A pet health certificate is an official document that shows your pet is free of disease and vaccinated. It is an essential tool to ensure your pet travels safely and meets the import requirements of the country you’re visiting.
It is often required by airlines for interstate and international air travel. It also prevents the sale of pets that are not deemed healthy enough to travel.
Veterinarian
Veterinarians diagnose and treat disease, disorder or injury in animals. They perform surgery, give vaccinations and use a variety of medical equipment. They also help people understand their pets’ medical conditions and treatment plans.
Veterinary medicine is a long-term career path, with many veterinarians choosing to specialize in fields such as internal medicine, nutrition, dentistry, emergency care, oncology and others. They typically start with a four-year bachelor’s degree and then spend another four years earning a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) degree from an accredited college of veterinary medicine.
They may work in private practice, in hospitals or clinics, or in animal research labs. They also work in government agencies, such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
To get a health certificate for your dog, you’ll need to see a licensed veterinarian who is USDA-accredited with APHIS. This is a federal agency that is responsible for verifying that your pet is travel-read and up to date on their vaccines.
Animal Shelter
A health certificate is a document that certifies your pet’s health and indicates the vaccines they have received. It’s important to get one for your pet because it helps prevent diseases from spreading among pets and their owners.
You can get a health certificate from your veterinarian or an animal shelter. The cost of a health certificate will depend on your location and the number of vaccines you need for your pet.
To get a certificate from your vet, you must schedule an appointment and bring your pet in for a comprehensive exam. They will verify that your pet has a current rabies vaccination and is healthy enough to travel.
The veterinary medical community recommends getting a certified medical certificate from your local USDA accredited veterinary hospital or an animal shelter, as this will have the most accurate and comprehensive information about your pet’s health. This will help you ensure that you have the correct paperwork for your trip and will save you time and money.
Government Agency
A pet health certificate is a legal document that states that your dog has been examined by a veterinarian and is found free of communicable diseases. These documents can be used for both domestic and international travel.
The process can take anywhere from a few days to a year, so it’s important to get started as soon as possible. It’s also crucial to understand the requirements of the country you’re traveling to.
To travel internationally, you need an international health certificate, also known as a Certificate of Veterinary Inspection (CVI). This certificate can only be issued by an accredited veterinarian.
It must be endorsed by the USDA VS Area Office in your State of residence. This endorsement is a stamp from the USDA that ensures your pet’s health certificate meets USDA guidelines for transporting your animal overseas.
APHIS veterinarians now electronically submit health certificates to the USDA VS Area Office through the online VEHCS system. APHIS reviews them within 24-48 hours and then endorses inside VEHCS for green countries, or prints, signs, seals and returns them via overnight express for orange countries.
Humane Society
For the dog lover looking for a place to get their animal in tip top condition, the Humane Society is a great resource. With multiple shelters and a spay/neuter clinic in the Milwaukee area, WHS is committed to saving the lives of dogs and cats at every stage of their lives.
The Humane Society is a non-profit organization that is also a licensed veterinarian, so you can count on them to be up to the task of getting your furry friend into peak shape before it’s too late. They have all the tools you need to give your pet a healthy start in life, and can even help you decide on a name and look for your new best friend.
A good rule of thumb is to plan a year in advance for the ultimate vacation with your best buddy. Having all the paperwork and travel documents ready to go will ensure that you and your four-legged companion arrive safely and happy at your destination.