Pet Travel Basics
Many of us can’t imagine going somewhere without our faithful pet companion, and over 1.9 million pets, from hound dogs to hedgehogs, enter the US each year. Like anything related to international travel, however, getting your pet to join your journey can be a hectic, costly, and emotionally draining process. This is an area where red tape reigns supreme, and every step must be taken perfectly, or you could find your pet barred from entry.
As this is such a complex process, there are a number of dedicated pet relocation companies who can guide you through the entire process, though be aware that this does not come cheap. The pet travel industry itself was estimated to be worth $1.8 billion in 2022, and your total cost per pet generally starts at just under a thousand dollars and can range to up to tens of thousands of dollars.
Below we will detail the basic documents required for dogs and cats, but other more exotic animals can be brought in as well. For horses and birds, check with the USDA. Importing your pet fish or snake? Talk to the US Fish and Wildlife Service.
Why is the process so complicated?
This is usually the first thing people wonder when looking at bringing their pet into the US (followed by โ “Why is this all so expensive?”). Unfortunately, there is a lot more to it than just buying a travel crate and booking a ticket for your pet. Those are indeed important parts of the logistics side of it, but there is also the bureaucratic side of it, which involves very specific documentation, paperwork, fees, licenses, certificates, etc.
To start, there are different rules by state, so even if you have covered all the national requirements, you need to check local requirements as well. Then there are stipulations regarding the country of origin, species, breed, animal weight, temperature at the airport you’re planning to arrive at, and on and on. To further complicate matters, these rules change frequently. Stay up to date by checking the US Department of Agriculture and US Customs and Border Protection sites as you get ready for your trip.
Also note that all of the documents below are for the US side of things, where you’re “importing” your pet. Countries may also have special “exporting” requirements. And if you are arriving by air, each airline also has its own specific rules and guidelines. For example, United Airlines allows for dogs up to 150 pounds (including the kennel), whereas most others have a 100-pound limit
General Documentation Required for Dogs and Cats
By and large, US Customs and the individual airlines will require the following documents. The original documents must have either been written in English or accompanied by a certified translation into English. Remember to always check the specifics of your destination state, as well as government websites for the latest requirements.
- Health Certificate โ This comes from a local veterinarian in your pet’s home country and certifies that your dog or cat is healthy, free from any infectious diseases, and fit to fly. This must be completed not more than 10 days before travel.
- Rabies Vaccination Certificate โ Dogs (and cats, depending on the state) must be vaccinated within 30 days of travel. Note that rabies requirements vary significantly by state and country of origin.
- Identification โ If your pet has not been microchipped, you may need to bring documents verifying ownership.
- Other Documentation – Depending on which country your pet is arriving from, additional documentation may also be required to show that your pet is free from other diseases (screwworm, foot and mouth disease, etc.). Consult your pet’s country of origin here for more details.
Translating Pet Documents
The US State Department specifies that if your pet’s original certificates are not issued in English, then you must provide a certified translation. As these are issues related to animal (and human) health and safety, the US government accepts only official certified translations. US Language Services, LLC has a team of experienced pet translation experts who can quickly provide you with certified translations, no matter what language you need.
Once you have the necessary certified translation of pet documents, send those documents to the USDA so they can verify the health certificate and rabies vaccination certificate. Note that this process can take anywhere from a few days to a few weeks, and longer if there is incomplete information or a problematic translation. Getting the proper certified translation from US Language Services, LLC will ensure that language barriers don’t stop you and your pet from traveling to the US.
