Pet Import Laws in Minnesota: What Every Pet Owner Needs to Know Before Arriving

Moving to Minnesota with a pet takes more preparation than most people expect. Whether you’re relocating from another state or arriving from another country, the North Star State has specific health documentation requirements for nearly every type of animal — and missing even one form can delay or complicate your move significantly.

This guide walks you through exactly what Minnesota law requires for dogs, cats, birds, ferrets, and exotic pets, what changes when you’re coming from outside the United States, and who to contact before you ever load your pet into the car or onto a plane.

Important Note: Beginning July 1, 2026, Minnesota will require all import Certificates of Veterinary Inspection (CVIs) to be electronic. Paper health certificates will no longer be accepted after that date. If you are planning a move around or after that time, confirm with your vet that they can issue electronic CVIs.

What Documents Do You Need to Bring a Pet Into Minnesota

Before you pack up your household, you need to understand the core document that drives nearly all of Minnesota’s pet import requirements: the Certificate of Veterinary Inspection, or CVI.

A CVI is a form completed by a licensed, USDA-accredited veterinarian in the state of origin — where your pet is currently living — stating that the pet is free from infectious, contagious, and/or communicable disease and meets state and federal requirements for movement. It is not something you can fill out yourself or obtain from a regular vet office visit without a formal examination.

A physical examination is required for a veterinarian to complete a CVI, and the CVI is valid for travel for 30 days after it is issued. That 30-day window is critical — schedule your vet appointment close enough to your move date that the certificate won’t expire before you arrive.

Here is what the CVI must contain for domestic travel into Minnesota:

• The consigner’s (owner or seller’s) name and physical address in the state of origin, the consignee’s (owner, buyer, or adopter’s) name and physical address in Minnesota, and the animal’s description and/or identification number such as a microchip or tattoo number.
• Rabies vaccine product names and date of administration, the date and results of any required tests, and a statement of health from the signing veterinarian.
• The veterinarian’s signature, printed name, and USDA accreditation number, along with the veterinarian’s contact information.

The CVI must include the following statement of health: “I certify, as an accredited veterinarian, that the described animals have been inspected by me and that they are not showing signs of infectious, contagious and/or communicable disease (except where noted).”

Beyond the CVI, rabies vaccination records are a separate but equally important document to have in hand. Every dog, cat, or ferret three months of age or older traveling into Minnesota must be currently vaccinated for rabies and have valid proof of rabies vaccination, which can be in the form of a rabies certificate or other medical record documents if the owner’s name, address, and telephone number are present.

Key Insight: The CVI and the rabies certificate are two separate documents. Having one does not substitute for the other. Bring both.

Dog Import Requirements in Minnesota

Dogs are among the most commonly moved pets, and Minnesota’s requirements are straightforward — but non-negotiable. Whether you’re moving from a neighboring state or driving cross-country, your dog needs specific paperwork before crossing the state line.

Dogs moving to Minnesota from another state, visiting for more than 30 days, or changing owners while in the state require a CVI to enter. If you’re simply passing through Minnesota with your dog for a short trip, you may be exempt — but if you’re relocating permanently, the CVI is mandatory.

There are a few situations where a CVI is not required:

• Dogs entering a veterinary facility for treatment, surgery, or diagnostic procedures do not need a CVI.
• Dogs originating from an adjacent state and entering a kennel licensed by the Board do not require a CVI or current rabies vaccination if the kennel has a written contract with the city from which the dog originated that specifies the terms under which the kennel accepts and houses stray, abandoned, or impounded animals for the city.

For most pet owners moving to Minnesota with their dog, neither of these exemptions applies. Plan on obtaining a CVI from a USDA-accredited vet in your current state no more than 30 days before your travel date. Your dog also needs to be up to date on rabies vaccination if they are three months of age or older.

If you have a dog and want to understand Minnesota’s broader rules around dogs once you’ve arrived, including leash laws and local ordinances, the dog leash laws in Minnesota page covers what to expect after you settle in.

Pro Tip: Schedule your dog’s vet appointment as close to your moving day as possible. A CVI issued more than 30 days before you arrive will not be accepted, even if your dog is perfectly healthy.

One additional concern worth noting for dog owners: canine brucellosis is a significant reproductive disease in dogs caused by the bacterium Brucella canis, the disease can spread between dogs and be transmitted to humans, and canine brucellosis is not a curable disease — once a dog is confirmed infected, it is considered infected for life. If you are bringing a breeding dog into Minnesota, check with the Minnesota Board of Animal Health for any additional testing requirements. You can also learn more about brucellosis laws in Minnesota to understand reporting obligations.

Cat Import Requirements in Minnesota

Cats follow the same core framework as dogs when it comes to entering Minnesota. If you’re relocating with a cat, the requirements are nearly identical and equally enforceable.

Your cat needs a valid CVI issued by a USDA-accredited vet in your current state, completed within 30 days of travel. All birds and mammals imported into Minnesota, unless specifically exempted, must be accompanied by a Certificate of Veterinary Inspection issued by a veterinarian accredited in the state of origin. Cats fall squarely into this requirement.

