I recently flew with my dog Sami from Europe to the USA for the first time, and in this article, I’ll be talking about what documents I needed to prepare before our big trip. If you’re planning to fly with your pup to America, this guide will cover everything I learned to help make your journey smoother.

The Confusion Around Pet Travel Documents

Figuring out the documents I needed to bring a pet into the United States was one of the most confusing and frustrating experiences ever. There is a lot of conflicting information, and no one seems to have a clear answer. It took me a while to figure it all out, but I’ve gathered the essential information and will share it here. At the end of this article, I’ll also provide the sources I used, so you can check them too.

The Key Document: Health Certificate (CVI)

The most important document you’ll need is the health certificate (CVI) Certificate of Veterinary Inspection, which must be issued within 30 days before your flight. Additionally, your dog must have a microchip and a valid rabies vaccine administered no sooner than 21 days before the flight.

My dog already had a microchip and received his rabies shot about a month before the flight, so those steps were straightforward. However, getting the health certificate was an entirely different challenge.

Navigating the Health Certificate Process

Getting Sami’s health certificate was like completing a mission impossible. This is the main document U.S. officials check when you arrive, so it’s essential. The health certificate includes information about the rabies vaccine, microchip number, and owner details. Unlike Europe, where we use pet passports, the United States (at least in New York) does not accept these. 

The health certificate must be issued by the country you’re flying from, so I initially asked my vet about it. She directed me to the National Veterinary and Foods Department, which handles the certificates. However, they told me their records showed no need for this certificate to enter the U.S.—just the pet passport. But I knew this wasn’t accurate after consulting other sources, including New York’s Department of Agriculture and Animals.

Overcoming the Confusion

At this point, I contacted the **New York Department of Agriculture and Animals**, and they provided me with their health certificate form. I had my vet fill it out, then returned to the National Veterinary Department, requesting they validate the form with a stamp and signature to ensure there wouldn’t be any issues upon arrival.

Deworming Confusion: Do You Really Need It?

I was initially misinformed about the need for proof of deworming within five days of travel. The National Veterinary Institute of Portugal told me this, but it turned out to be incorrect. When I arrived in the U.S., I asked about it, and the authorities clarified that deworming wasn’t necessary for entry. They were primarily concerned with the rabies vaccine being up to date, as the U.S. is a rabies-free country.

Additional Documents: Rabies Vaccination and Microchip Record

Aside from the health certificate, I also brought a separate record of Sami’s rabies vaccination and microchip. This document isn’t mandatory, but it’s recommended by the New York Department of Agriculture and Animals, so I figured better safe than sorry. It’s essentially a more detailed version of the information on the health certificate.

The Importance of State-Specific Requirements

It’s crucial to remember that each U.S. state has its own rules for importing pets. Since I was traveling to New York, I checked their specific requirements. This step is essential as the rules can vary significantly from state to state.

Final Thoughts: Be Prepared and Stay Calm

Thankfully, we had no issues entering the USA. The border agent confirmed that all they cared about was Sami’s rabies vaccine being up to date and verified that we hadn’t traveled to a high-risk rabies country in the last six months. They didn’t even mention the deworming requirement I had stressed over.

Key Resources to Help You

• Here are the sources I used to gather all the information for our trip:

• US Department of State: Pets and International Travel section.
• CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention): Bringing a dog into the United States.
• Delta Airlines: Guidelines for carry-on pets.
• New York Department of Agriculture and Markets: Requirements for importing pets from abroad.

What You’ll Need for Your Dog’s Trip

To sum up, if you’re flying from Europe to the U.S. with your dog, here’s what you’ll need:
A valid rabies vaccine.
A health certificate issued by a certified vet in your country within 30 days of departure.
Check the specific requirements of the state you’re flying into, as they vary.

I hope you found this article helpful! If you did, please leave a comment below and let me know if you’re planning to travel with your pup soon. I’d love to hear about your experience. Safe travels!

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