Vets That Offer Pet Travel Certificates: How to Find One

Your regular vet may not be able to sign your pet's travel certificate. For international travel, most countries require the health certificate to be issued by a USDA-accredited veterinarian and then endorsed by APHIS. Accreditation is voluntary, and not every vet has it.

So the first step isn't booking an appointment. It's finding a vet who can actually do the job, then making sure they have everything they need. Here's how.

How to find a vet who offers pet travel certificates

APHIS suggests these routes:

1. Ask your own vet first. Ask whether they, or another vet in the practice, are USDA-accredited, or whether they can recommend someone who is.

2. Call other local clinics. Ask if they have an accredited vet on staff and whether they issue international health certificates.

3. Use the APHIS search tool. The accredited veterinarian search lists vets by location. It isn't complete, because not every accredited vet allows APHIS to publish their details.

4. Contact your state's NVAP coordinator. They can confirm a vet's accreditation status if you're unsure.

Two checks matter more than distance:

• The vet must be accredited in the state where they see your pet. APHIS cannot endorse the certificate otherwise.

• Birds need a Category II accredited vet. Most small-animal vets hold Category I, which covers dogs and cats but not birds.

Questions to ask before you book

Accreditation means the vet can sign. These questions tell you whether the clinic does travel certificates often enough to get them right.

• "How many international health certificates do you issue?" A clinic that handles them regularly knows the forms, the endorsement process and the common mistakes.

• "Have you done one for [your destination] recently?" Requirements vary widely between countries.

• "Do you submit certificates to APHIS online?" Most clinics use APHIS's electronic system. Ask how long they expect endorsement to take.

• "How many visits will we need, and when?" Most international trips need at least two, timed against the departure date.

• "What do you charge?" Clinic fees vary, and APHIS's endorsement fee is extra.

• "What should I send you before the appointment?" A good clinic will ask for records in advance.

What the vet will need from you, and when

Finding the vet is half the job. The other half is giving them what they need in time. For dogs leaving the US for Italy or Costa Rica, Pet Holiday Club's rules base requires:

So contact the vet well before you travel, not the week of the flight. Bring every rabies certificate since the microchip went in, the microchip number, other vaccine records, and your destination and travel dates.

If you don't know your route's requirements yet, Pet Holiday Club builds a checklist for your exact trip, with lead times against your travel date. Upload your pet's documents and it flags what's missing, so you can share the list with the vet you've found.

See how Pet Holiday Club works →

Can any vet sign a pet travel certificate?

No. For international travel, most countries require a USDA-accredited vet, accredited in the state where they examine your pet.

How do I check if a vet is USDA-accredited?

Ask the clinic directly, search the APHIS accredited veterinarian tool, or contact your state's NVAP coordinator.

Why isn't my vet listed in the APHIS search?

Some accredited vets don't allow APHIS to publish their details. Ask the clinic.

Can my regular vet do the vaccines and an accredited vet do the certificate?

Yes. Bring every record from your regular vet to the accredited vet, including all rabies certificates.

Do I need a special vet for birds?

Yes. Birds need a vet with Category II accreditation.

Further reading on Pet Holiday Club

• USDA APHIS Pet Travel 2026: Health Certificate Steps

• Pet Health Certificate for Travel 2026

• Rabies Certificate for Pet Travel: Complete 2026 Compliance Guide