How far in advance should I book a health certificate appointment?

Contact us as soon as you know you are travelling, even without firm dates. Some destinations require blood testing months ahead, while others require the certificate inside a narrow window close to departure. The timing is set by the destination, not by us.

Who is responsible for checking the destination country's rules?

You are. Requirements are set by the country you are entering and they change. Please verify them yourself and bring every printed form the destination and the airline require. If information is missing or incorrect, a second visit may be required.

Pet Travel Services for Dogs and Cats in Victoria

Pet travel comes down to paperwork, timing and one uncomfortable fact: the rules belong to the country you are entering, not to us and not to your airline. We issue international health certificates for dogs and cats travelling from Victoria.

What we cannot do is set the requirements, waive them or guess at them on your behalf, so start reading your destination’s rules well before you book.

Travel Paperwork

International Health Certificates in Victoria

The certificate records your pet’s identification, including the microchip number, along with vaccination history and examination findings, in the format the destination requires. Our veterinarians complete and sign it, and many countries then require a further government endorsement step.

Most destinations set strict windows: a certain number of days before departure, a rabies vaccination given at least a set interval beforehand, and sometimes blood testing months in advance. Miss a window and the document is not valid, however correct everything else is.

Before You Fly

Preparing for Your Appointment

Start early

Contact us as soon as you know you are moving or travelling, even before you have dates. Because some windows open months ahead and others close days before departure, booking too early can be as much of a problem as booking too late.

If your timeline is tight, say so. We would rather tell you honestly that a date is not achievable than take a booking that cannot produce a valid document.

Your responsibilities

Fees apply for this service. You are responsible for verifying your destination’s current requirements, and we can only complete the forms you bring. If information is missing or incorrect, a second visit may be needed, and it may not be available before you fly.

What to bring

Every printed form from the destination country and the airline
Full vaccination records, including rabies dates and product details
Your pet's microchip number (tell us when booking if there is no chip or it cannot be read)
Any previous health certificates
Your travel dates and, if moving, your new address
Any written instructions from your airline

Ready to book your pet's visit?

Our AAHA-accredited team is here to provide the right care, at the right time, for every stage of your pet’s life.

FAQ

Are the requirements I printed last year still valid?

Not necessarily. Rules change without much notice, so please check the current version yourself close to the appointment rather than rely on an older printout.

Do you issue certificates for domestic travel within Canada?

Please call and ask on (778) 265-4500. International health certificates are the confirmed service on this page. Tell reception where you are travelling and what your airline has asked for, and our team will tell you what we can do.