Family Pet Hospital of Stone Oak - San Antonio, TX 210.495.2722

Interstate and International Travel for Companion Animals

Family Pet Hospital of Stone Oak has on staff veterinarians credentialed by the Federal Government to issue documents for interstate and international travel with companion animals. Depending on destination the requirements can be very stringed, sometimes requiring months of preparation. Furthermore, requirements often change monthly, necessitating thorough research of your pet's individual requirements in order for us to prepare the appropriate travel documents. Proper preparation is extremely important as it can avoid unnecessary and costly quarantine of your beloved pet.

• All of our veterinarians are accredited by the USDA to issue Health Certificates
• Most airlines require that the Health Certificate be issued within 10 days of travel
• Your pet’s current Rabies Certificate should accompany the Health Certificate

What is a Health Certificate?

A Health Certificate is a document that is issued by the veterinarian certifying that 1) the veterinarian has examined the traveling dog or cat, 2) considers the pet to be in good health and free of infectious or contagious diseases, and 3) the pet has a current rabies vaccination and is not from a rabies quarantined area. The Health Certificate must be prepared by a USDA accredited veterinarian (all of our veterinarians have obtained this accreditation).

If your dog or cat is traveling to Hawaii, or internationally, there are generally more requirements for travel in addition to the Health Certificate and Rabies Certificate (microchip, blood tests, special forms, USDA endorsement, etc). For more details, please contact the country’s consulate office, or feel free to call to speak with our Travel Document Liaison at (210) 495-2722. Please provide the following information as it will expedite the process:

• Travel Destination
• Departure Date
• All Pertinent Documentation and Medical Records (including rabies vaccinations, rabies titers, and microchip/tattoo identifications)

Please be advised that if traveling by air many airlines require documentation independent of those documents required by the country or province to which your pet is traveling. It is your responsibility to contact the appropriate airline to determine these requirements. Airline requirements may include State issued Health Certificates and Letters of Acclimation.

References:

USDA-APHIS: Export of Animals

USDA-APHIS: International Animal Export Regulations

US Department of State: Foreign Consular Offices

DEFRA: The United Kingdom's Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs

EUROPA: European Union Food Safety Authority - Animal Health & Welfare

AVMA Resources for Interstate and International Travel for Pets

HAWAI’I DEPT OF AGRICULTURE: Animal Quarantine Branch

"In July of 2010 I learned I was being transferred to the UK and rapidly needed a plan to bring my two dogs, Bo & Lucy over with us. After some web research I discovered that I would have to get both my dogs “Pet Passports” through the United Kingdom passport scheme. By doing this I would avoid 6 month quarantine in the UK. Having very little data I reached out to the staff at The Family Pet Hospital of Stone Oak and they could not have been more knowledgeable.

They provided the documentation necessary for us to transport our pets and started the testing needed immediately. They were so patient with both me and my husband as we had numerous questions as we prepared to move. They answered every e-mail no matter how much or little information we needed.

The Family Pet Hospital of Stone Oak took on the process and left us to manage our own move to a foreign country. Without their help we would not have had such a seamless transition from Texas to the UK. Bo & Lucy are very happy in their new home!"