International Travel Information / International Health Certificates (IHC) at Kenwood Animal Hospital

Please read carefully – it is the responsibility of each pet owner to know and understand the rules and requirements for your pet’s specific travel plans.

1. Visit the USDA website to review requirements for the country you plan to visit: https://www.aphis.usda.gov/pet-travel

PLEASE READ CAREFULLY THE INFORMATION REGARDING RABIES VACCINE

VACCINES AND MICROCHIPPING

2. Schedule a Pre-travel appointment as soon as possible but at least 30 days prior to travel. All previous medical records, all previous Rabies certificates, and a completed IHC questionnaire must be received prior to this appointment. Please forward all records to reception@kenwoodvet.com and click here to submit the IHC questionnaire: submit the IHC questionnaire here.

Upon completion of this form, please also forward the following to reception@kenwoodvet.com

• all records from other hospitals to include Rabies vaccine certificates (must include microchip number, vaccine name, manufacturer, and serial number; date of administration, duration . Certificates must have a microchip number on the certificate and be signed by a veterinarian
• copy of any lab tests required by the destination country
• import permits and any other documents required by the destination country

A non-refundable $100 deposit is required to reserve this Pre-travel appointment.

At this appointment, one of our USDA-Accredited veterinarians will review your pet’s records, vaccination history, check microchip, and set up a schedule for all visits needed to complete the travel requirements.

3. Some airlines have different or additional requirements for pet travel so be sure to check with them as well.

While the Accredited Veterinarians at Kenwood Animal Hospital are happy to provide appropriate documentation for travel, we are NOT pet travel agencies. If you need assistance with planning your pet’s travel, we recommend you employ the services of a pet relocation company. Depending on your travel plans, we may not be able to accommodate all requests for IHCs.

Please plan accordingly and contact us well in advance of your intended travel date to ensure all requirements are met. Safe travels!

International Health Certificate FAQs

When will the certificate be completed and returned to me?

• The certificate will be returned to you once the USDA has endorsed it.  For some countries, an original signature is required so the document will be shipped overnight to you via UPS. Some countries allow electronic signatures and the document can be printed and emailed to you upon completion. The endorsement usually occurs very close to the travel date.

How do I get an update on the status of my certificate?

• When the doctor submits the certificate to the USDA, she will list her email AND your email so that you will get the same updates from the USDA. The initial email will acknowledge that the certificate has been received and that they are unable to provide status updates.  You (and your doctor) will get another email when the certificate has been endorsed. If you will be receiving the original signed document via overnight shipping, use the tracking number on the shipping label to track the package.

What if I lose my certificate before my trip?

• If the country accepts an electronic endorsement by the USDA, your doctor can print and email you another copy.
• If the country requires an original signature, a duplicate copy can be requested but there is another fee and it needs to be overnight shipped, which may not be in time for travel.

What if my flight gets delayed past the certificate’s validity date?

• That would be determined by the destination country. Most certificates are valid for 30 days or so, but some are shorter.

What do I do if my certificate does not arrive in time for my departure date?

• It is rare for this to occur, but a new certificate would need to be issued.