My pet has had its second rabies vaccine — why do I still need to wait before traveling?
After a pet receives a rabies vaccination, there is a waiting period before international travel is permitted. This waiting period is necessary because:
Immunity Development: The rabies vaccine needs time to stimulate your pet's immune system to produce adequate protection against the virus.
Antibody Production: It typically takes 2-4 weeks for animals to develop sufficient antibody levels after vaccination.
Regulatory Requirements: Most countries require this waiting period to ensure pets entering their borders are fully protected against rabies.
Different Country Rules: Waiting periods vary by destination country, ranging from 21 days to several months after vaccination.
Your licensed veterinarian can confirm when your pet's vaccination is considered valid for travel. Record the vaccination in your pet's PadsPass profile — along with their microchip number and the date the microchip was first scanned — so the dates are easy to reference when planning your trip (add the two most recent rabies vaccinations, if possible).
Before traveling with your pet, always confirm current entry requirements with your airline and the destination's official animal import authority — waiting periods can change. Final acceptance of your pet and their documents rests with the airline and the destination authority.