Moving your fur baby from the U.S. to Israel takes serious advance planning — think 3 to 6 months minimum. The good news? There is no quarantine if you get your paperwork right. Here is exactly what you need to know, including real experience flying cats from Hawaii all the way to Tel Aviv.
Real Talk: Delta In-Cabin from Hawaii to Tel Aviv
This route sounds complicated, but it is doable — and yes, cats can fly in-cabin all the way. Here is what the experience actually looks like:
Real Experience: I flew my two cats, Yasei and Nani, from Hawaii to Tel Aviv via Delta Airlines entirely in-cabin. I used Mr. Peanuts carriers — both the backpack and expandable versions. They are sturdy, well-ventilated, and critically, my cats could not open the zippers, which had been a problem with other brands.
Key Delta in-cabin pet logistics to know before you book:
Max 4 pets per flight: Delta limits in-cabin pets per flight, and spots are first come, first served. Book early and always confirm your pet reservation.
No online check-in with pets: You cannot check in online if you have a pet. You must check in at the counter — and you want to arrive early.
Book via the Delta app: Delta's pet booking process is manageable through the app. Confirm the reservation and double-check that pets are noted on your ticket before travel day.
TSA private screening: Request a private screening room at security. This gives you a secure space to remove your cats from carriers while TSA screens the bags. It reduces stress significantly for nervous pets.
In-flight carrier: Carriers go under the seat in front of you. Keep your pets in the carrier for the entire flight. Stay calm, they take cues from you.
⚠️ Heads Up: Delta often overbooks pet spots. You cannot confirm pet space is truly secured until counter check-in. Arriving early is not just recommended — it is essential. If the cabin pet spots are full, you may be bumped.
Step 1: Know the Restrictions Before You Start
Israel classifies certain dog breeds as 'dangerous.' These breeds require a special import license and can ONLY travel as cargo, not in-cabin or as excess baggage:
American Staffordshire Bull Terrier (Amstaff)
Bull Terrier & Staffordshire Bull Terrier
Rottweiler
Pitt Bull Terrier
American Bully
Brazilian Fila
Argentinean Dogo
Japanese Tosa
If your dog is on this list, additional requirements apply: the dog must be over 18 months in your possession, castrated/sterilized, and you must obtain a special import license from Israel's Ministry of Agriculture. Lufthansa is one of the few airlines that will accept dangerous breeds as cargo.
Up to 2 Pets Exemption: If you are traveling with up to 2 pets on the same flight as you, you may be exempt from the formal import license, but all other health certificate requirements still apply.
Review the USDA site for Israel specific processes.
Step 2: Microchip Your Pet (ISO Standard Required)
Your pet must have an ISO-compliant microchip implanted before their first rabies vaccination. This sequencing is non-negotiable — if the chip goes in after the vaccine, the vaccination does not count and the clock resets.
Chip must transmit at 134.2 kilohertz
Must be readable with an ISO Standard 11784 or 11785-compliant reader
Microchip number must appear on all rabies certificates
SO Chip Sources: If your local vet does not carry ISO chips, order from the Pet Travel Store (877-241-0184) or Countryside Pet Supply (1-800-313-5737). Always use your base vet when possible — civilian vets often are not familiar with overseas pet requirements.
Step 3: Vaccinations and the Rabies Titer Test
This is the step that trips most military families up because of the timeline. Plan for 3 to 6 months minimum:
Step A: Microchip implanted first
Step B: Rabies vaccination administered (no less than 30 days and no more than 1 year before arrival)
Step C: Rabies titer blood test — taken at least 30 days after the vaccination
Step D: Wait 4 to 6 weeks for lab results
The blood test must show at least 0.5 IU/ml in an EU- or OIE-approved laboratory. The test is valid for life as long as your pet is vaccinated annually.
⚠️ Heads Up: The titer test is expensive and time-consuming. Start this process the moment you receive orders. Do not wait. If you can get it done on base it is much cheaper.
Step 4: Health Certificate and Import Paperwork
Required documents:
APHIS 7001 Health Certificate completed by a USDA-accredited vet and endorsed by USDA-APHIS within 10 days of travel. This is sent to Israel Electronically.
