If you’re planning to travel with your dog, the first question is not “Which airline allows pets?” or “Will the hotel take dogs?” It’s this: what paperwork does my pet need, and who can complete it in time?

That answer has become more important since the CDC updated its rules for dogs entering or returning to the United States. The details depend on where your dog has been, where the rabies vaccine was given, and whether the right forms were completed before travel. For pet owners, the practical takeaway is simple: don’t treat travel paperwork like a last-minute errand.

Your local veterinarian—especially one who already knows your pet—is the right place to start.

The rules can depend on your exact trip

For dogs entering the U.S., CDC Dog Import Form instructions require a CDC Dog Import Form receipt and say dogs must appear healthy on arrival. But that is only the starting point.

If your dog has been in a country considered high risk for dog rabies within the previous six months, additional documents may be required. For some U.S.-vaccinated dogs, that can include a Certification of U.S.-Issued Rabies Vaccination form. CDC guidance for veterinarians says that form must be completed by a USDA-accredited veterinarian before the dog leaves the United States. If it is the dog’s first rabies vaccine, timing matters too: the form is completed no less than 28 days after vaccination.

That is the kind of detail that can ruin a trip if you discover it at the airport.

Not every vet can sign every travel document

This is where a little planning saves a lot of stress. Many international trips require a health certificate, and USDA APHIS explains that some certificates must be issued by a USDA-accredited veterinarian and then endorsed by USDA. APHIS also notes that the accredited veterinarian may submit the certificate through the federal online system, VEHCS, or provide paperwork for you to submit, depending on the situation.

The AVMA makes another important point for pet owners: not all veterinarians are federally accredited. That doesn’t mean they’re not excellent vets. It simply means you should ask the question early if international travel, import rules, or airline paperwork may be involved.

A good call to your clinic sounds like this:

“We’re thinking about traveling with our dog to [destination] on [date]. Do you handle international health certificates or CDC dog import paperwork? If not, can you refer us to a USDA-accredited veterinarian who does?”

If your independent local vet does not personally handle a specific travel certificate, they may still be a helpful place to start for vaccine records, a pre-trip health review, medication refills, and referrals to an accredited professional.

Your regular vet sees more than the form

Travel rules focus on documents. Your veterinarian focuses on your pet.

That matters. A healthy-looking dog on the couch may still have anxiety, motion sickness, heat sensitivity, medication needs, or other health concerns that affect whether travel is wise. Pets may also need planning for carriers, acclimation, and travel stress. AAHA’s pet travel guidance recommends a pre-trip veterinary visit to check health, update vaccines and parasite prevention, refill medications, review documentation, and prepare for travel stress.

This is one reason we believe local independent veterinary practices are so valuable. The best travel advice often comes from someone who already knows your pet’s history—not just a clinic selling a one-time vaccine or stamping a form. Your regular team can spot the small things: the anxious dog who needs a calming plan, the pet whose medication list needs updating, or the dog whose rabies record and microchip number need to match exactly.

Build a simple travel file

Before you go, ask your vet to help you put together a travel file. Keep digital and paper copies of:

  • Rabies certificate and vaccine records
  • Microchip number and registry contact information
  • Current medication list and prescriptions
  • Recent exam notes, if your pet has a chronic condition
  • Health certificate or USDA-endorsed documents, if required
  • CDC Dog Import Form receipt, if your dog will enter or re-enter the U.S.
  • Airline and destination-country requirements

Also ask your vet whether your pet needs parasite prevention for the destination. A beach trip, mountain cabin, family farm, or international visit can carry different risks.

The practical takeaway

If your pet may cross state lines, fly, or leave the country, call your veterinarian before you book—or at least before the cancellation window closes.

Ask three questions: What does my destination require? Are you USDA-accredited or do you handle these certificates? How early should we schedule the exam?

Traveling with a pet can be wonderful. But the smoothest trips usually start close to home, with a local veterinary team that knows your pet and has time to help you get the details right.