When your pet is traveling internationally for a vacation or relocating for a job, there are many things to consider. In addition to researching the airline’s policies and the requirements of your destination country, there are other steps that need to be taken.
Start getting your pet used to its carrier well in advance of the trip. Use treats and praise to help your pet see it as a positive place.
Vaccinations
For pet parents, vaccinations are essential to ensure their pets’ health and well-being. They are also important for keeping pets safe from diseases and parasites when traveling internationally. For example, a travel vet can ensure that a dog is properly vaccinated against rabies and other common illnesses like canine parvovirus, canine infectious hepatitis, distemper, leptospirosis and kennel cough. These vaccines should be up to date and boosters should be administered if necessary.
In addition to these standard vaccines, some countries have specific requirements. For instance, many of the US’s travel destinations require that all dogs and cats have a current rabies vaccination or titer test before entering. This test is a blood sample taken from the dog that shows how much of the rabies vaccine is still in their system. The time frame in which this blood sample needs to be drawn and returned varies by country.
It’s also vital to know which countries are considered rabies-free or high risk. This information can be found on the USDA APHIS website. You can also contact a government official of the country your pet will be visiting for more information.
Typically, these guidelines are not flexible and should be followed EXACTLY to avoid delays and possible denial of entry. The best thing you can do to avoid these issues is to be prepared for your international trip ahead of time. Make sure your pet is up to date on all required vaccinations and parasite treatments, have an approved microchip and affix temporary travel identification to their collar. In the end, you’ll save yourself and your pet a lot of stress and hassle (and potential tears) in the long run by doing all that you can to make your international trip as smooth as possible. Good luck! Your veterinarian will be happy to help!
Health Certificate
The health certificate is a document required for pets traveling across state or international borders. It is signed by an accredited veterinarian after examining the animal and determining that it is free of infectious diseases, meets the import requirements of the destination country, and provides additional certification statements as needed (e.g., that rabies vaccines have been administered). It is important to research the requirements of the country to which you are travelling, as these vary greatly.
In addition to requiring a rabies vaccination, many countries also require other vaccinations, diagnostic blood tests, parasite treatments, and sometimes a quarantine period. For some destinations, it can take up to 6 months or more to fulfill all requirements for entry. It is important to do the research, schedule appointments, and follow through with any testing or treatment recommendations.
Airline requirements vary significantly as well. Some airlines have their own forms that need to be completed, others simply want a copy of the health certificate. Some require the veterinarian to endorse the certificate, and this can be a lengthy process.
For international travel, it is especially important to make sure that your pet’s rabies vaccination is current. Some countries will not allow you to enter if your rabies vaccination is expired, even if it is still valid in the United States. Furthermore, some countries may require a booster vaccination to ensure that the rabies immunization is active.
Our veterinarians can do both the wellness exam and the health certificate for your pet as part of a single visit. This will save you time and money, and will also give your pet the best chance of a successful trip. We can provide you with the list of countries that require an endorsed health certificate, as well as the form needed to obtain one. Our veterinarians are always happy to answer any questions that you may have, so don’t hesitate to contact us. We wish you safe and happy travels! And don’t forget to pack your pet’s favorite chew toy and a bowl for water! You can’t take care of your dog or cat without them.
Veterinarian Appointment
Whether you’re traveling internationally or domestically, it’s always a good idea to make an appointment with your veterinarian. This appointment will not only ensure that your pet is healthy enough to fly but it also gives you a chance to forward plan and ensure that your pet has all of the required vaccinations for your trip. For international travel, the rabies vaccine is a must as it protects both you and your pets in case of an animal bite while abroad. Other shots and checks may depend on your destination country. For example, in most countries a current heartworm test is needed to prevent your pet from picking up the parasite while overseas which could be dangerous for them and potentially you as well.
Your veterinarian will also verify that your pet is microchipped, which is a requirement for all flights. A 15 digit non-encrypted microchip is the standard for most airlines and will be recognized by all other vets worldwide, making it easier to reunite you with your pet should they get lost during your flight. They will also make sure your pet is up to date on all other vaccinations and have a current rabies shot.
For some pets, specific recommendations will be made, such as how to store insulin for diabetic pets or what to do if your pet’s syringes and insulin are lost during travel. This is especially important for chronically sick pets. You should have a list of all medications (including their dose and frequency) and contact information for your veterinarian to help the unfamiliar veterinary team on your destination to care for your pet in the event that there are complications while you are away.
Once your veterinarian has completed all the required examinations and vaccinations, they will be able to issue a health certificate for your pet. This is an endorsement by the USDA that demonstrates that your pet has been examined, inoculated and found to be free of any communicable diseases or parasites.
Some Embassies will require an original of this document to be sent back to them and others will accept a digitally endorsed copy. Check with your embassy and your veterinarian to see the requirements for your destination. Once your veterinarian has submitted the endorsed health certificate to the USDA, Bond will ship it back to you.
Kennel Training
Kennels are safe locations to leave your pet for a short period of time. However, it is not a healthy environment for your pets to spend more than a few hours at a time in a confined space. Typically, kennels are not large enough or comfortable for pets and they do not receive much supervision and care (with the exception of veterinarian offices). Pets in kennels are left alone for long periods of time and this can be very stressful for dogs and cats.
Crate training is essential for any pet owner to consider, especially during international travel. It is recommended to begin crate training your pets early and slowly build up the length of time they are in the crate during the week leading up to your relocation. Once your pet is able to comfortably sleep in their crate during the night, you can then start taking them out for longer trips while crating them, such as to the dog park or on car rides. Make sure to always use positive reinforcement during these trips and give plenty of praise when they are in their crate. This will help them associate the crate with happy outcomes and not with stress, anxiety or fear.
Once your pet has reached a point where they are able to stay in their crate for a few nights without distress, then you will be ready to take the next step and contact an international pet relocation service for more details on your pet’s travel plans. Remember that your pet will need to be in an IATA compliant crate for their overseas flight and it is very important to get this crate purchased or rented well in advance of your departure date.
Contact us for more information on international pet relocation and to request a free quote! We are the one-stop shop for everything you need to move your pet with confidence. Our team of experts can provide travel plans, crate training tips and more.