How to Travel with a Dog to the US from the UK

For many people, their pets are like any other family member. Traveling with your family can be a great way to enhance the trip experience because unlike every other thing in this world happiness increases when shared with others. However, traveling with a pet like a dog is not easy since many countries have restrictions when it comes to bringing dogs from other countries.

The U.S. is one such country and before you can bring your furry friend along on the trip, you need to know these restrictions and do all the necessary paperwork and check-ups required before your pet is allowed in the U.S. So let's take a look at how to travel with a dog to the U.S. from the U.K.

Overview of Rules for Bringing a Dog to the U.S.

Tourists from the U.K. may think that they can get a pet passport to travel with their dog. However, the U.S. has different rules than European nations and a pet passport alone is not enough to bring your dog into the U.S. The reason behind such restrictions by the U.S. on importing dogs is to prevent diseases from spreading within the U.S.

Generally speaking, below are general questions that you should prepare for when planning a trip to the U.S. with a dog:

Did your Dog Visit a High-Risk Country 6 Months Prior?

There are certain countries that are designated as high-risk countries by the U.S. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has deemed 39 countries in the world as high-risk countries.

While the U.K. is not mentioned on this list, if you traveled with your dog to any of these countries within 6 months of your planned trip to the U.S. then prepare to deal with some extra procedures that you will have to go through before your pet is allowed into the U.S.

Is Your Dog Older Than 6 Months?

This is a very strict requirement that you must prove before your dog is allowed in the U.S. Keep in mind that the U.S. only allows dogs that are older than 6 months old to enter the U.S. If your dog is below this age limit, you are not permitted to enter the U.S. with your dog.

Remember that the 6-month age mentioned here does not mean the time you have owned your dog, but the real age of your dog. For example, if the dog you have owned for 3 months is 1 year old, it is still allowed in the U.S. provided you can prove the dog's age.

Has Your Dog Been Fitted With a Microchip?

Another important thing to keep in mind is that your dog has to be fitted with a microchip according to the set standards of the ISO. If this has not been done before your visit to the U.S., your dog will not be allowed into the U.S. So, remember to get your dog microchipped before you visit the U.S.

Whether You Have a Rabies Vaccination Certificate certified by the U.S.

Rabies is a dangerous disease that is spread by dog bites that have a virus contained in their saliva. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has established very strict rules to prohibit entry of dogs that may be infected with rabies.

To verify whether your dog is free of the Rabies virus, you need to produce a certificate from the U.S. that states that your dog has been vaccinated for rabies. If your dog has the correct certificate, then you can enter the U.S. as long as:

Your dog appears healthy when arriving in the U.S.

• The dog is older than 6 months.
• The certificate of vaccination has the valid number of the fitted microchip.

If all the aforementioned requirements are fulfilled, you can enter the U.S. via any of the designated airports by the CDC, where you must present the vaccination certificates to the appropriate authorities.

Whether the Rabies Vaccination Certificate was Issued by Another Country

There are scenarios where your dog's rabies vaccination certificate was issued by a different country. In this scenario, your dog has to undergo a rabies serology titer test. This test must be performed not earlier than 45 days before your arrival from an accredited laboratory in the U.S.

Necessary Health Check-ups for Your Dog

Getting your dog all the necessary health check-ups before a trip to the U.S. is vital to having a smooth travel. Airlines that allow pets to travel require that each pet has undergone a health check-up to ensure that they are healthy enough for a flight. To prove these health check-ups you will need a certificate from a certified vet.

Some airlines can have additional requirements so remember to check with the airline your pet is flying to confirm these additional requirements. Generally, the health certificate for your dog will include:

• The dog's breed, gender, age, and color and any details of markings to help identify them.
• The owner's contact details and full name
• Vaccination date and expiry date of the vaccination
• Contact details of the veterinarian who administered the vaccination (including license no.)

The microchipping of your dog is not a mandatory requirement, however, it is highly advised to do so since in a scenario where your dog runs away, trying to find it in an unknown place can be a very stressful situation to be in. Also, there are scenarios where your dog has to be separated from you. So remember to get your dog microchipped to avoid all of these issues.

Another thing that you should keep in mind is that if your dog is of Collies, shepherds, and other breeds that are commonly used in the handling of livestock, then they are required to have a tapeworm treatment by a certified vet.

If your purpose for bringing dogs into the US from the UK is for commercial reasons, then make sure you check the regulations listed by the US Department of Agriculture for their requirements which include that the dog is over six months old if they are to be resold.

Where on the plane will my dog be during the flight?

Every flight has its own policies with some allowing pets to be carried in the cabin, although in most flights that allow dogs, they must go into the hold.

Traveling with your pet dog can be a very fun experience as you continue to enjoy the company of your furry loyal friend on a trip to an unknown place. The U.S. has very different requirements than European countries so, U.K. travelers should check all requirements before they plan their next visit to the U.S.

While you are fulfilling these requirements for your dog, don't forget to prepare your own U.S. tourist e-visas to travel to the U.S. and book hotels and other reservations beforehand. Also, research which hotels have facilities for your pet before you book them for a journey with your trusty dog.

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Ensure you have checked your eligibility for Online US Visa. Portuguese citizens, Greek citizens, New Zealand citizens and Israeli citizens and many others are eligible for Online US Visa.