Plan your pet’s entire route

Use APHIS’s country selector with a USDA accredited veterinarian. The destination sets entry requirements, and the process depends on the species, origin, route and dates. Ask which vaccination, identification, test, treatment, certificate and endorsement steps apply. Work backward from any required waiting periods.

Give the veterinarian the exact itinerary, including transit countries, travel date and whether the animal travels in cabin, as checked baggage or cargo. Do not book on the assumption a country’s entry rules and an airline’s acceptance policy are the same. They answer different questions.

Ask the operating airline for written approval covering animal, carrier dimensions, weight, flight and connection. Check seasonal restrictions, permitted routings, documentation deadlines and procedures during delays. A codeshare ticket needs confirmation from the carrier operating the aircraft.

Choose accommodation which explicitly accepts your animal. Get agreement on fees, deposits, size restrictions, enclosed space and cleaning. Identify a local veterinarian and emergency clinic before arrival. Keep the animal’s records, microchip information and transport instructions accessible throughout the journey.

A move is easier to reverse when the return requirements are understood before departure. APHIS points dog owners to CDC rules for entry to the United States. Travel history and vaccination documentation affect the required process. Review current instructions before outbound travel rather than waiting until a return is urgent.

Include veterinary visits, tests, certificates, endorsement, airline or cargo fees, suitable ground transport and pet friendly temporary housing in the budget. Keep a backup plan for an interrupted flight. Ask your veterinarian for advice tailored to the animal instead of making treatment or sedation decisions from travel anecdotes.