Pet Import Laws in New York: What Every Pet Owner Needs to Know Before Moving
May 28, 2026
Moving to New York with a pet takes more than packing a carrier and hitting the road. Whether you’re relocating from another state or arriving from abroad, New York has specific legal requirements for bringing animals across its borders — and skipping even one step can get your pet turned away or quarantined at your expense.
This guide walks you through every document, vaccination, and contact you need to bring your dog, cat, bird, or exotic animal into New York legally and without delays. Knowing the rules before you arrive makes the entire process far less stressful for you and your pet.
What Documents Do You Need to Bring a Pet Into New York
Before anything else, you need to understand the paperwork layer that sits at the foundation of every pet import into New York. Getting this wrong delays your move and can trigger costly re-examinations or quarantine holds.
The core document is the Certificate of Veterinary Inspection (CVI), sometimes called a Health Certificate. The requirements for importing dogs and cats into New York State from another state within the United States include a Certificate of Veterinary Inspection (CVI) or Health Certificate issued 30 days or less prior to entry. That 30-day window is firm — a certificate dated even one day outside it will not be accepted.
New York accepts the VS 7001 form, but strongly encourages the use of electronic CVIs. The CVI or Health Certificate should include the New York destination address and state that the examination revealed no clinical evidence of infectious or communicable disease, including external parasites and fungi, and that to the best of the veterinarian’s knowledge, the animal has not recently been exposed to such infectious or communicable disease.
Pro Tip: Use a full street address for your New York destination on the CVI — P.O. boxes are not accepted. Double-check this detail with your vet before the certificate is finalized.
Beyond the CVI, rabies vaccination documentation is required for dogs and cats aged three months and older. New York accepts the 1-year or 3-year rabies vaccine, and the vaccine product name and date of vaccination must be recorded on the CVI or Health Certificate.
There are a few situations where a CVI is not required. Exemptions apply when the animal is staying in New York for less than 30 days, when the animal is entering for exhibition, or when the dog is a New York resident with proof of a current dog license and rabies vaccination who is returning from out-of-state travel within one year.
If you’re heading into New York City specifically, be aware that additional rules apply. In addition to New York State import requirements, animals whose destination is within New York City may be subject to New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene regulations. Dogs and cats entering New York City for any reason must meet these regulations. You can contact the NYC DOHMH at (646) 364-1783.
For a broader look at how New York regulates animals beyond import rules, visit pet laws in New York for a full overview of the state’s animal ownership framework.
Dog Import Requirements in New York
Dogs face the most detailed import requirements of any common companion animal in New York. Meeting these requirements before you travel — not after you arrive — is the only way to avoid problems at the border.
What you need to bring a dog into New York from another state:
- A CVI or Health Certificate issued within 30 days of entry
- Current rabies vaccination for dogs 3 months of age and older
- The vaccine product name and vaccination date recorded on the CVI
- A full New York destination address on the certificate (no P.O. boxes)
New York importation law does not distinguish between importing from another state or from another country. The law addresses only dogs and cats and requires a Health Certificate signed by a licensed veterinarian and issued within 30 days of entry. Any dog or cat 3 months of age or older must be immunized against rabies within 12 months prior to entry into New York with a vaccine approved by the USDA.
Once your dog is in New York, licensing becomes mandatory quickly. Every dog 4 months of age or older owned in New York State must be licensed. Pet owners can apply for a dog license at their local town or municipal office. The license fee varies by municipality, but the total fee for an unspayed or unneutered dog must be at least five dollars more than the total fee for a spayed or neutered dog.
Important Note: New York strongly prefers electronic CVIs over paper forms. While the VS 7001 paper form is accepted, ask your vet to submit electronically whenever possible to reduce processing delays.
If your dog is overdue on rabies vaccination, there is a practical path forward. A dog that is overdue for a rabies vaccine is considered “immediately currently vaccinated” at the time the animal is re-vaccinated. This rule applies despite the time that has lapsed since administration of the previous dose. Get the booster before your move, have it recorded on the CVI, and you’re in compliance.
