IATA · critical
Live Animals Regulations (LAR) — Container Requirement 82 (CR-82)
Rigid IATA CR-82 kennel required. Ventilation on 3+ sides for domestic, 4 sides for international. Metal hardware only — no plastic wing-nuts.
Official reference →US CDC / DOT · critical
Minimum age 16 weeks for cargo travel
Puppies and kittens must be at least 16 weeks (4 months) old at the time of travel. Rabies vaccination must be documented, and titer testing may be required for rabies-controlled destinations.
Official reference →AVMA / IATA · critical
No sedatives or tranquilizers before flight
Sedation at altitude is the leading cause of in-transit pet fatalities. Airlines reject sedated pets at check-in. Signed acknowledgment required.
Official reference →USDA APHIS · critical
International Pet Health Certificate Endorsement (VS Form 7001 / 7001A)
For all international departures from the U.S., a USDA-accredited veterinarian must complete the health certificate and it must be endorsed by USDA APHIS within the destination-specific window (typically 10 days).
Official reference →