CONTACT SUNSET BEFORE TRAVEL TIME

If you’re planning on traveling with your pets in the near future, contact Sunset to make sure all vaccinations are up to date and that you have all the necessary paperwork in order. We will be more than happy to assist you every step of the way and answer any questions you may have about traveling with your pets.

DOMESTIC TRAVEL

Domestic travel includes travel within the 48 contiguous states. Requirements vary among states and modes of travel, so it’s important to know the requirements of the state(s) you’re traveling too as well as the requirements of the airline(s) you’ll be using. Usually, your pet must be up to date on their rabies vaccine and have a veterinary health certificate that’s been issued no more than 10 days prior to the date of travel. Please contact Sunset at least two weeks prior to travel so we can make the process easier for both you and your pet. Please be aware that travel to Hawaii and cruises are considered international travel. For more information, learn about the 5-Day-or-Less program as well as the Hawaii rabies quarantine.

INTERNATIONAL PET TRAVEL

Whether you’re going on vacation or relocating to a new city, traveling internationally with pets can put any pet parent on edge. Following the necessary protocols for international travel with pets will ensure you’ll have smooth and easy travels. We are here to make this process as easy as possible and will let you know what to expect as best as we can. For more information, learn about Air Animal Pet Movers.

PREPARE AHEAD OF TIME

Before traveling internationally with pets, you must allow enough time before your departure date to get everything in order. You will need to make sure your pet meets the entry requirements set forth by the country you’re traveling to. This process involves obtaining health certificates, vaccinations and tests. The process can take between a few days to a few months, depending of the requirements of the country you’re traveling to. Some countries require an isolation or quarantine period, so make sure to schedule an appointment with us at least one month in advance so we can get all required paperwork endorsed by APHIS (Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service) on time, making your trip easier. Please note that an additional exam may be required closer to the time of departure.

TO ENSURE A SMOOTH PROCESS, PLEASE FOLLOW THE APHIS GUIDELINES BELOW:

• Contact your veterinarian to find out what your destination country requires before permitting your pet entry (e.g., vaccinations, labs, paperwork, certificates, etc.), and find out when these items must be completed. Check out APHIS’s animal and animal product export information to learn more.
• Know which country you’re going to, when you’re going and what pet(s) you’re taking. This helpful link helps explain requirements and turn around time for each country.
• Schedule an appointment with your veterinarian for your pet to receive any required vaccinations and/or labs.
• Plan ahead for re-entry. You’re probably going to want to bring your pet with you back into the United States if/when you return, so you may have to adhere to re-entry requirements depending on the country you travel to. Call National Import and Export Services’ call center at 301-851-3300 (press option 2 for Live Animals) to learn more.
• Fill out all the required paperwork. The team here at Sunset will gladly work with you to complete this step should you need any assistance or clarification.
• Have your local APHIS Veterinary Services officer endorse your completed paperwork. Find Texas’ APHIS Veterinary Services contact information here.
• Travel with your pet. After making sure all the necessary items are in order, you will be cleared to travel internationally with your pet. Additionally, there are services available that will take care of your pet’s transport. Companies including PetRelocation, Air Animal, and others happily provide these services.

If you would like more information from APHIS, please refer the Animal Import and Export section of the APHIS website here.

KNOW YOUR AIRLINE’S PET TRAVEL POLICY

In addition to getting your pet’s paperwork in order with plenty of time to spare before your departure date, it’s a good idea to familiarize yourself with your airline’s international pet travel policy. We’ve provided international pet travel links from some of the most popular airlines below *:

• Southwest Airlines
• China Southern Airlines
• Delta Air Lines
• JetBlue Airways
• American Airlines
• United Airlines

* Sunset Animal Hospital does not endorse any of these airlines, nor does it have any business connections with them. We have provided these links simply as a means of providing pertinent information to our clients.