Veterinarian-Issued Health Certificates for Traveling

Traveling is the spice of life - but sometimes it can get a little too spicy! Here at Rancho Village Veterinary Hospital, our vets help make it easier to get the health care certificate your cat or dog needs to travel.

Before Your Appointment

Please follow the list below when preparing for your cat or dog's health certificate appointment:

• Review the requirements for pet travel to your destination

  The requirements can be found through the USDA Pet Travel website. Rancho Village Veterinary Hospital's role is to complete the certificate and provide the vaccines and shots required but, it's your responsibility to understand the requirements and make sure they are met in the correct time-frame for traveling.

• Contact your airlines

  You have to inquire if the airlines have any more travel requirements, including specific vaccines or forms that need to be completed.

• Call the hospital to make an appointment.

  International health certificate appointments will take 1 hour per pet. National health certificate appointments will be 30 minutes (except for Hawaii, which is also 1 hour). Most health certificates are valid for 10 days and take 1-3 business days to be processed by USDA, so make sure to plan your health certificate appointment and travel date accordingly.

• What to bring to the appointment
  • Your full name, current address, and phone number
  • The name of your travel destination (person, hotel, etc.), address, and phone number
  • The date your pet will be travelling, method of transportation, and port of entry
  • All previous records from other veterinary clinics
  • Many health certificates need an original signed rabies certificate and the exact date of microchip implantation. If these were not performed at Rancho Village Veterinary Hospital and are needed for your pet's travel, you have to bring these forms and dates with you to your pet's appointment.