Domestic and International Certificates for Pet Travel
A Certificate of Veterinary Inspection (CVI) is required for many types of pet travel. This documentation confirms that your pet is healthy and meets the requirements of your destination. Because timelines can be strict, it’s important to contact us as soon as you begin planning your trip. Obtaining a health certificate can take weeks or even months, and certificates are only valid for a limited time once issued.
Domestic Travel
If you’re traveling within the United States, a health certificate may be required when flying with your pet, moving to a new state, or staying at a pet-friendly hotel. Domestic certificates are typically more straightforward. However, some destinations, such as Hawaii, have stricter entry requirements that involve additional testing, vaccinations, or documentation.
International Travel
Traveling abroad with your pet is often more complex and can involve:
- Vaccination requirements
- Blood tests or titer testing
- Microchipping
- USDA endorsement of paperwork
- Country-specific forms and timelines
In many cases, multiple appointments are needed, especially for international travel. This would include an initial visit to gather necessary information and then follow-up appointments to complete exams, testing, and final paperwork.

How Should You Prepare
for a Pet Travel Appointment?
A little preparation goes a long way for a Certificate of Veterinary Inspection (CVI). To help us complete your pet’s health certificate efficiently, please come prepared with (or email in advance):
- Veterinary medical records
- Your pet’s most recent rabies certificate (not the tag)
- Microchip information (if applicable)
- Any blank travel documents provided by your airline or destination
For international travel, we strongly recommend visiting the USDA pet travel website ahead of time to familiarize yourself with your destination’s specific requirements.


