Relocating to the US with a Pet? Here’s All You Should Know
Everyone knows how special pets are – they’re essentially family. That’s why, if you have a pet and are considering relocating to the US, you’ll likely want to learn what to expect for your furry friend.
Understandably, immigrating with a pet (or several) in tow can be complicated. Laws and regulations around disease control mean that the movement of pets internationally is strictly monitored. In the US, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) are to a large extent responsible for this regulation.
Here, we’ll explain the most important facts to keep in mind as you plan your immigration and the steps you should take for seamless entry into the US.
Entering into the US – Pet immigration requirements
The US has some general rules about pet immigration, which the CDC and the USDA enforce. In addition, states and cities within the US may also require pet parents to abide by local pet ownership and entry regulations. Here are general requirements you must likely fulfill.
Health certificate
The CDC explains that it does not generally require health certificates for entry of pets into the US. However, the agency also clarifies that airlines and individual US states may insist on this requirement. As a result, it’s a good idea to prepare a health certificate for your pet.
The health certificate is a document that certifies your pet as healthy and fit to fly. Your vet should prepare and sign the certificate about ten days before you are set to travel. The certificate will include the breed, weight, and age of your pet, as well as the date of its most recent examination. Your pet should also appear healthy.
Vaccination
You should ideally vaccinate your pet against common pet infections, especially rabies. Additionally, if your pet is a dog, you should obtain vaccinations against distemper, parainfluenza, hepatitis, parvovirus (DHLPP), leptospirosis, and bordetella. If your pet is a cat, get vaccinations against panleukopenia (FVRCP), calicivirus, and feline viral rhinotracheitis.
We also recommend that your pet should have a microchip before entry into the US. Although this is not a general requirement, certain states might request this. It’s also a good idea since it lets you keep track of your pet. AVID and ISO microchips are common types that are accepted in the US.
High-risk countries
If you are traveling with a dog, you should be aware of recent changes in CDC policy for the entry of dogs to the US. The CDC has imposed a temporary suspension on the immigration of dogs from high-risk countries. Countries within this category include South Africa, Brazil, China (excluding Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan), and other listed countries.
The purpose of the suspension is to prevent the importation of dog rabies into the US. Previously, a pet owner traveling from a high-risk country could apply for a CDC Dog Import Permit. However, these permits will now only be issued on “an extremely limited basis”.
The restriction applies if you are traveling directly from a high-risk country and if your pet has been in a high-risk country within six months prior. If these restrictions do not apply to your dog, you must make a verbal or written statement that your dog has not lived in a high-risk country or has not been in such a country within the last six months.
Traveling with a pet other than a dog or cat?
Things might be a little more complicated for pet owners with a pet other than a dog or cat. According to the CDC, the agency only regulates dogs, cats, turtles, snakes, lizards, monkeys, civets, Bats, and African Rodents. It does not regulate fish, small mammals, horses, and non-African rodents.
It would be best to speak with your airline and any contact you have within the US state you are traveling to about regulations for other pets. It’s still a good idea to do so even with a cat or dog.
Transportation within the US
After entry into the US, your next concern will be how to reach your final destination. If your flight into the US has taken you directly to your destination state, this section may not concern you. But if you still have some way to travel, maybe by flight, then this is for you.
Traveling within the US brings additional complexities to immigrating with a pet. States will likely have other requirements that pet owners must fulfill at each port of entry. Likewise, local airlines have various regulations for pet travel, and these might apply to everything from the nature of your pet to its breed, weight, or size. For instance, “snub-nosed” pets like pugs may have restrictions on flying within the US.
If complying with these regulations feels like too much of a hassle, traveling by road may be your best option.
Renting with a pet in the US
While passing immigration is rightly top of mind, you should spare some thought for your living arrangements. In the US, and pretty much anywhere else, landlords tend to look doubtfully at renters with pets. Although a lot of this bias can be overblown, some of it is down to genuine reasons. For example, some people allow their pets to be destructive or constitute a nuisance to neighbors.
To ensure that you’re going to a place where you can keep your pet, consider the following points.
No-pet lease?
Landlords who don’t want tenants with pets typically insert a “no-pet clause” in their renter’s lease. This clause implies that you cannot live with a pet in the apartment. Any tenant who breaks the condition may be subject to one or more penalties under the lease ranging from a fine to termination of the lease.
To avoid issues, be upfront with the landlord about the fact that you own a pet. Then, thoroughly read through the lease to ensure no anti-pet clauses were inserted, even if the landlord seems okay with your pet.
Pet restrictions may apply
Despite the general antipathy of landlords to pets, there are many more who will allow you to rent with your pet. However, there are almost always restrictions that will apply during your tenancy. Examples of these restrictions include:
Pet damage deposit (usually refundable if no damage occurs)
Monthly pet rent (for waste disposal etc.)
Limitation to number of pets allowed (usually a maximum of 3 pets)
Health requirements
Most pet-friendly US cities
That said, you’ll do even better for your furry friend by choosing to live in a pet-friendly US city. And there are tens of these. RentCafe.com put together a list of the top 50 friendliest cities for pets in the US. The top ten includes:
Florissant, Missouri (MO)
Atlanta, Georgia (GA)
Birmingham, Alabama (AL)
Kansas City, Missouri (MO)
Denver, Colorado (CO)
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (PA)
St. Louis, Missouri (MO)
Madison, Wisconsin (WI)
Cincinnati, Ohio (OH)
Chicago, Illinois (IL)
Final thoughts
Immigrating to the US is a big deal all by itself, even without considerations of your pet’s fitness to enter the US. There are many things to think about, and you likely need all the help you can get.
At Expat US, it’s our job to help make your relocation as painless and enjoyable as possible, no matter the nature, breed, or size of your pet. If you’d like to learn how we can help, shoot us a message today, and we’ll be in touch.