HEALTH AND REGULATIONS
Have your pet examined by a veterinarian early- you might need time for any treatment or inoculations. A second examination just before departure may be necessary.Inform the vet if the pet or is excitable or is prone to motion sickness when traveling. Ask him to prescribe the necessary medication.
Health Certificate:
For nearly all the states, Interstate health certificates must accompany dogs and horses. About half the states require the same for cats, birds and other pets.
In some cases, advance receipt of the health certificate by the destination state's regulatory agency is a prerequisite to entry of the pet.
The health certificate must state that it is free from infectious diseases and include a complete description of the pet and list all inoculations it has had.
Permit:
Some pets require entry permits issued by the concerned regulatory agency of the destination state. An interstate health certificate from the state of origin may be required for issuance of the permit.
The validity of health certificates and permits in several states are strictly limited. If moving to any of these, make sure your pet arrives within the valid period
There may be a charge for the permit, which either you or your veterinarian may apply for.
Identification:
Both dogs and cats should be provided with special travel identification tags. Brands, tattoos, color photos, and/or registration papers may identify horses and ponies, while leg bands may be used for birds.
The pet's health certificate may also be used for identification. A luggage- type tag with space on both sides for writing makes an excellent tag.
The tag should include the pet's name, your name and destination address, and the name and address of an alternate person to contact in case you cannot be located.
State and local laws usually require the rabies tag to be securely attached to the pet's collar. All but four states require dogs to be inoculated for rabies, and a number of states have the same regulation for cats.
The documents pertaining to your pet's health may be asked for at anytime, especially when traveling, so it is advisable to keep them handy.
State Laws:
Nearly every state has laws applicable to the entry of dogs, cats, horses, birds and other pets, with tropical fish being the only exception. You may be subject to prosecution if you fail to comply with those laws.
Some states check interstate health certificates and some depend on individual compliance with the law. Different states use different mechanisms to check for compliance.
The best way to check upon applicable laws might be to consult the State Veterinarian in the capital of your new home state.
Local Regulations:
Most communities in the United States have pet control and licensing ordinances in force. While most of these relate only to dogs, an increasing number of cities are applying them to cats as well. Local laws may also limit the number of dogs or cats permitted in one household.
The length of time in which a new resident has to obtain a license for a pet and the license fees vary from place to place. You will need to contact the city administration for specific information.
The stabling of horses, ponies and other livestock within city limits is prohibited in most communities. If and where permitted, there may be specifications regarding the minimum distance from the barn to your house as well as your neighbors' houses, besides size of pasture required. Your animal(s) might have to be stabled outside the city limits.
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