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Where your animal can go depends on whether it’s a trained service dog, an emotional support animal or a pet, and on whether you’re flying, checking in or crossing a border.
The rules depend on three questions: what kind of animal it is, how you’re traveling and whether you’re crossing a border.
Flying
The Department of Transportation revised its Air Carrier Access Act rules in December 2020. Under them:
| Animal | How airlines treat it |
|---|---|
| Service dog trained to perform tasks for a person with a disability, including psychiatric service dogs | Flies in the cabin free of charge |
| Emotional support animal | Treated as a pet, under the airline’s pet policy |
| Pet | Airline policy: often a fee, a carrier that fits under the seat, and limits on numbers and breeds |
Airlines may require you to submit DOT’s Service Animal Air Transportation Form, attesting to the dog’s health, behavior and training, and a separate relief attestation for flights of 8 hours or more. They may limit a passenger to two service animals and require them to fit in the handler’s foot space or lap, but can’t refuse a service dog based on breed alone.
Travel tip
Check pet and service animal policies before booking, not at the airport. In-cabin pet spots are often limited per flight, and some airlines don’t carry pets in the cargo hold at all.
Hotels
Hotels covered by the ADA must allow service animals, can ask only two questions about them and can’t charge pet fees; see booking an accessible hotel room. Pets and emotional support animals depend on the hotel’s pet policy, which often includes a fee, weight limits and rules about leaving animals alone in the room.
Crossing borders
Entering the U.S. with a dog: since August 1, 2024, CDC rules require every dog entering the United States, including dogs returning from a trip, to:
- be at least 6 months old;
- have an internationally recognized microchip;
- arrive with a CDC Dog Import Form receipt, submitted online before travel;
- appear healthy on arrival.
Dogs that have been in a country at high risk for rabies in the previous six months face extra requirements, including vaccination records and, in some cases, arrival at specific airports.
Going abroad: every country sets its own entry rules for animals, from microchips and vaccines to waiting periods. Start with the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s pet travel pages for the destination, often months ahead.
If your trip is international, also check passport renewal timing and whether travel insurance covers a pet emergency, since most policies don’t.
Before you go
- Under DOT’s rule issued in December 2020, airlines must recognize only trained service dogs as service animals.
- Emotional support animals are treated as pets on flights, with pet fees and size limits.
- Airlines may require DOT’s service animal form, and an extra form for flights of 8 hours or more.
- Since August 1, 2024, dogs entering the U.S. must be at least 6 months old, microchipped and have a CDC Dog Import Form receipt.
Travelers also ask
Q: Can an airline limit how many service animals I bring?
A: Yes. Under DOT’s rule, airlines may limit a passenger to two service animals and may require them to fit within the handler’s foot space or on their lap.
Q: Do these CDC rules apply to dogs that live in the U.S.?
A: Yes. They apply to all dogs entering the country, including pets returning from a trip abroad. Requirements are stricter for dogs that have been in high-risk rabies countries in the previous six months.
Q: Can a hotel charge a pet fee for my service dog?
A: No. Hotels covered by the ADA can’t charge pet fees for service animals, though they can charge for actual damage.
Fees, processing times and agency rules change, and airline and hotel policies vary. This guide is general information for travelers in the U.S.; confirm the current rules with the agency, airline or hotel before you travel.
