Health Certificates for International Travel

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Depending on the destination, testing requirements vary. Check here: https://www.aphis.usda.gov/pet-travel/us-to-another-country-export.

The FAVN test is commonly required. It is your pet's Rabies titer and is always required if your pet is traveling with you to Rabies-free countries. Turnaround time for this test is a minimum of 2 weeks. It can take up to 4-5 weeks to get results, and the test cannot be expedited, so plan accordingly. Some destinations do not allow a pet to enter the country until 180 days have passed since the blood draw for a FAVN test, with the day of the blood draw being Day 0 (it's a government thing). That means if your pet has to stay in the USA for roughly 6 months or be quarantined at your expense for the balance of the 180 days if it arrives in the destination country sooner. The USDA checks the date of the blood draw and calculates the date the pet will be allowed to enter the destination country before the health certificate is endorsed. (Pets belonging to members of the military who will be living on base may have a different type of quarantine.)

Other tests that might be required include a heartworm test, an intestinal parasite screen, Brucella, and Leptospirosis tests.

• International Health Certificate: it will be endorsed by the USDA, which means it will be a few days before you have it. The USDA accredited veterinarian that examines your pet will write the health certificate, send it electronically to the USDA, then it will be endorsed. The endorsement process can take up to 7 days, depending on whether the destination country permits digital endorsement. If not, the USDA endorsed health certificate will be shipped to you overnight.

• Rabies Certificate. The Rabies certificate is an actual certificate, not just a line on your pet's records from the regular veterinarian. It must contain the following:
  • the administering veterinarian's signature,
  • vaccine expiration date,
  • name of vaccine manufacturer,
  • name of the product,
  • lot number of the vaccine, and
  • your pet's MICROCHIP NUMBER.

If the Rabies certificate does not contain all the information above, it will slow the process. Obtain the Rabies certificates from your regular veterinarian containing the information above before your pet comes in for its health certificate.

• FAVN test results, if required by the destination country.
• Import permit, if required by the destination country.
• Other documents as required by the destination country.

• Your current address
• Your street address, city, and postal code in the destination country

That depends on the airline's weight limit. The upper limit for most airlines is 15-20 pounds. You will have to contact the airline to know for sure. Larger pets must ride in cargo. The airline will not allow pets traveling in cargo to take medications for anxiety. Contact the airline with questions if your pet needs daily medications for a chronic health condition, like heart disease or allergies.

The pet must have a current Rabies vaccine. At least two Rabies vaccines are required by most other countries, unless the pet is too young. That info can be found at https://www.aphis.usda.gov/pet-travel/us-to-another-country-export. Core vaccines for dogs and cats should also be completed prior to travel to protect your pet from other diseases, some of which are life-threatening.