International Health Certificates are required for your pet for all international travel and Domestic Health Certificates are often required for interstate travel within the United States. Drs. Kovalik and Volkman are both USDA-accredited veterinarians who are committed to doing everything possible to make sure your trip with your furry family member is successful and stress-free! Depending on your destination, we can submit the documentation for your health certificate electronically to the USDA for digital endorsement. There are a few steps that will help you prepare your pet for travel, which we describe below.
Domestic Travel
First, we recommend checking the USDA website for interstate travel. Each state may have different requirements for entry, and some (for example: Hawaii) require advanced planning to meet the requirements and avoid quarantine.
Second, contact your airline to learn their specific requirements regarding the timing of the health examination and paperwork. Most airlines require the exam for travel to be within 10-14 days of travel, but some airlines may have varying timeframes. In addition, some airlines have specific forms that need to be completed by Dr. Kovalik. Obtain any specific airline documents and bring them with you to your exam. You can also email the forms to us in advance at FrontDesk@SedonaAnimalClinic.com.
Third, contact us at (928) 282-4133 or FrontDesk@SedonaAnimalClinic.com to schedule an appointment for an exam and domestic health certificate. Let us know the timing of your travel and any specific airline requirements to ensure we schedule your exam at the appropriate time. Factors that we’ll consider include the time frames for obtaining a health certificate, any vaccinations that may need to be updated, any required diagnostic testing, and the administration of any required medications or treatments.
International Travel
First, we strongly recommend you to visit the USDA website for international travel as soon as you know you will be traveling with your pet overseas. Each country has unique requirements for entry and most countries require advanced planning to meet the qualifications and avoid quarantine. Additionally, USDA endorsement of the health certificate and any other required documentation is required prior to travel to most international destinations. For travel to some countries, you may also need an appointment with the USDA to approve your paperwork.
Second, contact your airline to see what specific requirements they have regarding the timing of the health exam and paperwork. As with domestic travel, most airlines require the exam for travel to be within 10-14 days prior to travel, but some countries and airlines have different requirements. In addition, airlines may have specific forms that need to be completed by the veterinarian. Obtain any specific airline documents and bring them with you to your exam. You can also email the forms to us in advance at FrontDesk@SedonaAnimalClinic.com.
Third, contact us at (928) 282-4133 or FrontDesk@SedonaAnimalClinic.com to schedule an appointment for an exam, international health certificate, and FAVN if required. Let us know the timing of your travel, which country you are traveling to, and any specific airline requirements to ensure we schedule your exam at the appropriate time. Factors that we’ll consider include the time frames for obtaining a health certificate, any vaccinations that may need to be updated, any required diagnostic testing, the administration of any required medications or treatments, and the timeframes for USDA endorsement.
Note that a FAVN test is required by many rabies-free countries to qualify for a reduced quarantine period prior to entry. Some of these regions are Japan, Korea, Australia, Guam, New Zealand, and certain Caribbean islands. Always check with the destination authority to verify pet importation requirements. We will draw blood for the FAVN and submit to an approved laboratory for testing. Results often take weeks to get back, so please make sure you schedule an appointment for a FAVN early.