Define the movement branch
Record origin, first-entry country, final destination, transit points, species, owner or authorized-person timing, and whether ownership changes. Those facts determine which official branch must be checked.
Choose the first-entry module
For Great Britain, verify the current health-certificate branch, endorsed-document timing, approved carrier and route, arrival facility, and any dog tapeworm window. For the EU, the first Member State entered controls the certificate and entry-point research.
Build dependencies before dates
Microchip, vaccination, testing, treatment, certificate issuance, endorsement, carrier acceptance, and facility notice can depend on earlier events. Record the source for each timing window before calculating a date.
Separate government and carrier decisions
Border eligibility does not reserve pet space, prove aircraft acceptance, or confirm a cargo facility. Treat the operating carrier, exact segment, aircraft, travel channel, and arrival facility as separate written-confirmation layers.
Re-open volatile sources
Approved-route lists, airline restrictions, certificate versions, weather embargoes, and facility instructions can change. Save the checked date and a next-review date instead of treating a screenshot as permanent evidence.
Plan the return as a second route
For a return to the United States, preserve the six-month country history, vaccination branch, current CDC Dog Import Form receipt for each dog, and any USDA, state, carrier, or arrival-port requirement.