Step-by-step guide to bringing your pet to Los Angeles

Internal pet transport is a complex process for various reasons ranging from stringent import regulations to airline requirements to pet health, quarantine restrictions, and more. Relocating a pet overseas can be a challenging process because of the complexities of the procedure and the numerous import requirements. Relocating a pet to the United States involves following the CDC’s recommendations for a successful relocation.

If you plan to move to Los Angeles with your pet, here’s a step-by-step guide to help you navigate the process:

Eligibility

Pets from countries with a high risk of rabies can enter the United States only if they meet specific eligibility criteria. The high-risk countries are:

All countries not mentioned in the above list are not considered high-risk and can travel to Los Angeles without a rabies vaccination. Pets entering the United States from high-risk countries must be at least six months old to travel. 

Pet travel from Australia to Los Angeles

Australia is free from rabies and, therefore, is not considered a high-risk country by the United States. Though moving pet dogs from Australia to the USA do not need a rabies vaccination and microchip record, it is highly recommended. The state of California requires all dogs over four months old to be vaccinated against rabies before entering the state. 

If your dog is not vaccinated against rabies, you must provide proof that your dog has lived in a rabies-free country for six months before travelling or since birth. Pet dogs travelling from Australia to Los Angeles do not require an import permit or a health certificate.

Pet cats travelling to Los Angeles from Australia do not need a rabies vaccination or import permit. Pet cats will be examined by an official vet after landing in Los Angeles and will be allowed to enter only if they are healthy and free from infectious diseases. 

It is mandatory for all pets in California to have a valid rabies vaccination. Therefore, it is advisable to vaccinate your pet before travelling to Los Angeles. 

Pets travelling to Los Angeles from high-risk countries

The procedure for bringing pets from high-risk countries is different and lengthier. Pet dogs have to fulfil the following requirements to travel to Los Angeles.

• Be healthy – After your pet lands in Los Angeles, they will be examined by the official vet to check if they are healthy or have any signs of illness. Only dogs that appear healthy on arrival are allowed to enter the city.
• Be six months old at least – Pet dogs travelling to Los Angeles must be six months or older to be allowed into the country.
• Rabies vaccination record – Pets flying from a high-risk country need a valid CDC Rabies Vaccination and Microchip record. Your vet must scan the microchip before administering the vaccine. The rabies vaccine must be administered after your pet dog is 12 weeks old or at least 28 days before they are scheduled to arrive in the United States. If your dog has received the booster dose while the primary dose was still valid, they don’t have to wait 28 days before travelling.
• Microchip – Pet dogs need an ISO-compatible 15-digit microchip before travelling to Los Angeles.

In addition to the requirements mentioned above, pet dogs have three options for their documentation as presented below:

Option A

This option is suited for pet dogs that have been vaccinated against rabies in the United States. Your vet is required to fill out the CDC Rabies Vaccination and Microchip record with the details of the rabies vaccination. If your vet does not use the CDC Record, your pet will need a rabies vaccination certificate that has the following information:

• Name and contact details of the pet owner
• Dog breed, approximate age, sex, date of birth, colour and markings
• Microchip number
• Rabies vaccination details – product name, manufacturer, lot number and product expiry date
• Date of vaccination and date of expiry of vaccine
• Name, address, licence number, seal, contact details, date and signature of the vet who administered the vaccine
• Pets must arrive only at one of the 18 ports that have a CDC health station: Anchorage (ANC), Atlanta (ATL), Boston (BOS), Chicago O’Hare (ORD), Dallas (DFW), Detroit (DTW), Honolulu (HNL), Houston (IAH), Los Angeles (LAX), Miami (MIA), Minneapolis (MSP), New York (JFK), Newark (EWR), Philadelphia (PHL), San Francisco (SFO), San Juan (SJU), Seattle (SEA), Washington DC Dulles (IAD).

