164 S Ridge St, Rye Brook, NY 10573
Traveling With Your Pet? Start Here.
Whether you are crossing state lines or traveling internationally, a health and travel certificate is a legal requirement for pet travel. For air travel, most airlines will not permit pets to board without a certificate issued by an accredited veterinarian within ten days of the flight. Our Rye Brook clinic is equipped to provide the appropriate documentation for both domestic and international travel, and our team includes a USDA-certified veterinarian authorized to issue certificates for pets traveling abroad.
This service is available to existing clients of Rye Harrison Veterinary Hospital only.
What a Travel Certificate Confirms
To issue a health and travel certificate, our veterinarian must perform a physical examination and be able to certify all of the following:
- The pet is healthy enough for the trip
- The pet is not carrying any contagious diseases
- The pet has been appropriately vaccinated
- The pet is old enough to travel safely
- The pet is a breed or species that is legally permitted at the destination
If any of these criteria cannot be confirmed at the time of the examination, a certificate cannot be issued. If your pet is missing a required vaccination or is being treated for an illness, we can help address those needs first and schedule the certificate appointment once everything is in order.
International Travel
Every country has its own entry requirements for pets, which may include specific vaccinations, laboratory testing, and medical treatments completed within defined timeframes. Because requirements vary widely by destination and are subject to change, we ask that clients research their destination's requirements in advance rather than relying on our team to have this information on hand at the appointment.
Before scheduling your certificate appointment, please contact the USDA or the consulate of your destination country to confirm the full list of entry requirements and the timeline in which each must be completed. The USDA APHIS Pet Travel website is a helpful starting point for this process.
Please also be aware that many countries require your paperwork to be stamped by an official USDA veterinarian after our examination is complete. This step does not happen at our clinic and must be scheduled separately. It is your responsibility to confirm whether this is required and to allow sufficient time in your travel preparations for this process to be completed before your departure date.
Preparing for Your Appointment
To ensure your certificate appointment runs smoothly, please keep the following in mind:
- Confirm your destination's entry requirements and timeline before booking.
- Bring all required paperwork to be completed and a full list of entry requirements on the day of your appointment.
- Provide your pet's complete vaccination history to our team in advance.
- Appointments cannot be held without this information, as certificate visits require a minimum of 30 to 45 minutes to complete properly.
- When confirming your appointment, you will be asked to provide the address of your travel destination.
If any of these criteria cannot be confirmed at the time of the examination, a certificate cannot be issued. If your pet is missing a required vaccination or is being treated for an illness, we can help address those needs first and schedule the certificate appointment once everything is in order.
A Note on Pet Travel
Travel can be a stressful experience for pets, and it is worth considering carefully whether bringing your pet on a trip is truly in their best interest. For extended relocations or long-term stays, traveling with your pet often makes sense. For shorter vacations, however, your pet may be more comfortable and less stressed staying home with a trusted caregiver or in our veterinary-supervised boarding facility in Rye Brook.
If air travel is unavoidable, please note that most airlines do not permit pets that cannot fit in a small cabin-approved crate to travel in the passenger cabin. Traveling in cargo adds significant stress and carries additional risks including temperature exposure and extended time alone. We are happy to discuss your options and help you make the most informed decision for your pet's wellbeing.
Compassionate Care and a Warm Welcome for Every Pet
