Do Traveling Pets Need COVID-19 Passports?

The U.S. Department of Agriculture – Animal and Plant Inspection Service (USDA-APHIS) website recently confirmed 'during the COVID-19 pandemic, pet owners should review country requirements for a pet before departing on a trip in 2022.

To view their current pet travel health requirements, select your destination country from this drop-down menu.

 And as soon as you know your travel details, contact your local veterinarian to assist with the pet travel process.

Factors to consider may include meeting time frames for obtaining a health certificate, updating vaccinations, diagnostic testing, or administering medications/ treatments.

Using VEHCS, health certificates for live animals for most destination countries can be electronically issued by USDA Accredited Veterinarians and submitted to USDA APHIS Veterinary Services for endorsement.

This service may cost $30 per pet.

And before booking airline tickets, international traveling pet owners should also check with the airline's requirements. 

There have been recent cases where a country does not require a certification, but a particular airline does.

For example, the United Air Lines website says, 'You must submit four required items for preapproval through a secure portal at least five days before your pet's trip.'

'You will also need to bring printed copies of these documents with you to the airport when you drop off your pet.' 

Furthermore, you may need an EU Pet Passport once you arrive in Europe.

An EU Pet Passport is a document issued by an official veterinarian in an EU Member State or other designated country that contains official health information related to a specific pet.

Moreover, EU Pet Passports cannot be obtained in the U.S.

Note: Effective December 1, 2021, dogs vaccinated in the United States by a US-licensed veterinarian may re-enter the United States from a high-risk country without a CDC Dog Import Permit.

However, if the US-issued rabies vaccination certificate has expired, you must apply for a CDC Dog Import Permit.

Vax-Before-Travel publishes fact-checked research-based travel vaccine news.