Flying without Health Certificate??

[Samurai]

hi,
i am already worried about flying back to the USA next year with Samurai our puppy. We are comming from Japan and i have never had a dog so small that i could carry on. ( only a cocker spaniel that went under the plane ) since it is such a long flight( 14 hours) how did you handle them barking and wanting out? As you can see i am already concerned about this.
Thanks form
Carol and Samurai

[yorkiesmiles]

I did not fly for that long, but if you read some other threads, you will see others have. Someone just flew from Germany a th or so ago - she might be a good resource.

I know some have said they have taken their pups into the bathroom and used a pee pad. Is your baby used to a pee pad?

Also, if you have a nice flight attendent you might be able to have your baby out. Just make sure you don't go to sleep then, you don't want your pup to get away. I brought a small blanket for the dogs & I made sure to grab an airplane blanket, that i could have the dogs under.

Mine never barked - except Bubba did a bit on take off & landing during one leg, but he sometimes has ear problems & I think the pressure hurt his ears, because he stopped barking shortly after we got into the air.

You might want to start a separate thread, asking about those who have flown overseas & ask for their experiences

[celstu1]

I flew northwest, I did not get one and noone stopped and asked me anything. I hear they COULD have officials at the airport that COULD take your dogs into quarantine, but I dunno how true that is. I flew to and from small airports, maybe larger ones would have that, although I did lay over in O'Hare and nothing happened there either.

[scrapindee]

Why take the risk? You could have your dog quarantined; you could miss your flight; you might not be allowed to take your dog on plane. Easier to get the health certificate IMHO.

[seainthecity]

Thanks for the state link on the first page. We're flying from Orlando to Upstate New York so I looked up the NY requirements. Anyone want to hazard a guess as to visiting dogs? Are they just passing through...even if it is for 5 days? I'm getting a health certificate anyway as he's getting neutered next week so my vet will be examining him anyway. Does anyone know how to get a copy of the form so I can have it filled out and he can just sign it?

Dogs or cats exempt from the health certificate requirement:


Dogs or cats passing through the State of New York to points beyond, dogs or cats which are brought into the State of New York for temporary residence for purposes of exhibition, and dogs or cats which enter the State of New York for delivery to research institutions, dealers or other persons registered or licensed and regulated by the United States Department of Agriculture pursuant to the provisions of this Part, provided that such dogs or cats are at all times properly restrained and under the immediate control of the owner or custodian; that such dogs or cats are accompanied with proof of proper immunization against rabies; and that those dogs or cats entering the State of New York pursuant to U.S. Public Law 89-544, as amended, remain subject to its provisions.

[yorkiesmiles]

Your vet will have the health certificate - you don't need to take anything to them. It's nothing fancy, and chances are no one will ask you for it

[lovelylf1]

I bought a health certificate the first time I flew with Scooter but havent bothered since. I always have his shot records with me that have the vets stamp on them. For as many times as I have flown with him, I have never been asked for the health certificate and only been asked to show the shot records a few times. Since I have the shot records, they never question beyond that and the shot records are free from the vet. I have only flown him on American within the US so it may be different with other carriers or international flights.

Good luck.

[bettyeanne]

Originally Posted by scrapindee

Why take the risk? You could have your dog quarantined; you could miss your flight; you might not be allowed to take your dog on plane. Easier to get the health certificate IMHO.

I was beginning to think that it wasn't necessary since they never asked ... then, boom! They asked and I had one for Toto ... I was so thankful ... don't know what I would've done if I hadn't gotten one. Since that first time that they asked, I have been asked almost every single time I fly with her!! I will never fail to get one ... better safe than sorry!!

[ladyj]

Originally Posted by yorkiesmiles

I know many of you say you have never been asked to show a health certificate when flying with a pet inside the cabin. But does anyone go without one even when the airlines say that don't require it??

I'm flying Northwest and they say they don't require one, but state's might. So who exactly might check for one?? I don't understand, if it's not the airline, are there other officials who might ask for such papers?? I'm confused.

A gal at my vets said you need one just to cross state lines in a car - but she also told me something else that I know for a fact is not true, so I don't know what to believe.

Do any of you not even bother with this?

I always get a health certificate. It only takes a few minutes at the vet's. They have the form. Just put it in your purse and go! It isn't worth getting kicked off your flight.

[RONLYNN]

If the airline doesn't require it....like I know US Airways doe not, I only bring a copy of Teddi's shot records. I only get the health certificat if the airline specifically requires it.

[Wylie's Mom]

I've flown several times w/ my guys - via NW - and we never get certificates.

[KarenFarrell]

I fly with my Yorkie every month. I use to get the health Cert each time but got tired of $$. We fly Delta and Have never been asked. We at times also fly with the dog AND the cat. I havent gotten the health Cert in over a year and have never been asked. I actually am a non-believer in all the shots so I couldnt get a current one now anyways. Next month I am flying in Seattle with the dog. Larger airport then I am normally in so it will be interesting if they ask for one there. If so, I guess Im on the next flight and am finding a vet.

[RONLYNN]

Well we just got back from the KC Meetup and we flew Midwest Airlines and they definitely asked for the Health Certificate and filled out a little tag with information and attached it to Teddi's carrier so I was glad I had it. The last airline I flew they didn't require it. I would DEFINITELY get one if the airline requires it.