There is also a medical exemption process. A New York licensed veterinarian who determines that the health of a dog, cat, or domesticated ferret would be adversely affected by a rabies immunization shall provide the owner with a certified statement to that effect, which verifies the nature and duration of the exemption. The exemption must be renewed annually.
If your dog has breed-specific considerations, it’s worth reviewing pit bull laws in New York and leash laws in New York before you arrive, as local ordinances can layer additional requirements on top of state import rules.
Cat Import Requirements in New York
Cats moving into New York from another U.S. state follow the same core CVI requirement as dogs, but there are some important differences — particularly around rabies vaccination — that you should understand before your move.
The requirements for importing dogs and cats into New York State from another state within the United States are: a Certificate of Veterinary Inspection (CVI) or Health Certificate issued 30 days or less prior to entry. New York accepts the VS 7001 form, but prefers and strongly encourages the use of electronic CVIs. The CVI or Health Certificate should have the New York destination address and state that the examination revealed no clinical evidence of infectious or communicable disease, including external parasites and fungi.
Rabies vaccination is required for cats entering New York just as it is for dogs. Any dog or cat 3 months of age or older must be immunized against rabies within 12 months prior to entry into New York with a vaccine approved by the USDA. Make sure your cat’s rabies certificate clearly shows the vaccine brand name and the date it was administered, as both must appear on the CVI.
Key Insight: While the CDC does not require cats to have proof of rabies vaccination for entry into the United States from abroad, New York State does require rabies vaccination for cats entering from another state. These are separate layers of law — federal entry rules and state import rules both apply.
One nuance worth knowing: cats are subject to inspection at ports of entry and may be denied entry into the United States if they have evidence of a zoonotic disease. If a cat appears to be ill, further examination by a licensed veterinarian at the owner’s expense might be required before the cat is allowed to enter. Schedule your vet appointment close to your departure date so the health exam reflects your cat’s condition as accurately as possible.
If you’re dealing with questions about cats roaming in your new neighborhood, neighbors’ cat in my yard laws in New York covers what the state allows and what it doesn’t.
Bird and Exotic Pet Import Requirements in New York
If you’re moving to New York with a bird, reptile, or any animal that falls outside the dog-and-cat category, the rules become significantly more complex. New York and federal law draw a hard line between common household pets and wild or exotic animals.
Exotic and wild animals as pets — prohibited in New York:
No person shall knowingly possess, harbor, sell, barter, transfer, exchange, or import any wild animal for use as a pet in New York State. This prohibition is broad and enforced. Any person who knowingly imports a wild animal for use as a pet in violation of this section shall be subject to a penalty of not more than five hundred dollars for the first offense and not more than one thousand dollars for a second and subsequent offense.
Nothing in this section prevents any city, town, or county from enacting more restrictive provisions governing the possession of wild animals for use as pets. That means New York City and other municipalities may have additional bans beyond what state law already prohibits. Always check local ordinances at your specific destination.
For a comprehensive list of which exotic animals are and aren’t legal to own, see United States laws on exotic pets and animals with claws for species-specific guidance.
Pet birds — federal import rules apply:
Bringing a pet bird into New York from another country involves federal oversight that goes well beyond a standard CVI. 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.
After your pet bird is examined by the VS Port Veterinarian, it can go home with you. However, it must be kept inside, apart from all other birds and poultry, for a minimum of 30 days. These are mandatory home quarantine requirements. A USDA veterinarian will also conduct a follow-up examination approximately 14 days after arrival.
Common Mistake: Many bird owners assume that because their bird is a common species like a parrot or cockatiel, it bypasses import requirements. This is incorrect — all birds returning from international travel require an Import Permit from USDA APHIS regardless of species.
For birds moving between U.S. states, the rules are less intensive, but you should still confirm with the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets whether your specific species requires a CVI or falls under a different regulatory category.
