Animal Importation Frequently Asked Questions

Cat and Dog Questions and Answers

What entry requirements will my dog or cat be required to meet before I arrive in California?

Dogs and cats are regulated by the California Department of Public Health (CDPH). For information regarding the importation and exportation of these animals please contact CDPH or visit the CDPH website.

California Entrance Requirements for Dogs

All domestic dogs must be healthy. Dogs over four (4) months of age must have documentation proving current rabies vaccination. A Certificate of Veterinary Inspection (CVI), also known as a health certificate, is not required for privately owned dogs entering California. Dogs imported into California for the purpose of being sold or changing ownership require a health certificate issued by a licensed and accredited veterinarian within 10 days prior to importation. It is the responsibility of the person importing the dogs into California to submit a copy of the health certificate to the local public health department where the dogs will live or be sold. If transporting dogs via commercial air, additional requirements may apply. Health certificates should not be sent to the California Department of Food and Agriculture or the California Department of Public Health.

California Entrance Requirements for Cats

All domestic cats must be healthy. Neither a Certificate of Veterinary Inspection (CVI), also known as a health certificate, nor a rabies vaccination is required to import a cat into California; however, if traveling into California via airplane, please call the airline as they may have additional requirements.

Does California have specifically approved rabies vaccines for dog and cats?

Contact your local county animal control office for more information.

When traveling by air, does my animal require a Certificate of Veterinary Inspection (CVI), also known as a Health Certificate?

The California Department of Food and Agriculture-Animal Health Branch does not require a CVI for dogs or cats to enter the state by air, however it is recommended to check with the airline as they may require a CVI along with additional requirements.

How far in advance should I contact my airline?

It is recommended to contact your airline three (3) to four (4) weeks before your departure for specific requirements the airline may have.

Does California require an entry permit prior to transporting my animal?

Currently, the California Department of Food and Agriculture-Animal Health Branch does not require an entry permit for cats or dogs entering the state.

How do I obtain a Health Certificate or a Certificate of Veterinary Inspection (CVI)?

Only an accredited veterinarian is authorized to complete, issue, and sign a CVI. Your veterinarian can either use a state-sanctioned CVI from the state of origin, an electronic CVI from a third-party service provider, or the APHIS Form 7001.

Should I be concerned about adverse weather conditions and flying my pet?

Please contact your airline for additional information about adverse weather and transporting your pet. Airlines may require acclimation statements on your animal's health certificate. If an acclimation statement is required your veterinarian should call the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) at (800) 248–2862 ext. 287 for statement language. Only veterinarians should call this number.

If I am leaving California with my animal who do I call?

Contact the state of destination for their animal importation requirements, or visit any of the following websites – USDA Pet Travel, InterstateLivestock.com, or flywithmypet.com.

If I am leaving the United States with my animal, who do I call?

USDA-Veterinary Services is responsible for all international shipments of animals, including those traveling to Mexico and Canada. Please call them at (916) 854-3900. Their office hours are 7:30 A.M. to 4:00 P.M. Pacific Time. You may also visit USDA Pet Travel or flywithmypet.com to learn more about export requirements.

If my dog was vaccinated in another state or country with a rabies vaccine not approved for use in California, will I have to revaccinate the dog in California?

In most cases you will be required to revaccinate your dog. Contact your county animal control office for more information.

If a rabies vaccine is not available in the country I am traveling from, will I be required to vaccinate my dog after I arrive?

Yes, all dogs over four (4) months of age are required to be vaccinated. Contact your county animal control office for more information.

Where can I obtain tags to identify service dogs?

Assistance dogs are specially trained as guide dogs, signal dogs, or service dogs. People may apply for assistance dog identification tags from their county clerk or animal control office. The tags are blue or gold in color, shaped like the State of California, 1” x 1.5” in size and numbered in sequence.

Who do I contact if I have a complaint about:

Animal Abuse or Animal Care Issues: Your local animal control office or SPCA for dogs and cats or generic livestock complaints.

Veterinarians or Veterinary Technicians: California Veterinary Medical Board at (916) 515-5220.

Sale of Dogs and Cats: District attorney’s office where the animal was purchased.

Livestock, Poultry and Other Species Questions and Answers

General California Entry Requirements

Call (916) 900-5052 or visit InterstateLivestock.com for more specific information.

Remember that your accredited veterinarian has an essential role in the animal movement process from completing the Certificate of Veterinary Inspection (CVI) and obtaining the permit number to knowing what constitutes official Identification (ID) for each species.

Equines (Horses, Donkeys, Zebra and Mules)

Must be free of contagious diseases. Equines entering the state require a CVI and a negative Equine Infectious Anemia (EIA) test within twelve (12) months of entry. Foals under six (6) months are exempt from the negative EIA test only if they are traveling with their negative mother. An entry permit is not required.

