Veterinary Services
Pet Travel Health Certificate
Traveling with Pets? Get Your Required Health Certificates.
We would like to inform you of the new requirements from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for entry or re-entry of all dogs into the United States after international travel or originating from overseas.
These new requirements are being introduced due to issues with fraudulent documentation and will help to ensure the safety of pets and people in the United States by preventing the reintroduction of dog rabies to the United States.
These requirements will apply to all dogs, including puppies, service animals, and dogs that left the United States and are returning. They also apply whether you are a U.S. citizen, legal U.S. resident, or foreign national.
Beginning August 1, 2024, ALL dogs entering or re-entering the country must meet ALL of the following requirements:
- CDC Dog Import Form receipt (completed by Owner, one form per dog)
- Certification of US-Issued Rabies Vaccination form OR a USDA-endorsed export health certificate (Either is completed and filled out by a USDA Accredited Veterinarian)
- Must have a microchip that can be detected with a universal scanner to identify the dog. The microchip must be implanted before the dog gets the rabies vaccine, or else the vaccine will be invalid. The microchip number will be required on all forms and documents.
- Renton Veterinary Hospital implants approved microchips through Merck, HomeAgain)
- Must appear healthy upon arrival
- This will be determined by customs upon arrival.
- Must be at least 6 months old at the time of entry to the United States
It is important to ensure that all travel requirements are met and planned for well prior to travel. Dogs that do not meet all requirements will be denied entry into the United States and will be sent back to the last country of departure at your expense (last country visited, not place of origin). The CDC is not allowing for any lapses in the rabies vaccine. Any boosters following an overdue rabies vaccine will only be valid for one year of travel, even if only a day late. It is imperative to keep all vaccines up to date if you plan on traveling.
THESE NEW REQUIREMENTS ARE FOR ENTRY INTO THE UNITED STATES.
Each country has their own entry requirements for travel. Keep in mind that each airline can have their own requirements as well.
If you make an appointment for a Health Certificate and Certification of U.S.-Issued Rabies Vaccination Form, you will be expected to provide our office with the required information for your travels based on YOUR research with your travel plans and airline. We will not be able to assist you with what documents will be required for your specific trip/destination country as what we provide in the appointment are as follows:
- Exam
- Microchip (if needed)
- Rabies vaccination (if needed)
- International Health Certificate
- US-Issued Rabies Vaccination Form
There will be an additional charge on the invoice under “Health Certificate/Travel Document Admin Time” to account for the time our office will be spending with the USDA online completing and submitting the documentation as well as submitting and completing the US-Issued Rabies Vaccination Form.
Please feel free to visit these websites/links for additional information:
CDC Update Bringing Dogs Into the U.S.
USDA Requirements for Pet Entry Into the U.S.