Government Shutdown and Impacts on Pet Travel & Veterinary Services

We have shared information in the past about how government shutdowns can affect pets and veterinary services, but the current situation may be more disruptive than usual. In addition to anticipated furloughs, recent cuts through the Department of Government Efficiency initiative have already reduced staffing in key agencies, including the USDA. These changes previously caused serious delays with travel certificates, at times leaving the agency unable to perform this basic but critical function.

While we recognize the strong political divide in the country, our goal here is not to take a political stance but simply to make pet owners aware of potential impacts.

What’s Different This Time
In past shutdowns, contingency plans were posted in advance, giving veterinarians some guidance. As of this writing, no such plans have been released, which leaves veterinarians and pet owners unsure of what to expect. We are monitoring government systems and websites, but availability can change without warning.

Currently, the USDA website is online, but some links are not loading correctly. The Veterinary Export Health Certification System (VEHCS)—used to generate and electronically endorse pet travel certificates—has been unstable, requiring multiple attempts just to access the homepage, and further errors prevented us from proceeding. If you plan to travel with your pet during the shutdown, you may face challenges obtaining the required documentation.

Why This Matters
Unfortunately, this situation is beyond our control at Bellalago Veterinary Hospital. Travel certificates require USDA review and approval, and those services may not be available. Even under normal circumstances, many owners must travel to Gainesville or Miami for in-person USDA approval. However, the DoGE initiative closed all but one USDA office east of the Mississippi River (Raleigh, NC), making in-person processing impractical prior to a shutdown. Any additional delays from the shutdown make meeting the 10-day travel certificate window extremely difficult.

The USDA helpline is still listed as active, but it is unclear whether it is currently staffed.

Financial Considerations
Certificates already submitted but not yet endorsed by USDA are non-refundable in the event of a shutdown, since exams and related services have already been completed. Time-sensitive requirements (such as titer tests, diagnostics, and health exams) may need to be repeated, creating additional expenses for pet owners.

Possible Alternatives
If you are facing an urgent need to travel with your pet, you may wish to contact the consulate or embassy of your destination country to ask if they have contingencies in place. In some cases, their Ministry of Agriculture (or equivalent) may be able to provide guidance, though this is not guaranteed.

Other Agencies
Shutdowns may also affect the FDA and CDC, which oversee medication and food safety reporting systems. These databases track adverse reactions and issue recalls. While manufacturers we work with have strong internal safety systems, reduced federal oversight still poses some uncertainty.

What You Can Do
We strongly encourage all pet owners to contact their elected officials and urge them to resolve the shutdown promptly. Political disagreements should not endanger pets, service animals, or emotional support animals.

• USDA: https://www.usda.gov/
• Contact Congress: https://www.congress.gov/contact-us
• Contact the President: https://www.whitehouse.gov/contact/