Pet Health Certificates for Travel in Dedham, MA
Planning to travel with your pet? Whether you’re flying domestically, crossing state lines, or traveling internationally, a valid health certificate issued by an accredited veterinarian is typically required by airlines and government agencies. At Castlerock Veterinary Hospital in Dedham, MA, we issue health certificates for dogs and cats traveling by air in the continental US and Hawaii. Hawaii may have additional requirements, such as rabies vaccine titers prior to travel. Call (781) 329-5333 to schedule your pet’s travel health exam in advance of your departure.
What Is a Pet Health Certificate?
A pet health certificate — also known as a Certificate of Veterinary Inspection (CVI) — is an official document signed by a licensed veterinarian for domestic travel and by a USDA-accredited veterinarian for international travel. It certifies that your pet has been examined and appears free of signs of communicable disease, is up to date on required vaccinations such as rabies, and meets the health and travel requirements of the destination — whether that’s another U.S. state, a domestic airline, or a foreign country.
Health certificates have a limited validity window, typically 10 days from the date of examination for domestic air travel. International travel requirements vary by destination country and can be significantly more complex, often requiring USDA endorsement, specific testing, and advance planning that may take weeks or months. It’s important to start the process as early as possible when international travel is involved.
We also provide health certificates for proof of vaccination for kennels, daycares, or any other situation that may require a health certificate for your pet.
Domestic vs. International Pet Travel: What You Need to Know
Domestic air travel: Most U.S. airlines require a health certificate issued within 10 days of the flight for pets traveling in the cabin or as checked baggage. Each airline has its own policies regarding accepted breeds, carrier dimensions, and health documentation — check with your specific carrier before booking. If traveling in the cargo hold, temperatures should not be above 85 degrees Fahrenheit for any length of time and no less than 40 degrees Fahrenheit for more than four hours.
Interstate travel: When moving between states, a health certificate and current rabies vaccine certificate are generally required. Some states have additional specific requirements, particularly for dogs and cats entering from certain regions. Our team can advise you on what documentation is needed for your destination state.
International travel: Traveling abroad with a pet requires careful planning and compliance with the destination country’s specific import requirements. These may include microchipping, specific vaccine schedules, parasite treatments, blood titer testing, and health certificate endorsement by the USDA APHIS. We strongly recommend beginning this process at least 2–3 months before your travel date to ensure all requirements are met. Microchipping your pet before international travel is also strongly recommended if not already done.
At this time, Castlerock Veterinary Hospital does not have a USDA-accredited veterinarian and cannot issue an international health certificate.
To find a USDA-accredited veterinarian, follow this link:
How to Prepare for Your Pet’s Health Certificate Appointment
To ensure your appointment goes smoothly and that your pet’s certificate is ready in time for travel, please bring your pet’s current vaccination records — especially rabies — to the appointment. If your pet is already microchipped, bring the chip number as well. Our team will perform a physical examination to confirm that your pet is healthy and meets all travel requirements, then complete and sign the appropriate documentation.
We recommend scheduling your health certificate appointment as close to your departure date as possible — but within the required validity window — for domestic travel. For international travel, find a USDA-accredited veterinarian, and plan well in advance.
Contact us well in advance at (781) 329-5333 so we can walk you through the specific requirements for your pet. Our team is experienced with health certificate requirements and will help make your travel preparation as stress-free as possible.
The following links contain more information regarding traveling with your pet:
Frequently Asked Questions — Pet Health Certificates
Can Castlerock Veterinary Hospital help me understand the specific requirements for my destination country?
While you should also verify requirements directly with your destination country’s embassy or the USDA APHIS Pet Travel website, our team has experience only with domestic travel health certificate requirements. This link will help you find a USDA-accredited veterinarian: USDA Veterinary Search Tool.
Call (781) 329-5333 to discuss your travel plans and timeline.
How much does a pet health certificate cost at Castlerock Veterinary Hospital?
The cost includes the physical examination fee and documentation preparation. Additional costs may apply for any vaccinations or treatments needed to meet travel requirements. Contact us at (781) 329-5333 for current pricing and to discuss what your specific travel situation will require.
