Bringing Back your Pets to the US

Cats

As a general rule, there are no restrictions on bringing domestic cats into the U.S. There are no vaccination requirements for cats, although cats arriving in Hawaii or Guam are subject to that state's/territory's quarantine requirements. While a rabies certificate is not required for entry into the U.S., domestic cats must be free of evidence of disease communicable to humans when examined by an inspector at the port of entry. If the animal is not in apparent good health, further examination by a licensed veterinarian may be required at the owner's expense. If you are bringing your cat to the U.S. on an airplane, you should check with the airline about their requirements for transporting animals. Many airlines require a certificate of health from a veterinarian.

Dogs

Dogs must be vaccinated against rabies at least 30 days before entering the United States. This requirement does not apply, however, to puppies less than three months of age* or to dogs originating or located for at least six months in areas designated by the U.S. Public Health Service as being rabies-free. The following procedures pertain to dogs arriving from areas that are not free of rabies: A valid rabies vaccination certificate should accompany the animal. This certificate should be in English or be accompanied by a translation. It should identify the animal, the dates of vaccination and expiration, and be signed by a licensed veterinarian. If no expiration date is specified, the certificate is acceptable if the date of vaccination is no more than 12 months before the date of arrival.

If a vaccination has not been performed, or if the certificate is not valid, the animal may be admitted if it is confined upon arrival at a place of the owner's choosing. The dog must be vaccinated within four days after arrival at the final destination, but no more than 10 days after arrival at the port of entry. The animal must remain in confinement for at least 30 days after being vaccinated. If the vaccination was performed less than 30 days before arrival, the animal may be admitted but must be confined at a place of the owner's choosing until at least 30 days have passed since the vaccination. Owners of dogs that do not have a valid rabies certificate are required to fill out and sign a "Notice to Owners & Importers of Dogs" at the port of entry, which is submitted to the quarantine station that oversees the port of entry. Be aware, the quarantine station follows up with the owner's local health department, to ensure the vaccination takes place. So it is essential that the owner complies with these requirements.

An owner's home can be the "place of the owner's choosing."

*Young puppies must be confined at a place of the owner's choosing until they are three months old, then they must be vaccinated. They must remain in confinement for 30 days. Dogs that arrive in Hawaii or Guam, both of which are free of rabies, are subject to the state's or territory's quarantine requirements, in addition to whatever other Public Health Service requirements, above, apply.

Only Hawaii and Guam have quarantine requirements for pet dogs being imported.
States other than those two require the pet be vaccinated against rabies at least 30 days before entering the United States. This requirement does not apply, however, to puppies less than three months of age or to dogs originating or located for at least six months in areas designated by the U.S. Public Health Service as being rabies-free.

Owners of puppies are required to fill out and sign a "Notice to Owners & Importers of
Dogs" at the port of entry, which is submitted to the quarantine station that
oversees the port of entry. This enables the owner to postpone vaccination until the
puppy is 3 months of age. The puppy must remain in the owner's residence, away from
other pets and people. After three months, the puppy must be vaccinated against
rabies. Be aware, the quarantine station follows up with the owner's local health
department, to ensure the vaccination takes place. So it is essential that the owner
of the puppy complies with these
requirements.

For additional information on these requirements, please contact the U.S.
Public Health Service at (404) 639-3235 or www.cdc.gov.

Birds

All birds -- those taken out of the country as well as those being returned -- are subject to controls and restrictions.

In addition, nearly all birds coming into the country require a permit from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

To prevent outbreaks of the Exotic Newcastle Disease (END), the following U.S. Department of Agriculture controls and restrictions have been in effect since January 1980: Most birds must be quarantined upon arrival for at least 30 days in a USDA-operated facility at the owner's expense.

These facilities are located at the following ports of entry: New York, NY (718)553-1727 Miami, FL (305)526-2926 McAllen, TX(210)782-7995 Los Angeles, CA(310)215-1314 San Ysidro, CA (310)215-2352(California reservations should be made in Los Angeles.)

A 30-day quarantine costs approximately $200 per bird cost is subject to change. Quarantine space must be reserved in advance by submitting VS Form 17-23 with the full amount. The form is available from USDA offices, American consulates, and embassies.

A health certificate executed by the national veterinarian of the country of export must accompany the bird. The certificate must have been executed no more than 30 days prior to the bird's arrival. This certificate must affirm that the bird has been examined, that it shows no evidence of communicable disease, and that it is being exported in accordance with the laws of that country. VS Form 17-23 may be used for this purpose.

