PET EXPORTS UK LTD

USA - information and requirements for the importation of cats and dogs.

There is no official quarantine for cats and dogs entering mainland USA from the United Kingdom. The entry requirements vary from state to state - some requiring that a rabies vaccination be given to the animals on arrival in the USA if there is no documentary proof that this has already been given. The UK vaccination is however different from the one obtainable in the USA as it is made from a dead, rather than live, culture and takes longer to be effective (approximately 30 days). It is therefore generally advisable in all cases that dogs are vaccinated against rabies at least one month before their flight. No other vaccinations are specifically required but it is always advisable that your pets are up to date with their general vaccinations particularly if you think that they may need to be kennelled for any length of time.

For a full set of requirements it is advisable to contact the relevant State Veterinarian or the US Department of Agriculture for that State. The Department of the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) in the UK can advise contact numbers for the relevant State Veterinarian.

Official Export Health certificates from DEFRA in the UK and Import permits are not required except in the cases of Hawaii and Alaska. However the Airlines require that you obtain a fitness to fly certificate from any vet within 7 days (10 days if BA) of the date of travel.

International pet travel requires the use of an IATA (International Air Transport Association) approved air kennel that allow the animal to stand up and sit erect without touching the top of the box, lie down and turn around.

You may be able to take pets as excess baggage, which would mean booking direct with the airline. This is generally (but not always) the cheaper option (please note that some airlines cannot take livestock and that there may be restrictions such as standby status depending on the airline and the route), However should the animal(s) be a particularly large shipment (in Airline terms) or coping with the animal(s) at the same time as the move be particularly difficult then we can offer the cargo option along with other services including collection, kennelling and fitness to fly certification.

During the hotter summer months and colder winter months transhipments of cats and dogs to non-international airports in the USA are generally not permitted because of temperature restrictions at various Airports. Also some airlines operate a total embargo on excess livestock during the summer (American Airlines for example).

With information on the measurements of the animal(s) we can build Kennels (wood frame, plywood sides, wire mesh front) to fit. Flights can be arranged fom Heathrow/Gatwick and sometimes Manchester or Glasgow.

Last updated 09/09/2009

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