
Flying from San Francisco to New York with your Pet
What documents do I need to fly my pet from San Francisco to New York?
Flying between San Francisco and New York with your dog is straightforward compared to international journeys. However, to ensure a smooth trip, we still strongly recommend beginning preparation at least 6–8 weeks before departure.
Step 1
Your dog
- •Be at least 8 weeks old on day of travel.
- •Appear healthy.
Step 2
Documents and vaccinations
All dogs will require the following documents and vaccinations. Don't worry, we will track these in our portal.
- •A Certificate of Veterinary Inspection (CVI) or Health Certificate, issued 30 days or less prior to entry, signed by a USDA accredited veterinary.
- –New York accepts the VS 7001 form, but they prefer and strongly encourage the use of electronic CVIs.
- –A CVI or Health Certificate is not required if:
- ◦The animal is staying in New York for less than 30 days.
- ◦The animal is entering for exhibition.
- ◦The dog is a New York resident with proof of current dog license, rabies vaccination, and is returning from out-of-state travel within one year.
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- •A current Rabies vaccination for animals 3 months of age and older.
- –1-year or 3-year vaccines accepted.
- –The rabies vaccine product name and date of vaccination must be recorded on the CVI or Health Certificate.
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- •Fit-to-fly sign off: we require your vet to explicitly state the animal is "fit to fly", issued within 10 days of your flight.
Step 3
Further Guidance
- •Be sure to check if your dog has been out of the US in the last 6 months, if they have, you may need to complete a CDC dog import form.
- •To find a USDA accredited vet, use the APHIS search tool here.
- •Your CVI form must state the dog is free from infectious diseases, must be written in English, and list the destination address in New York.
- •Alongside the CVI, make sure you carry your originally signed rabies certificate.
- •While not legally required by New York state for entry, most airlines and veterinarians strongly recommend Distemper, Hepatitis, Leptospirosis, Parainfluenza, and Parvovirus (DHLPP) and Bordetella.
- •Ensure your dog is wearing a collar with an ID tag containing your current contact information.
- •While microchips are not legally required for domestic flights, they are strongly recommended.
- •If you plan to stay in New York for more than 30 days, ensure your dog is licensed, as the NYC Department of Health requires all dogs over 6 months to be registered locally.
Need further assistance? Speak to a member of our team.
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