Certain animals fall entirely outside the jurisdiction of the New York Department of Agriculture and Markets for import purposes. A document lists animals that are not under the jurisdiction of the Department of Agriculture and Markets for import requirements. Check the NYSDAM website directly to confirm whether your specific species requires state-level documentation or is handled exclusively by federal agencies.
If you keep backyard chickens or roosters, those animals are treated as poultry — not pets — under import law. Review backyard chicken laws in New York and rooster crowing laws in New York before relocating with them, and similarly, goat ownership laws in New York apply to anyone moving with livestock.
Requirements for Pets Coming From Outside the United States
Bringing a pet into New York from another country means satisfying two separate layers of law: federal requirements that govern entry into the United States, and New York State requirements that apply once your pet is on U.S. soil. Both must be met — one does not substitute for the other.
Dogs arriving from outside the U.S.:
The CDC aligns U.S. import requirements for dogs with the importation requirements of other dog-maintained rabies virus variant (DMRVV)-free countries by requiring proof of rabies vaccination and adequate serologic test results from a CDC-approved laboratory. Requirements that must be met for dogs to be imported include a microchip, a six-month minimum age requirement for admission, and importer submission of a CDC import form.
The country your dog is coming from determines the specific documentation path. Foreign veterinarians must complete the Certification of Foreign Rabies Vaccination and Microchip form for foreign-vaccinated dogs traveling to the U.S. The documents are specific to dogs that have been in a high-risk country for dog rabies in the 6 months before arriving in the U.S. Which document needs to be completed depends on where the dog was vaccinated — in the U.S. or another country.
If your dog comes from a country classified as high-risk for dog rabies and does not have a valid rabies titer test, a 28-day quarantine may be required. A foreign-vaccinated dog traveling from a high-risk rabies country with a valid rabies titer test can enter the U.S. through a CDC-registered Animal Care Facility, be examined by a USDA-accredited veterinarian, receive a rabies booster vaccination, and be cleared for entry. As long as the dog has the correct documentation and passes the veterinary examination, the 28-day quarantine is not required.
The New York Animal Import Center (NYAIC) in Rock Tavern (Newburgh), NY, is a key federal facility for internationally arriving animals. APHIS Veterinary Services operates animal import centers to help protect the United States from foreign animal diseases. During the quarantine period, imported animals are kept separate and monitored for signs of disease while import testing is performed. This helps keep U.S. animals safe while facilitating international trade and movement.
Cats arriving from outside the U.S.:
The requirements for importing dogs and cats into New York State from outside the United States are: a Certificate of Veterinary Inspection (CVI) or Health Certificate issued 30 days or less prior to entry. If the country of origin does not have a CVI form or Health Certificate, New York will accept the required information on the veterinarian’s letterhead. All information must be in English.
Note that New York does not accept the Pet Passport as a substitute for a CVI, even though the Pet Passport is recognized in many other countries. You will need a proper health certificate regardless of what documentation your home country issued.
Pro Tip: If your country of origin doesn’t use the standard CVI form, have your vet write everything on official letterhead — owner details, destination address, health findings, rabies vaccination product name, and vaccination date — all in English. New York will accept this in place of a formal CVI.
The USDA has jurisdiction over international movement of animals. Any questions about international movement of animals or animal products should be directed to a USDA office. The New York USDA office phone number is (518) 218-7540.
For the most current federal requirements for bringing a dog into the United States, visit the USDA APHIS pet import page and the CDC animal importation page, both of which are updated as regulations change.
How to Find a Federally Accredited Vet Before You Move
Not every licensed veterinarian can legally issue the documents required for pet import into New York. For interstate moves, your vet must be licensed in your state of origin. For international moves, you need a USDA-accredited veterinarian — and accreditation is not the same as licensure.
