Pet Import Laws in North Dakota: What You Need to Know Before You Move
May 30, 2026
Moving to North Dakota with a pet takes more preparation than most people expect. The state enforces specific import rules for dogs, cats, ferrets, birds, and exotic animals — and arriving without the right paperwork can mean your pet is turned away at the border or quarantined at your expense.
Whether you are relocating from a neighboring state or halfway across the country, this guide walks you through exactly what North Dakota requires, which animals face the strictest scrutiny, and who to call before you load up the moving truck.
What Documents Do You Need to Bring a Pet Into North Dakota
Before anything else, you need to understand the two documents that form the backbone of North Dakota’s pet import system: the Certificate of Veterinary Inspection (CVI) and the rabies vaccination certificate. Most animals entering the state will need one or both.
Certificates of veterinary inspection are required on most animals imported into North Dakota. The certificate must be made on official state or federal forms and contain the names and addresses of the consignor and consignee, along with an accurate description and identification of all animals.
All certificates of veterinary inspection must be issued and all tests must be made by an accredited veterinarian whose inspections and tests are endorsed by the state veterinarian in the state where the certificate is issued. This means you cannot use just any licensed vet — you need one who holds federal accreditation and is recognized in your origin state.
Important Note: The North Dakota State Board of Animal Health does not accept USDA APHIS Form 7001 for interstate movement of animals. Make sure your vet uses the correct official state or federal CVI form instead.
The North Dakota State Board of Animal Health does not accept “test pending” for any testing requirements — all test results must be listed on the Certificate of Veterinary Inspection. Plan your vet appointment far enough in advance so that all required test results are back and recorded before you travel.
Importation permits are required on certain animals entering North Dakota. Permits can be obtained by calling the State Board of Animal Health at the North Dakota Department of Agriculture, 600 E. Boulevard Avenue, Dept 602, Bismarck, ND 58505-0020, phone: 701-328-2655 (8 am–5 pm CT) during office hours, with emergencies and after-hours contact at (701) 220-5194 or (701) 220-0092.
For a broader look at how neighboring states handle similar requirements, see how pet import laws in Colorado compare, or review the rules for pet import laws in Wisconsin if you are coming from the east.
Dog Import Requirements in North Dakota
Dogs face a clear, two-part requirement when crossing into North Dakota: a health certificate for stays longer than 30 days, and a current rabies vaccination for any stay at all.
A certificate of veterinary inspection is required for all dogs, cats, and ferrets entering the state for longer than 30 days. If you are relocating permanently or staying for more than a month, this document is non-negotiable.
Dogs over 12 weeks of age entering the state for any length of time must have been vaccinated against rabies in accordance with the specifications of the vaccine used. A copy of the current rabies vaccination certificate must accompany the animal.
Pro Tip: Rabies vaccines come in one-year and three-year formulations. Make sure your dog’s certificate clearly shows which type was administered and when it expires — North Dakota requires the vaccination to be current according to the vaccine manufacturer’s specifications, not just recently given.
When any dog over 12 weeks of age is imported from an area that is quarantined for rabies, a certifying statement is required from an accredited veterinarian that the dog has not been exposed to rabies. Check whether your origin area carries any active rabies quarantine status before you travel.
A person may not import any dog less than 12 weeks of age from an area under quarantine for rabies. If you are moving with a very young puppy and your origin area is under quarantine, you will need to wait until the quarantine is lifted or the puppy reaches 12 weeks before crossing into North Dakota.
It is not a violation of state law to bring a dog from a bordering state into North Dakota for the purpose of obtaining any vaccination or other health care from a licensed veterinarian, or to an animal shelter for veterinary care.
If you are also reviewing requirements for nearby states, the pet import laws in Ohio and pet import laws in Michigan follow similar health certificate frameworks worth comparing.
North Dakota does not have a statewide breed-specific ban at the state level, but local municipalities may have their own restrictions. For more on how breed-related rules work within the state, review the pit bull laws in North Dakota before you arrive with a restricted breed.
Cat Import Requirements in North Dakota
Cats follow the same core framework as dogs under North Dakota’s import regulations. The requirements are straightforward but must be met precisely.
Any cat imported into the state for a period of over 30 days must be accompanied by a certificate of veterinary inspection. Short visits — such as a brief trip into the state that lasts fewer than 30 days — do not trigger the CVI requirement, but the rabies rule still applies.
Any cat over 12 weeks of age imported into the state must have a certification of a current rabies vaccination. Unlike some states that exempt indoor-only cats, North Dakota’s rule applies regardless of the cat’s lifestyle or housing situation.
When any cat over 12 weeks of age is imported from an area that is quarantined for rabies, a certifying statement is required from an accredited veterinarian that the cat has not been exposed to rabies. This is an additional document on top of the standard vaccination certificate, so confirm whether your origin location has any active quarantine status before scheduling your move.
Key Insight: Ferrets fall under the same import rules as dogs and cats in North Dakota. If you are moving with a ferret, you need a current rabies certificate for animals over 12 weeks of age, and a CVI for stays exceeding 30 days — the same thresholds that apply to cats and dogs.
