Pet Import Laws in Alaska: What Every Pet Owner Must Know Before Moving

Alaska is one of the most regulated states in the country when it comes to bringing animals across its borders — and for good reason. Alaska has a large working dog population and remote regions where disease introduction can have serious impacts on wildlife and sled dog teams. Whether you are relocating permanently or driving the Alaska Highway with your pets in tow, the paperwork requirements are real, the deadlines are tight, and the consequences of skipping steps can include quarantine at your own expense.

The good news is that the process is straightforward once you understand exactly what is required. This guide walks you through every document, vaccination, and permit you need to legally bring your pet into Alaska — covering dogs, cats, birds, exotic animals, and pets arriving from outside the United States.

What Documents Do You Need to Bring a Pet Into Alaska

Every animal entering Alaska — regardless of species — must have a specific set of documents ready before it crosses the state line or lands at an Alaskan airport. All animals must be examined by a licensed and accredited veterinarian in their state or country of origin and must be issued a Certificate of Veterinary Inspection (CVI or health certificate). This single requirement applies universally, from dogs and cats to reptiles and pet birds.

Understanding what makes a valid CVI is just as important as knowing you need one. To be valid, the CVI must be a traceable, trackable form obtained through a government agency or an approved vendor. Many states offer paper or digital CVIs directly to accredited veterinarians. The APHIS 7001 Form is not accepted by the State of Alaska. This is a common mistake that can leave pet owners scrambling at the border.

Important Note: Alaska does not accept the downloadable USDA 7001 form available on the internet because it lacks a unique and traceable identification number. Make sure your vet uses a state-issued or approved third-party electronic CVI instead.

Here is what a valid Alaska CVI must include:

• A unique, traceable certificate number
• Date of exam, and location of exam if done in a place other than the listed veterinary clinic, plus the name, signature, license number, and accreditation number of the licensed veterinarian who examined the animal
• Veterinarian or veterinary clinic contact information (name, address, phone)
• Owner name, address, and contact information
• Species, breed, age, sex, and description of each animal

CVIs are valid for 30 days. However, airlines may require a CVI to be issued in a shorter timeframe or require additional certification statements, such as temperature acclimation statements. Confirm your airline’s specific requirements before obtaining a CVI.

Once your vet issues the CVI, they are also required to send a copy to Alaska’s Office of the State Veterinarian. Veterinarians must submit a copy of the CVI to OSV within 30 days of issue. CVIs can be emailed in PDF format to akcvi@alaska.gov, or mailed to Alaska Office of the State Veterinarian, 5251 Dr. MLK Jr. Ave., Anchorage, AK 99507.

In addition to the CVI, some species require an import permit issued by Alaska’s Office of the State Veterinarian. Permits may be obtained by the veterinarian issuing the health certificate by filling out an online application or by calling (907) 375-8215. Permits are valid for 30 days after issuance and are non-transferable.

If you are moving to Alaska and also want to understand how other states handle similar paperwork, see our guides on pet import laws in Colorado and pet import laws in Washington for comparison.

Dog Import Requirements in Alaska

Dogs have some of the most detailed import requirements of any pet entering Alaska, and the rules cover vaccinations, age, and special circumstances. A Certificate of Veterinary Inspection (CVI), or health certificate, issued by a licensed and accredited veterinarian within 30 days of import is required. Dogs, cats, and ferrets 12 weeks of age or older must have a current rabies vaccination.

Timing matters when it comes to that rabies vaccine. If the initial rabies vaccination was administered within 30 days before import, the animal must be confined for the balance of the 30 days while in Alaska. The vaccination date, vaccine manufacturer, and serial number must be listed on the CVI. Plan your vet appointment accordingly so you are not stuck managing a confinement period after arrival.

Pro Tip: Schedule your dog’s rabies vaccination more than 30 days before your planned move date. This eliminates the mandatory confinement period and gives you flexibility if travel plans shift.

