Traveling with Your Pet

Now that the holidays are behind us and the cold winter sets in, you may be making plans to travel to a warmer destination.  If you intend to travel with your pet, here is some pre-departure information for you to consider:

For travel within the United States, most states have specific requirements.  While not often enforced, they are requirements nonetheless.  Many states require pet owners to obtain a Certificate of Veterinary Inspection (CVI) within 30 days of entry.  Several states, including Hawaii, require advanced diagnostic testing and documentation before entry is allowed.  This type of documentation can take several months to prepare.   In addition, if you are traveling by airplane, train, or bus there may be separate requirements.  For example, U.S. airlines require an exam within 10 days of travel. 

For international travel, there are many and varied requirements depending on the country of destination, the port of entry, and countries visited along the way.  It is imperative that, if you are going to be traveling internationally with your pet, you investigate the requirements and timeline well before you book your travel plans.  Many countries have stringent guidelines that may need up to a year to prepare.  Most require that your pet have an International Organization for Standardization (ISO)-compliant microchip implanted before any vaccinations or testing take place.   

Checklist for Travel with a Companion Animal:

• Confirm your date and destination of travel.
• Be sure your pet is up-to-date on all vaccines and preventative medications and has an ISO-certified working microchip.
• Contact your preferred airline, bus line, or train company prior to ticket purchase to be certain there is adequate time to accommodate their requirements and schedule necessary appointments for your pet.  It is best to talk directly with an agent about the requirements, as online information can be outdated or incorrect.
• Check the USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) Website:

For interstate/domestic travel state requirements:
https://www.aphis.usda.gov/aphis/pet-travel/interstate-pet-travel

For international travel requirements:
https://www.aphis.usda.gov/aphis/pet-travel/take-pet-to-foreign-country

• Consider whether or not your pet might benefit from a sedative or anti-anxiety medication for travel. It is best to check with your veterinarian and perform a medication trial at home prior to travel. This will allow you and your veterinarian ample time to evaluate the effects and make any adjustments.
• Schedule a pre-travel veterinary appointment for your pet as early as possible.  This will include a travel exam, vaccines, and any diagnostic testing, ensuring that you will be within the time constraints of both the transportation company and state or country requirements. 
• Look into having any paperwork or health certificates endorsed by an appropriate authority (i.e., a notary, USDA State Veterinarian, or another official).
• If required by any of the above-mentioned entities, mail, email, or fax any necessary paperwork before travel and keep all of your pet’s paperwork together, organized and ready to present to authorities at the time of travel.

With a bit of planning and investigation, you and your pet will be ready to go for wherever your travels might take you.  We wish you and your pets happy and safe travels this winter and beyond!

Should you have any questions, comments or concerns, please don't hesitate to contact us by phone at 845-876-6008, or by e-mail at [email protected].

Thank you for choosing us to be part of your pet's healthcare team!

With warmest regards,
Your friends at Rhinebeck Animal Hospital