Traveling from the USA internationally

If you’re traveling internationally, from the USA, then the answer to Does my cat need a passport? is yes! You need it to eliminate or minimize possible quarantine, or other complications. A pet passport is really a collection of forms and endorsements validating your cat’s health. I wish I could provide a list of what you need when traveling from the USA to a foreign country with your cat, but unfortunately, it’s complex, because countries vary. In fact, every country has their own requirements for entry with your cat.

I can suggest things you may need to tend to, in order to get the health papers you’ll need for travel to other countries. Another thing, give yourself as much time as you can, because some countries requirements may take months to comply.

• Research the APHIS/international requirements for your destination country: they vary.
• What rabies category is your destination country?
• Does your destination country require an additional blood test, tapeworm test, etc.?
• Does your cat have to be microchipped?
• Can your veterinarian provide necessary forms and/or certificates, or do you need an endorsement by an APHIS, certified veterinarian?
• Do you need an import permit?

To look at an example of what a country may require. Click Australia for traveling to Australia with your cat.

Now, about rabies. It’s rare for domestic cats to contract rabies, and most of the travel information I found about rabies, pertained to dogs. However, some countries DO have rabies vaccination requirements for cats. Confirm which rabies vaccination is acceptable: there’s a one year, or three year type. Also, check about boosters: the timeline between receiving boosters or vaccination, and date of travel. Find out the rabies category for your destination country. There are three: rabies-free, low-risk, or high-risk. These catagories are based on calculations of reported rabies during a two year period.

• Japan, Singapore, the UK, are a few examples of rabies-free countries.
• Bahrain, Belgium, Belarus, Bulgaria, Canada, Chile, Grenada, Hong Kong, Hungary, Kuwait, Latvia, Qatar, Slovakia, Taiwan, Trinidad and Tobago, UAE, USA are considered low-risk countries.
• Many countries in Asia, Africa and Central America may be on the high-risk list.

Next, about microchipped cats. I looked at different countries, and it looks like many require your cat to be microchipped. It’s possible that your cat is already microchipped, in which case, you’ll need documentation to prove it.

Okay, so obviously, a trip to the vet is necessary before you travel with your cat. Once again, check your destination country so you know what your vet must do to prove the health of your cat. And another thing, you must know whether verification from your vet will suffice, or do you need further endorsements from an APHIS vet, credited by the USDA (United States Department of Agriculture)?
Vets in the USA are licensed in the state they practice in. Vets who are additionally credited by the USDA National Veterinary Accreditation Program (NVAP) have voluntarily completed training to qualify to be an USDA Accredited Veterinarian. Here’s a list, If you do also need a USDA credited veterinarian by state.
And here’s a useful guide, if you do need an USDA credited vet.

Does traveling from the USA with your cat, to another country, sound complicated? Well yeah, it is. But I tried to provide information and links to help. Sometimes, our cats MUST travel with us.

finally, here’s a checklist, provided by APHIS, it’s 3 pages, or you can access it this way:

good luck!