Traveling with a pet internationally isn’t as easy as many people think it is, since many countries may have specific health requirements that must be met before the pet can enter. Since export requirements are determined by each country and can change frequently, every time you plan pet travel to a new place, you should verify what’s required of you. Fortunately, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA)’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) has a website that allows you to view current, relevant pet travel health requirements sorted by destination. There’s a tab each for dogs and cats and then another one for other pets. Keep in mind not all animals qualify as pets.
The site also has a tab with info for those bringing pets into the United States from a foreign country and another one for travelers bringing certain animals traveling from state to state. For example, “Horses coming to Alabama from Texas will need a negative coggins within the last 12 months and a Certificate of Veterinary Inspection (CVI). The CVI must have a statement by the accredited veterinarian stating ‘these horses are not from an area quarantined for VS and do not show any signs of VS.'” That’s just one example. If you’re traveling with cats or dogs, there shouldn’t be a problem unless you are going to Hawaii or one of the overseas territories.
No matter what, always research well in advance if you’re traveling with a pet. And as we all learned from the United Airlines tragedy this week…never, ever place a live animal in the overhead bin.
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