At Salish Veterinary Hospital, our USDA accredited veterinarians are here to help you and your pet travel safely.
Health Certificates for Air Travel Within the Continental United States
What is a Health Certificate?
A health certificate is required by most airlines when traveling with a pet. This document confirms that your pet:
- Is healthy and free of communicable diseases
- Has been examined by a licensed veterinarian
- Is safe for air travel
When should you schedule your appointment?
- Your pet must be examined on the same day the certificate is issued
- Most airlines require the certificate to be issued within 14 days of your travel date
- Double-check with your airline to confirm their specific requirements
Tip: Schedule your appointment as soon as your travel plans are confirmed to avoid any last-minute issues.
Before your visit:
- Bring your pet's vaccination records. If we did not administer your pet's rabies vaccine, please provide a valid rabies certificate from the administering veterinarian.
- Know your destination and airline requirements. A physical destination address is required for the certificate.
- Make sure your pet is in good health and ready for travel
Pet Travel to Hawaii
Hawaii is a rabies free state and enforces very strict requirements for pets arriving on the islands. Preparing for travel to Hawaii with your pet requires careful planning and adherence to specific timelines.
What is Required?
To avoid extended quarantine or denied entry, your pet must meet the following:
- A working microchip (must be implanted before the rabies titer test)
- Two rabies vaccinations administered at the correct intervals
- A rabies antibody titer test (FAVN) from an approved laboratory
- A valid import permit
- Possible quarantine, depending on compliance with timeline
Even a small error in timing or documentation can result in your pet being quarantined for up to 120 days.
Start Early and Plan Carefully
Visit the Department of Agriculture Animal Quarantine website to review the full list of requirements and timelines.
Ready to Begin?
If you are planning to bring your pet to Hawaii, let us know as early as possible. We will schedule you a pre-travel consultation to help ensure you meet every requirement.
Traveling to and from Canada with Your Pet
Entering Canada by Car
To cross the border into Canada with your pet:
- Dogs and cats are required to have a current rabies vaccination certificate
- The certificate must be issued by a licensed veterinarian and clearly state the following:
- Your pet's identification information and microchip number if present (breed, age, color)
- Date of rabies vaccination
- Vaccine expiration date
- Vaccine type, manufacturer, name, and lot number
- Veterinarian's signature and contact information
You can find additional information on traveling to Canada with your pet here.
Reentering the United States
If you are traveling outside of the U.S. with your dog, you are required to:
- Complete the CDC Dog Import Form before returning
- This form is completed by you, not your veterinarian
- You can find the form here: CDC Dog Import Form
There are no additional requirements for cats reentering the U.S. from low-risk rabies countries at this time. Always check the CDC website for the most current guidelines and travel requirements here: CDC Pet Travel Information
International Pet Travel
Planning a trip abroad with your pet?
Traveling to countries outside of Canada requires advanced preparation and additional documentation to ensure a smooth and safe journey.
What you need to know
Every country has its own entry requirements for pets. These may include:
- ISO-compliant microchips
- Strict vaccination timelines, especially for rabies
- USDA-endorsed health certificates issued within 14 days of arrival
- Special blood tests, such as rabies antibody titers
- Import permits or quarantine protocols, depending on the country
Some destinations require planning months in advance to meet all criteria.
Start Early: Know Your Destination Requirements
Visit the USDA APHIS Pet Travel website to view country specific requirements.
Once you know your destination and approximate travel dates, complete our International Pet Travel Form HERE
A member of our team will contact you to schedule a consultation and help you begin the process.
Need Extra Help? Consider Pet Travel Specialist.
While we are happy to assist with health certificates and veterinary requirements, we are not pet travel agents. We highly recommend partnering with a pet travel agency that can guide you through the entire process.
For countries with particularly complex requirements (such as Australia and New Zealand), working with a specialist is mandatory.
Click here to view our list of recommended pet travel companies