If you’re planning to travel or relocate with your pet, either within the U.S. or to another country, it’s imperative to know the requirements for a pet health certificate—an official document that confirms your pet is healthy and cleared for travel.
A pet travel certificate is issued by a licensed veterinarian after examining your pet, reviewing their vaccination records, and screening them for parasites and diseases. Fortunately, members of Oradell Animal Hospital’s team are accredited to provide health certificates for all domestic and international pet travel.
These certificates help protect pets, other animals and humans from the spread of disease and ensure that your pet meets the health requirements of your destination country. In fact, without a health certificate, pets may be denied entry or quarantined on arrival. In some countries, they may even be euthanized. So it’s vital to have this paperwork in order!
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is the government entity that not only accredits veterinarians who certify pets for travel but also reviews the documentation required for pet travel. Visit the USDA website to learn the requirements for your destination.
First and foremost, plan ahead. It can take several weeks or months to complete this process, so be sure to understand in advance the requirements and regulations of your destination and the airline(s) you’re taking.
Most health certificates remain valid for just 10 days from the date of issue. This tight timeframe ensures that information about your pet’s health status is current when you travel. So, based on your departure date, plan accordingly.
With a limited number of veterinary practices offering travel certificates, and the time it takes to process the necessary paperwork, we recommend you schedule your appointment in a timely manner. A deposit is required at the time of booking.
For more detailed information about international pet travel requirements, visit our International Travel FAQs.
We’re here to help. Call us at 201-262-0010 or visit our FAQ page for quick answers to common pet owner questions.
If you are a veterinarian and would like to refer a patient, please visit our referral portal.
