Moving to the United States is rarely just one flight and one suitcase.
For families travelling with a dog or cat, there is another passenger whose journey needs to be planned carefully.
How to Move to the USA with a Pet is therefore one of the most important questions to answer before booking the final flight.
The process can involve:
microchip → vaccination → veterinary preparation → documents → airline → U.S. entry → state requirements → ground transportation → new home.
The most important point is that dogs and cats do not follow exactly the same federal requirements.
For dogs, CDC rules are particularly important. In 2026, the requirements depend on where the dog was vaccinated and where it has been during the six months before entering the United States.
For cats, USDA APHIS says its Veterinary Services has no specific animal-health requirements for importing a domestic pet cat, but CDC, state and airline rules may still apply.
That difference is the starting point for understanding How to Move to the USA with a Pet.
How to Move to the USA with a Dog
Dogs require the most careful planning.
CDC divides dog-entry requirements according to the dog’s recent travel history and rabies risk.
The first question is:
Where has the dog been during the last six months?
Not simply:
Where does the owner live?
This distinction can completely change the required documentation.
Dogs that have been only in rabies-free or low-risk countries during the previous six months have a simpler process than dogs that have been in a CDC high-risk country.
The Six-Month Rule You Should Know
Imagine a dog travelling:
Ukraine → Poland → United States.
The owner may think the relevant departure country is Poland.
But for CDC requirements, the dog’s recent travel history matters.
If the dog has been in a country classified as high risk for dog rabies during the six months before U.S. entry, additional requirements can apply.
This is one of the reasons why international pet relocation should be planned as a complete timeline rather than a simple departure-to-arrival route.
Dog Age Requirements for the USA
One of the most important requirements for people buying puppies abroad is age.
CDC currently requires dogs entering the United States to be at least 6 months old.
That means a puppy cannot necessarily enter the USA simply because an airline allows it to fly.
The country’s import rules come first.
For breeders and buyers, this can dramatically change the timing of a purchase.
A puppy that is ready for a new family at three or four months may still be too young to enter the United States.
Microchip Requirements
Identification is an important part of international dog relocation.
The dog’s microchip number must correspond to its official veterinary records and applicable import documentation.
Before travelling, verify:
- microchip number;
- chip compatibility;
- vaccination records;
- dog description;
- owner information;
- certificates.
For dogs subject to the more detailed CDC requirements, microchip information forms part of the documentation process.
CDC Dog Import Form
One of the major points in the 2026 process is the CDC Dog Import Form.
A receipt is required for each dog entering the United States.
After completing the online form, the importer receives a receipt by email. CDC states that the receipt can be printed or shown on a phone and must be presented to the airline when travelling by air and to U.S. Customs and Border Protection at arrival.
This is separate from a veterinary health certificate.
Understanding that distinction can prevent last-minute confusion.
Dogs from High-Risk Rabies Countries
If a dog has been in a CDC high-risk country during the previous six months, the process becomes more detailed.
Additional requirements may include:
- rabies vaccination documentation;
- microchip;
- rabies serology;
- additional certificates;
- health requirements;
- arrival at a designated CDC-registered animal care facility.
For foreign-vaccinated dogs from high-risk countries, CDC states that if there is no valid rabies serology result, a reservation at a CDC-registered animal care facility may need to include a 28-day quarantine following revaccination.
This is why How to Move to the USA with a Pet cannot be answered with one universal checklist.
The dog’s history determines the pathway.
How to Move to the USA with a Cat
Cats are different.
USDA APHIS currently states that Veterinary Services has no animal-health requirements specifically for bringing a domestic pet cat into the United States from a foreign country.
CDC requires cats to appear healthy when they arrive.
A cat showing signs of illness may require additional veterinary examination at the owner’s expense before entry is allowed. CDC does not require proof of rabies vaccination for cats entering the United States, although it recommends rabies vaccination and the final U.S. destination may have additional requirements.
State requirements therefore become particularly important.
State Requirements Matter
The United States is not one single veterinary jurisdiction.
After federal requirements, you may need to check the rules of the state or territory where the animal will live.
USDA APHIS explains that states and territories establish their own animal-entry requirements, which can include:
- health certificates;
- vaccination requirements;
- diagnostic testing;
- treatments;
- other documentation.