Israeli Veterinary Health Certificate (Annex A format from Ministry of Agriculture)
Pet Owner Declaration (Annex B) attests the animal has been in your possession for at least 90 days - Send
Arrival Notification (Annex C) must be emailed to [email protected] at least 2 working days before your pet's flight
Import License (if required — for dangerous breeds or more than 2 pets.
Sample of information needed in the email to the Ministry in Israel for import.
Subject: Notification of Pet Arrival
From: [Your Name] <[email protected]>
Cc: [Spouse/Co-owner] <[email protected]>
Date: [At least 2 working days before departure]
Aloha,
Please find the information about our pets below and attached. Thank you! If you have any questions please let me know!
OWNERS: [Your Full Name] and [Co-owner Full Name]
PHONE: [Your international contact number]
ADDRESS IN ISRAEL: [Your Israel address upon arrival]
Attachments: Annex B (Owner Declaration) • USDA Health Certificate (APHIS 7001) • FAVN Titer Results
Name: | [Pet 1 Name] |
Species: | [Dog / Feline / etc.] |
Sex: | [M / F] |
DOB: | [MM/DD/YYYY] |
Breed: | [Breed] |
Microchip: | [15-digit ISO microchip number] |
Rabies Date: | [MM/DD/YYYY] |
Name: | [Pet 2 Name — if applicable] |
Species: | [Dog / Feline / etc.] |
Sex: | [M / F] |
DOB: | [MM/DD/YYYY] |
Breed: | [Breed] |
Microchip: | [15-digit ISO microchip number] |
Rabies Date: | [MM/DD/YYYY] |
Flight Route: | [Departure Airport] – TLV |
Flight Number: | [Flight Number] |
Departure Date: | [MM/DD/YYYY] |
Departure Time: | [HH:MM] |
Arrival Date: | [MM/DD/YYYY] |
Arrival Time: | [HH:MM] |
Sample only — replace all bracketed fields. Add or remove pet tables as needed.
Step 5: Getting Your Pet There
Options for transport to Israel:
In-cabin on Delta (cats and small dogs): Fully bookable via the Delta app. Confirmed by real experience on the Hawaii to Tel Aviv route.
El Al: Offers a flat rate of approximately $400 for pets and crates up to 100 kg as excess baggage on international flights — a strong option for larger pets
United and Delta: Generally do not fly animals in cargo; exceptions are limited to service dogs
Dangerous breeds only: Lufthansa is among the only airlines that accepts restricted breeds, and only as cargo with an airway bill and wooden kennel
Notify Israeli Veterinary Services at Ben Gurion Airport at least 2 working days before arrival: [email protected]
Step 6: After Arrival in Israel
No mandatory quarantine if your documentation is complete. Post-arrival obligations:
Register your dog with the local municipality within 5 working days of arrival (the vet office handles this, as the municipality only accepts Israeli credit cards)
Dangerous breeds must wear a muzzle in public
Park Worm shots every 2 months: This is not the same as heartworm. U.S. heartworm medications have no effect on park worms, and the damage is irreversible if contracted. Do not skip this.
Keep a go-bag ready for your pet at all times. The evacuation contingency advice from official resources is real, as families in the region know firsthand.
Military PCS Reimbursement
Per MARADMIN 147/26 (effective November 25, 2024) and the JTR, actual authorized pet transportation expenses may be reimbursed up to:
$2,000 for OCONUS PCS moves (includes Israel)
$550 for CONUS PCS moves
Eligible costs include mandatory microchipping, titer testing/bloodwork, quarantine fees, boarding fees, hotel pet fees, licensing fees at new duty station, and pet shipping fees if flying instead of driving or pet ships separately.
In extenuating circumstances where AMC and commercial flights have no pet availability, the Secretarial Process may approve expenses up to $4,000. Submit via AA Form with supporting documentation and command endorsement to CMC (M&RA, MPO-40) via [email protected].
🚨 Important: PCS orders are NOT required to submit a pet reservation request on AMC/Patriot Express, and pets do NOT have to be listed on orders for reimbursement purposes. However, keep all receipts — everything.