APHIS Vet? Things already off to a bad start--HELP

Artistplace, I just moved to Harrogate with my two cats from the DC area in late October, and the USDA vet for that region (actually located off Route 50 on the way to Annapolis) is EXTREMELY knowledgeable, helpful, and experienced with this kind of thing.  I went in a week before my flight to get my 998 and whatnot signed, and there were issues with the paperwork that he worked directly with my vet to solve.

Honestly, as long as you get the ORIGINAL titer certification with the Rabies antibodies results and your rabies vaccination certificate has the microchip numbers for your pets on it, you don't need any paperwork right now (I must have filled out and re-filled out all the forms 100 times before finally getting them signed so that they looked just right).

The USDA vet for our region required the APHIS 7001 form (which documents that the pets are healthy enough to travel) in order to sign the EU 998 form, so make sure that your veterinary practice has those forms (all USDA certified vets should). 

Feel free to PM me with any DC-area specific questions (like how to get to the USDA vet office; it's a little tricky)

Stoatula and Exjerserygirl......Thank you so much
For now, it sounds like I am doing everything OK.  Especially when making sure that everything is done in the right order for it being this early in the game for me.  I am learning some very important tips from just reading everyones comments, and my stress level has gone way down (we even learned the importance of blue ink over black ink when it came to my husband's visa).

Exjerseygirl.....I will probably be in contact with you about the USDA vet that is located near Annapolis.  I am actually about 15 miles south of Washington in the Springfield area of Northern Virginia.  Annapolis is not a bad drive as long as I go during the right time of day.  It will be worth the travel if he is this good and helpful. 
BTW.....I love that little beetle that is in your picture (great color).  I have a little mini cooper right now, and I will have to give that up in favor of the "family practical" car as the government will only ship one vehicle with the household goods.  Maybe I can have the hubby purchase one like yours, and he can have it waiting for me on the other side (TeeHee)

Hello again everyone
I find this site to be so informational, and is my best guide to get my moving plans in order. 
My most important (and longest) process right now starts this weekend when the pets go into the vet for the blood draw on the titer test.  I am so looking forward to get this started.
My question is........Is there any specific information that I need to include my vet in on to make sure all titer information is in place when the results come back ?  It is difficult for me to understand all of the info that needs to be in place when the results are back (original docs, etc) because this is all a first for me, and I do not want to miss a step.  I also do not want the vet to make any errors as a result of him not knowing all of these processes
I already noticed that their rabies vaccine certificates have a dry stamp signature, and their microchip numbers are not listed on the original certificates that they received.  Their microchip numbers are listed on a seperate piece of paper with the cost breakdown of the procedures that were preformed that day (bad oversight on my part)..... so we will need to get the certs redone.  Can the vet re-do this paperwork ?
Any information that will be helful to my vet will be appreciated
Thanks again

My question is........Is there any specific information that I need to include my vet in on to make sure all titer information is in place when the results come back ?

The antibody/titer test results form MUST have the microchip number for your pets on it.  They should ensure that they receive the originals from the Kansas lab, which is distinguished from copies by the fact that the antibody test results are actually printed on a large label which is then stuck on the form.

I already noticed that their rabies vaccine certificates have a dry stamp signature, and their microchip numbers are not listed on the original certificates that they received.  Their microchip numbers are listed on a seperate piece of paper with the cost breakdown of the procedures that were preformed that day (bad oversight on my part)..... so we will need to get the certs redone.  Can the vet re-do this paperwork ?

Check with your vet.  Depending on the software they are using to generate the rabies vaccination certificates, some folks have changed the name field for their pets to be/include the microchip number, others have had luck with their vet handwriting it in and signing that it is valid.  In my case, my vet practice didn't have an updated version of that software, which once they upgraded included a field for microchips, which they then included and reprinted for me.

I had the practice manager for my veterinarian's office (A Cat Clinic in Germantown, MD) contact the USDA vet directly in order to make sure all my i's were dotted and t's were crossed.  That didn't prevent mixups from happening at the last minute, but they worked together to correct them.  Perhaps an appointment with the practice manager to specifically discuss everything (which I did) would help put everyone at ease?

Exjerseygirl.........Again, you have helped so much....More then you know  !!!!
Thanks again so much for the information and for being so specific

I am one who had my vet change my pets name to Mirra - 123456789  (microchip number.  This way her number is on EVERY piece of paper in reference to her.  We did this AFTER the rabies vax and they were able to print me a new certificate with the number in the name field since their software does not have a microchip field.   Super easy.

I am one who had my vet change my pets name to Mirra - 123456789  (microchip number.  This way her number is on EVERY piece of paper in reference to her.  We did this AFTER the rabies vax and they were able to print me a new certificate with the number in the name field since their software does not have a microchip field.   Super easy.

Mirrajay.....Thank you as well.....It looks like these minor errors will be easy to fix.  This weekend will be the 6 month countdown for me, then I can join my husband in Cambridge........
OH...The things we do for our beloved pets !

