What to Expect
Important Notice
Pet owners are responsible for understanding and meeting all travel requirements for their specific destination. This is a lengthy and painstaking process across the country due to required protocols – this is why we recommend using a pet travel agent to make the burden lighter on you and require less planning on your part.
Who This Is For
We help with international travel and U.S. island destinations (e.g., Hawaii). Please note: We cannot complete health certificates for patients currently residing outside of the United States. For some destinations, the USDA mails endorsed documents to a U.S. address, and a signature may be required on delivery.
Start Early (Really Early)
Most destinations require multiple, time-sensitive steps that must be done in a specific order. Your consultation is only the beginning of the process. Please note this is only the first step in the health certificate process. Most destinations require multiple appointments with strict timelines.
“Emergency” Requests (Less Than 30 Days)
If your pet’s departure is in 30 days or less, your case is considered an emergency. We’ll collect complete travel details and medical history, alert the overseeing doctor, and confirm within 24-48 hours whether the certification can be achieved. A non-refundable deposit is required at scheduling. Some destinations may still require over 30 days to complete all steps.
Choose Your Pathway
OPTION 1: WORKING WITH A TRAVEL AGENT (Recommended)
Why Use a Travel Agent
We highly recommend that clients partner with a pet travel agency familiar with the specific requirements for their destination. Travel agents often have the most up-to-date information, including recent changes that may not yet be reflected on official websites. The travel agent will provide all necessary paperwork and timelines based on your specific travel plans.
Step 1: Work with a Travel Agent
Contact one of our recommended pet travel agencies. We can email you our list of known and trusted travel agents.
Recommended Pet Travel Agencies:
- Happy Tails Travel Inc.
- World Pet Travel
- Across the Pond Pets
Step 2: Client Gathers Required Paperwork
- You must complete the initial consultation with the travel agent before moving forward with us.
- Before scheduling an appointment with our veterinarian, you must collect:
- All country-specific forms
- Travel timelines
- Any additional documentation provided by the travel agent
This information is necessary to ensure a productive and accurate consultation.
IMPORTANT: It is our policy that we will only schedule the consultation once you have received all required documentation from your travel agent.
Step 3: Schedule the Consultation Appointment
Once the required documents are in hand, we can schedule your pet’s travel and health consultation.
- The patient must be present at the appointment
- The client must bring all completed travel documents to the visit
Important: If the client arrives without the required paperwork, the consultation will be rescheduled.
Step 4: Confirmation Calls & Preparation
During confirmation calls, you will be expected to have prepared:
- Verify the name of the travel agent you’re working with
- We encourage you to email copies of all documents ahead of time for pre-review
If the required paperwork is not brought to the appointment, it will be rescheduled, and additional charges may apply.
Step 5: During the Consultation Appointment
The veterinarian will:
- Review all submitted documentation
- Perform a physical exam on the patient
- Outline next steps based on destination requirements, which may include:
- Rabies titers
- Additional vaccines
- Microchipping
- USA Rabies Certification forms (different from the regular rabies certificate)
- Parasite treatment and testing
- Other country-specific protocols
- Discuss an estimated cost breakdown
- Explain the timeline and likely need for additional visits
Payment & Pricing Details
- Clients working with a travel agent will be charged $75.00
- Line item: International/US Island Health Certificate Consult-Travel Agent Utilized
- Prepayment is not required if working with a travel agent
OPTION 2: DOING THE PROCESS YOURSELF (Without an Agent)
Important Notice
We are happy to assist clients who choose not to work with a pet travel agent. However, this process requires careful preparation and cooperation from the pet owner. Travel without an agent is possible, but it requires more preparation and cooperation from you.
Step 1: Confirm You Can Follow All Steps
Please confirm that you do not plan to use a travel agent and that you understand and can follow the process below.
Step 2: Prepay Your Consultation
- A $100 non-refundable prepayment is required to schedule
- It applies to the first consultation visit (no separate exam fee)
- Other charges may apply to meet destination requirements
- Failure to complete preparation steps can lead to rescheduling and additional fees
- Once Paid, we’ll alert the doctor overseeing the case to prepare the timeline, documents, and list of requirements for your pet’s travel.
Step 3: Complete the Intake Form (Due 1 Week Before Your Visit)
We’ll email the Internal Health Certificate Intake Form and instructions. Return it at least one week before your consultation so our team can research destination requirements. You can submit it through the Resources tab on our website.
