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Lowell Animal Hospital
Let's get your pet ready for takeoff.
International trips with a dog or cat take planning. Our team helps you prepare the health certificate, vaccines and records your destination requires, so the paperwork is the easy part.
How it works
Every country sets its own requirements and timelines. Use the planner below to see what your destination asks for and when.
We examine your pet, give any vaccines or tests your destination requires, and complete the health certificate.
Many international destinations also require USDA endorsement of the certificate. The planner shows whether yours does.
The basics
An international health certificate is an official document, signed by a USDA accredited veterinarian, confirming that your pet is healthy and meets the entry rules of the country you are visiting. Airlines and border officials may ask to see it before your pet can travel.
Every country sets its own rules. Depending on where you are going, your pet may need a microchip, a rabies vaccine given within a certain window, parasite treatment or a blood test. Many destinations also require the signed certificate to be endorsed by the USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) before you leave.
Timing matters too. Some certificates must be issued within days of your flight, while other steps need to start months ahead. Check your destination in the planner below as soon as your trip is booked.
Some destinations require steps weeks or even months before you fly, like a microchip, a rabies vaccine given in the right window, or a blood test. The sooner you plan, the smoother the trip.
Pet travel planner
Enter where you are flying and when. You will get a checklist and timeline for your destination.
FAQ
It is an official document, signed by a veterinarian, stating that your pet is healthy and meets the entry requirements of the country you are traveling to. Many countries also require the certificate to be endorsed by the USDA.
As early as you can. Requirements and timelines vary by country, and some steps, like certain blood tests, must be done weeks or months before travel. The planner on this page shows the timeline for your destination.
Often, yes. Many states require a certificate of veterinary inspection (CVI) for dogs and cats crossing state lines, and some airlines ask for a health certificate dated within 10 days of your flight. Check your airline's pet policy and your destination state's rules first, then book your visit so the certificate's date lines up with your trip.
Our veterinarian examines your pet, reviews vaccine and microchip records, gives any vaccines or tests your destination requires, and completes the health certificate. Bring your destination, travel dates and any airline forms. Call (219) 300-2148 to schedule a visit that falls inside your destination's required window.
Reach out to our office, or call us at (219) 300-2148.
