Summer Travel with Your Pet

Summer Travel with Your Pet: What Documents You Need and How to Prepare

Planning an international vacation with your pet? Then it’s essential to prepare your furry companion in advance. The Animal Clinic team recommends organizing all required documents and procedures ahead of time — and paying attention to your pet’s overall comfort during the journey.

Basic Requirements for Traveling Abroad with a Pet

Note: one person can travel with up to five animals. To avoid issues at the border and ensure your pet is allowed into another country, the following requirements must be met:

1. Microchip.

   Your pet must be microchipped at a veterinary clinic for identification. The chip contains a unique code with information about the animal and its owner.
   Important: vaccinations and tests performed before microchipping are considered invalid.

2. Veterinary Passport.

   This document includes the pet’s name, breed, date of birth, microchip number, vaccination records, antiparasitic treatments, and guardian contact details.

3. Core Vaccinations.

   The pet must be vaccinated against rabies at least 30 days and no more than 12 months before travel.
   • Dogs: also require vaccines against leptospirosis, parvovirus, and canine distemper.
   • Cats: should be vaccinated against panleukopenia, calicivirus, and herpesvirus.

4. Parasite Treatment.

   Pets must be treated for external parasites (fleas, ticks) and dewormed before travel.

5. Rabies Antibody Titer Test Certificate.

   This blood test confirms that the rabies vaccine has been effective. It must be performed 30 days after vaccination, and the certificate is valid for 1 year.

6. Form 1-VET or Veterinary Health Certificate.

   Issued by a licensed vet 1–3 days before departure, this document confirms that the animal is healthy and fit to travel.

7. Carrier.

   Dogs and cats must travel in a carrier that allows them to lie down comfortably.

At any Animal Clinic location, you can request our all-in-one service for International Pet Travel, which includes all the procedures and documents mentioned above.

Psychological and Practical Preparation for the Trip

Want your pet to feel less anxious on the road?

Start by getting them used to the carrier. Leave it open at home so your pet can explore, lie inside, and feel comfortable. Add a favorite toy or blanket to make it feel safe and familiar.

Short test trips also help. Beyond clinic visits, take your pet on brief car rides to new places — like a friend’s home — to help them get used to transport and unfamiliar sounds.

If your journey includes air travel, feed your pet 4 hours before the flight to help prevent nausea. Allow them to relieve themselves just before check-in.

If you know your pet becomes highly stressed, consult your veterinarian about using a safe calming medication before the trip.

Let us know at Animal Clinic if you need assistance — we're here to support you and your pet through every step of the journey!