Therefore:
How to Move to the USA with a Pet to New York
may not be exactly the same process as:
How to Move to the USA with a Pet to California.
The final address matters.
Moving a Pet to New York
Suppose your route is:
Europe → New York → New Jersey home.
You need to consider both the federal U.S. entry rules and the requirements associated with the final destination.
The airport where the plane lands is not necessarily the same thing as the jurisdiction where the animal will ultimately reside.
This becomes especially important when the pet is transported by road after the international flight.
Moving a Pet to Florida
Florida is another popular destination for international relocations.
A typical route could be:
Europe → Miami → Florida residence.
Climate is also worth considering.
A pet arriving from a cold European winter into hot Florida weather can experience a dramatic environmental change.
For summer transportation, airport timing, ground transportation and airline policies should be considered together.
Moving a Pet to California
For California relocations, the same principle applies.
The international requirements and the state’s own requirements form two different parts of the process.
A professional relocation plan therefore includes:
country of origin → U.S. federal rules → California requirements → airport → final address.
Can a Pet Fly in the Cabin?
Sometimes.
The airline decides whether a dog or cat can travel in the cabin.
Factors can include:
- animal size;
- carrier dimensions;
- total weight;
- route;
- aircraft;
- airline;
- destination;
- breed restrictions.
A small cat may qualify for cabin travel while a large dog may need another transportation method.
For international relocation, the airline’s pet policy should be checked before purchasing the ticket.
Can a Dog Travel as Cargo?
Yes, depending on the airline and route.
Cargo transportation may be necessary for:
- large dogs;
- certain international routes;
- animals travelling without their owners;
- itineraries where cabin transportation is unavailable.
The process involves more than simply placing the animal in a crate.
It can include:
- cargo booking;
- documentation;
- crate inspection;
- airport acceptance;
- handling;
- transfer;
- collection at destination.
USDA APHIS provides specific guidance concerning safe preparation of dogs and cats for air travel, including kennel suitability and the animal’s readiness for the journey.
The Pet’s Crate Is Part of the Journey
A proper airline crate needs to be selected according to the animal’s size and the airline’s rules.
The animal should have enough room to:
- stand naturally;
- turn around;
- lie down;
- change position.
For large dogs, the crate can also significantly affect the total transportation cost because airlines calculate some charges based on dimensions and weight.
How to Move to the USA with a Pet from Ukraine
For Ukrainian owners, route planning deserves special attention.
A possible itinerary may be:
Ukraine → EU transit country → USA.
But the transit country should not simply be treated as a technical stop.
The animal’s travel history can matter for U.S. dog-entry requirements.
Therefore, the complete history should be documented before departure.
This is particularly important if the animal has recently moved through several countries.
How to Move to the USA with a Pet from Europe
European cities offer numerous international routes to the United States.
Popular departure points can include:
- Paris;
- Frankfurt;
- Amsterdam;
- Madrid;
- Rome;
- Warsaw;
- London.
But route availability does not replace regulatory preparation.
For dogs, the six-month travel history and rabies-risk status still need to be assessed.
Moving a Pet Without the Owner
Sometimes the owner travels first.
For example:
owner → USA
and later:
pet → USA.
This can happen when:
- the owner starts work before the pet is ready;
- housing is arranged later;
- veterinary preparation takes longer;
- the family travels in stages.
In these situations, it is important to establish who is responsible for the pet at departure, during the flight and upon arrival.
The transportation company, airline and importer should all have consistent information.
Door-to-Door Pet Relocation
The international flight is only one part of the move.
Imagine:
Kyiv → Warsaw → New York → New Jersey → home.
The final road segment may be several hours long.
For a family moving internationally, door-to-door transportation can simplify the process significantly.
Delivery Animal can coordinate:
pickup → airport → international flight → U.S. arrival → ground transportation → final address.
How Much Does It Cost to Move a Pet to the USA?
There is no single price.
The cost depends on:
- departure country;
- departure city;
- destination state;
- airport;
- airline;
- direct or connecting flight;
- species;
- breed;
- weight;
- crate size;
- cabin or cargo;
- veterinary procedures;
- laboratory testing;
- documentation;
- airport handling;
- ground transportation.
A small cat travelling from London to New York is a completely different project from a large dog travelling from Ukraine to Los Angeles.
