Pet Travel Question: Cats and Microchips

Hi PetRelocation,

Are microchips required for cats in the United States? Our cat doesn't have one and I'm wondering whether we need to get one before he travels.

Thanks,
Sandra


Hi Sandra,

To start, please take a look at the pet import requirements for the United States. Technically cats do not need a microchip to enter the country.

That being said, we highly recommend getting a microchip for all traveling pets, even if they are not specifically required. For reference, here is more information about microchips. Many countries do require them for identification purposes, and when traveling (or even when you're not) microchips can serve a safety purpose, as well. 

It's awful to imagine a pet getting lost, but it's wise to have a "just in case" attitude, and no matter what the circumstances may be, many pet owners choose to have microchips implanted so that a wandering pet can be easily identified and returned home. Case in point: we recently helped a cat named Basia move after she was reunited with her owner -- this wouldn't have been possible if she hadn't had a microchip. 

Thanks for your question, and please contact us if you need anything else! One of our Pet Relocation Consultants would be happy to go over your cat's travel options with you.
 

Pet Travel Question Details:

Name: Sandra
Number of Pets: 1
Pet Type: Cat
Pet Breed: Domestic
From: Kenya
To: US

Editor's Note: This post was originally published in April 2011 and has been updated with new information.