Traveling Internationally With Your Pet? A Vet’s Guide to Pet Travel Certificates
At Animal Advocate Pet Hospital, we love helping our clients plan safe and stress-free adventures with their furry companions. If you’re thinking of taking your pet abroad, there are important steps to follow to make sure your dog or cat is healthy, documented, and ready to fly—no matter where in the world you’re going.
As a USDA-accredited veterinary clinic in Chicago, our team is trained and authorized to issue official international pet health certificates, perform microchip verification, and assist with rabies titer testing when required.
🌍 Every Country Has Different Rules
Before you book your flight, it’s important to check the pet entry requirements for your destination country. Some countries require microchips, rabies vaccines, and even blood titer tests—others are more relaxed.
Start here:
Search “Pet travel from US to [Country] + USDA APHIS” to find the official USDA page.
Countries are grouped by color code:
- Green: Minimal requirements
- Orange: Requires USDA electronic endorsement and official paper documentation
- Red: Let’s not go there 🙁
🩺 What We Help With at Animal Advocate Pet Hospital
Health Certificates for International Travel
Prepared and signed by a USDA-accredited vet and submitted to USDA if needed.
Microchip Scanning and Documentation
Required before rabies vaccination for most countries.</li>
Rabies Titer Testing
Processed through Kansas State Diagnostic Laboratory
Cook County Rabies Certificates
Especially important for travel originating from Illinois.
✈️ Coming Back to the U.S.? New Rules Starting July 31, 2025
If you’re returning to the U.S. from a high-risk rabies country, the CDC now requires a special form to be completed before your pet leaves the country:
Certification of U.S.-Issued Rabies Vaccination
- Must be completed by a USDA-accredited vet
- Rabies vaccine must be valid, with no lapse in coverage
- Microchip must be placed before the vaccine
- Must be completed at least 28 days after a first-time rabies vaccine
This replaces the older USDA health certificate for re-entry to the U.S.
📅 When Should You Start?
We recommend beginning your travel preparation 2–3 months in advance of your departure. Some requirements—such as rabies titers or USDA endorsements—take time, and last-minute delays could disrupt your travel plans.
Let’s Help You Travel Confidently
Our experienced team will walk you through every step—from microchip scans to paperwork, lab submissions, and final certificates. We’re here to make the process smooth and compliant so you can focus on your trip.
Call us today at 312-471-1728 or schedule a travel consult online
Animal Advocate Pet Hospital is a USDA-accredited veterinary clinic located in Chicago’s West Loop. We proudly serve pet parents across West Loop, South Loop, Bronzeville, Hyde Park, Oak Park, and beyond.