Visit a local veterinarian and have your dog vaccinated against rabies at least 30 days before your trip to Brazil. If your dog has already been vaccinated, obtain proof of vaccination from your veterinarian in the form of a vaccination certificate. The rabies vaccination given must be good for one year and have been administered within one year from the date of travel.
Make your airline reservation for both you and your dog. Ask the airline you plan to use what the requirements are to have your dog travel with you in the cabin. Smaller dogs can travel in-cabin as the airlines require that the kennel fit completely under the seat. Larger dogs may travel via cargo, as checked baggage.
Obtain an international health certificate from the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service website (see Resources) for travel to Brazil.
Ask a USDA-APHIS-accredited veterinarian to fill out the international health certificate, attesting to the dog's health and that it has been free of disease or illness for 40 days prior to the date of the certificate. Do this 10 days before departure to Brazil, as the certificate is only good for 10 days. The certificate must contain your name and address and the name and physical description of your dog. It must also list the country of origin as the United States and the destination as Brazil.
Visit your local Veterinary Services Area Offices of the USDA-APHIS. The international health certificate must be signed and endorsed by a Veterinary Services area officer, who places a raised seal on the document. Ask your local office about fees for this service. If you are unable to visit the office in person, you can provide the forms by mail via overnight service due to time constraints.
Check your dog into the airline flight either in-cabin or as cargo. Airlines generally accept dogs as cargo four hours before departure. Present your international health certificate to the airline.
Show your rabies vaccination certificate and international health certificate to the customs personnel at the airport in Brazil to pick up your dog, if it is traveling by cargo. Once cleared, you and your dog can head to your new home in Brazil.