The bird must be removed from the quarantine facility within five days of notification of release. It is the owner's responsibility to arrange for the bird's transportation and to pay the costs of quarantine.

Birds from Canada that have been in the owner's possession for at least 90 days before importation and that are found healthy upon veterinary inspection at one of the Canadian border ports of entry where veterinarians are stationed are exempt from the 30-day quarantine.

Pet birds originating in the United States may be reimported without being quarantined if they are accompanied by a United States veterinary health certificate and, if necessary, a permit from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. This health certificate must be obtained prior to departure from the United States and must include a leg band or tattoo number.

In any case, every bird is subject to inspection by a veterinarian. You should call ahead to make sure that a vet will be available at the port of entry you intend to enter the U.S. through. If arrangements are not made to ensure that a vet will be there, the bird may be detained until the vet can travel to the port.

There is a $16 inspection fee. Pet birds must be kept separate and apart from all other birds and poultry while outside the United States.

Federal permits are required by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for the importation and exportation of most bird species listed under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species, endangered birds and native species, including feathers, parts and mounted specimens, and certain live injurious species.

In addition, foreign wildlife permits may be required. Be sure to check with the foreign country for its wildlife requirements. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service clearance is required to import and export all non-domestic birds and their parts and products.

Because certain States administer their own regulations to protect wildlife and animal health, you should contact appropriate State officials to learn about State requirements, if any, when making importation arrangements.

Turtles

Live turtles with shells less than four inches long (linear measure) may not be imported for commercial purposes. An individual may import live turtles with shells less than four inches long and may also import viable turtle eggs, provided that for each arrival, there is no more than one lot containing fewer than seven viable turtle eggs or turtles, or any combination thereof totaling less than seven. There are no Public Health Service restrictions on the importation of live turtles with a shell longer than four inches. Turtles are subject to all requirements of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The following ports are designated for entry of all fish and wildlife: Atlanta, Baltimore, Boston, Chicago, Dallas/Ft. Worth, Honolulu, Los Angeles, Miami, New Orleans, New York/Newark, Portland, San Francisco, and Seattle.

All such packages and containers must be marked, labeled or tagged to plainly indicate the name and address of the shipper and consignee, and the number and nature of contents. Wildlife in any form, including pets, imported into or exported from the United States must be declared and cleared on U.S. Fish and Wildlife Form 3-177 (Declaration for Importation or Exportation of Fish or Wildlife) by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service prior to release by U.S. Customs.

Contact the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for further clearance requirements and for a copy of the pamphlets "Facts about Federal Wildlife Laws" and "Buyer Beware". Also contact the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service for information about importing animal and bird products such as hides, eggs, feathers, etc.

Fish

The following categories of wildlife and fish are subject to certain prohibitions, restrictions, permit and quarantine requirements: Mammals, birds, amphibians, fish, insects, crustaceans, mollusks, and other invertebrates. Any part or products, such as feathers, skins, eggs and articles manufactured from wildlife are subject to the same restrictions. Federal laws prohibit the importation or transportation of any wildlife or wildlife parts that violate state or foreign laws. The following ports are designed for entry of all fish and wildlife: Atlanta, Baltimore, Boston, Chicago, Dallas/Ft.Worth, Honolulu, Los Angeles, Miami, New Orleans, New York/Newark, Portland, San Francisco, and Seattle.

All such packages and containers must be marked, labeled or tagged to plainly indicate the name and address of the shipper and consignee, and the number and nature of contents. Wildlife in any form, including pets, imported into or exported from the United States must be declared and cleared on a U.S. Fish and Wildlife form 3-177 (Declaration for Importation or Exportation of Fish or Wildlife)by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service prior to release by U.S. Customs.

Contact the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for further clearance requirements and for a copy of the pamphlets "Facts about Federal Wildlife Laws" and "Buyer Beware". Also contact the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service for information about importing animal and bird products such as hides, eggs, feathers, etc.

Monkeys

Monkeys and other primates may be brought into the United States for scientific, educational or exhibition purposes by importers who are registered with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). However, under no circumstances may they be imported as pets.

Registered importers who wish to import or export primates for a permitted purpose in accordance with CDC requirements are also required to obtain clearance from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) requires that all primates have permits.