Planning international travel with your dog or cat involves careful preparation and compliance with the import and export requirements of your destination country. At Langley Meadows Animal Hospital in Langley, BC, we provide pet travel services including international health certificates, pet export documentation support, and pre-travel wellness assessments. We help ensure that your pet meets all travel requirements so your journey goes as smoothly as possible.
An international health certificate (also known as an official veterinary certificate or health certificate for export) is a government-recognized veterinary document required for most international pet travel. The certificate confirms that your pet has been examined by an accredited veterinarian, is free of signs of contagious disease, and meets the specific import requirements of your destination country. Requirements vary significantly by destination and species, and many countries have strict timelines for when the certificate must be issued relative to travel. We recommend contacting us well in advance of your planned travel date to allow sufficient time for preparation.
Most countries that accept pet imports require a valid ISO-standard microchip as a prerequisite for entry. The microchip must be implanted before the rabies vaccination series in many countries for the vaccination to be recognized for import purposes. If your pet is not yet microchipped, we recommend arranging this as the first step in your travel preparation. Our Pet Care Services team offers ISO-standard microchipping and can advise you on how to ensure your chip is registered correctly for international travel purposes.
Some countries, particularly in Europe, Oceania, and parts of Asia, require a rabies antibody titer test (often called an RNATT or FAVN test) to demonstrate that your pet has an adequate level of protective antibody following vaccination. This test must be performed by an approved laboratory, and most destinations require a waiting period of several months following a satisfactory titer result before entry is permitted. Planning ahead is essential. Our Pet Diagnostics team can advise you on titer testing requirements and coordinate sample collection.
In addition to the health certificate, some destinations require additional permits, endorsements, or declarations specific to the country, the species, or the purpose of travel. We assist with the documentation process and, where required, coordinate with the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) for certificate endorsement. We recommend researching your destination country’s current import requirements from an official government source well in advance of your travel date, as requirements can change. Our team will do our best to guide you through the process and ensure your documentation is complete before travel.
Planning to travel with your pet? Start the process early and let our team guide you through every step. Call Langley Meadows Animal Hospital at (236) 706-0019 or book online.
