Travel Health Certificates

Making Travel with Your Pet Easier & Stress-Free

Whether you’re planning a road trip across the U.S. or flying overseas with your furry friend, many destinations require official documentation stating that your pet is healthy and up to date on necessary vaccinations. A health certificate (sometimes called a veterinary or international health certificate) must be issued by a licensed veterinarian and, for some international destinations, endorsed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).

Domestic Travel Certificates

For travel between many U.S. states, a veterinarian-issued health certificate may be required to meet specific state or airline rules. Requirements vary depending on your destination state or carrier, so it’s best to plan ahead and confirm what paperwork is needed before you leave.

International Travel Certificates

Going abroad? Each country sets its own entry requirements. Most require an international health certificate completed by a USDA-accredited veterinarian, and many also need the certificate to be endorsed (signed and stamped) by the USDA before departure.

Our team can help you gather the necessary tests, vaccinations, and documentation and prepare the proper health certificate according to your destination’s rules. Start early—some countries have strict timing and testing requirements.

How It Works

• Consult with our team as soon as you know your travel plans so we can review the requirements for your destination.
• Prepare required vaccinations, microchipping, and testing based on the entry rules.
• We perform your pet’s examination and complete the health certificate.
• If needed, we assist with USDA endorsement to meet export certification requirements.

Helpful Resources

To better understand pet travel requirements for specific destinations, start your planning here:

• USDA Pet Travel Overview: Guidance on traveling with pets from the U.S.
• International Health Certificate Process: Steps for obtaining required documentation for foreign travel.
• CDC Pet Travel Information: Additional guidance, including U.S. entry rules for dogs.

Travel with Confidence

At Cy-Fair Animal Hospital, we’re here to help you navigate the paperwork and preparation so your pet can travel safely and compliantly—whether it’s across state lines or around the world.