Flying with a dog or cat to New York
New York requires a certificate of veterinary inspection to bring in a dog or cat, including when you are travelling with your own. Window: within 30 days.
What this state requires
Veterinary certificate required
- Validity window
- within 30 days
The rule in detail
The certificate must carry the full in-state destination address (no PO boxes) and certify freedom from external parasites and fungi. A little-known exemption: a New York resident dog returning from out-of-state travel within one year is exempt, on proof of a current dog licence and rabies vaccination. New York CITY adds its own rules — (646) 364-1783.
What the airline asks, separately
A carrier can require a document no state does. Most US airlines ask for a certificate issued within seven to ten days, whatever the state rule says. The two stack: satisfying one does not satisfy the other.
Dog breeds
New York prohibits its cities and counties from adopting breed-specific regulation. 22 states do. No municipality can therefore turn your dog away on its type — subject to the state-specific caveat our pivot page carries for Washington State.
Where you come in
6 airports in our catalogue serve New York.
- ALB
- BUF
- JFK
- LGA
- ROC
- SYR
Documented routes into this state
36 routes in our catalogue arrive here, with the airlines that accept the animal and their constraints.
- MIA → JFK
- LAX → JFK
- ORD → JFK
- SFO → JFK
- BOS → JFK
- ATL → JFK
- DFW → JFK
- SEA → JFK
- IAD → JFK
- YYZ → JFK
- YUL → JFK
- MEX → JFK
- BOG → JFK
- GRU → JFK
- EZE → JFK
- LIM → JFK
- SCL → JFK
- CDG → JFK
- MAD → JFK
- BCN → JFK
- UIO → JFK
- MVD → JFK
- ASU → JFK
- VVI → JFK
- PTY → JFK
- DEN → JFK
- PHX → JFK
- LAS → JFK
- MCO → JFK
- CLT → JFK
- PHL → JFK
- MSP → JFK
- MDE → JFK
- CLO → JFK
- GYE → JFK
- SJO → JFK
Source
Rule read at the state's own official source, verified on 2026-09-17. agriculture.ny.gov
Common questions
- Do you need a health certificate to take a dog or cat to New York?
- Yes. New York requires a certificate of veterinary inspection, including for personal travel with your own pet, issued within within 30 days of entry.
- Can a dog breed be refused in New York?
- Not by a municipality: New York prohibits its cities and counties from adopting breed-specific regulation.
Other states
The rule changes at every state line. Each page below carries its own state’s rule, with its source.