Skip to main content

Traveling with a cat abroad to Japan, Mexico or the U.S.A.

Sputnik in her new pet porter

Last month, I had to buy a new pet porter for two reasons: the handle on the old one was broken, and the old pet porter was bigger than the allowed carry-on size for United Airlines. It took two weeks for Sputnik to adopt the new one over the old one, but she is finally going into the new one throughout the day to hang out in there. Hurray!

We visited the Vet last Monday, and she took her first trip in the new pet porter. She has two more Vet visits in preparation for the Overseas move. My poor baby.

In case, someone might be looking for this information, I am posting all the links I found for traveling with your pet to Japan, Mexico or the U.S.A. with a Cat. **right click on your mouse to open in a new window.


Japan

Japanese Animal Quarantine Service (AQS) is the official bureau which oversees the import/export of pets into Japan. They require advance notice of arrival to the airport with a pet:
"When trying to import dogs or cats, you must submit advance notification of the planned date of arrival, number of animals and other items to the Animal Quarantine Service which has jurisdiction over your intended port of arrival at least 40 days prior to arrival in Japan."
Japan is pretty strict in the prevention of Rabies. The country of origin determines how AQS will handle the entry of your pet into Japan. Japan breaks up the countries of origin into two Regions: "Designated regions" and "OTHER THAN designated regions." The U.S.A. fits into the latter one, so the microchip and rabies vaccination will determine the length of Quarantine.

It is important to meet all the requirements and make sure you have the appropriate paperwork in order to avoid a longer Quarantine.
"If there are any omissions in the certification or individual identification, the animal may be subject to a long import quarantine up to 180 days."
As changes might occur to what was written above, view the English AQS website to get the current requirements for your pet and country.

Mexico

I believe that Senasica is the Government Bureau that oversees pet importation/exportation.

According to their English Website, if your your dog or cat is older than 3 months, your pet needs:
" a Health Certificate* and Vaccination Card, specifying the application of rabies vaccine with a validity no longer than 1 year. These documents must be presented in original and copy."

The health certificate must have been issued for your pet within five days prior to arrival in Mexico. Check the English Senasica website for details on what information is needed on the health certificate.

As changes might occur to what was written above, visit Senasica to get the current requirements for your pet and country.

To view the information in Spanish, visit the Spanish Senasica Website.

U.S.A.

In addition to the Federal Government requirements, each State has it's own vaccination regulations for pets, so you'll need to check with the State where you plan to arrive. Of special note is Hawaii and Guam have Quarantine periods, and Owners of dogs imported from countries or regions affected with Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD) have special precautions to follow.

Both CDC and the USDA have regulations when traveling with your cat or dog to the U.S.A. However, according to customs.gov, CDC regulates cats and dogs. There are too many variables to consider, so I am not posting any summaries here. It is best to visit each site and decide how you want to handle the situation. Visit the CDC website and USDA website for up-to-date information on their requirements.

For myself, since I will be staying in California, I am having my cat vaccinated according to what is recommend by the California SPCA prior to departure from Japan.   I will also obtain a health certificate from the Vet two days prior to departure from Japan.


CDC - Taking Animals across International Borders

U.S. Customs.gov

Good Resource of links at USDA.gov

Port Veterinarian List.

Pet Requirement FAQ for California.

USDA-APHIS information for traveling with your pet.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention- CDC

Comments

Anya said…
Kareltje goes only to the vet or cat hotel
(when we are on vacation ;)
He had never make a trip to on other country!!
Its a very sweet picture from Sputnik ,
he looks totally relaxed :))))
GalleryJuana said…
Hi Anya,
Your cat is lucky to not have to travel so far.

This will be Sputnik's fourth trip overseas. I am sure she is thinking "Would you stay put in one country!"
Anonymous said…
Good to know! Cute kitty : )
readingsully2 said…
Awhhh, Sputnik looks totally content. Great info too.
Poetic Artist said…
How I love Sputnik..
You are moving? Again
Chris Stone said…
Sputnik is such a cutie.
This will be Sputnik's fourth trip overseas. I am sure she is thinking "Would you stay put in one country!"

Popular posts from this blog

bird watching and staying home for the summer

Usually summer means several bicycle-camping trips, but with COVID19 still around, we are staying home. In the meantime, I have been pretty productive with my 100 Self Portraits project. Watching the birds that come to the bird feeders has been my daily dose of joy. fledgling House Finch  Chestnut- backed Chickadee Dark-Eyed Oregon Junco Usually summer means several bicycle-camping trips, but with COVID19 still around, we are staying home. In the meantime, I have been pretty productive with my 100 Self Portraits project. Watching the birds that come to the bird feeders has been my daily dose of joy. View my art blog here: https://www.juanaalmaguer.com I have my art works available here: https://www.etsy.com/shop/galleryjuana

Blue-eyed Siamese Cat flies to Japan

Today was filled with my art and time with Sputnik. She was bathing herself which gave me the chance to catch a photo of her. I actually adopted Sputnik as a kitten in 1998 when I was living in Mexico. She made the long trip with me to Japan on July 25, 2004. It took me about 6 months to plan the logistics of bringing her from Mexico to Japan. Since I had to fly via the U.S. on Mexicana Airlines and Korean Airlines, that meant 4 countries and two airlines would need to approve her transport. There were many details to keep track of for each country and airline. After 6 months of stressful planning, 16 hours of two airline flights and layovers, She made it to Japan safely! Korean Air allowed her to fly with me as my carry-on luggage, which was a relief for me. No worrying about whether she was scared or left at the Los Angeles airport! I didn't give her any tranquilizer to sedate her. Yet, she was quiet the entire flight and went unnoticed by other passengers. I h

Cat Drawing, Sunday Sketches

Sputnik, February 05, 2011, pencil on paper While Sputnik was getting ready to curl up on her bed, I drew this quick sketch of her. To view more sketches, hop over to Sophia's blog .