Recent policy changes with most airlines has led to a certain amount of confusion when traveling with pets. Today, most airlines are not asking for a health certificate from people who are carrying their pets on board.

This change is probably part of a plan to make the boarding process more efficient. The fact of the matter is that if you are crossing state lines with your pet, within the continental United States, you must carry proper documentation. The legal requirement for documentation when traveling from one state to another is a valid health certificate and a certificate of rabies vaccination. Both certificates must be signed by a veterinarian.

What is a valid health certificate?

It is recommended that your pet be examined prior to any type of travel to assure there are no medical problems present. In order for a health certificate to be “valid” for travel, the pet must have been seen and the certificate signed within 10 days of your departure, whether you are flying or driving. It is the responsibility of the pet owner to have their documentation in place, which is why the airlines aren’t necessarily checking your documentation. This doesn’t mean you don’t need it—the opposite is true, in that the responsibility falls completely on the owner of the pet.

To schedule a health certificate appointment, call us at 317.257.5334 or 317.726.2711. In most cases, we can schedule you the same day or next day with one of the veterinarians. In addition to a valid health certificate, we’ll also be happy to provide you with a signed rabies certificate, in case you’ve misplaced your original. Safe travels!