Verifying the Authenticity of Pet Health Documents

In the pet relocation industry, as in many others, some individuals exploit the system by creating fraudulent documents to make quick profits. This practice has prompted the US to enhance its pet import regulations, effective August 1, 2024, particularly for pets from rabies high-risk countries. This move aims to protect the US from the dog-maintained rabies virus variant (DMRVV) and to address loopholes identified since the CDC Dog Import Permit was first implemented in 2021.

Avoid Using Fake Documents

This guide is designed for:

• Airline staff processing pet relocation paperwork
• Friends assisting others by traveling with pets
• Pet nannies, buddies, or agents involved in any part of the relocation process

If you are found with fake documents, you are liable. Fraudulent document providers have become increasingly audacious since 2021, evolving from altering rabies vaccination dates to creating entire sets of fake medical histories. Here, we provide resources to identify and verify various documents, focusing primarily on US documents.

Identifying Authentic Documents

International Health Certificates Endorsed by the USDA For pets traveling from the US, most countries require a health certificate endorsed by the USDA. After a vet examines your pet and issues a health certificate, it needs further endorsement by the USDA, which can be either digital or physical. Fake companies can produce counterfeit certificates bearing seemingly authentic USDA endorsements and signatures, which can deceive many.

Checking the USDA Endorsement Stamp Experienced handlers recognize the USDA endorsement stamp. To verify authenticity, each health certificate has a unique certificate number, usually on the top right corner of the first page.

Using the Veterinary Export Health Certificate System (VEHCS) VEHCS has a Certificate Viewer containing all health certificates endorsed by the USDA since 2024. By entering the certificate number, destination country, and a security captcha, you can verify the document’s details. Discrepancies in the results indicate a fake certificate.

• VEHCS: Welcome to VEHCS

Common Fraudulent Documents

Rabies Titer FAVN Reports Fake lab reports also exist. Kansas State University and Auburn University provide verification portals for their Rabies Titer FAVN Reports. By comparing the information on the lab’s portal with the report, discrepancies such as mismatched dates can reveal a fake document.

Rabies Vaccination Certificates Rabies vaccination certificates are often forged. Verification typically involves calling the issuing hospital, though frequent calls can overwhelm hospital staff. Agents often call to verify details like microchip numbers and vaccination data, ensuring the pet received the vaccination as stated.

General Inconsistencies

When reviewing multiple documents, inconsistencies can signal fraudulent activity. Examples include:

• A pet from South Carolina with a vaccination record from a New York vet
• Dogs with cat vaccination records
• Implausible manufacturer and brand combinations for vaccines
• Incorrect dates, breeds, or ages compared to the pet’s picture

Conclusion

This guide aims to provide tools to protect yourself from fraudulent documents. Use verification portals to confirm the authenticity of documents and report any suspicious documents to the relevant authorities. If necessary, you can also contact us at shipping@transconpet.com with “Fake documents found” as the subject.

By staying vigilant and verifying documents, you can help maintain the integrity of pet relocation processes and avoid legal repercussions from using fake documents.