Relocating Pets: Moving Cats to the United States

Name: Iain
Number of Pets: 1
Pet Type: Cat
Pet Breed: Maine Coon
From: Australia
To: Michigan, USA

Hi,

We will be moving to Michigan for 3 years and I would like to confirm the requirements for moving our cat. If I read the info correctly we will not need a rabies vaccination prior to moving as we are a rabies free country but may need one upon arrival, please could you confirm as it is hard to find state requirements and anything else we will require?

Thanks,
Iain
 

Hi Iain,

Thanks for the question! The pet import requirements for the United States are less strict than those for many other countries, and you'll also need to meet the airline requirements (usually that means a vet health certificate stating your cat is healthy and fit to fly).

If you'd like to be thorough (which is always a good idea when it comes to pet travel), we recommend contacting a licensed veterinarian in Michigan to find out what the state laws are, as states vary from one to the other regarding rabies laws for cats.

When you return to Australia, your cat will need updated rabies vaccines and must meet a few other requirements (even though you started out there). There is also a 10-day quarantine on arrival. Here is an official link describing the pet import requirements for Australia.

If your cat is new to traveling, it may be helpful to read over these crate-training tips for cats. If you're interested in hiring some assistance for this move, you can fill out our free quote form to find out more about our services.

Thanks again for reaching out, and good luck with your move!