Traveling with a cat can be an overwhelming experience. There is usually a lot of paperwork involved, and it must be filled out correctly. I want to share my experience of flying with my cat to Argentina, including the necessary documentation, cost, and the cat products we used.
Cat Products Used
Traveling from the US to Argentina
Booking your cat’s flight to Argentina
Before booking your flight, do your research. We flew out of JFK and found that only one airline, Aerolíneas Argentinas, allowed us to take our cat in the cabin. We wanted a direct flight to minimize travel time. The required carrier was smaller than what other airlines required, and this is the one we used. Click here
After booking your flight with Aerolíneas Argentinas, contact them via WhatsApp to add your cat. All the prompts are in Spanish, so use Google Translate if necessary.
Official Documentation
- Make an appointment with a vet who is certified to perform a health certificate no more than 10 days before your arrival in Argentina.
- Your cat must have an up-to-date rabies vaccine and a microchip.
- Your vet will fill out this health certificate and send it to the Department of Agriculture to be certified. This step can be stressful depending on holidays and weekends, so keep in contact with your vet.
- Your vet will let you know once the certificate has been certified. Print out two copies to bring with you on your flight.
- Bring a copy of your cat’s rabies certificate.
https://www.aphis.usda.gov/pet-travel/health-certificates/non-eu/argentina-dog-cat.pdf
Travel Day: What to expect
- Check-In: The airline will ask for a copy of the health certificate.
- Going through Security: If you don’t book a private room, you’ll have to take your cat out of the carrier and hold it while you walk through the metal detector. We learned the hard way that we should have sedated our cat. He is typically very chill, but he ran away while going through security.
- On-Flight: Don’t let your cat out of its carrier, and make sure it goes under the seat in front of you. Legroom will be tight.
- In Argentina: After you get your baggage, you’ll be required to go to the Sesana office, which is right near the exit. They will review the health certificate, and you will pay their fee. You do not have to take your cat out of the carrier.
Cost Breakdown
Exam & Health Certificate: $232 (does not include vaccines needed)
Processing Fee: About $9 USD (depending on inflation)
Flight: $100 one way though Aerolíneas Argentinas
Total: $341
Traveling from Argentina to the US
Official Documentation
Traveling back to the US from Argentina is straightforward. Here are the steps to follow:
- 15 days before your flight, send an email to [email protected] with the following information:
- Departure date
- Destination
- Type of Pet
- Any questions you have
- They will reply with a list of documentation you need to email back along with an export form. The form is in Spanish, so I recommend you upload a copy to https://translate.google.com/ to get a version in English to use as a reference.
- Health certificate & CANINES: Make an appointment with a veterinarian to get the health certificate and Certificate Free of Myiasis no more than 4 days before your departure date.
- Reply to your email with [email protected] and include a scan of all the following documents:
- Export application
- ID of the person who will transport the pet (Passport)
- Rabies vaccination certificate
- Health certificate issued by a Veterinary Professional
The certificate must NOT exceed 4 days prior to the trip plus the time of your flight make up the 5 consecutive days of validity, (be careful! the day they do it counts as day “1”),
- CANINES: Certificate Free of Myiasis (or screwworm) with the same date of the health certificate.
- Go to the airport at least 4 hours before your flight and go to the Sesnasa office for an inspection.
Cost Breakdown
Health Certificate & Certificate Free of Myiasis : $8,000 ARS( $21 USD)
Pregabalina Prescription from Vet: $2,000 ARS ($5 USD)
Pregabalina Prescription from Pharmacy: $2,300 ARS ($6 USD)
Senasa: $5,178.88 ( $14 USD, we flew on a holiday so it was more expensive than the standard rate)
Flight: $100 USD
Total: $146