A USDA-accredited veterinarian has completed formal training from the National Veterinary Accreditation Program (NVAP) in the state or states they are licensed to practice medicine in. Accreditation is state-specific and voluntary — not all veterinarians are accredited.
This distinction matters practically. Your USDA-accredited veterinarian must be accredited in the state where you are seeing them. APHIS cannot endorse your health certificate if your veterinarian is not accredited in the state where they’re practicing medicine.
How to find an accredited vet near you:
- Use the NVAP self-search tool on the APHIS website to find accredited veterinarians in your area by state and zip code.
- Call local veterinary practices and ask directly whether they have a USDA-accredited veterinarian on staff.
- Contact your state’s NVAP coordinator to confirm your veterinarian’s accreditation status.
If you’re traveling with birds or livestock, the accreditation level matters even more. 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. Category I accreditation is sufficient for dogs and cats, but birds require a higher credential tier.
Timing is critical. For the purposes of international travel and trade, most foreign countries require that the health certificate be issued — completed, signed, and dated — by a USDA-accredited veterinarian before being endorsed by APHIS. The endorsement process takes additional time, so schedule your vet appointment well in advance of your move date.
Pro Tip: Book your USDA-accredited vet appointment at least 3 to 4 weeks before your travel date for international moves. Some APHIS offices allow you to FedEx paperwork overnight for endorsement, but you need to leave time for it to come back before departure.
Who to Contact in New York Before You Arrive With a Pet
Making contact with the right agencies before you cross into New York can save you significant time, money, and stress. The state has multiple points of contact depending on your species, situation, and origin.
New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets (NYSDAM)
The Department oversees the requirements for livestock, poultry, and companion animals being imported into the state. Requirements vary for the type of animal; however, owners generally need to supply a Certificate of Veterinary Inspection and official identification, and meet testing requirements for disease before they can move their animals.
The NYSDAM companion animals page at agriculture.ny.gov/animals/companion-animals is the authoritative source for dog and cat import requirements. It is updated when regulations change and includes the specific language your vet needs to include on the CVI.
New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH)
If your destination is within the five boroughs, New York City has its own layer of animal import regulations that go beyond state requirements. Dogs and cats entering New York City for any reason must meet NYC DOHMH regulations. You can reach them at (646) 364-1783.
USDA APHIS — New York Office
For international pet moves and any questions about federally regulated species, the New York USDA office is your primary federal contact. The USDA has jurisdiction over international movement of animals, and any questions about international movement of animals or animal products should be directed to a USDA office. The New York USDA office phone number is (518) 218-7540.
Visit the USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service to find rules for transporting animals internationally and the contact information for the USDA Port Veterinarians. Port veterinarians are the officials who conduct physical inspections of arriving animals at ports of entry, so knowing who they are and how to reach them before you arrive is a smart move.
Contact summary for quick reference:
| Agency | Jurisdiction | Contact |
|---|---|---|
| NY Dept. of Agriculture and Markets | All companion animal imports (statewide) | agriculture.ny.gov |
| NYC Dept. of Health and Mental Hygiene | Dogs and cats entering New York City | (646) 364-1783 |
| USDA APHIS — New York Office | International animal movement, federally regulated species | (518) 218-7540 |
| USDA APHIS NVAP Tool | Finding accredited vets in your area | aphis.usda.gov |
| CDC — Dog Importation | Dogs arriving from outside the U.S. | cdc.gov/importation |
One final consideration: New York’s animal import rules can change when disease alerts or emergency orders are issued. There are no emergency export regulations for animals in effect at this time (as of the NYSDAM’s current posting), but this status can shift quickly during disease outbreaks. Check the NYSDAM’s Animal Import and Export page in the weeks before your move for any active emergency orders that could affect your travel.
If you’re comparing pet regulations across states as part of your relocation research, these state-specific guides may also be useful: dog leash laws in Pennsylvania, dog leash laws in Florida, and dog leash laws in Ohio cover what to expect in neighboring and commonly compared states.