In-Home Domestic Pet Travel Health Certificates

When traveling with your pet within the US, there are certain pet health requirements specific to your travel destination. Some states require an examination by a USDA-accredited veterinarian, up-to-date vaccinations, lab testing, and the issuance of an endorsed domestic pet health travel certificate, also called a Certificate of Veterinary Inspection. BetterVet veterinarians are USDA-accredited and equipped to provide health certificates for pet travel. For travel to Hawaii, choose International Health Certificate.

What Our Clients Say

Randee Maese

BetterVet Orange County

I am moving to Hawaii and they have a ton of documents and special requirements in order to bring my dog so I went online and saw a coupon for a mobile vet who does exactly what I need in order to get him ready to fly and live on the island. They came took care of everything and were very helpful. hopefully they will also be available in Hawaii if I need them in a mobile vet in the future. Thanks Orange County team

Randee Maese

BetterVet Orange County

Abigail Carroll

BetterVet San Diego

Dr. Klaus is a local celeb when he shows up to our house, we have seen him over the years with all of our fur babies and now he comes right to us! We made a big move to Hawaii and were so over whelmed with the travel protocol to bring our pup with us that we considered leaving her behind as we were too afraid of her being taken and locked away quarantined. After working with Dr. Klaus, we were able to navigate the way and sort her paperwork so we could walk right off the plane with her and bring her home. Thank you so much to BetterVet for offering a better service and thank you to Dr. Klaus and his super star vet tech Meaghan for keeping our family together! We are so grateful to you for everything!

Brittany B.

BetterVet Seattle

Both the vets wore masks for those who are concerned about COVID-19 safety. They were super attentive and lured my sweet kitty underneath the bed. Both the doctor and nurse soothed my cat as she had to do vaccines and gave me recommendations for travel. My cat cried and then stopped. She seemed less stressed than traveling to the vet. Within 30 minutes, my cat is back to her normal self.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a Domestic Pet Health Travel Certificate?

After receiving a satisfactory pet examination for travel, a pet travel certificate may be issued by your veterinarian. This document certifies that your cat or dog is medically cleared to travel and free of transmissible conditions. Requirements may vary, depending on which state you are planning to travel to, but may include:

Up-to-date vaccines and boosters
A rabies test
Other lab tests

When should I get my cat or dog’s Domestic Travel Certificate?

We recommend that you book your Dometic Health Certificate appointment within 10 days of travel. If you are traveling domestically to a state that requires one, you will need to have a cat or dog’s health certificate, which may include vaccination records and lab test results, signed by your veterinarian.

Even if the state you are visiting does not mandate it, most airlines will require that a pet health certificate be issued within 10 days of travel. Federal regulations also state that any pet traveling on a domestic airline needs to be at least 8 weeks old and have been weaned from their mother at least 5 days before flying. For more information about flying with your pet, please refer to the Federal Aviation Administration’s guidelines.

How much does a domestic pet health certificate for domestic travel cost?

Whereas international travel requires that the USDA endorse your pet’s travel certificate, this is not necessary for domestic travel with your pet. Your veterinarian will charge a fee for an appointment, as well as any necessary vaccines or lab tests. The cost of a pet health exam and certificate from one of our mobile veterinarians will vary based on the BetterVet location where you book your appointment. To determine the exact cost of your exam, you can book an appointment on our website or mobile app.

Why do I need a domestic pet travel health certificate for my pet?

Some states require documentation to ensure that visiting pets are healthy and meet their standards for vaccines and other criteria. Airline companies also require health certificates to make sure your dog or cat does not have any illnesses or diseases that could be transmitted to passengers or other animals, such as fleas and ticks, or rabies.

How do I obtain a domestic pet travel health certificate?

To obtain a domestic pet health certificate, make sure to schedule an appointment with a USDA-accredited veterinarian within 10 days of your travel date.

Are there any specific vaccinations or health requirements that my pet must meet to obtain a domestic pet travel health certificate?

To learn more about the requirements for specific states, please visit the USDA-APHIS interstate pet travel page. While not required, you may also want to consider having your pet microchipped before traveling, which can also be taken care of during your home vet visit. As stated above certain states may require specific vaccinations and lab tests.

What is the difference between a domestic pet health certificate and an international pet health certificate?

A domestic pet health certificate may be issued for interstate travel within the US (usually by air). Not all states require a pet health certificate, but most airlines do. An International Pet Health Certificate is necessary to obtain before traveling out of the country and to Hawaii with your pet. Both types have specific requirements that need to be met before traveling with your pet.