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International Travel

USDA Pet Health Certification

Traveling abroad with your pet? We’ll get you there.

The Basics

What You Need to Know

An international health certificate confirms that your pet has been examined by a USDA-accredited veterinarian and is healthy and fit to travel. Most countries require one before allowing a pet to enter, and for many destinations the certificate must also be endorsed — officially countersigned and stamped — by the USDA before you travel.
Hillside Animal Clinic is a USDA-accredited facility authorized to issue the official international health certificates required to travel abroad with your pet. Not every veterinarian can complete these documents — only USDA-accredited veterinarians are federally authorized to do so, and we’re here to guide you through every step.
International pet travel takes planning. Required vaccines, blood tests (like rabies titers), and waiting periods can take weeks or months. Contact us as soon as you know you’re traveling so we can build a timeline that meets every deadline.

The Step-by-Step Process

1

Identify Your Destination’s Requirements

Every country sets its own entry rules, and they can change at any time. We’ll help you review requirements for your destination (and any layovers) against the official USDA APHIS country list.

2

Schedule Your Appointment With Us

Contact our clinic to begin the process with a USDA-accredited veterinarian. We recommend reaching out as early as possible so nothing is rushed.

3

Complete Required Vaccines, Tests & Treatments

Depending on your destination, your pet may need a microchip, specific vaccinations, blood tests, or other treatments within a required timeframe. We’ll make sure everything is done in the correct order and on schedule.

4

Health Examination & Certificate Issuance

Our veterinarian performs a physical exam to confirm your pet is healthy and fit to travel, then completes, signs, and dates the official health certificate.

5

USDA Endorsement (When Required)

If your destination requires it, we submit your certificate electronically through the USDA’s Veterinary Export Health Certification System (VEHCS), or coordinate mail-in endorsement when digital isn’t accepted.

6

Travel With Your Documents

Always keep the original, endorsed paperwork with your pet when you travel — foreign officials typically will not accept electronic copies.

What to Bring to Your Appointment

Ready to Get Started?

Don’t wait until the last minute — international requirements can take months to fulfill. Contact Hillside Animal Clinic today to schedule your travel consultation, and we’ll help make the journey smooth for you and your pet.