Pet Health Certificates
Travel safely with your pet over state lines or across the ocean.
Pet Health Certificates
Travel safely with your pet over state lines or across the ocean.
If you plan to travel with your pet from Fort Lauderdale, FL, certain paperwork may be required, including health certificates, lab tests, treatments, and vaccine records. Each country and state has its own regulations and timelines for these requirements. Animal Hospital of Fort Lauderdale offers certificates for interstate travel (including Hawaii and Puerto Rico), the Bahamas, Canada, and Mexico. We know the process can be complex and time-consuming. Travel requirements can vary by destination and depending on whether you are traveling with your pet by plane, car, boat, train, or other means.
To find specific travel requirements for your pet, please visit the APHIS – USDA pet travel website.
Domestic & International Travel Certificates
Our USDA-accredited veterinarians can work with pet owners to obtain a health certificate.
To begin the process, pet owners must first complete a travel questionnaire through our partner, Pawsitive Pet Health Certificates. Once completed, both you and Animal Hospital of Fort Lauderdale will receive a customized checklist outlining the next steps and travel requirements for the destination. After reviewing the checklist, our team can schedule any necessary tests or treatments.
Import Permits
Some destinations, such as The Bahamas, require an import permit before travel. Pet owners must obtain this permit directly from the consulate of the destination country. In many cases, the import permit must be presented at your pet’s health certificate appointment so that we can follow the required steps. If you receive an import permit, please email it to us immediately to help us prepare for your pet’s visit
Airline-Specific Requirements
Before your pet’s travel certificate appointment, please check with your airline regarding any additional documentation, tests, or vaccines they require. If your airline has specific requirements, please provide written documentation so we can comply with their policies.
Domestic & International Travel Certificates
Our USDA-accredited veterinarians can work with pet owners to obtain a health certificate.
To begin the process, pet owners must first complete a travel questionnaire through our partner, Pawsitive Pet Health Certificates. Once completed, both you and Animal Hospital of Fort Lauderdale will receive a customized checklist outlining the next steps and travel requirements for the destination. After reviewing the checklist, our team can schedule any necessary tests or treatments.
Import Permits
Some destinations, such as The Bahamas, require an import permit before travel. Pet owners must obtain this permit directly from the consulate of the destination country. In many cases, the import permit must be presented at your pet’s health certificate appointment so that we can follow the required steps. If you receive an import permit, please email it to us immediately to help us prepare for your pet’s visit.
Airline-Specific Requirements
Before your pet’s travel certificate appointment, please check with your airline regarding any additional documentation, tests, or vaccines they require. If your airline has specific requirements, please provide written documentation so we can comply with their policies.
Preparing for Your Pet’s Travel Appointment
Before scheduling your appointment, you must complete the travel questionnaire through Pawsitive Pet Health Certificates. Once submitted, you and our team will receive a detailed checklist of your pet’s travel requirements and next steps.
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Please visit the USDA pet travel website to learn about destination requirements.
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If you are traveling internationally with a dog, please read our Travel Packet about rabies requirements.
To ensure that Animal Hospital of Fort Lauderdale can provide you with the best service and secure an appointment with a USDA-accredited veterinarian, please fill out the Pawsitive Pet Health Certificates at least 2 weeks prior to domestic travel and at least 30 days prior to international travel. Please note that, in some cases, this timeframe may not be sufficient for your pet to meet all travel requirements. We strongly recommend filling out the questionnaire before booking any flights to avoid potential travel delays.
A $50 deposit will be required for all pet health certificate appointments and will be collected over the phone at the time of booking. If you cancel your pet’s appointment with less than 24 hours’ notice or miss your appointment, the deposit will be non-refundable. Otherwise, it will be applied toward your appointment on the scheduled day.
Preparing for Your Pet’s Travel Appointment
Before scheduling your appointment, you must complete the travel questionnaire through Pawsitive Pet Health Certificates. Once submitted, you and our team will receive a detailed checklist of your pet’s travel requirements and next steps.
-
Please visit the USDA pet travel website to learn about destination requirements.
-
If you are traveling internationally with a dog, please read our Travel Packet about rabies requirements.
To ensure that Animal Hospital of Fort Lauderdale can provide you with the best service and secure an appointment with a USDA-accredited veterinarian, please fill out the Pawsitive Pet Health Certificates at least 2 weeks prior to domestic travel and at least 30 days prior to international travel. Please note that, in some cases, this timeframe may not be sufficient for your pet to meet all travel requirements. We strongly recommend filling out the questionnaire before booking any flights to avoid potential travel delays.
A $50 deposit will be required for all pet health certificate appointments and will be collected over the phone at the time of booking. If you cancel your pet’s appointment with less than 24 hours’ notice or miss your appointment, the deposit will be non-refundable. Otherwise, it will be applied toward your appointment on the scheduled day.
Pet Health Certificate FAQ
Animal Hospital of Fort Lauderdale offers health certificate appointments for pet travel within the United States (including Puerto Rico), the Bahamas, Canada, and Mexico. We do not handle certificates for any other countries.
To confirm whether the country outside the US is considered rabies-free or low-risk, pet owners can view a list on the CDC website here. If the country is not on the list, then it is not a high-risk country. You must then complete the CDC Dog Import Form prior to leaving the US. This specific form and more information can be found on the CDC’s website by clicking here.
Pet owners can find a list of high-risk rabies countries here. If you are traveling with your dog to a country classified as high-risk for dog rabies, the CDC has strict requirements for re-entry into the United States. Your dog must have two required documents: CDC Dog Import Form receipt and Certification of US-issued Rabies Vaccination Form. The rabies vaccination certification must be endorsed by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) before you leave the country. Without this endorsed document, your dog may not be allowed to re-enter the United States. You can find these forms and more information on the CDC website. We also have information in a helpful Travel Packet. The CDC recommends submitting your paperwork at least 30 days prior to travel to allow time for processing and approval.
If you plan on returning to the US but do not have a pet travel certificate from the USDA, you will need a Certification of U.S.-Issued Rabies Vaccination Form that is completed by a USDA-accredited veterinarian prior to leaving. This form will be valid as long as the rabies vaccine does not expire and can be used multiple times to re-enter the US.
It is very important that your pet’s rabies vaccination does not expire while abroad, as this could complicate re-entry into the United States. If your cat or dog’s rabies vaccine is going to expire, we will discuss the options between re-vaccinating in advance or getting vaccinated abroad.
Travel Certificates for Pets in Fort Lauderdale, FL
Travel Certificates for Pets in Fort Lauderdale, FL
Come to Animal Hospital of Fort Lauderdale.
Our USDA-certified veterinarians are experienced in providing health certificates and will guide you through the entire process. Please start the certificate process by filling out the Pawsitive Pet Health Certificates travel questionnaire. Animal Hospital of Fort Lauderdale strives to accommodate all of our clients to the best of our ability and appreciates your understanding and cooperation in ensuring a smooth scheduling process.
Animal Hospital of Fort Lauderdale provides international and domestic pet health certificates for cats and dogs in Fort Lauderdale, Oakland Park, Wilton Manors, Lauderdale-by-the-Sea, Lighthouse Point, Pompano, and surrounding Florida communities and beyond.