Important reminders:
- Your pet must be present at the consultation
- The consultation is the first step; more visits and costs are likely
- The health certificate itself is a separate fee
- Consultation does not guarantee we can complete a certificate for your timeline/destination
Step 4: At the Consultation—What We’ll Do
We Will:
- Review your intake form and any records you sent
- Examine your pet
- Outline required steps which may include:
- Rabies titers
- Vaccinations
- U.S. rabies certification forms
- Microchipping
- Parasite testing/treatments
- Any location-specific requirements
- Give you an estimate and timeline
- Explain the likely need for additional visits
The Intake Form: What You’ll Need To Provide
Owner & Travel Contacts
- U.S. mailing address (required for some USDA mail-backs)
- Phone and email
- If someone else is traveling with or picking up your pet, list their full contact details
Full Travel Itinerary (Every Stop Matters)
List every location your pet will pass through, including layovers (even landlocked states/countries). Requirements can differ by stop, and you must meet the rules for each segment.
Transportation Method
- Airline(s) and flight numbers (cargo vs. cabin)
- Ship (line/ports)
- Other (car, rail)
- For complex trips, provide transport mode for each leg
Animal Information
- Microchip number and implantation date
- Species/breed/color/date of birth/age
- Rabies vaccine date, certificate serial number, vaccine validity (1- or 3-year)
- Prior rabies clinics, if applicable
- Indicate if the pet will return to the U.S.
Health History & Preventives (Canine & Feline sections)
We’ll ask about:
- Core/non-core vaccines (e.g., leptospirosis, Bordetella)
- Heartworm testing
- Fecal testing
- Titers or general bloodwork
- Routine parasite prevention/deworming
- Microchipping status
Provide dates and attach records if another clinic performed the services.
Acknowledgment & Privacy
You’ll sign that:
- The information is accurate
- The intake form is not an official health certificate
- USDA endorsement and timelines are outside the clinic’s control once documents are submitted
What Happens After Your Consultation
- Follow-up scheduling: We’ll schedule any required follow-ups promptly (strict timing is common). Delays in scheduling can delay completion of the certificate.
- USDA endorsement: Submitting a certificate to USDA does not guarantee endorsement/approval.
- If pre-visit medication is required: Some pets need specific pre-visit steps for safe, on-time appointments. Please avoid rescheduling time-sensitive visits.
Pricing & Estimates
- With a travel agent: $75 consultation (no prepayment required)
- Without a travel agent: $100 pre-paid (applies to the first consultation visit; additional services may be required based on your route/destination)
- Typical starting fees: From $75 per required exam, ~$350 for International certificate (per country/certificate needed)
- Note: Discount programs do not apply to health certificate fees
Your doctor will provide a customized estimate after reviewing your route and requirements.
IMPORTANT: Bringing Your Dog Back Into the United States
CDC Dog Import Form (Required for ALL dogs entering/returning to the U.S.)
Starting August 1, 2024, you must complete the online CDC Dog Import Form before arrival. This applies to ALL dogs, including those returning to the U.S.
- Visit the CDC website for instructions: https://www.cdc.gov/importation/dogs/dog-import-form-instructions.html
- You’ll receive a receipt that you must present upon arrival
- The receipt is generally valid for up to 6 months (unless the dog visits a high-risk country or different departure country during that time)
- Dogs from dog-rabies-free or low-risk countries typically need only the CDC Dog Import Form (plus standard requirements like being at least 6 months old, microchipped, and appearing healthy)
- Dogs traveling to high risk countries may have additional requirements and need additional certifications and endorsements from the USDA. For a list of countries considered high risk please visit this link.
We will review these CDC re-entry requirements with you at your consultation and provide the correct link to the CDC instructions page.
Required Forms & Documents You Might See
Depending on your destination, steps may include:
- Rabies titers
- Additional vaccines
- U.S. rabies certification forms (different from your usual rabies certificate)
- Microchipping
- Parasite treatments/testing
Your veterinarian will map these out for you.
For destination-specific requirements, visit the USDA APHIS Pet Travel site: https://www.aphis.usda.gov/pet-travel
Important Reminders
- Intake form deadline: Submit your Internal Health Certificate Intake Form at least 7 days before your consultation, so we can research your destination and layovers
- Pet must be present: Your pet must attend the consultation appointment
- Consultation is step one only: Additional visits and costs are likely to meet your route’s specific rules. The health certificate itself is a separate service/fee
- Consultation does not guarantee we can complete a certificate for a given timeline/destination
- Bring everything: If you’re using a travel agent, you must arrive with the required documents, or your appointment will be rescheduled
Ready to Start?
If you’re working with a travel agent:
Email us their paperwork and timelines so we can book your consultation at clinic@amethystvets.com
If you’re not using an agent:
Let us know that you can follow the process, and we’ll send your prepayment link and the Intake Form.
Questions?
Call (480) 996-0010 for additional questions and requirements before booking your appointment.
Official References for Travelers:
- CDC Dog Import Form & Instructions: https://www.cdc.gov/importation/dogs/dog-import-form-instructions.html
- USDA APHIS Pet Travel (export and import guidance): https://www.aphis.usda.gov/pet-travel