A professional quotation should therefore be based on the actual animal and itinerary.
Summer Pet Relocation to the USA
Weather can affect the logistics of international transportation.
For example:
Miami, Houston, Phoenix and Los Angeles
can have very different conditions from:
New York, Boston, Chicago or Seattle.
During hot periods, the schedule should take into account:
- airport temperatures;
- waiting time;
- ground transportation;
- airline restrictions;
- animal breed;
- time of day.
Brachycephalic dogs and cats may require additional attention because some airlines have specific restrictions.
What Delivery Animal Does
At Delivery Animal, international relocation is built as one coordinated project.
Step 1 — Pet profile
We establish:
- species;
- breed;
- age;
- weight;
- dimensions;
- microchip;
- vaccination history.
Step 2 — Travel history
For dogs travelling to the USA, we review the countries where the animal has been during the relevant six-month period.
Step 3 — U.S. requirements
We determine the applicable federal requirements and identify additional state requirements.
Step 4 — Veterinary schedule
We create a timeline for:
microchip → vaccination → testing → certificates → travel.
Step 5 — Flight
We evaluate:
- airline;
- route;
- connections;
- cabin/cargo options;
- crate requirements.
Step 6 — Arrival
We coordinate the arrival stage.
Step 7 — Final delivery
If required, the animal continues from the airport by ground transportation to the new home.
How to Move to the USA with a Pet: Final Checklist
Before travelling, check:
- Country of origin
- Six-month travel history for the dog
- Microchip
- Rabies vaccination
- Dog’s age
- CDC Dog Import Form
- Additional high-risk-country documents, if applicable
- U.S. state requirements
- Airline approval
- Transport crate
- Transit requirements
- Arrival airport
- Ground transportation
- Final address
Common Mistakes When Moving a Pet to America
Booking the flight first
The pet’s regulatory pathway should be determined before the flight is purchased.
Looking only at the departure country
For dogs, the six-month travel history can be critical.
Assuming dogs and cats have the same requirements
They do not.
Forgetting state requirements
Federal entry rules are not necessarily the only rules that apply.
Treating a puppy like an ordinary passenger
CDC requires dogs entering the United States to be at least 6 months old.
Choosing the airline without checking its pet policy
The route may be available to passengers but unavailable to pets.
Forgetting the final road journey
International relocation ends at the new home, not at the airport.
FAQ — How to Move to the USA with a Pet
Can I move to the USA with my dog?
Yes, provided the dog satisfies the applicable CDC and other U.S. requirements.
Can I move to the USA with my cat?
Yes. Federal requirements for cats are different from those for dogs, but state and airline rules still need to be checked.
Does every dog need a CDC Dog Import Form?
CDC states that each dog entering the United States must have a CDC Dog Import Form receipt.
How old must a dog be?
CDC currently requires dogs entering the U.S. to be at least 6 months old.
Does every dog need a rabies antibody test?
No. Requirements depend on the dog’s vaccination history and whether it has been in a high-risk country.
Can a pet travel without its owner?
It can be possible, depending on the circumstances, but the complete import and transportation requirements must be checked.
Can Delivery Animal organize transportation from the airport to my home?
Yes. International air transportation can be combined with ground delivery within the United States.
Conclusion
Knowing How to Move to the USA with a Pet means understanding that the United States has several layers of requirements.
For dogs, CDC rules are especially important, and the dog’s six-month travel history can determine which pathway applies.
For cats, federal requirements are generally simpler, but state and airline requirements still need to be considered.
The most reliable approach is to plan the entire journey:
veterinary preparation → documents → airline → U.S. entry → state requirements → airport pickup → new home.
With Delivery Animal, the goal is not simply to get your dog or cat onto an airplane.
The goal is to organize the complete relocation so that your pet can make the journey to America as safely and smoothly as possible.
Your move to the USA is a new chapter. Your pet should be part of it.
Official Sources — USA
- USDA APHIS — Pet Travel
- USDA APHIS — Bringing a Pet into the United States
- CDC — Bringing a Dog into the United States
- CDC — CDC Dog Import Form
- CDC — Dog Importation Navigator
- CDC — High-Risk Countries for Dog Rabies
- USDA APHIS — Pet Cats Imports into the U.S.
- USDA APHIS — U.S. State and Territory Animal Entry Requirements
