1
Confirm the destination
Record the U.S. arrival airport, final state and intended arrival date. Local requirements can sit alongside federal rules.
Route planning guide · reviewed 20 October 2026
Planning Pet Travel From Spain to the USA
Use this checklist to start the right conversation before selecting a flight. It is not a substitute for the official requirements that apply to your dog or cat, recent travel history and U.S. arrival airport.
Assess Spain → USA travelStart with the animal and the itinerary
For a dog entering the United States, the process depends on the dog’s age, microchip, health, rabies history and countries visited during the six months before arrival. Cats do not use the CDC Dog Import Form, but airline, state and local conditions may still apply.
2
Review travel history
For dogs, list every country visited during the prior six months. That history can change the applicable U.S. entry pathway.
3
Match the records
Check that the microchip, vaccination records, veterinary information and traveller details all identify the same animal.
4
Assess the flight
Airline, aircraft, pet size, carrier dimensions and connections determine whether PETC or AVIH is possible. Availability is never assumed.
5
Confirm before booking
Only confirm the itinerary once the document timeline and the airline’s acceptance are compatible with the journey.
A clear service boundary
Accompanied options are assessed individually
UniPetrans assesses owner-accompanied travel and dedicated accompaniment where the animal, airline and itinerary allow it. It does not present manifest cargo as its own service.
That distinction matters: a compliant entry plan and confirmed airline acceptance come before a travel arrangement is proposed.
Official sources to check for the actual journey
U.S. requirements change. Use the current official guidance for the specific animal and route, then request an individual travel assessment.
- CDC Dog Import Form instructions
- CDC Dog Importation Navigator
- USDA APHIS: bringing a pet dog into the United States
This guide is reviewed periodically but official authorities and the airline decide the requirements for each journey.
Next step
Travelling from Spain to the USA?
Share your origin, U.S. destination, pet details and approximate date so we can review the feasible accompanied options.