If you’re planning to travel internationally or move abroad with your pet, obtaining a USDA health certificate is one of the most important steps in the process. At Montgomery Veterinary Hospital, Dr. Melissa Grech-Attard is USDA-accredited and can issue the health certificates your pet needs to travel safely.
A USDA health certificate is an official document issued by a USDA-accredited veterinarian confirming that your pet has been examined and meets the health requirements for travel or export. The USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) requires that health certificates for international pet travel be completed by an accredited veterinarian and, in most cases, endorsed by USDA before your pet can board an international flight or cross into another country. Dr. Melissa Grech-Attard holds USDA accreditation, meaning she can examine your pet, complete the required documentation, and guide you through the endorsement process from our Montgomery, NY clinic.
A USDA health certificate is required any time you are traveling internationally with a pet or shipping an animal abroad. Most countries require that the certificate be issued by a USDA-accredited veterinarian and endorsed by USDA APHIS before your pet can enter. Some airlines also require a health certificate for domestic travel, even when the destination country does not. Our doctors will help you confirm exactly what your destination requires.
USDA recommends contacting an accredited veterinarian as soon as you decide to travel. Many destinations require specific vaccinations, lab tests, or treatments that must be completed within a defined timeframe before travel. Some certificates must also be issued within 10 days of departure. Starting early gives you the time to meet all requirements without delays.
Dr. Grech-Attard will perform a thorough physical examination of your pet and review their health and vaccination records. She will confirm that your pet meets all the entry requirements for your destination country — including any required vaccines, microchipping, or lab work — and complete the official health certificate documentation accurately and on time.
After Dr. Grech-Attard completes and signs the health certificate, it typically needs to be submitted to a USDA APHIS endorsement office for countersigning before your pet travels. This can often be done electronically through the USDA’s Veterinary Export Health Certification System (VEHCS), though some countries still require a physical ink-stamped original. We will walk you through which process applies to your destination.
The process begins with a consultation in which Dr. Grech-Attard reviews your pet’s records and confirms the requirements for your specific destination. Every country has its own rules, and those requirements can change — so we verify the current standards before your appointment to ensure nothing is missed. We will also create a timeline with you to ensure all vaccinations, tests, or treatments are completed in the correct sequence and within the required windows.
On the day of your appointment at our Montgomery, NY clinic, Dr. Grech-Attard will examine your pet, complete the health certificate, and guide you through next steps for USDA endorsement. Whether your destination accepts digital certification through VEHCS or requires a physical endorsed document, we will make sure you have exactly what you need before your travel date. Contact us as soon as your travel plans are confirmed — the earlier we start, the smoother the process.
Montgomery Veterinary Hospital provides USDA health certificate services for pet owners throughout Orange County and the Hudson Valley who are preparing for international travel or relocation. As a USDA-accredited veterinarian, Dr. Grech-Attard can issue the documentation your pet needs and coordinate with the USDA APHIS endorsement process on your behalf. The following services are available at our Montgomery, NY practice.
Yes. Dr. Melissa Grech-Attard holds a USDA accreditation, which means she is authorized to issue official health certificates for international pet travel and export. Not all veterinarians carry this accreditation, so having a USDA-accredited vet available locally in Montgomery, NY is an important resource for pet owners planning international travel.
Most airlines require a health certificate issued within 10 days of departure, and some destination countries have even shorter windows. However, some required vaccinations or lab tests may need to be completed weeks or months in advance. We recommend contacting us as soon as your travel plans are confirmed so we can build the right timeline for your pet’s specific destination.
We accept cash, check, and all major credit cards. We also offer Cherry and CareCredit financing to help make care accessible. We offer discounts for seniors, military, commuters, and multi-pet households.
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