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Traveling internationally with your pet requires specific veterinary documentation, and the requirements vary significantly by destination country. At Alma Animal Hospital in Dunbar, Vancouver, we help pet owners in Dunbar, Point Grey, and Dunbar-Southlands navigate the documentation process for international travel, from health certificates and titer testing to export documentation. We recommend contacting us at least 8 to 12 weeks before your planned travel date, as some documents have strict timing requirements that cannot be rushed.
An international health certificate is required for entry into most countries with a live animal. This document certifies that your pet has been examined by an accredited veterinarian and meets the entry requirements of the destination country at the time of travel. At Alma Animal Hospital, we are accredited to issue CFIA-endorsed health certificates for travel from Canada. We review your destination country’s requirements carefully before the appointment to ensure all necessary components are included. Endorsement timelines with the Canadian Food Inspection Agency must be factored into your travel planning.
A microchip is required for international travel with pets in most countries. The microchip must be an ISO-standard 15-digit chip, and it must be implanted before any rabies vaccination or titer testing required for entry. If your pet does not yet have a microchip, we implant one during a quick, low-stress procedure at Alma Animal Hospital. If your pet already has a microchip, we confirm the chip number and record it on all travel documentation. We also ensure the chip is registered in a database accessible to authorities in your destination country.
Some countries, including Australia, New Zealand, Japan, and Hawaii, require a Rabies Neutralizing Antibody Titer Test, commonly known as the FAVN test, before a pet may enter. This test measures the level of rabies antibody in your pet’s blood and must meet a minimum threshold. The blood sample is sent to an approved laboratory, and results take several weeks to return. A waiting period after a satisfactory titer result is also required by some destinations before entry is permitted. We coordinate titer testing and guide you through all timing requirements specific to your destination.
Export documentation requirements vary by destination and may include a combination of health certificates, vaccination records, titer test results, parasite assessments, and government endorsements. We compile the required documentation package for your specific destination and review all components with you before travel. We also advise on what to carry in your pet’s travel folder and how to present documents at customs. Contact us as early as possible in your planning process to allow adequate time for all steps to be completed correctly and on schedule.
Planning to travel internationally with your pet? Contact Alma Animal Hospital in Dunbar well in advance. Call (604) 229-5564 or book at almavets.ca/make-an-appointment/.
