Pet Health Certificates

Necessary for traveling across state lines.

Pet health certificates are often required for pets traveling both domestically within the United States and internationally. These certificates must be completed and signed by a USDA-accredited veterinarian, particularly for air travel and international destinations.

Please note: At this time, our clinic does not have a USDA-accredited veterinarian on staff. This means we are unable to issue official USDA Health Certificates (Certificates of Veterinary Inspection) for either interstate or international travel.

However, we are still here to help. We can provide a Healthy Pet Letter, which is a document signed by a licensed veterinarian confirming that your pet has recently been examined and appears to be in good health with no signs of contagious disease. While this letter may be accepted for non-regulated purposes (such as grooming, daycare, or some car travel), it does not replace an official USDA health certificate required for most air or international travel.

Planning Pet Travel?

If you’re traveling by car:

• Carry your pet’s vaccine records, current rabies certificate, and a Healthy Pet Letter.
• Always confirm documentation requirements with your destination—some states have specific rules.

If you’re planning to fly:

• Check your airline’s pet travel policies well in advance.

• Ask your airline the following:

  • Do you require an official health certificate signed by a USDA-accredited vet?

  • Are small pets allowed in the cabin?

  • Do you provide climate-controlled cargo space for larger pets?

  • What are your carrier and documentation requirements?

  • What are your policies on layovers, pickups, and drop-offs?

For International Travel:

• Most countries require rabies titers and a USDA-endorsed health certificate.

• You will need to schedule with a USDA-accredited veterinarian for these services.

• Planning should begin at least two to four months in advance, especially for destinations like Hawaii or countries with strict entry protocols.

To learn more about travel requirements, we recommend visiting the USDA pet travel site: aphis.usda.gov/aphis/pet-travel

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Need a Healthy Pet Letter or have questions?
Call us at (602) 666-1289 or request an appointment online so we can help ensure your pet is happy, healthy, and ready for the journey ahead.