Rabies vaccination is also required for cats. All dogs and cats three months or older should be vaccinated according to their veterinarian’s recommendations, and booster vaccines are required to maintain immunity. Make sure your cat’s rabies vaccination is current — not just administered at some point in the past — before your vet issues the CVI.

If your cat is under three months of age, the rabies vaccination requirement does not yet apply, but the CVI requirement still does. Animals that are younger than three months of age should be kept indoors to eliminate contact with skunks, bats, or other wildlife that may be infected with the rabies virus.

Once you’ve arrived in Minnesota, you may also want to know how the state handles issues like a neighbor’s cat coming onto your property. The neighbor’s cat in my yard laws in Minnesota resource covers those local questions in detail.

Common Mistake: Some cat owners assume that because their cat is an indoor-only pet, it doesn’t need a rabies vaccine or CVI. Minnesota law does not make this distinction. Indoor status is not an exemption from import documentation requirements.

Bird and Exotic Pet Import Requirements in Minnesota

If you’re bringing a bird, reptile, or other exotic animal into Minnesota, the rules become more layered. You’ll need to navigate both Minnesota state law and, in many cases, federal regulations from the USDA and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

All mammals and birds imported into the state must be accompanied by a CVI, and a statement must be included on the CVI documenting the specific exemption for any species listed as prohibited.

Minnesota has a specific list of exotic animals that are outright prohibited under state law:

• A Minnesota state law (Minnesota Statutes § 346.155) that went into effect on January 1, 2005 prohibits individuals, with some exemptions, from purchasing, obtaining, or owning certain exotic animals, including all members of the Felidae (cat) family except domestic cats — such as lions, tigers, cougars, leopards, cheetahs, ocelots, and servals — and all nonhuman primates, including lemurs, monkeys, chimpanzees, gorillas, orangutans, marmosets, lorises, and tamarins.

For a full breakdown of which exotic animals are and are not legal to own, the United States laws on exotic pets guide and the hedgehog ownership laws in Minnesota page are useful references for specific species questions.

For birds specifically, the requirements vary depending on whether your bird is a common companion species (like a parrot or cockatiel) or a bird that falls under poultry or raptor classifications. For import purposes, livestock — including potbellied pigs — poultry (including chickens), and birds of prey (including falcons) are not considered pets and are subject to different live animal import regulations.

If you’re bringing in a bird that qualifies as a companion pet, a CVI is still required. If you’re traveling with or shipping birds, make sure your veterinarian has a Category II accreditation status for completion of health certificates for birds. Not all USDA-accredited vets hold this higher-level accreditation, so verify before you book your appointment.

If you own a hedgehog, be sure to review Minnesota’s specific rules, as hedgehog ownership is subject to additional state-level regulation. The hedgehog ownership laws in Minnesota page covers those requirements in full. Backyard chicken owners should also review the backyard chicken laws in Minnesota before bringing poultry into the state, as poultry is governed by separate livestock import rules.

Requirements for Pets Coming From Outside the United States

Bringing a pet into Minnesota from another country involves a significantly more complex process than a domestic move. You’ll be dealing with both Minnesota state requirements and federal requirements from the CDC and USDA simultaneously.

To enter the State of Minnesota, all dogs, cats, and ferrets traveling from other countries require a valid CVI issued by a licensed or credentialed veterinarian from the country of origin, and each animal listed on the certificate must have a physical examination performed by the signing veterinarian within 30 days of travel and found to be healthy with no signs of infectious, contagious, and/or communicable disease.

The information required on an international CVI goes beyond what’s needed for domestic travel:

• The consigner’s name and physical address in the country of origin, the consignee’s name, physical address, and telephone number in Minnesota, the animal’s description and identification number (microchip or tattoo), and vaccine product names, date of administration, and duration of immunity.

Please note that the EU Pet Passport is NOT accepted as a valid CVI by Minnesota — though it can be accepted as proof of rabies vaccination. You will still need a separate CVI even if your pet has an EU passport.

Documentation must be received by the Board at least seven days prior to the animal’s arrival in Minnesota. Importers should scan or take legible photos and email them to pet.travel.bah@state.mn.us for review.

Dogs, cats, and ferrets that come into the U.S. through a port of entry in a state other than Minnesota and will be staying longer than 20 days will require a valid CVI from that state to move into Minnesota, and this document is required to have all the required information as well as the address of the entry port and Minnesota contact information.

If you are traveling from Mexico or other regions where New World Screwworm (NWS) is endemic, there are additional requirements. Minnesota’s guidelines require a detailed veterinary inspection, treatment, documentation, and quarantine periods for any dogs and cats being imported from Mexico or other areas where NWS is currently endemic. Anyone bringing dogs or cats into Minnesota from these regions will need to provide an International Certificate of Veterinary Inspection, current rabies vaccination certificate, Screwworm Freedom Certificate obtained from an official government veterinarian in the country of origin, and proof of treatment with an FDA- or EPA-approved screwworm treatment product.

