How to Take Your Dog or Cat from the UK to the USA

1. Microchipping Your Pet 🏷️

Before travelling, your pet must be microchipped with an ISO-compliant 15-digit microchip. This is a standard requirement for pet travel and ensures your pet can be properly identified.

2. Rabies Vaccination 💉

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) does not mandate a rabies vaccination for pets entering the USA from the UK, but most US states require it. Following the CDC’s advise, we recommend getting your pet vaccinated against Rabies at least 30 days before travel.

3. Health Certificate (Fit-to-Fly Certificate) 🩺

A health certificate, issued by a licensed veterinarian, confirms that your pet is healthy and fit for travel. This examination must be completed within ten days of departure and should include:

• Pet's details (species, breed, age, microchip number)

• Microchip Check: The vet will scan your pet’s microchip to ensure it is functioning properly.

• Vet’s signature and date of examination

4. CDC Importation Guidelines (for Dogs only) 🐶

The CDC establishes clear regulations to prevent the introduction of rabies when importing dogs into the USA.
The requirements depend on your dog’s travel history over the past six months:

• Travel History Matters:
  If your dog has been exclusively in dog rabies-free or low-risk countries (like the UK 🇬🇧) during the last six months, the process is simplified. In this case, you only need to complete the CDC Dog Import Form, and a current rabies vaccination is not mandatory.

• For Dogs from High-Risk Areas:
  If your dog has been in any high-risk country during the past six months, additional requirements apply. These typically include ensuring that your dog is up-to-date with rabies vaccinations (whether administered in the US or overseas) and complying with further documentation and waiting period protocols.

Whatever is your situation, we will be able to help and provide advice.

5. Choosing the Right Airline ✈️

Selecting a pet-friendly airline is important for a stress-free journey. Consider the following:

• In-Cabin Travel: Most direct flights from the UK to the USA do not allow pets in the cabin, except for registered assistance animals.

• Alternative Routes: If you wish to have your pet in the cabin, you may need to choose a flight with a layover in pet-friendly countries such as Germany, France, or the Netherlands.

• Airline Policies: We recommend checking with airlines like Lufthansa, Air France, or KLM, which are known to accommodate pets.

6. And finally… Preparing for the Journey 🎒🐕

• Travel Crate: Use an IATA-compliant travel crate and allow your pet to become familiar with it well before the journey.

• Essentials: Pack important items such as a collapsible water bowl, leash, favourite toy, and sufficient food.

Why Choose Us? 🇺🇸🐾

Getting ready to travel with your pet to the U.S. requires meticulous planning, and we know how important it is to ensure a safe, smooth, and stress-free journey for your furry friend. As specialists in pet travel documentation, we’re here to help every step of the way.

✅ Experienced & Trusted – We’ve helped countless pet owners with their travel preparations, ensuring all documents are in order.
💷 Affordable & Transparent Pricing – Our Fit-to-Fly certificate starts from just £78, one of the most competitive rates in London.
🚪 Convenience at Your Doorstep – We can perform all necessary checks at your home, reducing the risk of your pet getting sick by avoiding exposure to unwell animals at the vet.
📄 Expert Handling of Documents – We prepare these documents daily, so you can be confident everything is completed correctly.

Let us take the stress out of pet travel—so you can focus on the excitement of your journey! 🐶✈️🐱