Like to travel? We do too! Our team can help provide you with a health certificate for your pet completed by a USDA-accredited Veterinarian for your dog or cat when traveling domestically or internationally.
Some travel destinations have multiple steps and may require multiple lab tests, sometimes with long wait times (180+ days) for results. Most health certificates are only valid for 10 days.
Please refer to our chart below for a few popular travel destinations and how far in advance we recommend you reach out to review your fur baby’s health certificate process.
| Domestic Travel | Estimated Length of Health Certificate Process |
|---|---|
| Nevada | 5 weeks |
| Arizona | 5 weeks |
| Texas | No health certificate required (Rabies vaccine required) |
| Hawaii | 7 months |
| New Jersey | 5 weeks |
| New York | 5 weeks (Health certificate only required if staying 30+ days) |
| International Travel | Estimated Length of Health Certificate Process |
|---|---|
| Mexico | No health certificate required (Pet will be examined at border) |
| Philippines | 7 weeks |
| France | 7 weeks |
| Costa Rica | 5 weeks |
| United Kingdom | 7 weeks |
| Japan | 8 months |
Although a travel destination may or may not require a Health Certificate, the airline you are traveling with may have separate requirements or additional forms. Please note that an “Airline Health Form” is not the same as a “Health Certificate.” An “Airline Health Form” may be a separate form required by an airline, whereas a “Health Certificate” is required and regulated by the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) agency of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). Please make sure to check your airline’s pet travel policy prior to your visit with us to ensure we have all the information we need to make the process go as smoothly as possible.
The APHIS agency of the USDA has an incredibly informative website that outlines what requirements need to be met for your specific travel plans. APHIS recommends visiting the destination country's website for the most accurate and up-to-date pet travel requirements. If your travel destination doesn’t require a health certificate, but requires other things like a valid microchip or rabies vaccine, it may be found on the APHIS website:
Domestic Travel: USDA APHIS Domestic Pet Travel
International Travel: USDA APHIS International Pet Travel
What is a Health Certificate?
A health certificate, or certificate of veterinary inspection (CVI), is documented proof stating that your pet meets all of the requirements that are expected by the destination to which you are traveling. These requirements can range from booster shots to microchipping to titer testing, depending on the destination state or country. Health certificates must be completed by a USDA-accredited Veterinarian.
What Information Do I Need to Make a Health Certificate Appointment??
To complete a health certificate, we require the following information before your appointment:
- Date of Departure
- Address of Destination
- Connecting Flight City & Country
- Complete Health Records
- Health history
- Current flea/tick/heartworm preventative
- All vaccine names, manufacturing dates, lot numbers, and expiration dates
- Microchip Information
- Manufacturer information
If you have any additional questions about the requirements needed to travel, you can call Bixby Animal Clinic at (562) 426-4066 to book an appointment for a Health Certificate or to learn more about our process!
