When traveling with an animal, it’s often required to have legal documentation to protect your pet’s health, the safety of other travelers, and the environment in which you are traveling. In order to receive this paperwork, you must meet with your veterinarian and have them sign off that your pet is strong and healthy to travel without endangering themselves or others, free from disease or illness, and has received the vaccinations required by wherever they are traveling to.
In order to be sure of what kind of documentation you need, what the requirements are for traveling with your pet, or the time requirements for the paperwork, we suggest calling the airline you are flying with to find out.
It’s important to note that pets who fly in the main cabin, rather than in steerage, have a much more comfortable and calm experience. If your pet is well behaved and small enough, we highly recommend they travel in the main cabin. In the case that your pet must travel in steerage, make sure they have a spacious crate that allows for movement and water.
The CDC’s temporary suspension for dogs entering the United States from high-risk countries for dog rabies implemented in July 2021 will be extended until January 2023.
Effective June 10, 2022, import eligibility for all dogs (pets and dogs intended for resale/adoption) from high-risk rabies countries will expand and allow import options for dogs vaccinated for rabies in the U.S. as well as in foreign countries provided the dogs meet the requirements outlined on the CDC’s website
Starting on June 10, 2022, options for bringing dogs from a high-risk country for rabies in the past 6 months will depend on where the dogs’ rabies vaccinations were administered, and the number of dogs being imported. All dogs from high-risk countries must:
Have an ISO-compatible microchip for identification listed on their rabies vaccination certificate.
For countries who offer digital endorsement:
These fees are in addition to any fees at the Tenafly Veterinary Clinic.
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 mail your certificate to the USDA in Albany for endorsement with a return shipping label included. Information can be found here.
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.
In order to travel to Korea the pet must be up to date on these requirements:
Once we receive results the next step would be to come in for an international health certificate exam within 30 days with either Dr. Han or Dr. Salas (our USDA accredited vets).
Information we will need PRIOR to the International Health Certificate Exam:
Korea DOES NOT accept digital endorsement.
You will need to overnight your documents to the USDA office with a check for $121 for endorsement. We will provide you with information on how to do so.
In order to travel to Israel the pet must be up to date on these requirements:
Once we receive results the next step would be to come in for an international health certificate exam within 10 days with either Dr. Han or Dr. Salas (our USDA accredited vets).
Information we will need PRIOR to the International Health Certificate Exam:
Israel DOES accept digital endorsement, which can save you time and money!
More information regarding travel to Israel and guidance on how to do so can be found here.
In order to travel to Dominican Republic the pet must be up to date on these requirements:
Information we will need PRIOR to the International Health Certificate Exam:
Dominican Republic DOES accept digital endorsement, which can save you time and money!
More information regarding travel to DR and guidance on how to do so can be found here.
In order to travel to Colombia the pet must be up to date on these requirements:
Once all of these steps are met, the next step would be to come in for an international health certificate exam within 10 days with either Dr. Han or Dr. Salas (our USDA accredited vets)
Information we will need PRIOR to the International Health Certificate Exam:
Colombia DOES accept digital endorsement, which can save you time and money!
More information regarding travel to Colombia and guidance on how to do so can be found here.
Pet's traveling to the EU must have the following:
Information we will need PRIOR to the International Health Certificate Exam:
The EU does NOT accept digital signature from the USDA. You will need to overnight mail your paperwork to the USDA in Albany for endorsement with a return shipping label. [please link the how to ship your paperwork document]
The endorsement fee for any country who does not require the rabies antibody titer is $38 which should be payable to the USDA (This is in addition to any fees at the Tenafly Vet)
The EU health certificate is valid for travel within the EU for up to 4 months from the date it is issued by the USDA Accredited Veterinarian as long as the rabies vaccine documented on it does not expire.
After entering the EU, dogs subsequently traveling to Ireland, Finland, Malta, or Norway will need to be treated for tapeworms by an EU veterinarian within 1-5 days before entering those countries. The EU veterinarian will add the tapeworm treatment information to the EU health certificate issued in the United States. It is your responsibility to ensure your pet meets the import requirements of each country you visit.
Want to simplify your paperwork?
Ask your veterinarian to give your pet a 1-year rabies vaccination (after scanning the microchip) at least 21 days before your travel to the EU but less than one year before your travel date (for example, 3-6 months before travel date). That way, no matter the rabies vaccination history, you only have to keep up with one vaccination certificate instead of several! Doing it this way also makes it easier for the USDA endorsement office to review, which means you get your endorsed certificate back faster.
Pet's traveling to the Ecuador must have the following:
Once all these steps are met, the next step would be to come in for an international health certificate exam within 10 days with either Dr. Han or Dr. Salas (our USDA accredited vets).
Information we will need PRIOR to the International Health Certificate Exam:
Ecuador accepts digital signature from both us and the USDA.
At the time of your international health certificate exam we will send your certificate for endorsement to the USDA website.
The USDA charges $38 for endorsement for countries who only require vaccine. These fees are in addition to any fees at the Tenafly Vet
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.
More information regarding travel to Ecuador and guidance on how to do so can be found here.
Please make sure to read the CDC's guidance to return to the US with your pet if that is part of your plan.
Phone: 201-292-4949
Accepting day-time emergencies. Hablamos Español!
Phone: 201-567-7878