Option B

If your pet dog has been vaccinated against rabies in a foreign country, you can follow this option to travel to Los Angeles. Your dog will need a valid CDC Dog import permit before travelling to Los Angeles. CDC Dog import permits are issued to import one or two dogs per applicant. CDC can take up to 40 business days or eight weeks to issue the permit, so plan your dog’s travel accordingly. The process will take longer if you do not include all the necessary information.

To apply for the import permit, you need to fulfil the following requirements:

• Have a valid rabies vaccination and microchip record. If your dog is older than 15 months and has received the rabies booster dose, the CDC rabies vaccination record must show details of the current rabies vaccination and at least one previous rabies vaccination given when the dog was 12 months or older.
• Have a valid rabies neutralising antibody titre test result from an approved lab. Sample for the titre test must be drawn at least 30 days after your dog’s primary vaccination.
• Two clear photographs of your dog’s teeth taken within ten days of submitting the application. You will need the front and side views of the upper and lower teeth.
• One clear photo of the pet parent’s passport.
• Pets must arrive only at one of the 18 ports that have a CDC health station: Anchorage (ANC), Atlanta (ATL), Boston (BOS), Chicago O’Hare (ORD), Dallas (DFW), Detroit (DTW), Honolulu (HNL), Houston (IAH), Los Angeles (LAX), Miami (MIA), Minneapolis (MSP), New York (JFK), Newark (EWR), Philadelphia (PHL), San Francisco (SFO), San Juan (SJU), Seattle (SEA), Washington DC Dulles (IAD).

Once your dog enters the country, you must confine your dog to the address listed on the permit. Your dog cannot change ownership or be placed in any other location during the confinement. The confinement period is for ten days, and you must revaccinate your dog against rabies within ten days of arrival, after which the confinement can end.

Option C

This option is for dogs that do not have a US-issued rabies vaccine certificate or a CDC import permit. Pet parents travelling with more than two dogs into the United States must follow these guidelines to bring their pets into the country.

Your pet dog must have a valid CDC rabies vaccination and microchip record. The rabies vaccination must be administered on or after the pet is 12 weeks old and at least 28 days before arrival. Booster vaccines can be administered after the pet is 15 months old.

Contact a CDC-approved animal care facility and make a reservation for your pet’s stay. Contact the facility in advance and make an appointment for the vet examination and revaccination for rabies. If your pet does not have a valid RNATT report, you will have to make a reservation for a 28-day quarantine after the revaccination.

CDC Animal Facility in Los Angeles

Your pet must arrive directly at the airport where the CDC animal care facility is located. After arrival, officials at the facility will determine if your pet’s vaccination and RNATT report is valid.

• If your dog has an invalid rabies and microchip record, they will be denied entry into the country.
• If the rabies and microchip record is valid, the facility will examine whether the RNATT report is valid.
• If the titre test is valid, your dog will be examined and revaccinated at the facility at the pet importer’s expense.
• If the titre test is invalid or your pet does not have a titre test report, your dog must quarantine at the centre for 28 days after revaccination at the pet importer’s expense.

Pet cats travelling to Los Angeles do not need a rabies vaccination or import permit. Pet cats will be examined by an official vet after landing in Los Angeles and will be allowed to enter only if they are healthy and free from infectious diseases. 

Best pet travel specialists in Australia

International pet transportation is not always straightforward; the process is long and confusing, and the rules sometimes change without much notice. It is hard to keep track of the rule changes and fulfil every import requirement accurately without expert assistance.

An experienced pet travel agency can help you navigate the process efficiently and ensure your pet has a successful and comfortable relocation. Petraveller is Australia’s most caring and comprehensive international pet transport specialist. At Petraveller, we offer pets a safe and comfortable travel experience and pet parents a stress-free and straightforward relocation experience. An end-to-end service, we support our clients through every step of the journey, from creating the best itinerary to documentation and vet visits to doorstep pick-up.

Petraveller’s travel quotations are transparent and comprehensive. We believe in providing clear pricing with no concealed charges or unexpected fees upon arrival. If you plan to travel to Los Angeles with your pet dog or cat, reach out to Petraveller for more information on international relocation and a free pet travel quote.