International Travel and Health Certificate

Thank you for notifying us of your intention for your pet to travel internationally.  Submitting the forms below prior to your appointment will help streamline the process of completing the health and documentation requirements for your pet's travel. We strongly recommend that you consult the USDA APHIS Pet travel page prior to scheduling travel to review destination country requirements. Because regulations and requirements vary greatly by country, the fee is based upon your pet’s destination.

We look forward to working with you to make your pet’s travel as smooth as possible. Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any questions.

If you'd like to print out, complete, and drop off this form off at one of our four locations, please click here.  

 

By providing the information below, you will help expedite the necessary paperwork for you and your pet’s travel.

 

Please fill out this form at least 5 days PRIOR to your international health certificate visit.

 

We know that traveling internationally with a pet can be a stressful time for everyone involved. Regulations for international pet travel vary greatly by destination and change frequently. The documentation and medical requirements can be quite complicated and time sensitive. Therefore, Georgia Veterinary Associates highly recommends utilizing a third party pet travel service to assist you in making sure everything is taken care of in the proper time frame and documented correctly.

 

While we are committed to providing the outstanding service that you have come to expect from all of the Georgia Veterinary Associates hospitals, please understand that our expertise is in veterinary care and not international travel for pets. We will follow government regulations for fulfillment of any medical treatments, vaccinations, and testing for your pet and complete the necessary forms related to your specific travel. However, we require you, the pet owner, to do your due diligence by researching all the necessary prerequisites and ensuring those prerequisites are met prior to your upcoming international travel.

 

We will do our best to most accurately complete all necessary health certificates and provide all documentation that is necessary for travel with your pet based on the information provided to us by you and the USDA, but we cannot guarantee the success of your pet's international transportation or acceptance into the destination country. Additionally, we cannot accept responsibility for any expenses if you or your pet's travel is delayed.

 

Please note that any fees associated with vaccinations, microchip implantation, and/or other medical treatments or tests required for your pet's travel are separate from the health certificate and exam fee.

 

By signing below, I acknowledge and accept the following:

I have read and understand the above, accept the risks, and acknowledge that Georgia Veterinary Associates cannot accept any financial responsibility for paying for or reimbursing me for any fees incurred. I understand Georgia Veterinary Associates strongly recommends using a third party pet travel service to help ensure the success of my pet's international transportation and acceptance into the destination country. I agree to not hold Georgia Veterinary Associates liable in the event my pet's international travel is denied or restricted.

Please be sure to provide the ENTIRE address of where you are traveling to. THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT TO BE ABLE TO COMPLETE THE HEALTH CERTIFICATE!!!

What to Bring to your Appointment

You will need to bring the following supporting documents to your appointment (please check the USDA website for the most current information on necessary documentation for the country you are traveling to):

• Signed rabies vaccination certificates for any rabies vaccination listed on the health certificate (if not performed at your GVA hospital)
• Complete vaccination record
• Microchip certification form (if required)
• Any other documents required by the importing country

Your signed international health certificate may need to be endorsed by the USDA APHIS-VS Office. Endorsement requirements vary by destination country. The USDA endorses health certificates based on travel date, not order of receipt, so typically finalized certificates are not received until 1 to 2 days prior to travel. Information on endorsement requirements is available at https://www.aphis.usda.gov/aphis/pet-travel/pet-travel-info-and-guidance-document/pet-travel-endorsement.

 

For destination countries that require endorsement, your health certificate and all supporting documentation will be digitally uploaded to the USDA for review and endorsement. There are two types of endorsement:

• Digital Endorsement – for countries that accept digital endorsement, a final copy of your certificate will be emailed to you. You should still print this and travel with a paper copy.
• Physical Endorsement – for countries that require a physical stamp, your health certificate will be overnighted back to you via FedEx or UPS. The shipping label will be provided by GVA and is included in the cost of your health certificate.

These instructions are based on the most recent guidelines as of 6/16/2023. Because requirements for international travel change frequently, we strongly recommend visiting the USDA website or calling the office prior to following these instructions to ensure that you are abiding by the most up to date rules and regulations. https://www.aphis.usda.gov/aphis/pet-travel

TIPS FOR INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL WITH YOUR PET

We understand that traveling internationally with your pet can be stressful and overwhelming. It takes a lot of preparation, time and resources and sometimes you may not know where to start. The following tips from the ASPCA may be helpful to ensure a safe and comfortable trip for everyone involved.