Once in Minnesota, animals from NWS-endemic regions are subject to a supervised quarantine period to watch for signs of infestation, which must be immediately reported to the Board.

For birds coming from outside the United States, the process involves the USDA APHIS Veterinary Services. Prior to bringing your pet bird back to the U.S., you must contact the USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) Veterinary Services to request an Import Permit. To prevent the spread of avian diseases, birds coming into the United States are subject to quarantine, though pet birds meeting certain criteria may undergo this quarantine at home.

Important Note: It is the responsibility of the importer — that’s you — to ensure all import requirements are met. Minnesota’s Board of Animal Health and federal agencies do not automatically notify you if something is missing. Verify your paperwork with every relevant agency before you travel.

How to Find a Federally Accredited Vet Before You Move

One of the most common delays in the pet import process is discovering too late that your regular vet is not USDA-accredited. Not every licensed veterinarian can legally issue a CVI for interstate or international travel — only those with federal accreditation through the USDA’s National Veterinary Accreditation Program (NVAP) can do so.

Here’s how to find one before your move:

1. Use the USDA APHIS Vet Search Tool. The USDA maintains a searchable online directory of accredited veterinarians. Visit APHIS’s accredited vet finder and search by your current state and zip code to locate a qualified vet near you.
2. Verify the accreditation category for your pet type. If you’re traveling with or shipping birds or livestock, make sure your veterinarian has a Category II accreditation status for completion of international health certificates for birds or livestock. For dogs, cats, and ferrets traveling domestically, a standard Category I accreditation is sufficient.
3. Book your appointment close to your travel date. A physical examination is required for a veterinarian to complete a CVI, and the CVI is valid for travel for 30 days after it is issued. Booking too early means your certificate may expire before you arrive.
4. Ask about electronic CVI capability. Beginning July 1, 2026, Minnesota will require all import CVIs to be electronic, and paper health certificates will no longer be accepted. Confirm your vet can issue an eCVI if your move falls on or after that date.
5. Bring your pet’s full medical records. As soon as you decide to travel with your pet, contact a USDA-accredited veterinarian, as they will help you determine your destination state’s pet entry requirements and assist you through the process of obtaining any needed paperwork. Having vaccination history and prior health records speeds up the process considerably.

Pro Tip: Call ahead and specifically ask the vet’s office whether they are USDA-accredited and whether they issue CVIs for interstate travel. Some clinics have accredited vets on staff but don’t advertise this service prominently.

Health certificates are federal documents that indicate your pet is healthy to travel and won’t pose a health risk to other pets or people, and animal health requirements may differ from state to state — even airlines and travel services may have their own pet travel requirements. Always check with your airline separately, as their requirements may be stricter than the state’s.

Who to Contact in Minnesota Before You Arrive With a Pet

Knowing who to reach out to before your move can save you significant time and prevent paperwork problems at the border. Minnesota has a clear set of agencies and contact points depending on your situation.

Minnesota Board of Animal Health (BAH)

The BAH is the primary state agency overseeing pet import requirements. The mission of the Minnesota Board of Animal Health is to protect the health of the state’s domestic animals through education and cooperation with veterinarians, producers, owners, and communities.

• Phone: 651-296-2942
• Address: 625 Robert Street North, St. Paul, MN 55155
• International pet travel email: pet.travel.bah@state.mn.us
• Website: bah.state.mn.us/imports

If you are bringing a pet from outside the United States, email your documentation to the BAH at least seven days before arrival. For domestic moves, contact the BAH if you have questions about specific species or unusual circumstances not covered by the standard CVI requirement.

Federal Agencies

Importers are also encouraged to contact the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) about bringing a dog into the U.S., the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) about traveling with a pet, their airline, and any other state of travel to verify rules and requirements.

Agency	Role	When to Contact
Minnesota Board of Animal Health	State import rules, CVI review, permits	Any pet move into Minnesota
USDA APHIS Veterinary Services	Accredited vet directory, international health certificates	International moves, bird imports
CDC	Federal dog import requirements	Dogs entering from outside the U.S.
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service	CITES permits, wildlife and exotic species	Exotic pets, birds, protected species
Your Airline	Carrier-specific pet travel rules	Any air travel with a pet

It is the responsibility of the importer to ensure all import requirements are met. No single agency will automatically coordinate with the others on your behalf. If you’re moving from another state with a dog, reaching out to the BAH a few weeks before your move to confirm requirements is always a smart step. If you’re arriving from another country, start the process at least a month in advance to allow time for document review and any required permits.

Minnesota has specific laws governing many aspects of animal ownership beyond just import requirements. Once you’ve arrived, you may find resources like hunting laws in Minnesota, beekeeping laws in Minnesota, and roadkill laws in Minnesota helpful for understanding the full scope of the state’s animal regulations.

Key Insight: Minnesota’s pet import rules exist to protect the health of animals already living in the state — including yours. Completing the paperwork correctly the first time protects your pet just as much as it satisfies the law.