The APHIS Vet Health Certificate (Form 7001) for International Pet Transport
If you’re planning to travel with your pet, you may need to obtain a health certificate issued by a USDA-Accredited veterinarian. This certificate ensures that your pet is healthy and up-to-date on required vaccinations. To find an accredited veterinarian in your area, you can start by asking your regular vet if they have this accreditation. If you’re uncertain or your vet is not accredited, you can contact your nearest USDA Veterinary Services office to check the accreditation status of local vets.
It’s important to note that the USDA Veterinary Services offices do not examine pets themselves to issue health certificates. They review the paperwork completed by the accredited veterinarian, so it’s crucial to find a vet who is authorized to issue these certificates. Once you have located an accredited vet in your area, you can schedule an appointment to have your pet examined and obtain the necessary health certificate.
After you’ve found a USDA-Accredited veterinarian in your area, you’ll need to schedule an appointment to have them issue a health certificate for your pet. It’s important to do this within a certain time frame before your travel date, so be sure to check the pet import requirements for the country you’re moving to, as well as the requirements of the airline you’re flying with, to determine when you need to have the certificate issued.
When you visit your vet to obtain the health certificate, we recommend asking them to sign the form in blue ink. This can help both the USDA and the destination country’s government easily identify the document as an original.
It’s crucial to review your vet’s work carefully to ensure that all the information is accurate and complete. If you’re arranging your pet move on your own, you’ll need to double-check your vet’s work thoroughly. We can’t stress this enough, as any errors or inconsistencies could result in the USDA returning the documents to you unendorsed, causing delays and potential issues with your pet’s travel plans.
Some things to check for include correct dates (we recommend formatting to DD MON YYYY for clarity), matching microchip numbers and paperwork, and accurate information about your pet’s age and vaccination records. If you need to make a correction to the paperwork, have your vet draw a single line through the error and initial next to the correction. If the health certificate becomes too messy or illegible, it’s best to start over with a new one.
By taking these steps and carefully reviewing your pet’s health certificate, you can help ensure a smooth and stress-free travel experience for you and your furry friend.
Once you have obtained the necessary health certificate from your USDA-Accredited veterinarian, you’ll need to get it endorsed by the USDA. Depending on the location of the nearest veterinary service office, you can either visit the office in person to obtain the endorsement or send the documents via FedEx.
If you plan to visit the USDA office in person, we recommend calling at least one week in advance to make sure they will allow you to come in and to schedule an appointment. If you prefer to send the documents via FedEx, be sure to account for a few days for the package to travel there and back. It’s also important to keep in mind that the USDA is closed on weekends, so plan accordingly.
To pay for the endorsement, the USDA does not accept checks, so you will need to include some form of payment information with your documents. It is best to include a cover sheet with your contact information and instructions to call for a credit card number.
If you want your endorsed documents returned to you quickly, include a pre-addressed FedEx overnight envelope with your paperwork. Otherwise, the USDA will send the documents back via US Postal Service, which can take longer.
Typically, the USDA will stamp the documents on the same day or the following day after receiving them. By planning ahead and following these steps, you can help ensure a smooth and timely endorsement process for your pet’s health certificate.
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