Well.....My countdown now begins.
The rabies titer tests for my boys and girls set me back $510.00.  This is a handsome sum since the Kansas lab only charges $47.00 each, and they can probably overnight all blood samples together. 
I printed out copies of instructions for the vet, as well of the lab address.  To my very pleasant surprise, they were much more aware of this Pet Scheme program then I thought.    Made me much more at ease.
There is also no problem getting rabies certs changed.
My vet is certainly well paid, but also very accomidating when it comes to making sure that I am at ease.   Well worth it since the animals are the biggest stress right now

I expect all tests results to come back positive as I was very careful to make sure that they were all "buzzing" with the rabies vaccine. 
I can now breath easy for awhile before I get other things ready for my move the end of October

You have all been so helpful, and thank you so much. 

Well.....My countdown now begins.
The rabies titer tests for my boys and girls set me back $510.00. 

HOLY CRAP!     That is a lot of money!  Is your vet in Chevy Chase or Potomac?  I was up in Germantown, and I think the rabies titer stuff for my 2 cats (including rabies and microchipping) was only a couple hundred!  Although, right before we left and I did their travel health check appointment, they did charge me about $100 apiece to include the time for prepping the APHIS 7001 and whatnot, which I thought was fair since they really did spend a bit of time making sure everything was in order.

That being said, given the number of folks in the DC area making weird international moves, I do think that a fair number of vets are at least familiar that there is a process!  I also think that that's why the USDA vet in Annapolist for that area is a complete pro when it comes to shipping to the UK (seriously, the guy was awesome)

Best of luck with everything.  Make sure that you have them check the chip #s at every single appointment just as a precaution!

It is alot of money.....My eyes just "BUGGED" out when they gave me the total.  Especially since they have always been very reasonably priced or competitive when it comes to the standard pet visits.  I also think that they charged me for three seperate overnight shipping fees.  Just to be fair, they may need to ship them all seperately just so that there is no confusion or mix up
This total cost includes 3 pets.  But still, the only labor involved is the blood draw, and paperwork on their part (for now, anyway).
I live in Springfield, Va but my vet is in Woodbridge next to the Potomac Mills Mall.  I am sure that all of the vets within Northern Va, Southern MD, and DC are all experienced with Pet Scheme since government employess live all over these areas.  Based on what I have read, some people have paid up to this amount or more, but I think that my charges are more on the higher end.
Oh well, our move is being paid for courtesy of the US government (this covers only the human form of life, they do not pay to move pets).  My son and I will fly for free when we leave for England in October, but then I am expecting to pay in  the range of $2,000 to $3,000 just to have my pets shoved in the cargo area.  My only convenient flight options are British Airways out of Dulles or Baltimore to Heathrow.
I am glad that the titer test has been completed so that the countdown can now begin.
In the end, the most important thing is that we will all be reunited with my husband in October (my three little rug rats included..our little family unit is not complete without them)

Exjerseygirl..........Can I see the USDA vet in Annapolis since I live in Va. ?  I am still clueless on this, but right now I may have to go to Richmond based on what I have read (I would prefer Annapolis).  Thanks for all your help

I am expecting to pay in  the range of $2,000 to $3,000 just to have my pets shoved in the cargo area.  My only convenient flight options are British Airways out of Dulles or Baltimore to Heathrow.

Doesn't it just drive you nuts that we could buy our furry friends a seat next to us for far less than the cargo option.  I know, I know.  Animal control and all that.  Plus the disruption to other passengers.  But still.  When we finally added up all of the costs associated with moving the cats, I almost passed out. 

It is alot of money.....My eyes just "BUGGED" out when they gave me the total.  Especially since they have always been very reasonably priced or competitive when it comes to the standard pet visits.  I also think that they charged me for three seperate overnight shipping fees.  Just to be fair, they may need to ship them all seperately just so that there is no confusion or mix up

It certainly wouldn't hurt to ask whether they might have double/triple charged you for things.  If that number included the rabies shot, microchipping, blood draw and test for three animals it would seem a little more reasonable - but just the blood draw/test is pretty steep.

Exjerseygirl..........Can I see the USDA vet in Annapolis since I live in Va. ?  I am still clueless on this, but right now I may have to go to Richmond based on what I have read (I would prefer Annapolis).  Thanks for all your help

I'll give the same response I always do - give them a call and ask!  He sees people by appointment anyway, and I don't remember him asking me where I lived when he took the appointment. There was no ID check at the door or anything like that

Thanks for the call tip Exjerseygirl

I did call them up this morning.  I asked them to break down all the charges and they said that this was their standard fee per animal for the titer test.  I then asked them about charges for overnight shipping.  Each animal is being billed $170.00 per piece which means that all of them are being charged for the average $50.00 shipping rate. 
They said that all tests are being packed, and shipped in the same container.  Since their is only one shipment, I kindly wanted a refund for these charges on two of the animals.  They said that they would look into it on Monday morning when the office manager comes in (today is Saturday, and the blood samples will be shipped Monday morning).  I told them firmly that if they will not reimburse me for freight on two of the animals, then I wanted all samples packed seperately with three seperate tracking numbers.  I will at least ask that I get what I pay for so that they will not profit from the excess shipping.


Thanks so much for the help