International Pet Transport to San Francisco

Pet dogs and cats can fly to San Francisco from Australia on Emirates and Qatar Airways with a comfort stop at Dubai or Doha, depending on the airline. The flight duration is approximately 15 hours.

International Pet Travel Requirements for Cats and Dogs

• Airline-approved pet travel crate
• Annual vaccination
• Customs clearance
• Australian Government accredited veterinary consultation
• Australian Government export permit
• Australian Government health certificate
• Microchip

International Pet Relocation Arrival

Pets arriving in San Francisco will be deplaned on priority. These pets will then proceed to the customs department for clearance and veterinary examination. After the customs clearance and veterinary examination, pet parents can collect their pets from the collection centre. Petraveller will help you with a detailed collection guide with information such as location, contact details, work hours, etc., to simplify the collection process. 

Frequently asked questions

Does my pet need a rabies vaccination to travel to the United States?

Dogs travelling from Australia and those that have not been in a high-risk country in the past six months are not required to present a rabies vaccination certificate. 

Though the CDC doesn’t require proof of rabies vaccination to enter the United States, the CDC recommends that all dogs be vaccinated against rabies as a precaution. Most US cities require pets to be vaccinated against rabies.

Will my pet be quarantined after arriving in the United States?

Pets travelling to the US will not be quarantined if they meet all import conditions and show no signs of illness when they enter the country.  Read more

Local Pet Requirements

All dogs over four months old must be licensed in San Francisco. The dog license is valid for as long as the rabies vaccine is valid. You can apply for a dog license valid from one to three years, depending on the rabies vaccination. You must register your dog within 30 days of moving to San Francisco. To apply for the registration, you must fill out a dog license application form and submit it with a copy of your dog’s vaccination certificate. The license fee is discounted for neutered or spayed dogs.

Pets are allowed on the Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) and the San Francisco Municipal Railway (MUNI) during non-peak hours. All dogs on the BART must be in a dog crate. Dogs riding the MUNI must be on a lead and muzzled or in a carrier.

Living in San Francisco: A Canine Perspective

San Francisco is so much fun to explore with a dog. The city is extremely pet-friendly, and dogs are welcome in many establishments all across the city. San Francisco has many gardens and parks with dedicated dog areas to exercise and socialise your pet. 

Head to the Golden Gate Park for a day of canine excitement! The park has four designated off-lead dog areas where your pup can roam to their heart’s content. If you want to spend the day with amazing views of the Golden Gate, look no further than Marina Green Park. 

Did you know?

The Golden Gate Bridge is an engineering marvel and an iconic symbol of San Francisco. Completed in 1937, the bridge connects San Francisco and Marin County. Its distinctive orange colour is called International Orange. The architects chose it because the colour blended well with the nearby hills and contrasted with the ocean and the sky.

About San Francisco

San Francisco is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the United States of America. Known for its quirky winding roads, steep hills, cable cars and the iconic Golden Gate Bridge, San Francisco is a multicultural city with diverse neighbourhoods like Chinatown, Little Italy, etc. 

San Francisco is a major technology hub, home of the famous Silicon Valley in the United States. Many successful Fortune 500 companies are headquartered in the city.