Travel Certificates

Traveling with your dog or cat across state lines can feel overwhelming. Our goal is to make the process straightforward with the right preparation. Our veterinary team can provide guidance on documentation, health certificates, vaccinations, and travel-readiness so your pet can travel safely by car, plane, or train.

Traveling with your dog or cat within the United States may require health certificates, vaccination records, or additional documentation, depending on your destination.

Check each State and Territory Requirements: https://www.aphis.usda.gov/pet-travel/state-to-state

Preparing Your Pet for Domestic Travel

Before traveling, schedule a pre-travel veterinary visit to confirm your pet is healthy to travel and that vaccinations, microchip registration, and parasite prevention are up to date.

Helpful travel tips include:

• Introduce your pet to their carrier early and create positive associations with it.
• Use a secured carrier or crash-tested harness for car travel.
• Bring copies of vaccination records and any required health certificates.
• Pack medications, food, water, and familiar comfort items.

Traveling by Car or Plane

Driving allows more control over temperature, rest stops, and noise, which many pets find less stressful.

Flying may be necessary for longer trips, but it involves additional considerations such as airline policies, carrier size requirements, and seasonal temperature restrictions. Smaller pets may be able to travel in the cabin, while larger pets may need to travel in cargo.

Because travel requirements vary by state, it is best to confirm your destination’s rules and plan ahead with your veterinarian.

Check each State and Territory Requirements: https://www.aphis.usda.gov/pet-travel/state-to-state

Traveling outside the United States requires more advanced planning, as each country has its own rules regarding vaccinations, testing, and documentation.

At University Animal Clinic, our USDA-accredited veterinarians help guide you through the process of preparing your pet for international travel.

Preparing Your Pet for International Travel

International travel may require:

• microchip identification
• specific vaccinations with required timing
• parasite treatments
• blood tests such as rabies titers
• veterinarian-issued health certificates
• USDA endorsement of travel documents

Because these steps can take weeks or even months, it is important to schedule your travel consultation as soon as you begin planning your trip.

Our team will review your pet’s medical history, confirm vaccine timing, complete the required paperwork, and help ensure your documents meet airline and destination country requirements.

Find Your Destination Country’s Requirements

Use the USDA APHIS tool to select your destination and see the exact veterinary documents, timelines, and treatments required. We recommend starting as early as possible to avoid delays.

The U.S. Department of State offers high-level guidance on traveling with pets, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (USDA APHIS) provides the exact entry requirements and forms for each destination country.

USDA APHIS: U.S. to Another Country (Export)

U.S. Department of State: Pets & International Travel

Whether traveling domestically or internationally, a little preparation can make your pet’s trip safer and more comfortable.

• Use a well-ventilated carrier that allows your pet to stand, turn, and lie down comfortably.
• Ensure your pet has ID tags and a registered microchip.
• Bring printed and digital copies of travel documents.
• Pack water, medications, and familiar bedding or toys.
• Avoid heavy meals immediately before travel.
• Do not sedate your pet unless your veterinarian specifically recommends it.

More Resources for Air Travel with Pets

If you’re preparing to fly with your dog or cat, the following official resources are a great place to start your research. They cover airline rules, carrier sizing, security screening, and traveler protections. Review these and your airline’s policy page before you book.

• Airlines for America
• Animal Transportation Association
• International Pet and Animal Transportation Association (IPATA)
• International Air Transport Association (IATA)