This is what a $24 plan looks like

Below is a complete example plan, built for a dog flying from Texas to Costa Rica. Names and dates are illustrative — the structure, the level of detail and the checks are exactly what you receive.

This is a real plan we delivered, with the customer's details changed. The route, the risk we found and every requirement below are exactly as they were written. Rules change — every plan we deliver is checked against current official sources on the day it is written.

Overview

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PET TRAVEL PLAN · EXAMPLE

Coco · Mixed breed

Austin → Costa Rica

Departure: Sat, 14 November 2026

Key risk for this route

Airline choice depends on Coco's size

United Airlines accepts pets ONLY in the cabin (soft carrier that fits under the seat, about 46 × 28 × 28 cm) — its cargo program is closed to the public. If Coco does not fit in an under-seat carrier, she must fly with an airline that ships pets as cargo to Costa Rica (e.g. Avianca, Copa, American Airlines cargo) or with a licensed pet transporter. Confirm this first — it defines the whole trip.

Your timeline

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Mon · Jul 27
Confirm Coco's size and book flight
Weigh Coco and measure her standing naturally. Under ~9 kg (20 lb) incl. carrier: book United/American/Delta in-cabin (about $125–150 each way; pet spots per flight are limited — reserve at booking). Larger: book with an airline that accepts pet cargo to San José (Avianca, Copa, American Airlines cargo) or contact a licensed IPATA pet transporter.
Tue · Sep 29
Verify core vaccinations (DHLPP)
Costa Rica requires dogs to be vaccinated against distemper, hepatitis, parvovirus and leptospirosis within the 12 months before travel. Check Coco's records; if any shot is older than 12 months or missing, schedule a booster now. Also confirm her rabies vaccination is valid on 2026-11-14; a first-ever rabies shot must be given at least 21 days before travel.
Sun · Oct 4
Order travel crate or carrier
In-cabin: soft-sided carrier up to about 46 × 28 × 28 cm. Cargo: IATA-compliant hard crate (see requirements section). Allow 2–3 weeks for delivery and for Coco to get comfortable inside.
Wed · Nov 4
Vet appointment: health certificate + parasite treatment
Visit a USDA-accredited veterinarian (within 14 days of departure; we recommend 8–10 days before to leave time for endorsement). The vet examines Coco, administers internal AND external parasite treatment — required within 15 days of travel and recorded on the certificate — and issues the bilingual Veterinary Health Certificate for the Export of Dogs and Cats from the USA to Costa Rica electronically via VEHCS.
Thu · Nov 5
USDA digital endorsement
The vet submits the certificate through VEHCS; USDA APHIS endorses it digitally. Print the endorsed certificate — the printed copy must travel with Coco. No mailing needed.
Thu · Nov 12
Final document check
Verify: endorsed health certificate, rabies certificate, DHLPP records, parasite treatment record, microchip documentation. Make 3–4 copies of everything.
Fri · Nov 13
Pack travel kit and prepare crate
Attach food and water bowls to the crate, label with contact information and Live Animal stickers, absorbent bedding; pack leash, food, medications, and cleanup supplies.
Sat · Nov 14
Travel day
Arrive at the airport 3+ hours early (in-cabin: check in at the counter, not a kiosk). Bring all original documents. If Coco flies as cargo, confirm arrival lands within SENASA business hours (weekdays 8am–4pm).

Crate requirements

Coco's size decides the setup. In-cabin: soft-sided carrier up to about 46 × 28 × 28 cm. Cargo: IATA CR1 rigid crate with metal-bolted door; Coco must stand, turn and lie naturally. Do not buy until her measurements are confirmed.

≤ 46 × 28 × 28 cm: In-cabin carrier — soft-sided, under-seat
IATA CR1: Cargo crate — rigid, metal door
Stand, turn, lie: Sizing rule — natural position
Metal, bolted: Door — no plastic clips
3+ sides: Ventilation — cargo crates
Leak-proof: Floor — absorbent lining

Solid, leak-proof floor with absorbent lining.
Food and water dishes attached inside, refillable from outside.
"Live Animal" stickers on top and at least two sides.
Owner contact label with name, phone, destination address.

Documents, checklist and contacts

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Documents

Document	Issued by · note	Status
Bilingual Costa Rica health certificate	USDA-accredited vet via VEHCS — issued within 14 days of travel, digitally endorsed by USDA APHIS	Needed
DHLPP vaccination records	Veterinarian — distemper, hepatitis, parvovirus, leptospirosis — within 12 months of travel	Needed
Parasite treatment record	Veterinarian — internal + external, within 15 days of travel, recorded on the certificate	Needed
Rabies vaccination certificate	Veterinarian — confirm validity through 2026-11-14; first-ever shot min. 21 days before travel	Have it
Microchip documentation	Veterinarian / registry — ISO 15-digit; not required by Costa Rica but strongly recommended	Have it
Import permit (SENASA)	Costa Rica authority — not required when Coco travels with the owner; required only for unaccompanied cargo	Have it

Pre-departure checklist

If flying cargo: arrival lands 8:00–16:00 local, Mon–Fri

Applies to cargo arrivals (SENASA inspection hours).

3–4 copies of every document

One in crate pouch, one on your person, one backup.

Acclimate Coco to the crate for 3+ weeks

Feed and treat inside the crate daily.

Pre-freeze water dish the night before travel

Prevents spill during loading; melts en route.

Withhold food 4–6 hours before departure

Water is fine up to 2 hours before.

Verify pet microchip with a scanner

Vet can confirm at the 10-day appointment.

Contacts

Airline reservations (in-cabin pets)

United Airlines

Pet spots are limited — reserve at booking

www.united.com

USDA endorsement

USDA APHIS

Endorsement is digital, via VEHCS — your accredited vet submits it. APHIS does not publish a separate Texas endorsement desk; use the contact routes on their site.

www.aphis.usda.gov/pet-travel

Destination authority

SENASA Costa Rica

Animal health import authority

+506 2105 6100

mag.go.cr/senasa

PTR support

PetTravelRules concierge

Plan questions, document review

info@pettravelrules.com

This plan is guidance based on regulations current at the time of generation. Always confirm requirements with the airline and destination authority before travel. PetTravelRules is not a licensed veterinary or legal service.

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The rules for the country

Vaccinations, microchip rules, certificates and quarantine conditions as published for the destination — the same reference data anyone can browse.

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Which rules apply to your dog, your airline and your date — in order, with dates counted back from your flight.

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