How to Get an Acclimation Certificate

Some pets handle extremes of temperatures better than others. It all depends on what kind of pet it is and what your pet is accustomed to.

When traveling to a foreign country with your pet, most governments want to know just how low of a temperature your pet can be comfortably exposed to and tolerate easily.

If traveling to a foreign country during the winter months, you'll almost certainly be required to get an acclimation certificate for your pet. This certificate indicates to customs officials that your pet is prepared for the trip ahead and can endure the travel climate.

Step 1

Ten days or less before you leave on your trip visit your veterinarian and ask for two copies of a pet acclimation certificate. You can not do this more than ten days before departure, because the information on the certificate must be current.

Step 2

Both copies of the certificate need to be accurately completed with your name and address, or the name and address of the person (or company) who is shipping your pet overseas.

Step 3

Have your veterinarian to fill out a statement on both certificates that says your pet is acclimated to low temperatures. The statement MUST specify that the pet can withstand temperatures lower than 45 degrees F to be valid.

Step 4

Have your veterinarian indicate in writing on both certificates the lowest temperature that is safe for your pet. This temperature should not be below 20 degrees F.

Step 5

Write down the numbers of any tags, tattoos, or microchips belonging to your pet. Also write down an accurate description of your pets marking, colors, distinctive features, and weight.

Step 6

Instruct the veterinarian to sign and date both copies of the pet acclimation certificate.

Step 7

If you are not using a pet shipper, bring the certificates to the airport with you when you are ready to leave the country and present one certificate to the airline upon check-in. The airline needs this information to know whether it is safe for your pet to fly with them. If you are using a pet shipper, provide the certificates to the shipper.

Step 8

Provide the customs official in the destination country with the second certificate upon arrival at the airport there.