Traveling internationally with your dog or cat requires specific documentation and advance preparation, and the requirements vary significantly by destination country. Universal Pet Hospital provides the veterinary services needed to prepare your pet for international travel, including official health certificates, microchipping verification, and rabies antibody titer testing. Because international documentation requirements are time-sensitive and country-specific, we strongly recommend scheduling your pet's travel appointment at least four to six weeks before your departure date, or three to four months in advance if titer testing is required. Call (650) 362-7969 to begin planning.
An official international health certificate (also called an export health certificate or USDA-accredited veterinary certificate of health) is required by most countries when traveling with a dog or cat. The certificate documents your pet's current health status, vaccination records, microchip number, and other information required by the destination country's import authority. It must be completed and signed by a USDA-accredited veterinarian within a specific window before your departure date, typically seven to ten days for most destinations. Some countries additionally require the certificate to be endorsed by the USDA APHIS National Import Export Services before travel, which adds processing time. We strongly recommend consulting the official government website of your destination country and confirming current requirements with our team well before your departure. Requirements change periodically, and errors in documentation can result in refusal of entry.
An ISO-standard 15-digit microchip is required for pet entry into most countries, including all European Union member states. If your pet already has a microchip, we will confirm at your travel appointment that it meets ISO 11784/11785 standards and is properly registered in a national or international database. If your pet is not yet microchipped, or if their existing chip does not meet ISO standards, we can implant a compliant chip at our Palo Alto clinic at the same visit. For international travel purposes, the microchip must typically be implanted before or simultaneously with any required vaccines. See our Pet Care Services page for full details on our microchipping service.
Some countries, particularly those in Europe, Asia, Australia, New Zealand, and parts of the Pacific, require documented evidence of adequate rabies antibody levels through a recognized titer test rather than, or in addition to, standard vaccination records. A rabies neutralizing antibody titer test (RNATT) requires a blood sample collected by a USDA-accredited veterinarian and submitted to a USDA-approved laboratory for analysis. Results typically take 10 to 15 business days. Testing must be performed after a compliant ISO microchip has been implanted and after the most recent rabies vaccination has been administered. Many countries also require a waiting period of 90 to 180 days after a satisfactory titer test result before travel is permitted. Please begin planning titer testing at least three to four months before your intended travel date to allow adequate time for processing and waiting periods. See our Pet Diagnostics page for full details on our titer testing service.
Planning to travel internationally with your dog or cat? Call (650) 362-7969 or book online to schedule a pet travel consultation at Universal Pet Hospital in Palo Alto. Allow at least four to six weeks before your departure, or three to four months if titer testing is required.
