The USA is a dream place to visit, work, or live, and it also has a lot of laws and rules when it comes to pet travel. Contacting a global pet migration specialist organization and hiring a specialist in the field to help you is undoubtedly the most expensive thing to do, but here, you can get all the information on pet travel from India to the USA without paying any hefty amount, and with personal assistance.
Which Flight to Prefer?
There are a lot of pet-friendly airlines from India to the USA for comfortable pet travel. For example, Lufthansa, American Airlines, Air India, Delta Airlines, and JetBlue.
During the summer, United, Air France/KLM, and other U.S. carriers, including code-share services with Northwest/Delta, impose an embargo on pet transportation, which means they do not accept pets during this period.
If you’re flying United Airlines directly from Delhi to New York, please note that they only accept pets as cargo under an airway bill.
Your dog must arrive at one of the CDC’s designated ports of entry that have a CDC-registered animal care facility. Here is a list of all the CDC-registered airports.
How to Book a Flight?
It is quite simple to book pet tickets online. All you need to do is contact the airlines to add your pet to the reservation; they will provide you with the information about which flight you can book for yourself to carry your pet.
Cargo vs. cabin
It depends on the size of your pet, breed, and the availability of pet space for your dog to travel in the cabin or in cargo as luggage.
Age of Pet:
The age of your pet to travel should be at least 6 months to travel to the USA.
Weight of the pet:
The pet weight + carrier should be around 7-8 kg in the cabin (weight may vary according to the airlines).
The pet weight + carrier should be around 32 kg in cargo (weight may vary according to the airlines).
Only two pets per passenger are allowed.
Carrier:
It is quite important to have a good size for your carrier so that your cat or dog can stand, lie, or turn around.
Your carrier should be IATA-approved.
Contact your airlines so they can provide better information about the size of your carrier according to the space in the airline.
Documents To Carry
It is quite important to have important documents to carry for your pet:
Here is a comprehensive list of everything you will need for your dog when traveling to the USA.
Microchipping:
- A microchip contains a Unique Identification Number (UIN). It has example, name, contact number, address, and so forth, and clinical records of your pet.
- You can have your pet microchipped at any local veterinary clinic, with the cost typically falling between ₹1000 and ₹1500, depending on your area. Make sure the microchip is a 15-digit ISO-compliant type, adhering to Standard 11784/11785. It’s best to get your pet microchipped before any vaccinations, ideally around 30 days prior.
- Don’t forget to obtain the microchip certificate from the veterinarian, as it serves as official documentation of the procedure.
Vaccination Card:
There should be an authorised Vaccination Record by a licensed veterinarian in India..
Your vaccination card should include:
- Pet details like Name, species, breed, sex, color, markings, date of birth, and ISO- Compliant microchip.
- Vaccine details like date of vaccination, product name or vaccine type, vaccine manufacturer, vaccine batch number, product expiration date, and expiration date of the current vaccination’s validity.
- Veterinarian details, which include the name of the clinic, the veterinarian’s name, license number, official seal, and signature.
- Specific vaccinations are required for the USA, like the rabies vaccine (when the pet is at least 3 months old) and the rabies titer test.
- Other vaccinations required:
- For Dogs: distemper, hepatitis, parvovirus, parainfluenza (DHPPiL or DAPPvL), and leptospirosis. Bordetella (kennel cough) and canine influenza virus (CIV) are also often recommended, especially if your pet will be boarding.
- For Cats: Feline Viral Rhinotracheitis, Calicivirus, Panleukopenia (FVRCP or Tri-feline).
- Parasite treatment: There should be a comprehensive internal and external parasite treatment for pets. It should be done at least 10-15 days before travel.
Rabies Titration Test:
- It is a very important test and is done in a CDC-approved laboratory.
- The blood sample must be drawn at least 30 days after the rabies vaccination.
- The passing titer level required by the CDC is ≥0.5 IU/mL. The result must explicitly state the value.
- Dogs cannot enter the USA until at least 45 days after the blood sample was drawn (assuming a passing result). This 45-day waiting period can be completed in India.
- All other crucial information, like date of blood collection, date when the sample was received by the lab, date of results, details of the veterinarian who collected the sample, etc.
Health Certificate:
Contact a USDA-accredited veterinarian as soon as you decide to travel, which will provide you with a USDA-endorsed pet health certificate.
It will include all the details of the pet, vaccines, and declare whether the pet is fit to travel or not.
General Rule: The examination and certificate must be completed no more than 10 days prior to the date of arrival in the USA. Consult the Airlines because dates may vary.
Export Health Certificate / No Objection Certificate (NOC) from AQCS (Animal Quarantine and Certification Services, Government of India:
Book your appointment with an AQCS officer through email and visit their office, bringing all the important documents like:
- Health Certificate signed and stamped by Local Vet (EU Compliant)
- Microchip Certificate
- Vaccination card
- A passport copy of the owner
- Air ticket
- Blood titre test
- 02 4×6 inches Post Card size photo (Light facing) of Pet.
A government veterinarian will inspect your pet and approve the NOC, which will be your official health certificate.
CDC Dog Import Form Receipt (Online Form) :
This is mandatory for dogs and should be completed 2-10 days before traveling to the United States. It is valid for 6 months from the date of issue. You will receive a receipt via email that must accompany your dog. The form requires the dog’s photo, microchip number, and other details.
Please visit the CDC DOG IMPORT FORM INSTRUCTIONS for the same.
Reservation Confirmation for CDC-Registered Animal Care Facility:
Due to India’s high-risk status, dogs from India must have a reservation at a CDC-registered animal care facility at the port of entry in the USA. Your dog will undergo an examination, document verification, and receive a rabies booster vaccination.
Airline-Specific Documents:
Indemnity form: You need to fill out the form provided by your chosen airline.
Airway Bill: If your pet is traveling in cargo, then it is important to have your AWB, which will act as a receipt, and you will be able to track and collect your pet at the destination.
With this piece of information, you can easily plan your trip to the USA with your pet and enjoy a stress-free trip.
For more information, contact at: https://hobbsgo.com/contact/
Important links:
https://www.cdc.gov/importation/bringing-an-animal-into-the-us/index.html
https://in.usembassy.gov/u-s-citizen-services/a-z-index/pets-in-india/
https://www.aphis.usda.gov/pet-travel/another-country-to-us-import
https://aqcsindia.gov.in/Home/ExportPets
https://www.state.gov/transition-center/pets-and-international-travel
FAQs
How old should my pet be to travel from India to the USA?
Your pet should be at least 6 months old to travel to the USA
How can I book an appointment with AQCS for NOC?
You can book an appointment with AQCS through their email at aqcsnr-dadf@nic.in It is also advisable to call them to confirm the appointment process: Tel: +91-11-25063272 ( FOR NORTHERN REGION)
Can my dog/cat travel in the cabin when traveling from India to the USA?
Yes, your pet can travel in the cabin if its weight comes under the brackets prescribed by your chosen airline.
How long does it take to relocate a pet from India to the USA?
It takes minimum 2-3 months to relocate a pet from India to the USA.
