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Veterinary Public Health Section

Importing and Exporting Pet Animals

What do you want to do?

Cat inside pet transporter next to luggage with airport tags

Who is this information for?

​This information is for people who are traveling with their pets in California, either to or from another U.S. state/territory, or to or from another country.

Why is this information important?

Different states, territories, and countries have legal health requirements for animals, including pets, entering their borders to help make sure that these animals do not carry serious diseases between states, territories, or countries. These requirements are different depending on the type of animal and its places of origin and destination (where the animal is coming from and going to). Any person bringing an animal into California is required by state and federal laws to have certain documents stating that the animal is not carrying serious diseases, such as rabies.

Airplane

Anyone transporting an animal on a commercial airline flight should call the airline company for any additional requirements they may have.


Note:

  • The only vaccination required for a pet dog to come to California is for rabies. The State of California does not require other vaccinations for pets, but local (county/city) animal agencies may have other requirements. Always check with the county or city you are traveling or moving to in California.

  • A completed rabies vaccination certificate must be signed and dated by a licensed veterinarian.


Interstate Movement

Pets coming to California from another U.S. state or territory​

Important update for dogs brought into California to be sold or change owners: 

Starting January 1, 2026, health certificates for dogs being imported into California with plans to be sold must be sent to the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) Animal Health Branch. There is no longer a requirement to send health certificates to the county health department where the dog will be sold. ​

Learn more: CDFA Submitting Certificates of Veterinary Inspection (CVIs) for Dogs​

​
​Animal​​​
​Documents Required
​More Information

​P​​et dogs (currently owned and not changing ownership)

  • ​​Signed and dated rabies vaccination certificate for any dog over four (4) months of age
​The State of California does not require a waiting period after a dog is vaccinated for rabies before it can be brought into California, but the county or city you are traveling to may require a waiting period. Contact the local (county/city) animal services agency to ask about any requirements. 

​Pet dogs chang​ing owne​rship in California (including dogs that will be sold to new owners in California) 

  • ​Signed and dated rabies vaccination certificate for any dog over four (4) months of age, and​

  • A health certificate (also known as a Certificate of Veterinary Inspection)*

​Health certificates must be:

  • ​​​​Completed no more than 10 days before the date the dog arrives in California

Starting January 1, 2026, health certificates for dogs must be sent to the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) Animal Health Branch. 

Learn more: CDFA Submitting Certificates of Veterinary Inspection (CVIs) for Dogs ​

​Pet ca​​ts

​None​​

​No doc​uments are required for pet/domestic cats entering California.

Some counties or cities in California require cats to be vaccinated for rabies. Contact the local (county/city) animal services agency to ask about any requirements.

​Wildlife and exotic pets (including birds and reptil​es)

​Check California D​epartment of Fish and Wildlife laws and regulations for Restricted Species (PDF) and permits for Restricted Species.​

​

​Livestock and poultry​​

​Check ​​CDFA entry requirements.

​The​​​se requirements also apply to livestock animals often considered pets, such as potbellied pigs and teacup pigs.​


Pet owners who are moving their permanent residence to California should check with the local animal control agency in the city or county they are moving to about any requirements for pets (including pet licenses) in that area.​

Certificate

*An electronic Certificate of Veterinary Inspection from a private company or independent provider, or the United States Interstate and International Certificate of Health Examination for Small Animals (APHIS Form 7001 (PDF)), must be completed, dated, and signed by an accredited, licensed veterinarian.


Pets leaving California and going to another U.S. state or territory

Before traveling, contact the state or territory you are traveling to in order to find out which documents, if any, are required for a pet coming from another state or territory:​

Alabama, Alaska, American Samoa, Arizona, Arkansas (PDF), Colorado, Connecticut (PDF), Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Guam (PDF), Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri (PDF), Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey (PDF), New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma (PDF), Oregon, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico (PDF), Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virgin Islands, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia (PDF), Wisconsin, Wyoming (PDF)

​Learn ​more: USDA Take a Pet From One U.S. State or Territory to Another (Insterstate)

Some U.S. states do not accept APHIS Form 7001. Anyone transporting an animal to another state outside of California should check with the state they are going to in advance to learn about required documents.


International Movement

Pets coming to California from another country

​Animal​​​
 ​Documents Required
 ​More Information 
​Pet dogs​​

 ​The State of California does not require a waiting period after a dog is vaccinated for rabies before it can be brought into California, but the county or city you are traveling to may require a waiting period. Contact the local (county/city) animal services agency to ask about any requirements. ​
​Pet cats
 ​None

​No documents are required for pet/domestic cats entering California.​

​Some counties or cities in California require cats to be vaccinated for rabies. Contact the local (county/city) animal services agency to ask about any requirements.​

​Wildlife and exoti​​c pets (including birds and reptiles) 

​Check U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services (FWS) for regulated species and entry requirements.​

Check California Department of Fish and Wildlife laws and regulations for Restricted Species (PDF) and permits for Restricted Species.

 ​Wild animals are regulated by the FWS, including those animals kept as pets.

​Livestock ​​and poultry

​Che​​ck the USDA APHIS website for requirements. 

​These requirements also apply to livestock​​ animals often considered pets, such as potbellied pigs, teacup pigs, and backyard birds.​

Pets leaving California and going to another country

Visit the USDA Travel With a Pet website for detailed information about any requirements for pets leaving the United States and entering another country.​

Resources​
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