We at Rockaway Beach Veterinary Services want to make traveling with your pet as simple as possible. This allows us to fill out all required paperwork required for International or Domestic pet travel. We currently have one USDA accredited veterinarian for international health certificates. Appointment may be limited so we ask our clients to plan ahead and call the office to schedule an appropriate appointment as many destinations may vary on requirements.
Preparing for Your trip:
We will do our best to make sure you are fully prepared for your travels with your pet but it is ultimately up to you to make sure you have all the required documentation, vaccines, microchips, and have the correct timing for your trip. Additionally, we cannot accept responsibility for any expenses if your travel is delayed or additional requirements are needed.
Please make sure you come prepared for your appointment with all needed documentation to be filled out and aware of all requirements. Most destinations provide online certification and other do not, keep in mind this variable may delay the arrival of your certificate.
Timing is everything! Some states like Hawaii, that do not have rabies, require a FAVN test, a test that can take upwards of a month to get results back. We highly recommend that as soon as you know you will be travelling with your pet, you request an appointment with us and start doing your due diligence for your trip. Only a USDA-certified Veterinarian can fill out and certify domestic health certificates for travel. You will also need ample time to send that paperwork to a USDA APHIS Veterinary Medical Officer.
Preparing for Your Appointment:
Please ensure that you have/do the following to prepare for your Health Certificate appointment. This will help expedite the process and make sure everyone is on the same page.
- If you are not a current client or have other medical records for your pet elsewhere, please make sure you send a copy to our staff prior to your appointment once it has been scheduled.
- Make sure you are aware of all the requirements for your travel.
- Be aware of timing! Most certificates are required to be signed by both a USDA certified Veterinarian and a USDA APHIS Veterinary Services endorsement officer within 10 days* of travel but many other medical requirements have waiting periods as well.
- You cannot apply for an Health Certificate the day before or the day of travel. You will be unable to travel. Read requirements for your destination carefully.
Note: Both your Vet’s signature and that of the USDA APHIS office is required within this time frame.
We invite you to use the Aphis website to look destination requirements and regulations.
https://www.aphis.usda.gov/pet-travel
While we will try to do all we can to make your upcoming trip successful, we cannot accept responsibility for any expenses if your travel is delayed or additional requirements are needed. It is up to you to ensure you are prepared for your travel and arrival at your destination.