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Pet relocation · United States

Relocating with pets to the United States — CDC + USDA rules

Pet import to the US follows CDC + USDA + state rules. Dog rules changed significantly in 2024 with stricter CDC requirements for high-risk countries.

Not legal or veterinary advice

Pet import rules change frequently and vary by species, origin country, breed, and date of travel. This guide is a structural overview, not a definitive checklist. Verify every detail with the official authority listed below and your veterinarian before acting.

Pet relocation rules change frequently and vary by pet species, your origin country, and the time of year you travel. The structural overview below is meant as a planning framework — not a substitute for the official requirements published by the destination country's authority, which is the only authoritative source.

Most pet relocations fail at one of three points: incorrect documentation timing (the rabies vaccination must be sufficiently old, but not too old, on the day of travel), incomplete paperwork chain (origin country vet certificate + endorsement by the origin country's competent authority + acceptance by destination), or an unexpected breed or carrier restriction (some airlines refuse certain breeds and weights). Start the process much earlier than feels necessary.

Authority to verify with

These are the official bodies that publish the current rules and supervise entry. Always cross-check the information below against their guidance.

  • CDC — Centers for Disease Control (Bringing a Dog into the U.S.)
    Federal authority for dog imports (anti-rabies enforcement). Rules changed significantly in August 2024.
    Reference: https://www.cdc.gov/import/bringing-an-animal-into-the-united-states/index.html
  • USDA APHIS
    Federal authority for animal import veterinary certification and endorsement.
    Reference: https://www.aphis.usda.gov/aphis/pet-travel

What you'll need to research

Dogs — CDC rules (post-Aug 2024)

CDC's 2024 changes require all dogs to be at least 6 months old, microchipped, in good health, and accompanied by a CDC Dog Import Form. Stricter rules apply from high-risk countries (rabies certificate, serology, reservation at approved port of entry).

Cats and other pets

The CDC has lighter rules for cats than dogs, but states may impose their own requirements. Some pets (ferrets, birds, reptiles) face species-specific rules.

State-level rules

Each US state may require its own veterinary certificate of inspection, additional vaccinations, or quarantine. Hawaii is the strictest with multi-month quarantine for non-qualifying pets.

Airline rules

US carriers have strict breed and weight restrictions, summer heat embargoes on cargo, and limited cabin spots. Book very early.

Common pitfalls and underestimated steps

  • Importing a dog under 6 months old — banned post-Aug 2024.
  • Using an older microchip not ISO-compliant — CDC requires ISO 11784 / 11785.
  • Skipping the CDC Dog Import Form pre-arrival — required for all dogs.
  • Underestimating Hawaii — full 120-day quarantine unless pet pre-qualifies under the 5-day-or-less program.

Generic checklist

The structural sequence — adapt to the specific timing and document names required by the destination country's authority.

  1. Confirm your pet's species is admitted at all (some destinations exclude certain reptiles, exotic animals, or specific dog breeds).
  2. Verify the rabies vaccination + microchip ordering requirement: most destinations require the microchip to be implanted before the rabies vaccination, not after.
  3. Time the rabies vaccination correctly — typically a minimum of 21-30 days before travel and within a maximum vaccination-validity window.
  4. Schedule the origin-country veterinary health certificate within the destination's required window before travel (often 10 days or less).
  5. Get the certificate endorsed by the origin country's competent authority (in the US, USDA APHIS; in the EU, the national veterinary service).
  6. Confirm the airline accepts your pet (cabin, hold, or cargo manifest), and check breed and weight restrictions.
  7. Book the destination country's required quarantine, if any, well in advance.
  8. Bring multiple copies of every document, including translations where required.
When the stricter path applies

The CDC's August 2024 rule changes are strict — many origin countries that were previously straightforward are now high-risk, requiring serology and approved-port reservations. Verify your origin country's current classification before booking travel.

Other destinations

Portugal
Structural overview of pet import rules to Portugal: EU pet passport (or third-country equivalent), microchip + rabies timing, endorsed health certificate, breed considerations.
Spain
Pet import to Spain follows EU rules: microchip, rabies vaccination, EU pet passport or endorsed third-country certificate. Breed and municipal rules add complexity.
Germany
Pet import to Germany follows EU rules with German-specific implementation. Microchip, rabies vaccination, EU pet passport or endorsed third-country certificate, breed restrictions.
United Kingdom
Pet import to the UK changed significantly post-Brexit. Animal Health Certificate replaced the EU pet passport for entries from the EU. Strict rabies and tapeworm rules apply.
Ireland
Ireland applies EU pet movement rules. Microchip + rabies + EU passport (or endorsed third-country certificate). UK travel adds tapeworm and AHC layers.
Canada
Pet import to Canada follows CFIA federal rules. Dogs and cats from rabies-free countries face lighter rules than high-risk countries. Provincial layers may apply.

See the full pet relocation directory for all 11 country guides.