International Health Certificate

I apologize for my small freak out in advance, but I just saw on another post that someone has an International Health Certificate, and I dont have such a thing and my dog is flying on Friday!!!   

Will she get this at the vet today when she goes for her tick/tapeworm?

ACK!! Have I missing something!!??

I just went through all my paperwork for my cat, and I don't see anything called International Health Certificate.

I have:
Rabies form (Rabies Antibody Titer for Export Animals)
Registration of my cat with the county the vet is in (not required in my county) (Illinois Department of Agriculture - Animal Control Act)
EU998 (Veterinary Certificate for domestric dogs, cats and ferrets entering the european union for non-commercial movements)
7001 form (the one that must be signed in blue pen)
Declaration of monetary value form

That's all I've got.

Thanks Brandi - I was asked to fax the customs form (declaration of monetary value C5 form) to someone at Heathrow, and do not have a 7001 form - can you tell me if this is something you got at the airport when the animal was dropped off maybe?  UGH.  Why are there not CLEAR instructions on this???

The APHIS 7001 form is the International Health Certificate.  I should have worded this correctly in my previous posts to avoid any confusion
My copy of the APHIS 7001 form in the upper left hand corner says that this paper is the U.S. Interstate and International Certificate of Health Examination for Small Animals.
I tried to find a copy of the APHIS 7001 form on the web so that I can print it, but I think that this document is only available through a vet.  I am not sure why this is actually required because British Airways only needs a letter (typed on a plain piece of paper with the vet logo) from the vet stating that they are healthy, and I do not think that the UK cares about this document.  BA told me that they will take a copy of the APHIS 7001 if I have it, but it is not required.  I think that this form is just to make sure that the animal is healthy enough to be taken out of the country.  I am not sure of the requirements of other airlines, so you may want to check with your own carrier

Yes, BA said they didn't need the 7001 either, just a letter from my vet as the UK doesn't care about it one way or another. But my vet did the 7001 for his own piece of mind. You don't actually NEED the 7001 form - just the EU998.

(Also, the 7001 can only be ordered by a vet)

And what value did you put your cat at? Mine was $50, haha. His mother was a pound kitty I bought, so

I just called DEFRA and they said all they need is the EC998 form since this will have all the relevant information on it.  I am flying BA also, and was never told anything about a health certificate or letter.  Thanks though, artist, I will get a letter from my vet just to cover bases.  I feel like I am smugging drugs into the county when I just want my dog here with me!!!  *deep relaxing breaths, calming down*

I am embarrased to admit that I bought my dog from a pet store as a puppy (shame on me), so I put the value at $400.  Watch that come back to bite me!

I don't think it matters if it's for personal use (same as bringing your own belongings in the country if they are 6 months old) but don't quote me on that!

And, you'll be SO happy when you have your pet.. I know I was when I saw his little face in the carrier. And now he's here, with me!

I do not think that you have to pay customs on pets.  I think that you have to put something for value (just for customs requirements), but I am pretty sure that pets are void of taxes

That makes sense and hopefully my vet can manage that.  (you never know with him!).  I cant wait to post a pic of my dog and I happily reuinted!   Thanks for the clarification.

Mirrajay
I am so sorry about not wording the APHIS 7001 form correctly, and putting you on egde.
I understand how a bit of confusion can put you in a tailspin when your animal is so close to leaving.  I am just 9 days from leaving, and the least bit of confusion will put me in panic mode (and has already)

Again, I am sorry and good luck with your pet.  Your reward will be when you look at him for the first time, on the other side

About the value of the animal as entered on the C5, I was advised by the specialist I consulted that I should put "0" (even though our pets are priceless to us!) just to avoid any interest from Customs.

Although having said that, I do not actually know for sure if Customs are ever interested in the possible commercial value of a family pet -- they probably only put tax and duties on an animal that really is being imported for sale at a high price due to be a specialized breed -- that's only my guess.

I think I just put the cost of the adoption fee, something like $75.

For the fit to fly letter/certificate, I just got my vet to fill out an APHIS form even though Continental told me on the phone that they didn't need it, just a letter printed or a standard certificate created by my vet confirming that the animal is healthy enough to withstand a long flight, ie, has no major health issues. The airlines just want to cover their butts and make sure they are not risking an animal with existing issues or a current health problem that could cause death or illness on the flight; they don't want to be sued in that event.

I gathered, at the time, that some airlines demand the APHIS form to show fitness to fly, while others say a letter from the vet is fine.

I wish that I would have been double sure of the APHIS 7001 Form before I had the vet fill out the paperwork.  The exam for all three animals for this form was an extra $200.00, and then there is the USDA endorsement fees.  
I have to go to the USDA on Monday anyway for the EC 998 so I will just get them to fill the APHIS form as long as I have it.  The USDA told me to make the appointment for all paperwork at one time in order to avoid the additional fees as they charge per visit and not by the amount of paperwork.
Had it "clicked" in my mind before all this that the APHIS form is only necessary for flying on some airlines, my airline (BA) does not require it, and that the UK does not care about it, I would have skipped this step just to save the $200 bucks.  This stuff is getting very expensive
I guess that it is just the need to make sure that I have everything, and hopefully I have not missed a step
The dollar amount for my rugrats will be zero for one (found), $125.00 for the second (adoption fees), and $350.00 for my third

Mirrajay......I also got my dog from a breeder......Nothing wrong with getting your pet at a reputable breeder/store.  My one cat is adopted, and the second cat appeared at my door step, and I took her in.  

I am a bit confused, artist... did your vet charge you $200 for the APHIS form?  It turns out that my vet did, indeed, have this form and only charged me for the visit, and the tick/tapeworm treatments.. but you shouldnt have even had this visit yet since your animals arent flying within 24-48 hours. 
If I were you, I wouldnt worry about having the USDA endorse this form since if they will charge you extra on top of endorsing the EC998 form, since no one really needs it.

Okay, I will preface my next statement by saying my memories of this are fading and I'm not 100% sure (can someone else who remembers confirm or deny?) but.....I think the APHIS (or equivalent "fit to fly" certificate/letter) does not need to be endorsed by the USDA office.

But I REALLY cannot remember about this, so don't quote me on that until someone else maybe comes along to confirm? /???

It is usually something you get done on the same visit as the tick and tapeworm 24 to 48 hours before your check in time; if I recall correctly.

If I'm not wrong, the only things the USDA office need to see are your 998, your form "FAVN" rabies titre result, and your rabies certificate to verify the other's information against -- at least, these three were what my specialist told me to take to my USDA office.

You must get the USDA endorsement within four months of your pet's flight date.

The final section on the 998 deals with the tick and tapeworm and this obviously doesn't need to be filled out yet when the USDA stamp the form, as it's the last thing to happen. As I've said, I believe the fitness to fly document, whether you have an APHIS or a letter, is another "last thing" item as I believe it is supposed to confirm health of the animal within a two week window of travel date.

I am fuzzy on this particular detail, so corrections are welcome.

The 7001 has a place for "apply usda seal or stamp here" and mine was endorsed by a USDA vet in Des Plaines, IL.

My vet wanted to do it, to cover EVERYTHING. And I was probably charged more, but at that point I didn't even care, so.