Pet Travel Services for Dogs and Cats in South Surrey and White Rock, BC
Traveling internationally with a pet requires careful advance planning. Entry requirements vary significantly between countries, and errors in paperwork, timing, or documentation can result in your pet being turned back at the border or quarantined on arrival. At Peace Arch Veterinary Hospital in South Surrey, we guide families through the documentation process for international pet travel, including International Health Certificates, export paperwork, and titer testing requirements for specific destinations. Given how close South Surrey and White Rock are to the US border, we also handle cross-border travel documentation regularly. Start planning at least 30 to 90 days before your travel date. Call (604) 536-3131 to begin.
International Health Certificate
An International Health Certificate (IHC) is an official government document that verifies your pet has been examined by an accredited veterinarian and meets the health requirements of the destination country. The format, timing, and content requirements of the certificate differ between destination countries, and many require government endorsement from the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) after a veterinarian issues the certificate. At Peace Arch Veterinary Hospital, we are familiar with IHC requirements for common destinations including the United States, European Union countries, the United Kingdom, Australia, and others. We advise on exact timing to ensure the certificate remains valid on your travel date.
Microchipping for Travel
Most countries require pets to be microchipped with an ISO-standard chip before an International Health Certificate can be issued. If your pet is already microchipped, we verify the chip number and ensure it is recorded accurately on all travel documents. If your pet has not yet been microchipped, we can implant one at the same appointment as your pre-travel exam. The chip must be implanted and registered before the relevant vaccinations and titer tests are carried out in some destination country protocols, so timing matters. See our Pet Care Services page for full details on microchipping.
Titer Testing for Travel
Some countries, particularly Hawaii, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, and the United Kingdom, require a rabies titer test (FAVN test) as part of the entry process. The FAVN test measures the level of rabies antibodies in your pet's blood and must be performed at a laboratory accredited by the destination country's government. At Peace Arch Veterinary Hospital, we draw blood samples for the FAVN titer test and coordinate submission to the appropriate laboratory. Results take several weeks, and the test must be performed at a specific time relative to the travel date depending on the destination country's protocol. Begin this process at least 90 days before travel for countries that require it.
Pet Export Documentation
In addition to the International Health Certificate, some destinations require additional documentation including export permits, veterinary health records, or certificates of residence. We work with families to identify all required documents for their specific destination, compile the necessary veterinary records, and advise on what the CFIA endorsement process involves and how long it takes. We recommend consulting the destination country's official embassy or government website for the most current entry requirements, as regulations change, and we stay current on the most commonly requested destinations from our South Surrey and White Rock client base.
Explore More Services
For destinations with simple health certificate requirements, 30 days is usually sufficient. For countries requiring a FAVN titer test, such as Australia, New Zealand, and Hawaii, start at least 90 days before travel. The CFIA endorsement process for the health certificate adds additional time. The earlier you contact us, the more smoothly the process will go.
US entry requirements for cats from Canada are relatively straightforward but do include specific documentation requirements depending on the state and mode of travel. Health certificates are required for air travel and many land crossings. We recommend contacting us to confirm the current requirements for your specific travel date and destination before assuming no documentation is needed.
The FAVN test measures the level of protective rabies antibodies in your pet’s blood. It is required by certain countries including Australia, New Zealand, Japan, Hawaii, and the United Kingdom as part of their import process. Blood is drawn at our clinic and submitted to an accredited laboratory. Contact us with your destination country and travel date and we will advise on whether the FAVN test is required and how to time it correctly.
International travel with pets requires advance planning. Call Peace Arch Veterinary Hospital at (604) 536-3131 to start your pet’s travel documentation. We serve dogs and cats from South Surrey, White Rock, and across the Lower Mainland.