If you plan to travel by auto or air with your pet to another state, your pet may require a certificate of veterinary inspection. A health certificate is a federal document generated by a federally-accredited veterinarian. The certificate ensures that a pet has met certain health criteria. We offer one type of health certificates for pets: domestic for interstate travel within the U.S. (usually by air). It has stringent rules veterinarians cannot bend.

Domestic Health Certificates

Some common requirements for pets traveling to other states include a current rabies vaccination and testing negative for heartworm or currently on a heartworm preventative. Requirements vary from state-to-state. Domestic health certificates must be written the same day the veterinarian completes a thorough physical exam and cannot back-dated. Check with your airlines and the states you’re driving through to see if they require one (each is different).

Click here to see the requirements for your destination state(s).