Most dogs do not require an import permit. An import permit is not required for dogs, cats, or ferrets unless the animal originates in a rabies quarantine area. Persons with animals coming from a rabies quarantine area are required to contact the Alaska Office of the State Veterinarian at 907-375-8215 for travel instructions and an import permit.

Dogs with a medical exemption from the rabies vaccine require additional paperwork. Animals that are over 12 weeks of age and cannot be vaccinated for rabies due to a medical condition must have an Exemption From Rabies Vaccination Form signed by the examining veterinarian, signed by the owner, and approved by the State of Alaska prior to entry.

Even if your airline does not ask for paperwork for a dog traveling in the cabin, Alaska state law still applies. The State of Alaska requires all animals imported into Alaska to have a CVI issued by a licensed and accredited veterinarian. This includes animals that travel with the owner in the cabin, regardless of the airline policy.

If you have questions about breed-specific rules that may also affect your dog once you arrive, our guide on pit bull laws in Alaska covers local regulations worth reviewing before your move. You may also want to review leash laws in Alaska to understand what is expected of dog owners statewide.

Cat Import Requirements in Alaska

Cats follow the same core import framework as dogs, with a few nuances worth knowing. You need a CVI issued within 30 days of import by a licensed and accredited veterinarian, and cats 12 weeks of age or older must have a current rabies vaccination on record.

The vaccination details must appear directly on the CVI. The vaccination date, vaccine manufacturer, and serial number must be listed on the CVI. A separate rabies certificate alone is not sufficient — those details need to be incorporated into the health certificate itself.

Just like dogs, cats that received their initial rabies vaccination within 30 days before the move must be confined for the remainder of that 30-day window after arriving in Alaska. If your cat is coming from a state or area under a rabies quarantine designation, contact the Alaska Office of the State Veterinarian before travel to obtain a permit number.

Common Mistake: Assuming that a cat traveling in-cabin on a flight is exempt from Alaska’s CVI requirement. The state requires a valid health certificate for every cat entering Alaska, regardless of how it travels.

Cats with a medical reason for rabies vaccine exemption follow the same process as dogs — the exemption form must be signed by the vet, signed by the owner, and approved by Alaska before the cat enters the state.

Some communities and local governments in Alaska have additional health or pet licensing requirements. Be sure to check with the borough, city, or village you are intending to travel to, or reside in, for their requirements. This is especially important if you are moving to a smaller community or a remote area with its own local animal ordinances.

For context on how neighboring states handle cat import rules, see our overview of pet import laws in Washington, since many Alaska-bound pet owners travel through Washington state.

Bird and Exotic Pet Import Requirements in Alaska

Alaska takes a stricter approach to birds and exotic animals than most states. Before you even think about paperwork, you need to confirm that the species you own is legally allowed in Alaska at all.

All mammal, bird, and reptile species that have been specifically approved for entry or possession in Alaska appear on the “Clean List” (5 AAC 92.029). For convenience, approved animals are listed by category on the ADFG website. If a particular mammal, bird, or reptile species does not appear on this list, it may not be imported into Alaska or possessed as a pet or livestock in Alaska, and the Department of Fish and Game cannot issue a permit allowing its importation or possession.

This is not a technicality — it is a hard legal limit. It is illegal for citizens to possess or export native Alaska species as pets. Even if an animal is legal in your home state, it may be prohibited in Alaska.

Approved species categories include:

• Approved birds include canaries, chickens, certain non-prohibited cockatiels, ducks, geese, and parrots, among others.
• Legal mammals for ownership include domestic species such as alpacas, cats, dogs, ferrets, and rabbits, excluding feral or wild variants of some species.
• Legal reptiles encompass nonvenomous species such as certain lizards, snakes, and turtles.

