Traveling with your bird?
Need a health certificate for your upcoming airline travel? Most airlines require a health certificate issued within 10 days of travel. Plan ahead so you are able to get in for an appointment when you need to!
We offer state-to-state and International health certificates as well as USDA banding, microchipping, disease testing and veterinary quarantine to meet international travel requirements.
We also offer assistance in completing the documentation needed for traveling with your feathered family member just about anywhere in the world.
If you are taking your bird outside of the United States, you'll want to obtain all necessary documents from the USDA and APHIS, and make your appointment as soon as you know the requirements for travel. Waiting until the last minute just adds stress!
Finding the information you need can be a challenge and conflicting information is common. To reduce your frustration, be sure to visit the USDA APHIS webste.
Visit this site to learn more:
Aphis - Pet Travel http://www.aphis.usda.gov/animal_welfare/pet_travel/pet_travel.shtml
Petfinder ranks the top 5 pet-friendliest airlines - click here
Aphis Travel Abroad:
Always check with the destination a month or more in advance of your trip. Each country has their own set of rules, some simple, some complex, and some require quarantine. Please Go to this page: http://www.aphis.usda.gov/regulations/vs/iregs/animals/. Also check with one of our State offices for more information and/or to have health certificates "officially" endorsed (some countries require government endorsement). You can find your state office here: http://www.aphis.usda.gov/animal_health/area_offices/
Tips from people that have learned the hard way:
*Get it in writing!!! Employees for the airlines, and governments, don't always say the same things, and this can put you in a real bind without documentation for back up. Get (and write down) the full name of the person you are talking with, the date and time that you spoke to them and what they said. This is not as good as actual documentation from the airline or agency, but it will help people take you more seriously if you come out at odds over an important detail.
* Leaving the United States with your bird may be easier than getting back in. Make sure that you meet all U.S. requirements BEFORE you travel (identification, documentation, etc). It's not easy trying to get these accomplished in a foreign country where you may not be fluent with the culture, customs or language.
*If at all possible, travel direct and travel with your bird in the cabin with you. Connecting flights put your bird at risk for sitting on the tarmac, or in drafty areas between flights. If you must place your bird in cargo and have connecting flights, ship "counter to counter", and be sure you know exactly what your responsibilities are as far as ensuring that your bird makes it to the next flight. Though direct flights may be ridiculously more expensive, many people feel it is worth the extra cost.
*Instead of trying to convert your bird to a water bottle, use water filled fruits pieces in a partially covered dish (apple slices, watermelon chunks, cut grapes, etc). You may need to chop these very small for some birds (size may matter when birds are choosing whether to eat something or not). Do not place large items that may shift around in the cage.
*The biggest advice? Think ahead! WAAAY ahead! Get as organized in advance as is possible, to the point where you feel so familiar and comfortable with your plan that you could do it in your sleep. Having this level of familiarity will help you tremendously.