Health Certificate Information
If your pets will be traveling anywhere outside the United States (Canada, Caribbean, or Europe) you must have a health certificate specific for that country. Every country has different requirements and it is your responsibility to be aware of rabies vaccine requirements, possible quarantine requirements or other legal issues. PLEASE don’t wait until the day before your flight or we will not be able to help you.
Call Jefferson Animal Hospital if you have additional questions 502-966-4104. An appointment for an exam of your pet is required to fulfill Health Certificate requirements. The more “advance work” that you perform will make it much less expensive for you as we help to complete this process for you.
General website for all countries and USDA Contact Information
Note that any international health certificate has to be signed and sealed by an Official Veterinarian in Frankfort at the USDA office. You are required to make an appointment with them and there is a fee for their services. Contact information is provided below:
Phone – 502-848-2048 Email – vspsky@aphis.usda.gov
Web site – www.aphis.usda.gov/regulations/vs/iregs/animals
Canada
https://www.aphis.usda.gov/regulations/vs/iregs/animals/downloads/ca_cn.pdf
Mexico
https://www.aphis.usda.gov/regulations/vs/iregs/animals/downloads/mx_pets_dog_cat_upd_12.pdf
Hawaii
https://hdoa.hawaii.gov/
European Union
https://ec.europa.eu/food/animal/liveanimals/pets/nocomm_third_en.htm
United Kingdom
https://www.gov.uk/take-pet-abroad
The Member States of the European Union are: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia,Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, the Republic of Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and the United Kingdom.
Many airlines require documentation within 5-10 days of travel or less due to weather conditions and risks to animals. Every airline has different requirements – clients should contact their airline to be sure they are meeting all requirements. It is also best to always check the USDA website each time a pet travels out of the country- some countries change their requirements often.
Pets traveling to the European Union, Hawaii, and Japan require 2 rabies vaccines and a rabies titer to Kansas State University. Some countries require that pets are quarantined for a certain length of time prior to export.
Kansas State University Rabies Laboratory
www.ksvdl.org/rabies-laboratory
We hope this information has been helpful so you and your pet(s) have a safe and worry free trip.
