International Pet Travel Certificates

Please Note: Pet’s Favorite Vet will not sign any travel form attesting to the behavior or training of an animal or any forms that pertain to the owner’s need for the pet in a service capacity. We will happily sign forms confirming vaccinations and recent physical examinations.

Work, family, fun, and love can all send you overseas with your beloved pet. Moving them across international borders can be greatly enriching for your new life abroad, but it is difficult to get together for the regulatory bodies. At Pet’s Favorite Vet, Dr. Caroline is certified to write international health certificates for dogs and cats and will guide you, step by step, through the process.

If you have any questions or travel needs, call us at (864) 406-9877 or schedule an appointment below.

What to Expect

The process begins with a video visit in which we lay out the timeline and ensure we have all of the appropriate documents. Sometimes, you will need to contact your previous vet for an updated certificate or record. This initial visit is $120 and afterward, Dr. Caroline will be able to provide you with a more accurate estimate for your pet’s paperwork. The total process can be from $200-600 depending on the country and the quality of records you have from previous vet visits.

You will still be responsible for mailing and providing return envelopes for paperwork that must go to the state vet or international offices.

dog in front of luggage
Dr. Carolina Cofer With Cats

International Travel

Most countries require that special documents be completed by a veterinarian and accompany a pet when you arrive at a foreign destination. Most of the time, these requirements are simple to fulfill, but other times it is fairly complicated. You must first research the requirements for your destination, and then, with your pet, bring these documents along with all prior veterinary records.

Our veterinarians will review the forms, carry out the necessary tests, perform any necessary pre-travel treatments, and complete the required forms for you. Not every veterinarian on staff has USDA accreditation, so ask to see the appropriate USDA-accredited veterinarian when you make an appointment.

We recommend that you have an in-clinic visit or a telehealth visit (for those patients we have seen in the past 365 days) well before your travel date and appointment for official certification to arrange all necessary tests and treatments. Some require several months to complete.

Domestic Travel

Requirements for domestic travel by airplane within the United States usually require that a current health certificate be presented to the airline, which can be completed by any veterinarian on staff.

A Note on Hawaii: Traveling to Hawaii with pets requires testing that can take several months. Please refer to Hawaii’s travel information to determine the timeline for taking your pet.