previous medical records with the form submission. Without this information, we will be unable to assist you.
- Requirement Research
Once we receive your form, our team will research the specific travel requirements for your destination.
- Appointment Scheduling and Reservation Fee
If we can meet the travel requirements within the necessary time frame, we will contact you to schedule your appointment and collect a non-refundable reservation fee. This fee covers the extensive time invested in researching travel requirements and preparing all necessary documentation for your pet to travel.
- Health Certificate Completion
After your appointment, we will complete and submit the health certificate to the USDA for endorsement. The USDA will prioritize the urgency of the endorsement based on several factors. Once the certificate is submitted, the remainder of the process is managed by the USDA.
For domestic travel within the United States, USDA endorsement of your pet’s health certificate or Certificate of Veterinary Inspection (CVI) is not required. South Hyland Pet Hospital will submit a copy of your pet’s CVI to the Minnesota Board of Animal Health for recordkeeping purposes on your behalf.
- Dogs Returning to the United States
- If you are returning from a rabies-free or low-risk rabies country, you will need to fill out and submit an import permit online via the Centers for Disease Control (CDC).
- If you are returning from a high-risk rabies country, additional requirements must be met, including (but not limited to) having South Hyland Pet Hospital submit an additional health certificate to the USDA in preparation for your return and filling out an extensive version of the import permit from the CDC.
In both cases, the pet owner must fill out the import permit. South Hyland Pet Hospital cannot do this on your behalf. For more information and to access the electronic submission, visit: CDC Import Permit Instructions
For more information on pet travel regulations, visit:
Thank you for trusting South Hyland Pet Hospital with your pet’s travel needs!