Once you have confirmed your species is on the Clean List, the document requirements for non-poultry birds, reptiles, amphibians, and small mammals are as follows:

A Certificate of Veterinary Inspection (CVI), or animal health certificate, issued by a licensed and accredited veterinarian within 30 days of import is required. An import permit is not required from the Alaska Office of the State Veterinarian (OSV) for birds (non-poultry), reptiles, amphibians, or small mammals. However, some exotic animal species may require a permit from the Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADFG).

Poultry — including pet chickens — face a separate and more demanding set of requirements. Poultry is defined as domesticated fowl, including chickens, turkeys, waterfowl, doves, pigeons, and game birds that are kept for the production of food or feathers, for sport, or for exhibition. This does include pet chickens. Poultry must originate from a flock that has tested negative for pullorum and typhoid disease, and they also require an Alaska import permit issued by the Office of the State Veterinarian.

If you are planning to bring chickens or other poultry to Alaska, our guides on backyard chicken laws in Alaska and rooster laws in Alaska are worth reading alongside the import requirements. You may also want to review hedgehog ownership laws in Alaska if you are bringing a small exotic mammal.

Key Insight: Wolf hybrids are prohibited in Alaska. Under 5 AAC 92.030, it is unlawful without a permit to possess, transport, sell, or purchase a wolf hybrid. The Department of Fish and Game generally does not issue these permits for pet purposes.

For questions about permits for mammals, birds, or reptiles, contact the department’s Wildlife Permits Section at dfg.dwc.permits@alaska.gov or (907) 465-4148.

Requirements for Pets Coming From Outside the United States

Bringing a pet to Alaska from another country — or driving through Canada to get there — adds several layers of federal requirements on top of Alaska’s state rules. The Alaska OSV is not the only government agency involved when importing animals. There are multiple state and federal agencies, airlines, and ground transportation companies involved that may have additional requirements.

For dogs specifically, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is the primary government authority for all dogs imported into the United States, including returning U.S.-origin dogs. The CDC’s dog import rules operate separately from Alaska’s state requirements — you must satisfy both.

One critical restriction affects dogs coming from countries classified as high-risk for dog rabies. Foreign-vaccinated dogs that have been in a high-risk country within the 6 months before travel must have a reservation at a CDC-registered animal care facility and an itinerary that has the dog arriving by air at the U.S. airport where a CDC-registered animal care facility is located. There are currently no CDC-registered animal care facilities in Alaska, Hawaii, or U.S. territories; therefore, these dogs may not enter the U.S. through Alaska. If your dog has been in a high-risk country, you must route your entry through a qualifying mainland U.S. airport first.

Important Note: Dogs traveling to or returning from a high-risk country for dog rabies must have the “Certification of U.S.-Issued Rabies Vaccination” form completed by a USDA-accredited veterinarian and submitted before departing the United States. This form cannot be issued after your dog has already left the country.

For pets traveling through Canada on the way to Alaska — a common route for those driving the Alaska Highway — additional Canadian rules apply. Dogs and cats that are accompanied by their owners and are over three months of age require a rabies vaccination certificate for entry into Canada. You must contact the Canadian Food Inspection Agency with any questions regarding rabies vaccination exemptions.

For birds, reptiles, and exotic animals arriving from outside the U.S., in addition to a CVI, other agencies may have requirements for birds, reptiles, amphibians, and small mammals traveling through Canada or originating in another country. These include the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), USDA APHIS VS, and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC).

No animal may be imported that is affected with an infectious, contagious, or communicable disease, or is known to have been exposed to one in the last 30 days. No animal may be imported that originates from a disease quarantine area as designated by another state, federal government, or foreign country.

For a broader look at how other states handle pets arriving from out of state, our guides on pet import laws in Texas, pet import laws in Georgia, and pet import laws in North Carolina provide useful points of comparison.

How to Find a Federally Accredited Vet Before You Move

Every step of the Alaska pet import process runs through one key professional: a licensed and accredited veterinarian. Not just any licensed vet qualifies — the accreditation matters because it authorizes the vet to issue official CVIs and, when needed, federal health documentation.

