Pet Travel Exams
Traveling with pets is complex and requires multiple steps. The veterinarians at Grand Lake Veterinary Hospital are USDA-accredited and can assist you in preparing your pet for travel, including evaluating whether they are healthy enough—especially for the rigors of airline flights.
As the travel season picks up both domestically and internationally, we want to help ensure your plans go as smoothly as possible. Please note that our doctor appointments are currently booking several weeks in advance.
Due to recent USDA layoffs, completing paperwork has become significantly more difficult. We are no longer able to reach out to APHIS veterinarians directly, so we have partnered with a concierge service to assist with the process.
If you have traveled with your pet in the past and found it easy— THAT IS NO LONGER THE CASE!!
It has also become significantly more expensive.
For domestic travel, we kindly ask for at least three weeks’ notice before your departure. We understand that emergencies can arise and will do our best to accommodate you when possible.
For international travel, the USDA requires 3–10 business days to process and sign health certificates. To ensure all necessary treatments and any required multiple appointments can be completed on time, we recommend providing 1–2 months’ notice prior to your planned departure.
If your destination requires an import permit, please obtain it according to that country’s regulations—or ideally, at least two weeks before your health certificate appointment.
Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.
