Travel Health Certificates for Dogs & Cats

Services

Health Certificate Exam & Records Review

The travel health examination is performed in the comfort of your own home*. We love to use treats for the most positive experience, so please let us know in advance if there are food restrictions or have a few allowed treats (or kibble) available for the exam.

*Your dog or cat will need to be accepting of a general exam. If you have a very fearful or aggressive pet that cannot be examined safely, you will need to see your regular veterinarian.

All paperwork will be reviewed to ensure your pet meets travel health requirements for your destination

Travel Paperwork

Your Certificate of Veterinary Inspection is provided at the time of your appointment for domestic travel, provided your pet meets all travel requirements.

International health certificates are generated during your appointment and submitted to Veterinary Export Health Certification System (VEHCS) for USDA official veterinarian endorsement (see international health certificate page for more details).

About Alaska Veterinary Health Certificates

We would love to be your trusted partner for providing health certificates for pets traveling from Alaska. Our goal is to ensure your beloved pets meet all domestic and international travel requirements to help alleviate at least a small portion of the stress of traveling with pets.

Dr. Sarah Brooks has over 16 years of veterinary experience, serving the past seven years at JBER providing high volume health certificates for our military community. She is a USDA accredited veterinarian with VEHCS access for USDA official veterinary endorsement when necessary for international health certificates.

FAQ's

What information do I need prior to booking an appointment?

You will need to fill out our registration forms and provide your pet's destination, mode of transportation, date of travel, and any required documents including vaccine records.

What are required documents?

Documents required will depend on the destination of travel. Typically, they include at least a valid rabies certificate. Sometimes the rabies certificate needs to have a microchip listed and a blue ink signature for travel (always considered the gold standard for rabies certificates). Some countries, Hawaii, and a few US territories require a rabies titer (FAVN) and additional testing or vaccines. Please check the USDA Pet Travel Website for most up-to-date requirements.

Which pets need health certificates?

All dogs and cats travelling overseas from Alaska require international health certificates. Travel to the lower 48 may require domestic health certificates depending on mode of travel and destination state. A complete list of requirements for each destination is available at the USDA Pet Travel Website.

In order to mitigate the spread of disease, your pet must be healthy and free of evidence of infectious disease and parasites to meet general travel requirements. If your pet has any health issues or concerns, please seek care from your regular veterinarian prior to making an appointment with us. If your pet is dealing with a chronic medical issue that has symptoms similar to infectious diseases (such as skin rashes or crusts, diarrhea, vomiting, coughing, sneezing, nasal or ocular discharge) you should obtain the health certificate from your veterinarian who can certify them as free of infectious disease. If your pet has any parasites, it will need to be treated prior to your appointment.

Why does my pet need an exam for a health certificate?

How long is a health certificate valid?

Domestic health certificates are valid for 30 days for driving, but usually only for 10 days if flying (some airlines will allow a return trip within 30 days as long as the initial flight was within 10 days and it was purchased as a round-trip ticket- please check with your specific airline). International health certificate duration varies for each country, but many require USDA official veterinarian endorsement within 10 days of arrival.

What is the difference between USDA accredited and USDA official veterinarians?

USDA accredited veterinarians are allowed to sign off on domestic health certificates and generate international health certificates. USDA official veterinarians are required to endorse the international health certificates generated by USDA accredited veterinarians, for many countries. VEHCS is the online portal that we use for USDA official veterinary endorsement of our international health certificates when indicated.

What if my pet needs vaccines or blood tests for travel?

Unfortunately, we are unable to offer vaccines or blood draws at this time. If you need vaccines or blood tests such as a FAVN to meet travel requirements, you will need to schedule those with your regular veterinarian.

Alaska Veterinary Health Certificates

Providing health certificates for pets traveling domestically and internationally from Alaska.

Location

Serving Anchorage, Eagle River, Chugiak, and Mat-Su Valley

Hours

By Appointment Only