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Moving With Dogs? Here’s How to Get Health Certificates

June 3, 2024


Moving with dogs and other pets is a big move, make sure you follow the correct procedures for taking your dog to a new place, especially if you’re moving to a different state.

Before we begin with, read our simple guides
Traveling with Animals Dos and Donts
How to Introduce your Pets to your New Home after Moving
How to Help your Pets make the Transition Easier While Moving?

Most likely, you’ll require a health certificate for dogs from your veterinarian, which basically certifies that your dog is vaccinated, healthy, and free of infections.

We’ll go over everything you need to know about receiving a dog’s health certificate, as well as any scenarios where you might not need one.

When it comes to health certificates for dogs, there are a few rules to follow.

You might require some documents if you’re moving with dogs or other pets. In other cases, however, the rules will be different. To begin, if you’re moving locally, such as inside your town or county, you shouldn’t require any documentation. However, if your move is larger than that, you’ll have to follow more stringent guidelines for transporting your dog.

If you’re moving with dogs to a new state, the first thing you should do is research the state’s regulations. You can check the US Department of Agriculture’s website, which will direct you to each state’s regulations. While this site is mostly for cattle, it will also assist you in the process of bringing a dog across state boundaries.

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In many circumstances, you’ll need to obtain a veterinarian’s certification to take with you when you relocate. If you’re relocating to New York, for example, the state mandates you to file a Certificate of Veterinary Inspection within 30 days of your arrival.

This paperwork states that your dog has “no clinical indications of infectious or communicable disease, including external parasites and fungus, and that the dog or cat has not recently been exposed to such infectious or communicable disease, to the best of the veterinarian’s knowledge.”

However, other states do not require these papers and instead only demand confirmation of rabies immunization. However, if you’re moving with dogs into your new home state, you’ll almost certainly require the CVI.

According to the American Veterinary Medical Association, all major U.S. airlines require legitimate vet paperwork for your dog to fly. Check with your airline ahead of time to be sure, as laws may differ.

However, other states do not require these papers and instead only demand confirmation of rabies immunization. However, if you’re flying your dog into your new home state, you’ll almost certainly require the CVI. According to the American Veterinary Medical Association, all major U.S. airlines require legitimate vet paperwork for your dog to fly. Check with your airline ahead of time to be sure, as laws may differ.

How to Obtain a Health Certificate when Moving with Dogs

The procedure for obtaining a health certificate for puppies or dogs is pretty straightforward, and your veterinarian may assist you. Just remember to start this procedure well ahead of your move, as it will include a few phone calls and a visit to the veterinarian. This is what you must do:

Look up your destination:

Find out what the regulations are in your destination state by contacting the USDA. The USDA’s website includes links to each state’s veterinarian and livestock regulations.

Check with your vet:

It’s time to contact your veterinarian if your new state demands a health certificate for dogs. Notify your veterinarian if you plan to relocate to a new state where a CVI is required. Your veterinarian will be able to tell you what that is, but make sure you acquire all of the information from your present veterinarian that your new state would require.

Contact a vet or the state’s vet office in your destination:

Now you must ensure that you provide your new state with the necessary information when you arrive. The state’s veterinary association can be useful, or you can use the internet to find a veterinarian in your new neighborhood. These vets are used to people moving in and out, so they know exactly what to give you to ensure that you obey the rules.

Get your dog checked out:

Once you’ve figured out exactly what you’ll need, take your dog to the vet to get him examined up so your doctor can certify that he’s fit to travel. Your veterinarian will provide you with the CVI you’ll need in your new state.

Turn in the CVI after the move:

To avoid any costs, make sure you give in your papers to the new state after you’ve arrived.

If your state doesn’t require the CVI:

Although some states do not require a CVI, they do want proof of vaccinations, so be sure you have those documents. Some states give you a grace period after you’ve moved in to get your vaccines, but it’s usually only about 30 days.

Conclusion:

Moving with dogs isn’t difficult; it just takes a little study and probably a trip to the vet. To begin, the most important thing to do is to review the policies of the location to which you are relocating. If you live in another state that requires a health certificate for dogs, please contact your veterinarian. They will gladly assist you.