How to Import a Siberian Cat

Obtain a pet health certificate. Your pet will be examined at the first port of entry into the country, as required by the U.S. Public Health Service. It may be quarantined for long periods of time, deported or even destroyed if it shows signs of any disease that may be transmittable to humans. (See Reference 1) Ask the person from whom you̵7;re getting the cat to provide the health certificate.

While the Centers for Disease Control doesn̵7;t require a general health certificate for pets coming into the U.S., certain states and most airlines that transport animals do. Certain states also require that a cat be vaccinated against prior to importing, so be prepared to show proof (see Reference 2).

Decide how you will be transporting the animal. Flying it in via a commercial airline may be the least traumatic for the feline. If you won̵7;t be traveling with the cat, you may be able to hire a courier to accompany your pet on the trip so that it can fly in the cabin. If this is not possible, many commercial airlines will allow you to transport pets as cargo. However, be aware of any restrictions related to outside temperatures. Most airlines don̵7;t have temperature regulated cargo holds, so extreme cold or heat may endanger animals flying as cargo. Check with your individual airline.

Find an approved container for your pet to fly in. The U.S. requires that all animals be imported under humane conditions. Your cat carrier must provide a suitable amount of space and proper ventilation while also offering protection from the elements.

Many cat carrier manufacturers make selection simple by stating somewhere on the tag if the carrier is airline-approved. If you̵7;re not sure whether a carrier is approved by your specific airline, call the airline and provide them with the dimensions of the carrier.

Make sure the person sending the cat has prepared the animal and the carrier for the journey. Have them line the bottom of the carrier with a soft blanket to provide comfort and warmth for the feline. The sender should also stick a large label on the carrier where it̵7;s clearly visible. The label should clearly state what is being transported, where it's coming from, and where the cat is going. If the cat is flying cargo, it's also important to indicate whether or not it will need to be fed in transit and how. To avoid having someone open the crate and potentially let the cat out, you may want to purchase water and food bowls that attach to the inside of the crate, and have the importer fill them only about ¼ of the way to avoid spillage.

If the breeder or importer is unwilling to put the cat on the plane and arrange transportation to your address, make the arrangements yourself. If you̵7;re accompanying the feline, this won't be a problem, but if the cat is flying alone, you or someone will need to pick it up when it arrives.