Vaccinating my animal before flying To make your pet travel by plane, it is necessary to have your animal vaccinated by your vet whether it is a primary vaccination or a vaccine recall.

In 2026, flying with an unvaccinated pet is extremely difficult and generally discouraged due to strict rabies certification laws. For domestic flights within the US, some airlines may allow puppies or kittens under 12 weeks old to fly without a rabies vaccine because they are too young to receive it, but they still require a CVI (Certificate of Veterinary Inspection). For international travel, flying an unvaccinated pet is nearly impossible; almost every country, particularly the EU, the UK, and Australia, requires a valid rabies vaccination administered at least 21 to 30 days before travel. In 2026, the CDC has even stricter "High-Risk" country lists where pets without proven titers (blood tests) and vaccines will be denied entry or quarantined at the owner's expense. If your pet is unvaccinated for medical reasons, you will need a notarized letter from a vet, but even then, most 2026 airlines will refuse transport to protect other animals and staff.