USDA accreditation is the standard you are looking for. Contact a USDA-accredited veterinarian for questions about your destination’s entry requirements for pets, including any needed vaccinations, tests, or treatments, issuance of health certificates, and status updates on certificate endorsement. The USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) maintains a searchable tool to locate accredited veterinarians by state — visit the APHIS accredited veterinarian lookup page to find one in your area before your move.

When you contact a prospective vet, confirm the following before scheduling your pre-move exam:

1. They hold current USDA accreditation (not just a state veterinary license)
2. They are familiar with Alaska’s specific CVI requirements, including the prohibition on the APHIS 7001 form
3. They can issue a state-approved or approved third-party electronic CVI
4. They can submit a copy of the completed CVI to the Alaska OSV within the required timeframe
5. They can apply for an Alaska import permit online on your behalf if your species requires one

Several third-party vendors also provide electronic CVIs (eCVIs) that are approved by the National Assembly of State Animal Health Officials. The United States Animal Health Association (USAHA) maintains a list of approved third-party eCVI vendors for use by veterinarians. Ask your vet which system they use to confirm it is accepted by Alaska.

Pro Tip: Book your pre-move vet appointment as early as possible. CVIs are only valid for 30 days, so timing your exam too early is just as problematic as timing it too late. Aim to schedule the exam within 10 to 14 days of your departure date to leave room for any follow-up paperwork.

If you are moving to Alaska from another state and want to compare how accredited vet requirements work elsewhere, see our pages on pet import laws in Michigan, pet import laws in Ohio, and pet import laws in Illinois.

Who to Contact in Alaska Before You Arrive With a Pet

Knowing exactly who to call — and when — can save you from a stressful situation at the border or airport. Alaska’s pet import process involves more than one agency, and different situations require reaching out to different offices.

Here is a breakdown of the key contacts:

Agency	Role	Contact
Alaska Office of the State Veterinarian (OSV)	Issues import permits; handles rabies quarantine area cases; receives CVI copies	Phone: 907-375-8215 | Email: akcvi@alaska.gov
Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADFG)	Regulates which species are legal to own; issues permits for exotic animals	Wildlife Permits: dfg.dwc.permits@alaska.gov | (907) 465-4148
USDA APHIS Veterinary Services	Handles international health certificate endorsements; federal dog import requirements	aphis.usda.gov/pet-travel
U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC)	Primary authority for dogs entering the U.S. from abroad	800-232-4636 | CDC Dog Import FAQs
Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA)	Requirements for pets transiting through Canada	1-800-442-2342
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP)	Border inspection when entering Alaska via land or sea through Canada	907-744-2252

For additional support, you can email akcvi@alaska.gov. Note that this email is not monitored for urgent correspondence. If you have an urgent matter related to animal imports, contact the Alaska Office of the State Veterinarian at 907-375-8215.

Plan and make arrangements well in advance of bringing animals to Alaska. The agencies involved — state, federal, and Canadian — each operate on their own timelines, and some permit applications or health tests can take days to process. Reaching out to the Alaska OSV and your accredited vet at least four to six weeks before your planned move date gives you the buffer you need.

If your pet’s species is not clearly listed on the Alaska Department of Fish and Game’s Clean List, see the ADFG Legal Pets and Livestock webpage to determine if the animal you intend to bring to Alaska is legally allowed. If the animal you intend to import is not listed, contact ADFG for further information.

Once you arrive and have your pet settled, there are additional local rules to keep in mind. Our guides on leash laws in Alaska, kennel zoning laws in Alaska, and rooster crowing laws in Alaska cover what you need to know once you and your pet are settled in the state. For pet owners moving from other states, our guides on pet import laws in New Jersey, pet import laws in Missouri, pet import laws in Wisconsin, and pet import laws in Pennsylvania may also be helpful if you are coordinating a multi-state move.