Frequently Asked Questions

An IHC is a document that states that your pet is generally in good health and is free of communicable disease before entering another country. Every country has their own requirements for what the certificate must contain. Many times, they request records of specific vaccinations, testing, or parasite treatments as part of the certificate.   

No. The veterinarian must have additional accreditation by the USDA in order to write health certificates. 

Unfortunately, pet shipping is not a service I provide. I only provide the necessary documentation so that you can travel with your dog or cat to another country or state. 

No. Generally you only need proof of rabies vaccination to enter these countries. Visit the USDA-APHIS Pet Travel website for the most up-to-date guidelines:  USDA APHIS | APHIS Pet Travel 

However, your airline may require additional documentation including a health certificate. This certificate can be completed by any veterinarian and does not require USDA-endorsement.

It depends on your mode of travel. If driving, documentation is generally not necessary. However, it's always a good idea to keep proof of an up-to-date rabies vaccine on hand. If traveling by air, your airline may require an interstate health certificate to be completed by your vet and may have other specific paperwork for you to fill out. Generally speaking, most airlines only require a health certificate if the pet is flying in the cargo hold. The big exception is for traveling to Hawaii (see below). For the most up-to-date requirements for other states, visit the USDA-APHIS Pet Travel website:  USDA APHIS | APHIS Pet Travel 

Please note that while I do provide health certificates to Hawaii, I do not provide other interstate health certificates.

Yes. And the regulations are very strict. This is because Hawaii is a rabies-free state and they intend to keep it that way. They have very specific import regulations that require proof of rabies vaccination, rabies titer testing, and a health certificate completed by a USDA-accredited veterinarian. 

Simply put, it depends. Each country has specific import requirements that dictate the amount of time it takes. For instance, in countries that are rabies-free, your pet will need an adequate rabies titer result. This test can take upwards of 4 weeks to get results. And the results must be received before the health certificate can be written. Your pet could also need a rabies booster shot which must be done at least 21 days prior to the titer test. If this is the case, it could take a few months to prepare your pet for travel. 

As a general rule, it’s best to set up a consultation with me as soon as you know you will need to be traveling with your pet. Then we can work out the timeline together. 

If you'd like to look into the requirements ahead of time visit the USDA-APHIS Pet Travel website:  USDA APHIS | APHIS Pet Travel 

Absolutely! In fact, you should book a consultation as soon as you know you will need to be traveling with your pet. That way, I can help you set up a realistic timeline and ensure you do not book your flight before your pet is eligible to fly. 

Re-entry into the US is regulated by the CDC. 

Beginning August 1st, 2024, new regulations will be in place for bringing dogs back into the US. These rules are much stricter than they have been in the past. Please visit the CDC's website to review the regulations. I can help you obtain this paperwork before you leave.

 Bringing a Dog into the United States | Bringing an Animal into U.S. | Importation | CDC 

Cats do not follow the same guidelines and are much easier to bring back into the US. However, there are other regulations you need to be aware of. Your airline and destination state may also have specific requirements. These requirements may differ based on which countries you were previously visiting.

It is important to be aware of the specific guidelines for re-entry. Please visit this link for up-to date requirements: Bringing an Animal into U.S. | Importation | CDC

It depends. You will need an IHC to leave the US and get into your first destination country. After that, it will depend on the amount of time you spend in each country, the method of travel between each country (plane, train, boat, etc.), and which countries you are going to. For travel through multiple countries in the EU, a single Pet Travel Passport will allow you into all of them. In general, any additional health certificates will need to be completed by a veterinarian in the previous country. I can only provide the certificate to get you into your first destination country. Beyond that, you will need to consult with the regulating body in each destination country.

If you simply have a short layover in another country, a single IHC is often adequate because you will still be within the valid timeframe when you enter your final destination country. We can discuss the specifics of your situation during your initial phone/video consult. 

Yes. If you’ve hired a 3rd party pet transport company to get your paperwork in order, you may just need my examination and signature on the certificate. While this still requires my time and expertise, the other company may have done most of the prep work already. They also may be paying your USDA-endorsement fees and FedEx shipping fees. I will not double charge you for those and will generally offer you a substantial discount on my IHC fee. This discount will be determined after reviewing the amount of prep work that has already been done and will be reflected in the written estimate you’ll be provided prior to our consultation.

No. The primary purpose of a health certificate for travel is to ensure your pet does not bring a transmissible disease into a different state or country. It is not meant to be a guarantee that your pet can survive the travel. There are many aspects of airline travel that can make it unsafe for pets. For instance, pets must travel in the cargo hold for international flights. This could mean extended times on the tarmac or in the cargo hold without temperature regulation during loading and unloading. Unexpected delays, weather issues, air pressure loss, turbulence during flight, etc. can all make for a stressful or dangerous trip for an animal. Certain animals are at greater risk of injury or death. These include geriatric and juvenile animals, brachycephalic breeds (short-faced breeds), highly stressed animals, and those with underlying health conditions. Even in the best of circumstances, we can never predict how well a pet will do in a completely new situation. Your regular veterinarian knows your pet’s temperament and medical history best and is the best person to discuss with you whether or not your pet should travel. I conduct a hands-on physical exam of every pet I write a health certificate for and will discuss with you any concerns I have regarding the safety of your pet during travel; but ultimately, it is up to you to decide if you want to proceed. I strongly recommend contacting specific airlines ahead of time and inquiring about their safety policies regarding pets before booking.