Health Certificate for Pet Travel

Almost all countries of the world require that any animals at the time of import or export should be certified for health. Carrying a health certificate for pet travel is a mandatory requirement therefore its availability must be ensured, well before travelling.

Health Certificate for Pet Travel

It is a travelling document, signed by a veterinarian; authorized by a government. The certificate is normally required for small pets like dogs, cats, birds and reptiles. The certificate bears the name of the pet, breed, age, color, name, address and telephone number of the pet owner, the country of origin and the destination. The veterinarian certifies that

• The animal is in good health
  
• it has been inoculated as detailed in the form
  
• It has been inoculated for rabies not more than thirty days ago
  
• It is free of tape worms, tics and other parasites
  
• It is used to , and can live below seven degrees centigrade
  
• Has born in captivity and taken from a breeding house, farm etc.
  
• Has not been exposed to an area with yellow fever within last thirty days

Some countries require that health certificate for pet travel should be certified by USDA.

When a health certificate for pet travel has to be obtained?

The certificate is required to be well before the commencement of travel but not earlier than thirty days.

Who requires health certificate for pet travel?

Health certificate for pet travel is normally not required by airlines, ferries railways or other transport services. It is normally required at the intended destination by the concerned government authorities, as a preventive measure against chance infections or unseen spread of some bovine disease. In view of the birds potential for causing allergy, the bird flue or association of AIDS with monkeys, importance of the health certificate has increased manifolds.

Acclimation certificate

Unlike the health certificate for pet travel, the transport services require, in their own interest, an acclimation certificate. It is a document wherein an authorized veterinarian certifies that the pet is used to exposures below seven degrees centigrade. They do so to avoid any accountability by the animal protection agencies. US airlines do not allow pets when the ambient is below seven degrees centigrade or when the temperatures over thirty degrees centigrade are recorded on a runway. However animals like huskies having a cold habitat are exempt.

Kennel requirements

Just like an acclimation certificate, the transporting airlines, railways or ferries require that pets are carried in safe kennels. The kennel needs to be high enough to allow the pet to stand without touching the head with top. It should also be wide enough to let the pet lie in the natural posture; comfortably. It is required that the pet owner declares in writing that the pet has been fed not more than four hours before the commencement of the travel. As per rules a container of water and feed are to be provided by the owner before travelling.