International Travel

International Travel Health Certificates

At Prescott Animal Hospital, we’re here to simplify your pet’s travel experience. One of our USDA-certified veterinarians can handle all the necessary paperwork for both domestic and international trips.

In order for our team to assist with the necessary paperwork, we strongly advise booking an appointment with us as soon as you know you’ll be traveling with your pet internationally. Most certificates must be signed by both a USDA-certified veterinarian and a USDA APHIS Veterinary Services endorsement officer at least ten days before travel.

Traveling With Your Pet: A Step-By-Step Guide

Step One: Identify Travel Requirements
Every country has specific pet travel requirements, which can be found on the APHIS website.

While we’ll assist you in preparing, it’s crucial for you to ensure you have the right documentation, vaccines, microchips, and adhere to the correct timing for your journey. Please note that we can’t be responsible for expenses related to travel delays or additional requirements.

Don’t forget about your return! It is just as important to understand the requirements of returning to the United States with your pet before leaving.

Step Two: Plan Your Timeline
Certain countries, like Japan and rabies-free states such as Hawaii, require a FAVN test, which can take around a month for results. Moreover, there are waiting periods after meeting medical requirements.

Only a USDA-certified veterinarian can complete and certify domestic and international health certificates. Allow ample time to send these documents to a USDA APHIS Veterinary Medical Officer.

For guidance specific to your destination, consult the USDA’s Pet Travel Guidance for Pets Leaving the United States.

Step Three: Schedule an Appointment
You can schedule your appointment with one of our USDA-certified veterinarians by calling (928) 445-2190. We strongly advise booking an appointment with us as soon as you know you’ll be traveling with your pet internationally.

Most certificates must be signed by both a USDA-certified veterinarian and a USDA APHIS Veterinary Services endorsement officer at least ten days before travel. You can’t apply for the certificate the day before or on the day of your international trip.

Step Four: Send Medical Records
If you’re not a current client or have medical records elsewhere, please send a copy to our staff at [email protected] in advance of your appointment.

Step Five: Attend Your Appointment
Ensure you arrive at your appointment fully prepared with the required documents and a clear understanding of your destination’s demands.

Step Six: Get Your Pet’s Travel Paperwork Endorsed
There are two ways to get your paperwork endorsed after it has been filled out by a USDA-certified veterinarian:

• Option One: Use the Veterinary Export Health Certification System (VEHCS). Talk to your veterinarian about how you can save time and money using VEHCS to submit your paperwork, including the health certificate. All countries allow the use of VEHCS for endorsement.
• Option Two: Ship the paperwork to the USDA Endorsement Office. Include The Pet Owners Checklist for Shipping Health Certificate(s) to a USDA Endorsement Office with your paperwork to ensure that all required documents are included. Incomplete packages will cause delays.

Our designated APHIS Veterinary Export Trade Services Endorsement Office is:

USDA APHIS Veterinary Services
10365 Old Placerville Rd., Suite 210
Sacramento, CA 95827

If shipping your paperwork, please include:

• A self-addressed pre-paid express return shipping label.
• All original documents required by your destination country.
• International Health Certificate (filled out by a certified USDA veterinarian).
• Vaccination certificates (if required).
• Test results for laboratory tests (if required).
• Import Permit (if required).
• The Pet Owners Checklist for Shipping Health Certificate(s) to a USDA Endorsement Office.
• The Credit Card Information Sheet (if paying the endorsement fee by credit card).

While we will do all we can to support your trip, we cannot accept responsibility for any expenses if your travel is delayed or additional requirements are needed. It is your responsibility to ensure you are prepared for your travel and arrival at your destination country. Failure to do so may result in being turned away at the border or your pet being quarantined.

Additional Information

All information is based on USDA and APHIS guidelines as of November 10, 2022

CDC Travel Alert: The CDC’s temporary suspension for dogs entering the U.S. from high-risk rabies countries, initially implemented in July 2021, will extend until January 2023. For details, visit CDC.gov.

Approved Ports of Entry: Anchorage (ANC), Atlanta (ATL), Boston (BOS), Chicago (ORD), Dallas (DFW), Detroit (DTW), Honolulu (HNL), Houston (IAH), Los Angeles (LAX), Miami (MIA), Minneapolis (MSP), New York (JFK), Newark (EWR), Philadelphia (PHL), San Francisco (SFO), San Juan (SJU), Seattle (SEA), and Washington DC (IAD). Check the CDC’s website for the full list of high-risk countries.

Next Steps

If you have plans to travel with a pet in the upcoming months, please contact us today at (928) 445-2190.