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Pet Travel Certificates for Domestic & International Travel

Traveling with your pet requires careful planning, proper documentation, and compliance with both domestic and international regulations. At Brentwood Animal Hospital, we can provide pet travel certificates to help ensure your pet meets all necessary requirements for safe and approved travel.

As a trusted veterinarian serving Brentwood, MD and surrounding areas, we help pet owners complete the requirements for both domestic and international travel.

If you are traveling within the United States or internationally, pets must meet specific health and documentation standards. These requirements vary depending on your destination, airline, and method of travel. Our team will work closely with you to complete the required steps and provide the documentation needed for travel.

What to Expect During a Pet Travel Appointment

Pet travel certificate appointments are available on Tuesdays and Thursdays. During your appointment, your pet will receive a full physical examination by a USDA-accredited veterinarian. This evaluation ensures your pet is healthy and meets travel requirements.

Following the exam, the veterinarian will:

  • Complete the USDA Health Certificate
  • Review vaccine records and requirements
  • Submit documentation to the USDA for endorsement
  • For international travel, clients must be Maryland residents, as required for USDA endorsement through our hospital.

What Pet Owners Need to Provide

To complete your pet’s travel documentation, you will need to provide the following information:

  • Name of the person traveling with the pet (as it appears on ID or passport)
  • U.S. address and phone number (origin of travel)
  • Destination address and phone number
  • Method of transport (in-cabin or cargo)
  • Travel dates
  • Your mailing address (for USDA document delivery)
  • Your pet’s two most recent rabies certificates
  • Complete vaccine history and medical records
    (DA2PP, Leptospirosis, Bordetella, Rabies, Heartworm Test)
  • Your pet’s microchip number
  • To streamline the process, we will provide an online form where this information can be submitted in advance.

Domestic vs. International Travel Requirements

Domestic travel requirements are typically less complex but may still include proof of vaccination and a health certificate depending on your destination and airline.

International travel requirements are more detailed and may include additional testing, documentation, and strict timelines. 

Requirements vary by country, and we recommend reviewing the official USDA pet travel guidelines at www.aphis.usda.gov/aphis/pet-travel.

Our team can help guide you through the process, but it is important to plan ahead and verify all destination-specific requirements.

Important Timing Considerations

Pet travel documentation is often time-sensitive. Certain certificates, exams, and test results must be completed within a specific window before travel. Delays in paperwork or missing information can affect travel plans and prevent your pet from joining you.

We recommend scheduling your appointment well in advance of your travel date to allow time for:

  • USDA processing and endorsement
  • Additional testing if required
  • Corrections or updates to documentation

Traveling with Pets: Frequently Asked Questions

The USDA-accredited veterinarian performs the physical exam, verifies your pet’s health status, completes the required health certificate, and submits documentation to the USDA.

The USDA reviews and endorses the health certificate to ensure it meets destination requirements. They also finalize and send the official documents to you.

A FAVN (Fluorescent Antibody Virus Neutralization) test measures rabies antibody levels. Some countries do require this test for entry, particularly for international travel. You should check with the specific county’s government site for pet import entry requirements.

Pet travel certificate appointments are available on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

Processing times vary depending on USDA workload and destination requirements. It is important to allow enough time before your travel date.

Traveling with your pet can be a detailed process, but having the right guidance helps ensure everything is completed correctly. At Brentwood Animal Hospital, we assist pet owners throughout Hyattsville, MD, Washington, DC, and surrounding communities with accurate documentation and clear next steps.

It is recommended to schedule your appointment at least 2–4 weeks in advance for domestic travel and several weeks to months ahead for international travel, depending on the destination requirements.

Many international destinations require pets to have a microchip that meets ISO standards. Some airlines and domestic travel situations may also require identification.

Rabies vaccination is almost always required. Additional vaccines such as DA2PP, Bordetella, or Leptospirosis may be required depending on your destination and travel conditions.

This depends on your airline, your pet’s size, and destination requirements. You will need to specify your method of travel (in-cabin or cargo) when completing documentation.

Incomplete or incorrect paperwork can result in travel delays, denied entry, or quarantine of your pet. It is important to ensure all information is accurate and submitted on time.

USDA endorsement is typically required for international travel, but not always for domestic travel. Requirements vary by airline and state.

Not likely. Health certificates are time-sensitive and are usually valid only for a specific travel window and destination.

Some destinations require additional testing such as rabies titers (FAVN test) or parasite treatments. These must be completed within specific timelines before travel.

While pet owners are responsible for confirming the transportation and destination entry requirements, our team can help guide you through the process and ensure documentation is completed correctly.

Contact us today to schedule your pet’s travel certificate appointment.

Brentwood Animal Hospital

3900 Rhode Island Ave
Brentwood, MD 20722

t: 301-864-3164

Also serving Washington,
DC and surrounding areas.

Working Hours

Monday – Friday: 7:30AM – 7:00PM
Saturday: 7:30AM – 2:00PM

Clinic Hours

Monday – Friday: 10:00AM – 6:00PM
Saturday: 10:00AM – 2:00PM

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