Whether you’re relocating or taking a vacation, there may be times when it’s necessary to bring your pet along for the ride. There are several things you’ll have to do to prepare for traveling with an animal. Among those things is bringing your pet in for a vet check-up. At that time, your veterinarian may or may not need to issue a pet health certificate.
When You Travel Out of the Country
Airlines do require that pets have health certificates before they can be allowed to board a plane. There are a few reasons for this requirement, but, primarily, they want to make sure your pet won’t transmit disease to other animals or passengers. Be sure to keep the health certificate handy in case you need to show it to customs officers, hotel personnel, or others in your destination country.
When You Travel From State to State
If you’re traveling to another state within the U.S., you may still need to obtain a health certificate for your pet. You should check with your destination state and any other states you’ll be traveling through. Some states only require proof of vaccination, but others do require the health certificate for each pet.
When You Travel Within Your Own State
Even if you’re stating within your own state, you’ll need a pet health certificate for traveling. If you’re driving, you shouldn’t need the certificate. Regardless of your method of transportation, you should keep your pet’s vaccination records with you. There may be situations in which you will have to show that your pet’s vaccinations are up to date.