GlobalVetLink (GVL) has an Extended Equine Certificate of Veterinary Inspection (EECVI) program which meets California interstate movement requirements. Effective January 1, 2020, CDFA will accept GVL’s EECVI documents for entry into California, which are valid up to six (6) months. Through GVL, veterinarians can create an EECVI online for owners when then provides owners with the ability to generate required travel permits for each one-way movement each animal takes. For more information about EECVIs, visit GlobalVetLink.

Beef Breed Cattle

Must be free of contagious diseases. All beef cattle require an entry permit before entry into California and most require a CVI. Female cattle over six (6) months of age and bulls requiring Trichomonosis testing require official individual ID. Bulls 18 months of age and over and non-virgin bulls of any age must have a negative individual PCR Trichomonosis test (no pooled or cultured samples) within 60 days before entering the state. Exemptions and additional requirements may exist for certain classes of beef cattle; please call the permit desk at (916) 900-5052 for more specific information.

Dairy Breed Cattle

Must be free of contagious diseases. All dairy cattle require an entry permit and official individual ID before entry into California and most require a CVI. Female cattle over four (4) months of age must have proof of Brucellosis vaccination in the form of a vaccination tattoo. Bulls 18 months of age and over and non-virgin bulls of any age must have a negative individual PCR Trichomonosis test (no pooled or cultured samples) within 60 days before entering the state. Sexually intact dairy cattle over six (6) months of age require a negative Tuberculosis test within 60 days before entering the state. Exemptions and additional requirements may exist for certain classes of dairy cattle; please call the permit desk at (916) 900-5052 for more specific information.

Rodeo, Exhibition, or Recreational Cattle

Must be free of contagious diseases. All rodeo, exhibition, or recreational cattle require an entry permit, CVI, and official individual ID before entry into California. Testing exemptions and additional requirements may exist for certain classes of these cattle; please call the permit desk at (916) 900-5052 for more specific information.

Exotic Bovidae (specifically Bison, Water Buffalo, and Yaks)

Must be free of contagious diseases. All bison, water buffalo, and yaks require an entry permit, CVI, and official individual ID before entry into California. Sexually intact bison, water buffalo, and yaks over six (6) months of age require a negative Brucellosis test within 30 days before entering the state. All bison, water buffalo, and yaks over six (6) months require a negative Tuberculosis test within 60 days before entering the state. Trichomonosis testing is not required for bulls of any age.

Sheep (Domestic)

Must be free of contagious diseases. All sheep require an entry permit, CVI, and official individual ID before entry into California. Rams over six (6) months of age require a negative Brucella ovis test within 60 days before entering the state. Exemptions exist; please call the permit desk at (916) 900-5052 for more specific information.

Goats (Domestic)

Must be free of contagious diseases. All goats require an entry permit, CVI, and official individual ID before entry into California. No testing is required. Exemptions exist; please call the permit desk at (916) 900-5052 for more specific information.

Swine (Domestic)

Must be free of contagious diseases. All swine require an entry permit, CVI, and official individual ID before entry into California. No testing is required. Exemptions exist; please call the permit desk at (916) 900-5052 for more specific information.

Poultry (including, but not limited to, Chickens, Turkeys, Ducks, Pheasants, Pigeons, Ratites, Waterfowl and Hatching Eggs)

Must be free of contagious diseases. All poultry imported into California require a CVI, except poultry from flocks classified as Pullorum-Typhoid Free by their state of origin or by National Poultry Improvement Plan (NPIP) and accompanied by their NPIP 9-3 certification form. Entry permits are not required. Requirements may change in the event of a disease outbreak. In the event of a disease outbreak, please review our Avian Health page to stay up-to-date on any additional requirements that are in place for poultry, pet birds, hatching eggs, and poultry products.

Camelids (including Camels, Llamas and Alpacas)

Must be free of contagious diseases. An entry permit or testing is not required. A CVI is recommended.

Rabbits (Domestic)

Must be free of contagious diseases. An entry permit is not required. A CVI is required for rabbits traveling from a state or country diagnosed with Rabbit Hemorrhagic Disease (RHD) in the prior twelve (12) months and must be issued within 72 hours of shipping to California. Contact your state veterinarian’s office (or equivalent agency if international) to confirm your area’s status. Specific disease statements must be attested to by the owner and veterinarian and written on the CVI. To view these statements, review California’s quarantine notice, and/or learn more about RHD, visit our Rabbit Hemorrhagic Disease (RHD) page.

Ferrets, Quaker and Monk Parakeets, Gerbils, Hedgehogs and Sugar Gliders

These are restricted species that are not allowed into California. Contact the California Department of Fish and Wildlife at (916) 928-5846.

Wild Animals, Non-Poultry Birds and Exotics

Contact the California Department of Fish and Wildlife at (916) 445-0411.

Non-Human Primates, Carnivores, Bats and Laboratory Animals

Contact the Department of Public Health Veterinary Public Health Services at (916) 552-9740.