Beccarose

So there is no issue with flying your pets during this time due to heat restrictions?
That's one of my concerns and have been wondering if I am just going to have to fly them in early fall instead- so I am curious what they've said to you about this?

A lot of vets are actually USDA approved, ask your vet if they are and if not if they can recommend someone to you.

Celticspirit

Sadly it's all about business. Last time I called USDA IN Austin....they told mr to find a vet through my own vet. OK...so he was 75+ years old. Before the new rules. Rabies and then bloodwork....such an ass.....shaved their little chests to find a vein. Now this time just had to go back to same vet for my youngest. Had my regular vet of 25 years insert the microchip and so the rabies was not a problem.....Jazz didn't feel a thing :-). My daughter just got married in NYC three weeks ago in a most amazing weekend. My babies.....so much more stressful xxx

MoshiMoshi

I don't think there's a heat restriction issue flying into the UK, since temperatures never get that extreme. Restrictions are more likely to be an issue relating on where you're flying from and/or transiting through.

Just to be clear, the final USDA endorsement on your paperwork has to be done by the USDA state veterinarian -- not just a USDA-approved vet. You can Google USDA state veterinarian + your state to get the details (I'd link but it doesn't seem to be working for me).

The USDA state veterinarian doesn't need to see your pet or anything. They just check the paperwork and, if it's all in order, sign it off and apply a raised seal-type-thingy to the form. Costs something like $30.

It's just a pain if you don't happen to live near the state office, as you'll have to Fedex the paperwork or find some other workaround to get it done within the 10 day window.

(Vets who've had experience preparing animals for international travel will often fax your paperwork to the state veterinarian before you go there in person, just to check it's looking okay.)

(Also... I don't know what it's like in other states, but at the California USDA office in South LA you need to get there early or you'll be waiting a while! It only takes about 20 minutes per customer, but there's often a queue. Think DMV for pets!)

Beccarose

So does the final endorsement have to be done in person or can it be mailed?

Bluegrass Lass

Personally, I'd do it in person..no chance of the paperwork getting lost in the mail.

I think this is the link to the APHIS vets by state (they do the final sign off of the certificate):

http://www.usaha.org/Portals/6/State...hOfficials.pdf

windsong

Thanks to everyone who is posting all this wonderful information!!

I am feeling more and more comfortable with the approval process now.

Microchips
Vaccinations (rabies)
Tapeworm testing
Paperwork by vet
USDA approval of paperwork
Off we go!

One quick question - I believe the tapeworm testing has to be done within the last three days prior to departure. Is the paperwork completed BEFORE that? If not, it has to be a really busy time trying to get all the paperwork completed and approved by the USDA in the last three days.

PS - Not sure if it is tapeworm "testing" or merely a treatment for tapeworm that does not require follow-up.

larrabee

https://www.gov.uk/take-pet-abroad/t...treatment-dogs

You need to plan this like a military operation! Time is really short at that stage in the game and there really is a lot to be done. You should also allow for weekends and holidays (offices may be closed) when you make your flight plans.
Your vet should complete the paperwork at this last visit, then it needs to be taken to the USDA vet for certification.

larrabee

I'm not sure how up to date that list you linked to is, for example the office that I used in Los Angeles is not listed.

This is the link from the APHIS site.

http://www.aphis.usda.gov/import_exp...ads/vsavic.pdf


http://www.aphis.usda.gov/regulations/vs/iregs/animals/

I agree that it is much, much safer to go in person to the USDA office. You just need to budget your time accordingly.

Bluegrass Lass

Thanks for providing a new link. I was trying to find it on the APHIS website, but didn't have much luck.

Bluegrass Lass

As far as I'm aware, you do not need to get the state USDA vet to sign off on the certificate after the tapeworm treatment. The tapeworm treatment is merely a treatment they want your dog to have before arriving. When we moved in 2011, cats also had to get a tapeworm treatment right in the 24hr window before the flight. At that point the state USDA vet had already signed and stamped our certificate, and it was simply a matter of going to our normal vet (USDA certified) for the dewormer..she signed it saying she had administered it and that was it. However, I will say it's possible rules could have changed since then.

It might be worth giving DEFRA a call to ask these sorts of details. They are pretty good at answering questions.

ElizabethK

I rang DEFRA last week and the lady who I spoke with was very helpful. She certainly put my mind at rest when I bombarded her with questions

larrabee

Not so, the tapeworm treatment is mandatory for dogs and there is a section devoted to it on the third country vet certificate-AnnexII

https://www.gov.uk/government/upload...en00650076.pdf

https://www.gov.uk/take-pet-abroad/t...treatment-dogs

The USDA vet will not be able to certify the paperwork unless the tapeworm treatment has been administered.

larrabee

https://www.gov.uk/take-pet-abroad/t...treatment-dogs

dunroving

Must say that my recollection (2006, admittedly) was that the tick and tapeworm treatment was done AFTER the USDA vet had certified the rest of the third country cert. I mean the T & T has to be done within 12-36 hrs of flying (or something like that), which would make it impossible to then send it to the USDA vet and get it back in time to fly ... surely?

Just reading through that form again makes me shudder. Why can't they use plain, simple, logical English?

larrabee

Haha, that would be too easy!

There is even an official cheat sheet, to be found on the APHIS/USDA website!

http://www.aphis.usda.gov/regulation...n_no_le_fi.pdf