Are you planning to adopt a dog or a cat and bring it to USA?
Our checklist will help you get things done in the right order
For your convenience, we have described the whole process of pet adoption and travel in several steps, added some useful links and relevant information. We are ready to help you at any stage!
Contact the shelter from which you are adopting a pet, and check the availability of documents and vaccinations. This is also the right time to determine if the pet has any injuries, illnesses, or behavioral issues.
If the pet doesn't yet have an international passport, it's time to purchase one. All vet notes and vaccination stamps should be listed in this document.
Get the Adoption Agreement - you will sign it upon the pet's arrival.
Pets entering the U.S. are subject to requirements from multiple federal and State authorities. You should ensure that your pet complies with all federal and State requirements. Please check the recent USDA Travel Requirements.
For cats, the FIP test and a rabies titre test are not mandatory, but highly recommended.
For dogs, a rabies titre test and vaccinations are mandatory. Below, find a full step-by-step instruction on how to import your dog to the US (as it's more complicated):
Age: Dogs must be at least 6 months old.
Microchip: Dogs must have a microchip that can be detected by a universal scanner.
Health: Dogs must appear healthy upon arrival and should have a valid veterinary certificate.
CDC Dog Import Form: All dogs entering the U.S. must be accompanied by a CDC Dog Import Form receipt. Dogs from high-risk countries, like Ukraine, Russia, Georgia, Turkey, etc. require a government-endorsed document (Certification of Foreign Rabies Vaccination and Microchip form, or a U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)-export certificate) or a Certification of U.S.-issued Rabies Vaccination form.
Age: Cats must be at least 6 months old.
Microchip: Cats must have a microchip that can be detected by a universal scanner.
Health: Cats must appear healthy upon arrival and should have a veterinary certificate.
Start with an endo/ectoparasite therapy (deworming, flea, and tick treatment).
Day 3–4:
Microchip - 4 days after anthelmintic therapy
Microchips and international pet database registration are necessary so that if something happens, your pet can be found and returned to you in any city in the world.
How does it work: the microchip is installed under the pet's skin and can be detected by the scanner. It will reveal the microchip's unique number. You can check the microchip at petmicrochiplookup.org. It tells you which organization your chip is registered with. Then go to that registry and look up your microchip's number.
Ensure the pet has a microchip readable with a universal scanner, implanted before any rabies vaccine.
If it's the pet’s first rabies shot, it must be at least 12 weeks old and given ≥ 30 days before entry into the US.
Confirm the rabies vaccine will not expire during travel.
Latest: ≥ 28 days before U.S. entry
Send sample to a CDC-approved lab; aim for ≥ 0.5 IU/mL to avoid quarantine
Don't proceed before you get the test results ready.
Preparing for the journey
from 85 USD for a kitten in the cabin to 650 USD for a Labrador in cargo on an international flight. Some airports have their fees, too!
The pet ticket is purchased in addition to the travel companion ticket and is paid for by the new owner. All airlines have different rules for transporting pets.
Book a slot (with or without 28-day quarantine) at a CDC-registered animal care facility at the international entry airport. If titers aren’t back yet, ensure your facility reservation (below) includes quarantine for 28 days.
Reservation confirmation will be needed at check-in and on arrival.
Final steps - you are almost ready! Time to purchase the flight ticket and the kennel
These crates differ from a home crate with a few extra features, including providing ways to secure them during travel
Note: Be sure to check that your air travel crate meets the TSA’s guidelines. For travel in a hold, you will need a carrier with an IATA standard lock.
The carrier should be big enough for the pet to stand freely inside + 5 cm above its head.
For transportation of pets up to 8 kg in the cabin, you'll need a soft carrying bag.
Carrying delivery is ordered to the address of the shelter where the cat or dog starts their journey.
- Take clear photos of the dog (under 1 year: photos taken within 15 days of travel) for the form
- Complete the CDC Dog Import Form online and print or save the receipt.
- Visit the CDC’s facility list to choose a location aligned with your travel plans.
- Contact the desired facility as early as possible to reserve space for the required exam, rabies booster, and – if your dog does not have a valid serology titer – a 28‑day quarantine.
- Mention your arrival airport code, and confirm they accept your travel dates and documents.
We help with this, as well as with delivery to the airport, and even to another city!
Volunteer support of 100 Tails can be provided.
Present to the airline and Customs & Border Protection (CBP):
- CDC Dog Import Form receipt
- Certification of Foreign Rabies Vaccination & Microchip
- CDC facility reservation confirmation
Hooray! Meet your new family member!
We strongly suggest that the veterinarian performs a physical examination of your new pet right upon arrival. Health checks are designed to assess the risk of potential medical conditions that could develop during flight, and spot any warning signs that we might not have noticed.
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