Pet Travel Documentation

Traveling with your pet can be an exciting and memorable experience, but it’s important to plan ahead. A key step is obtaining the necessary health and travel certificates to ensure your pet is healthy enough for travel and meets all destination requirements.

What's Required

  • A physical examination completed within 10 days of travel
  • Current vaccinations, including rabies where required
  • Proof of parasite treatment, if required by the destination
  • An ISO-compliant 15-digit microchip for international travel

International Travel

International travel requirements differ widely depending on the destination country. Some locations require USDA-endorsed health certificates, which may take 3–5 business days to process. We recommend reaching out at least 2–3 weeks prior to your departure to ensure all necessary documentation is completed on time.

Please contact our office to schedule your health certificate appointment and review the specific requirements for your destination.

Traveling With Your Pet?

If you are planning international travel with your pet, please complete our Travel Form or email . Our experienced Travel Services representative will respond within 24 hours.

Traveling with an animal often requires official documentation to help ensure your pet’s health and safety, as well as the safety of other travelers and the environment. To obtain the necessary paperwork, your pet must be examined by a veterinarian, who will confirm they are healthy enough to travel, free from contagious illness, and up to date on all required vaccinations for your destination.

Because requirements can vary, we recommend contacting your airline directly to confirm specific documentation, regulations, and timing for travel.

Whenever possible, pets are best transported in the main cabin, where they typically experience a calmer and more comfortable journey. If your pet must travel in cargo, be sure they are placed in a well-ventilated, appropriately sized crate that allows for movement and access to water.

New CDC Guidelines for Returning to the USA

As of August 1, 2025

All pets must have the appropriate documentation to re-enter the United States.
  • Cats returning to the United States: Please be sure to have an up-to-date rabies certificate and the USDA-endorsed health certificate that was used for international travel.
  • Dogs returning to the United States from countries not on the high-risk list:
    • Must travel with a current rabies certificate issued in the United States (confirming the pet was vaccinated within the U.S.), along with a USDA-endorsed health certificate listing the low-risk country as the destination. This should be the same documentation originally endorsed for your pet’s outbound travel.
    • A CDC import form must be completed prior to travel. This form is free, and instructions along with the application link can be found here: https://www.cdc.gov/importation/dogs/dog-import-form-instructions.html

Dogs Traveling From a High-risk Rabies Country:

These countries include: Dominican Republic, Colombia, Israel (beginning August 1, 2024), China (excluding Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan), Ecuador, El Salvador, Ukraine, Turkey, Russia, Peru and more. To see the full list please, click here.
  • Your pet must be at least 6 months old, have an ISO-compliant microchip, and be vaccinated within the United States.
  • They will also be required to have:
    • A Certification of U.S.-Issued Rabies Vaccine form that was endorsed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) before dog departed the United States. (this can be done at your international health certificate appointment, the USDA charges $101 for endorsement of this document)
      • Please note - in order for us to be able to fill this form out the pet MUST be microchipped PRIOR to rabies vaccination. According to the new rules, pets must be given a 1 year rabies AFTER or on the day of microchipping. If the pet did not receive their vaccine after the microchip, then the pet will need a 1 year rabies vaccine. If the pet received a 3 year, if this is the primary vaccine after the microchip it will only be valid for 1 year.
    • A CDC Dog Import Form (The importer [owner] must fill this out prior to travel. It is best to do it a few days prior and is free of charge. The form can be found here.)
  • They must appear healthy upon arrival and must come in through one of the 18 designated ports as seen on the CDC website. (Newark and JFK are included!)
  • There is a helpful bot on the CDC website which you can use to find out exactly what your pet needs:

USDA Endorsement

For Countries Who Offer Digital Endorsement:

  • At the time of your international health certificate exam we will send your certificate for endorsement to the USDA website.
  • The USDA charges $160 for endorsement IF a rabies titer is required.
  • The USDA charges $101 for endorsement for countries who only require vaccine.

These fees are in addition to any fees at the Overpeck Creek Animal Hospital.

The USDA endorses Monday-Friday from 9-5 and endorsement can take upwards of 72 hours. (Weekends and Federal Holidays do not count towards the 72 hours). We will contact you as soon as the certificate has been endorsed and e-mail it to you.

For Countries Who Do Not Offer Digital Endorsement:

You will need to have your certificate mailed back to you. During your health certificate examination we will create a label for you via UPS overnight shipping with a provided credit card, unless you wish to provide the label to us prior to your appointment. If you have questions regarding creating the label please do not hesitate to reach out to us.

Rabies Titer Testing Information

The FAVN test is required by many rabies-free countries or regions in order for dogs and cats to qualify for a reduced quarantine period prior to entry. Some of these regions are Hawaii, Japan, Korea, Israel, Australia, Guam, New Zealand, and some islands in the Caribbean. Always check with the destination authority to verify pet importation requirements.

Due to continued staffing shortages, the Kansas State Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory will not be able to perform expedited STAT testing effective immediately. This temporary discontinuation is for STAT testing ONLY.

Due to supply shortages the FAVN test is taking 7 to 8 weeks from date received until the test status is Finalized.

We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause you.

If you have questions, please call the KSVDL Rabies Laboratory at 785-532-4483.

Helpful Pet Travel Link

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