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. At Animal Hospital of Fort Lauderdale, we know the process can be complex and time-consuming. Some destinations, including Hawaii and certain international countries, may require six months or more of preparation. Travel requirements can also vary 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.
If your destination requires a USDA-endorsed pet health certificate, our veterinarians will submit the paperwork on your behalf through the Veterinary Export Health Certification System (VEHCS). Once submitted, Animal Hospital of Fort Lauderdale cannot guarantee a timeline for when the USDA will return the approved certificate. Some pet health certificates are returned electronically while others may require a pre-paid FedEx label to receive the original hard copy by mail. The original endorsed certificate must travel with your pet to the destination country.
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.
f your destination requires a USDA-endorsed pet health certificate, our veterinarians will submit the paperwork on your behalf through the Veterinary Export Health Certification System (VEHCS). Once submitted, Animal Hospital of Fort Lauderdale cannot guarantee a timeline for when the USDA will return the approved certificate. Some pet health certificates are returned electronically while others may require a pre-paid FedEx label to receive the original hard copy by mail. The original endorsed certificate must travel with your pet to the destination country.
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
To help us guide you through the process efficiently, please have the following details available when calling to schedule a pet health certificate appointment:
- Type of pet traveling
- Destination country or state
- Departure date (or anticipated date)
- Any stopovers (for customs clearance or upon leaving the airport/seaport) before reaching the final destination
- Travel method – will your pet travel alone, as cargo, or in the cabin with a person?
Additionally, please fill out the travel worksheet so we have all the necessary information to complete your pet’s health certificate and inform you of any required steps.
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 contact us at least 7 days 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 contacting us 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
To help us guide you through the process efficiently, please have the following details available when calling to schedule a pet health certificate appointment:
- Type of pet traveling
- Destination country or state
- Departure date (or anticipated date)
- Any stopovers (for customs clearance or upon leaving the airport/seaport) before reaching the final destination
- Travel method – will your pet travel alone, as cargo, or in the cabin with a person?
Additionally, please fill out the travel worksheet so we have all the necessary information to complete your pet’s health certificate and inform you of any required steps.
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 contact us at least 7 days 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 contacting us 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
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 your dog went to a high-risk country within the past 6 months and also had been vaccinated in the US, the CDC will require their Dog Import Form to be completed before reentering as well as a USDA-endorsed export health certificate. An inspection will be completed upon your canine’s entry, and they must be healthy and at least 6 months old.
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 reenter 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 call us to find out the right time to set up your pet’s travel appointment! If you need to reschedule, please contact us as soon as possible. While we will do our best to accommodate changes, last-minute rescheduling may be challenging due to scheduling and travel conflicts. 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.
