Interstate Health Certificate Information
Almost everyone knows that you must be an “accredited veterinarian” to sign a health certificate for interstate or international movement of small animals as well as livestock. But did you know that the entry requirements can vary significantly from state to state? For example, many states require rabies vaccinations of cats over 3 months of age (dogs and ferrets are also required to have rabies vaccinations).
But where do we find out the requirements for a specific state? The old loose-leaf binders that listed the requirements by state and species are no longer provided because the information changes too frequently. Instead, individual state information is available online at USDA APHIS Veterinary Services, U.S. State and Territory Animal Import Regulations. You should be able to get the requirements for the destination state by species of the traveling animal.
Effective January 1, 2011, the United States Interstate and International Certificate of Health Examination for Small Animals (APHIS Form 7001), that veterinarians obtain from USDA, is the certificate required for use by California accredited licensed veterinarians. The Certificate for Interstate Movement of Small Animals (Form 77-043) is no longer available from the California Department of Food and Agriculture or approved for use.
The United States Interstate and International Certificate of Health Examination for Small Animals (APHIS Form 7001) is available as a fillable PDF from the United States Department of Agriculture. Veterinarians may complete the APHIS Form 7001 on the computer, print the form, and distribute the form parts to the respective recipients identified on the bottom right of each part. Obtain additional information from:
United States Department of Agriculture
Animal and Plant Health Inspections Services
Veterinary Services
10365 Old Placerville Road, Suite 210
Sacramento, CA 95827
Phone: 916.854.3950
Fax: 916.363.1125
© 2017 California Veterinary Medical Association
