Did you know that you should have a Certificate of Veterinary Inspection (CVI) to travel from state to state with your cat?
What is a CVI?
As the American Veterinarian Medical Association explains, a Certificate of Veterinary Inspection or CVI helps prevent the spread of disease across state lines. It is obtained from veterinarians that are USDA accredited. If your vet is not, you’ll find a list of USDA accredited vets here.
Sometimes a CVI is called a Health Certificate or Official Health Certificate.
A CVI is a legal document that certifies that your veterinarian has seen your cat and that your pet is in compliance with the destination’s rules for the importation of companion animals. (There are also CVIs for livestock that are even more stringent than those for pets.)
Typically this certifies that your pet has been vaccinated against rabies; some states also require that it also indicate that your pet has been free of rabies exposure (no rabies reported in your area) and possibly that your pet is free from clinical signs of contagious or communicable diseases.
When Does Your Cat Need a CVI?
A Certificate of Veterinary Inspection or CVI is technically needed anytime you drive your cat across state lines or if you take your cat on an airplane.
While you may not plan on a cross-country vacation with your cat, if you’ll be moving with your cat across state lines, you will need this important document.
It’s not often that auto travelers are stopped for inspection when crossing state lines–but it can happen so it’s always a good idea to get a CVI before your road trip.
Do I need a CVI for entering an out of state cat show?
The CVI isn’t usually required for pets entering fairs and exhibits, such as a cat show, but is often required for vacationing pets from other states. However, Maine requires a CVI for exhibiting pets or for rescues transporting pets for adoption, but not for dogs and cats vacationing or moving to the state.
Some states have different rules for dogs and cats in terms of these certificates. For example, if you plan to move to Pennsylvania with your cat, you won’t need a CVI. But if you’re moving or vacationing there with your cat AND your dog, you will need to bring in a Certificate of Veterinary Inspection for your dog. The American Veterinary Medical Association has a rundown by state of the unique rules and regulations regarding the CVI.
Do I need a CVI to fly with my cat?
Flying with your cat means that you’ll also need to comply with the airline’s rules on the health certificate.
At present, most airlines don’t require health certificates for pets flying in-cabin at your feet but do require them for those pets that are checked.
Talk with your airline at booking to confirm the most recent regulations regarding the airline’s policy.
How long does a CVI last?
The Certificate of Veterinary Inspection is valid for 30 days after your veterinarian signs it.
Bringing in a Cat from Out of the Country
If you are bringing a cat in from another country, the regulations will vary depending on the state to which your cat is arriving.
For example, in our home state of Texas, all three months of age or older must be vaccinated against rabies and be accompanied by a rabies vaccination certificate dated and signed by the veterinarian who administered the immunization. To qualify as being currently vaccinated, 30 days must have lapsed since the initial vaccination.
The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) may have additional requirements for animals arriving from another country; the CDC’s Division of Global Migration and Quarantine may be contacted at (800) 232-4636 or www.cdc.gov/animalimportation for further information.
Please keep in mind that, even if the CDC states that cats under certain circumstances do not need to be vaccinated against rabies for entry into the US, the animal may still need to be vaccinated against rabies in accordance to state law, such as here in Texas.
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