How to obtain a rabies titer test for Pet Transport
How to Obtain a Rabies Titer Test for Pet Travel
If your destination requires a rabies titer test, here is how to get it done. The test itself is straightforward. The part that catches most pet owners off guard is the timeline: between the vaccination requirement, the mandatory wait before the blood draw, lab processing time, and the post-result waiting period some countries impose, this step alone can add months to your move. Start here before you book anything.
Step 1: Confirm Your Destination Requires It
Not every country requires a titer test. Before starting this process, verify the current import requirements for your specific destination at USDA APHIS and confirm directly with the destination country's official veterinary or quarantine authority. Requirements change, and the APHIS page is the most reliable starting point for US-origin moves.
Destinations that commonly require a titer test for US-origin pets include Australia, New Zealand, Japan, Singapore, Hong Kong, Hawaii, Guam, and many Caribbean islands. The EU does not require a titer test for non-commercial moves from the US, though individual country rules may vary.
Step 2: Microchip Your Pet First
Your pet must have an ISO-compliant microchip (ISO 11784/11785 standard) implanted before the rabies vaccination is given and before the blood draw. The microchip number must appear on the vaccination record and on the FAVN submission form. If these do not match, results may be rejected by the destination authority.
If your pet has two microchips, check your destination's requirements about which number to list. Only one number will appear on the official result, so the choice matters.
Step 3: Administer the Rabies Vaccination
Your pet needs a current rabies vaccination from a licensed veterinarian before the blood draw. The original vaccination certificate must document the vaccine manufacturer, lot number, date administered, and validity period. Keep this certificate. It travels with your pet and is cross-referenced against the titer result.
If your pet has never been vaccinated or has a lapsed vaccination, some destinations require two vaccinations before the titer test. Check your destination's specific requirements before assuming one is sufficient.
Step 4: Wait at Least 30 Days Before the Blood Draw
This is the step most commonly misunderstood. The blood draw cannot happen immediately after vaccination. Most destinations require it to occur no earlier than 30 days after the rabies vaccination, to allow adequate time for antibody levels to develop. Drawing blood too early can result in a failed test even if your pet's immune system would eventually reach the required threshold.
Factor this 30-day window into your timeline before scheduling anything.
Step 5: Have a USDA-Accredited Vet Draw the Blood
The blood draw must be performed by a USDA-accredited veterinarian, not just any licensed vet. Your vet will draw a serum sample and complete a FAVN Report Form, which must accompany the sample to the lab. The microchip number, vaccination date, and veterinarian's signature are all required on this form.
If you are not sure whether your vet is USDA-accredited, ask them directly or use the APHIS accredited vet search tool.
Step 6: Submit the Sample to an Approved Laboratory
The serum sample must go to a USDA-approved and destination-approved laboratory. From the US, the two primary options are:
- Kansas State University Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory (KSVDL): The most widely used lab for FAVN testing from the US. USDA and EU approved. Current turnaround is approximately 10 to 14 calendar days, though this varies. Check directly with KSU for current estimates before building your timeline around it.
- University of Missouri Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory: Also USDA and EU approved for FAVN testing. A viable alternative if KSU turnaround times are running long.
Your vet submits the sample and form directly to the lab. You do not need to contact the lab in advance. Results are returned to the submitting clinic. Exception: for Hawaii, Guam, and some Caribbean islands, the original results go directly to the destination's quarantine authority and a copy goes to the clinic.
Step 7: Confirm the Result Passes
A passing result is 0.5 IU/mL or above. This confirms your pet's immune system responded adequately to the rabies vaccine and meets the threshold required for entry.
If the result comes back below 0.5 IU/mL, the standard path forward is an additional rabies vaccination, followed by waiting at least 10 to 21 days before drawing blood again. Most destinations with a titer requirement also have provisions for extended quarantine for pets that arrive without a passing result, but that is not a situation you want to be in.
Step 8: Account for the Post-Result Waiting Period
A passing result does not mean your pet can travel immediately. Many rabies-free and rabies-controlled destinations impose a mandatory waiting period after the passing result before your pet is eligible for entry. This ranges from 90 days to 6 months depending on the destination, and titer results also carry expiration periods that vary by country.
This waiting period, combined with the pre-draw wait after vaccination and lab processing time, is why the titer test typically determines your earliest possible travel date. Start this process as early as possible. For most titer-required destinations, six months of lead time is a reasonable minimum.
Ready to Start Planning?
If you are moving to a destination that requires a titer test, talk to our team before you schedule anything. We can confirm the current requirements for your specific destination, work backward from your target travel date, and tell you whether your timeline is realistic before you commit to it.