• Make an appointment with your pet's veterinarian for a checkup, and make sure all vaccinations are up to date. International travel requires additional planning and health care requirements. Contact the foreign office of the country you are traveling to for more information and visit the USDA website for the most recent travel requirements. Make sure your pet has a microchip for identification and is wearing a collar and ID tag. Breakaway collars are best for cats. The collar should also include destination information in
• Book a direct flight whenever possible. This will decrease the overall travel time (and time spent in a crate and/or carrier) as well as chances that your pet is left on the tarmac during extreme weather conditions or mishandled by baggage personnel. Purchase a USDA-approved shipping crate that is large enough for your pet to stand, sit and turn around in comfortably. Shipping crates can be purchased from many pet supply stores and
• Write the words "Live Animal" in letters at least one inch tall on top of and at least one side of the crate. Use arrows to prominently indicate the upright position of the crate. On the top of the crate, write the name, address and telephone number of your pet's destination point, and whether you will be accompanying him or if someone else is picking him up. Make sure that the door is securely closed, but not locked, so that airline personnel can open it in case of an emergency. Line the crate bottom with some type of bedding as well as absorptive material (pee pads, shredded paper, towels) in case there are any accidents.
• Affix a current photograph of your pet to the top of the crate for identification purposes. Should your pet escape from the carrier, this could be a lifesaver. You should also carry a photograph of your pet.
• The night before you leave, make sure you've frozen a small dish or tray of water for your pet. This way, it can't spill during loading, and will melt by the time he's thirsty. Tape a small pouch, preferably cloth, of dried food outside the crate. Airline personnel will be able to feed your pet in case he gets hungry on long-distance flights or a layover.
• Tranquilizing or sedating your pet is generally not recommended, as it could hamper his breathing at higher elevation. Consult with your veterinarian for appropriate options for your pet. Recommendations may vary for pets traveling in the cabin versus those traveling in cargo holds.
• Tell every airline employee you encounter, on the ground and in the air, that you are traveling with a pet in the cargo hold. This way, they'll be ready if any additional considerations or
• If the plane is delayed, or if you have any concerns about the welfare of your pet, insist that airline personnel check the animal whenever feasible. In certain situations, removing the animal from the cargo hold and deplaning may be warranted. 
• Prior to travel, acclimate your pet to the travel crate or carrier so they are comfortable with it. Leave it open and accessible in an area they frequent for at least two weeks. Offer food or treats daily in the carrier so your pet can choose to go in and out freely and get used to the sight and smell of the crate.

   

PET TRANSPORTATION SERVICES

We know that traveling internationally with your pet can be a stressful experience. While we will do our best to help you prepare the necessary documentation according to current USDA guidelines, our expertise is in veterinary care and not international travel for pets. This is why we strongly recommend working with a third party pet transportation service. Below are some tips to help you choose a pet travel

• ASK ALL THE QUESTIONS YOU WISH: Make sure the companies thoroughly answer each question.
• LONGEVITY: How long has the company been in business? Pet transportation is a complex industry and less competent providers are weeded out within the first few years. Choose an established firm. Ask if the owner has been involved since the company opened or is new. Experience can make the difference - especially for international moves.
• SERVICES: Ask how many animals the company moves each year and inquire about their credentials. Ask about their experience with the destination and origin countries. Ask how they streamline documentation and international pet health certificates, which may be needed. Ask how they will communicate with pet owners and how pet owners can reach their pet move specialists.
• RELATIONSHIPS: Does the pet transporter have relationships with all of the major airlines or just a few? What do they understand about the international marketplace, varied cultural customs and differences in each destination? Probe to determine if the pet move specialists regularly manage moves to specific geographic regions. Do they manage moves all around the world and make relationship building an integral part of their work?
• BACKGROUND: Request a summary of the principals' credentials. Are they licensed veterinarians or business professionals? Veterinarians will be better able to advise you about medical requirements and techniques preparing pets for the move. They may also render medical services if required. Ask if the pet shipper and staff members own pets. Pet parents usually prefer working with people who understand how important their pets are to them.
• PROFESSIONALISM: Reputable pet transporters are typically members of the International Pet and Animal Transportation Association, Animal Transportation Association and International Air Transportation Association as a baseline. Several pet transporters are IATA appointed and endorsed air cargo sales agencies. Several have chosen to be Indirect Air Carriers cleared for pickup and delivery of live animals by the U.S. Transportation Security Administration, while others are classified as Known Shippers. Ask if the company is registered with the U. S. Department of Agriculture as an Intermediate Handler or Transporter complying with the USDA and its Animal Welfare Act. These relationships help top-flight pet movers stay up-to-date with regulation changes, new trends, products, and best practices.
• REFERENCES & REFERRALS: Ask for references and check them. Ask other pet owners for referrals to pet transporters they have used. The Internet can be a source for pet moving service testimonials from
• PRICE: Professional animal transport services are not a less expensive alternative to self-service. Professionals draw on their experience, their relationships with airlines and overseas service partners to make pet moves go smoothly. Such expertise comes with a price. Ask for all-inclusive written estimates in advance. The estimate should be customized to the pet itinerary and delineate specific services the animal will receive. It should also spell out items or information the pet owner is required to provide and when.