Health Certificates for Travel

Whether you’re heading across the country or across the globe, Balsam Animal Hospital is here to ensure your pet is healthy, compliant, and ready for travel. We are accredited and experienced in issuing both interstate and international health certificates (CVIs – Certificates of Veterinary Inspection and IHCs- International Health Certificates).

Domestic Travel (within the US)

For travel within the United States, most states require a current Certificate of Veterinary Inspection. These certificates confirm your pet is healthy, up to date on required vaccinations, and safe to cross state lines. If you are planning on flying with your pet, these certificates are required by most US airlines in order for your pet to board. 

We recommend contacting the state of destination and your selected airline to confirm any specific requirements to travel with your pet. It may also be a good idea to confirm any carrier dimensions, material restrictions, and accommodations needed for your airline at the same time! 

International Travel (Outside of the US)

Traveling internationally with pets can be quite complex and extremely stressful. Each country has its own set of regulations, timelines, vaccinations, and paperwork that they require in order to allow your pet to enter their country. These documents can only be acquired through a USDA accredited veterinarian and require additional endorsement directly through the USDA prior to travel. 

Fortunately, Balsam Animal Hospital has years of experience successfully shipping pets all over the world and we would be happy to work with you to get your pet ready to travel by your side! Our veterinarian is USDA-accredited to issue international health certificates that meet destination country requirements and our staff is well versed in those requirements to ensure that you and your pet can travel as stress-free as possible.

We Assist With:

• USDA-endorsed international health certificates
• Country-specific vaccination and testing requirements
• Microchipping (if needed)
• Documentation timelines and coordination with any Pet travel or concierge company you may be using.
• Preparing your pets history and vaccination certificates to comply with international standards

• Ensuring you have the USDA-endorsed documents that are required to re-enter the US with your pet after visiting a ‘High Risk’ country. High Risk countries, as defined by the CDC, are countries that pose a high risk of canine rabies exposure. The complete list of those countries is available on the CDC website.

Helpful Resources for International Pet Travel

To simplify your journey, we recommend that you consider utilizing the following tools and services:

• 🧭 USDA Pet Travel Website
  The official USDA portal for pet travel, where you can select your destination country to view requirements and familiarize yourself with any timelines or requirements that call for extensive preparation and planning to ensure you are ready to leave when you need to!
• ✈️ Pet Concierge Services
  We partner with and recommend several trusted pet travel concierge services! At the moment, we are recommending using Global Vet Link, Airpets International, and Starwood Pet Travel companies, but we are happy to work with any company that you select! Please note that you are not required by our hospital to use a pet concierge service unless you are trying to travel internationally with more than three pets at the same time.
  
  While it can be an additional expense to your trip, these services can help significantly reduce the stress and anxiety that comes with the preparation for, and actual travelling with your furry friend. Pet Concierge services can assist with:
  • Flight bookings
  • Travel crate preparation (some services provide an approved crate for you!)
  • Ground transportation and animal friendly arrangements
  • Boarding or layover planning and locating pet friendly areas
  • Documentation handling and courier service to USDA offices