in transit in the USA

Question
QUESTION: I live in Japan and will bring my pet to Guatemala. In order to get there I need to transfer in the USA. I know the requirements for entering the US and they are no problem but I am unsure if the pet will be allowed to leave the US since I do not have any documents from the States, they will be all issued by my veterinarian here in Japan. I arrive in the morning, enter the States and then leave at 11pm the same day so I don't think they call that in transit. Also if you know what I require to enter Guatemala please let me know. I have heard conflicting information. Thanks

ANSWER: Dear Masahiko
Thanks for your e-mail.  Hope I can assist you.
I would need to know much more:  Date of your travel? What
type and size pet(s) do you have? Are you bringing pet as
excess baggage or cargo to USA?  What airline are you coming
to USA on?  What city in USA? What airline will you travel
to G.C. on?
I have called Continental to get some info for you.  Also,
American and Taca fly to G.C. from USA  I think you will
need import permit for Guatemala.  They will require
a health cert.  The one you get in Japan should be ok.
They require rabies vaccination at least 30 days old and
less than 1 year.  I trust Japan issues rabies vac even
though they consider themselves rabies free.  In any event,
pet will require above rabies vacs!!!
I have attempted to e-mail the one broker in G.C. that I
have access to:  No reply yet.  You can also try:
cargo@cargosa.net    Their web page does not seem to
respond, so I do not know if they are still in business!!
You should contact the Guatemala Embassy or Consulate where
you are for updated info.
Since I am in Washington DC area, I probably will not be
able to help you directly.  Once I know what US city you
will be in I can recommend someone that could help you
directly should you need more help!  Be VERY cautious about
using 3rd party pet shippers as your cost will skyrocket!!
Also:  What will you be doing in Guatemala?  If working or
going to school, and you might have a sponsor, or someone
already there who could get info for you right on the spot.
This could save you MUCH money, time and stress !!
I know I can be of more assistance to you once I have more
specifics of your plans and needs.
Most sincerely,   Jerry Mishler   www.actionpetexpress.com

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thank you very much for your answer. I am sorry not to have included enough information. I will be travelling to Los Angeles (LAX) from Tokyo (NRT) with NWA on April the 6th and I plan to take the dog with me in the cabin. The reservation has been made already. Then I will travel with DELTA on the 7th of April from LAX to Guatemala city where I also have planned to take the dog in the cabin.  The dog is a miniature Dachshund and he is 4.8kilograms. He is already 1 year and a half and I will get all the certificates and vaccines needed here in Japan. My biggest worry is not entering the USA, but leaving it. I have heard that pets need some kind of cerfitificate from a USA approved veterinarian and I will of course have no time to get this, so will the papers from Japan suffice?
My mother in law is in Guatemala and she is the one who has given me conflicting information since she has received different information from different people. But that sounds like Guatemala....
Again, thank you so much for your detailed information, I really appreciate it!

Answer
Hello again
Did you know you will have to go via Atlanta on Delta and
make another connection?  There are direct flights from
LAX to GUA on United.  Wonder why you were not routed that
way?
Anyway, I heard from the firm in GUA.  If you contact them
they should be able to bring you up to date.  I would think
the health cert from Japan would work, but I can NOT
answer that with authority...  The rabies vac is the most
important. Cargosa should be able to answer best, and also
if import permit is required, and how to get it.
I have a suggestion.   If the paperwork provided by the
Japanese veterinarian is in english, this should work for
GUA.  If, all is in Japanese, you might try to get a
translation into Spanish, or at least english.  The
authorities in GUA would have more problems reading
Japanese than English, I would think.  Spanish would be
best.
Please keep me informed as to developments.
Sincerely, Jerry

p.s.  I got an e-mail from:  cargo@cargosa.net   
I am unable to forward it to you.  Is is ESSENTIAL that
you contact them for more info as it seems it will be more
difficult than I thought since you are coming from another
country and just transiting the USA
Jerry