Once you have settled in, be aware that North Dakota also has specific local rules that may affect cat owners. The neighbor’s cat in my yard laws in North Dakota and leash laws in North Dakota are worth reviewing so you understand your ongoing responsibilities as a pet owner in the state.
Bird and Exotic Pet Import Requirements in North Dakota
Birds and exotic animals face a more layered set of requirements in North Dakota. The state uses a three-category classification system for non-domestic animals, and where your pet falls in that system determines how much paperwork — and how many permits — you will need.
Birds
The certificate of veterinary inspection for birds entering North Dakota must include a statement regarding Exotic Newcastle Disease: “To my knowledge, birds listed herein are not infected with Exotic Newcastle Disease (END) or psittacosis and have not been exposed to birds known to be infected with END or psittacosis within the past 30 days.”
For waterfowl, the CVI must also include a statement regarding Duck Viral Enteritis and Avian Cholera: “To my knowledge, birds listed herein are not infected with duck plague or avian cholera and have not been exposed to birds known to be infected with duck plague or avian cholera within the past 180 days.”
The following birds may require additional licenses or permits: pheasants, chukars, quail, crows, waterfowl, shorebirds, and upland game birds. Specific health and testing requirements will be furnished by the State Veterinarian’s office at (701) 328-2655.
Exotic and Non-Traditional Livestock
In North Dakota, non-domestic animals are classified into three categories of Non-Traditional Livestock. Understanding which category applies to your animal is essential before you attempt to import it.
- Category 1 animals are those species generally considered domestic or not inherently dangerous, that do not pose a health risk to humans, domestic, or wild species. Category 1 includes turkeys, geese, ducks (morphologically distinguishable from wild species), pigeons, mules, donkeys, ratites, chinchilla, Guinea fowl, ferrets, ranch foxes, ranch mink, peafowl, all pheasants, quail, chukar, hedgehog, and degus.
- Category 2 animals are certain protected species or those that may pose health risks to humans or animals or may be environmentally hazardous. This includes all nondomestic ungulates, all deer and pronghorn, nondomestic cats not listed in Category 3, waterfowl, shorebirds, upland game birds not listed in Category 1, crows, wolverines, otters, martens, fishers, kit or swift foxes, badgers, coyotes, mink, red and gray fox, muskrats, beavers, weasels, opossums, prairie dogs, and other ground squirrels.
- Category 3 animals — the most strictly regulated — include wild suidae (hogs and pigs), large felids and hybrids, bears, wolves and wolf-hybrids, venomous reptiles, primates, and nondomestic sheep and goats and their hybrids.
Owners of Category 2 species must maintain nontraditional livestock licensure. A Permit to Possess, Propagate, or Domesticate from the North Dakota Game and Fish Department is also required for some Category 2 species.
Importation of large felids requires a certificate of veterinary inspection and an importation permit number from the board. Importation of primates requires a certificate of veterinary inspection and an importation permit number issued by the board, including a negative tuberculosis test within 30 days of importation into the state, with mammalian tuberculin used in testing.
Two categories of animals are exempt from the CVI and importation permit requirement under most circumstances. These exempt animals include amphibians, invertebrates, nonvenomous noninjurious reptiles, tropical freshwater and saltwater fish, guinea pigs, and sugar gliders.
Two animals are outright prohibited. Skunks and raccoons may not be imported into the state for any purpose. A person may not keep a skunk or raccoon in captivity. This prohibition does not apply to a zoo licensed by the Animal Care program of USDA APHIS.
Common Mistake: Just because an animal is legal to own at the state level does not mean the city you live in allows it. Always check with your local authorities. Municipal ordinances can be stricter than state law, and a permit issued by the state does not override a local ban.
If you own a hedgehog, North Dakota’s rules are relatively permissive at the state level. For specifics on what is and is not allowed, review the hedgehog ownership laws in North Dakota. Beekeepers moving to the state should also check the beekeeping laws in North Dakota before relocating their hives.
Requirements for Pets Coming From Outside the United States
If you are moving to North Dakota from another country, your pet must clear two separate regulatory hurdles: federal entry requirements at the U.S. port of entry, and North Dakota’s state-level import requirements once inside the country.
Dogs and Cats Entering From Abroad
Dogs entering the United States from abroad are subject to federal CDC and USDA APHIS requirements before they can travel onward to North Dakota. Once your dog clears federal entry, North Dakota’s standard CVI and rabies vaccination rules apply on top of whatever documentation was required at the federal level.
If you are traveling with a pet bird or exotic animal, you may need to work with additional agencies, such as the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Contact USDA APHIS well before your planned travel date to determine which agencies need to be involved for your specific animal.
Birds Entering From Abroad
To prevent the spread of avian diseases, birds coming into the United States are subject to quarantine. Pet birds meeting certain criteria may undergo this quarantine at home. To qualify, your birds must be of U.S. origin, meaning born or purchased in the U.S., and must not have traveled to or through a country affected by highly pathogenic avian influenza.
If your U.S.-origin pet bird is traveling to the U.S. from a country or region that the U.S. does not consider to be affected with HPAI, your pet bird must be kept in quarantine for 30 days upon arrival into the U.S., but the quarantine may be done in your home. If your U.S.-origin pet bird is traveling from a country or region that the U.S. considers to be affected with HPAI or from Mexico, your pet bird must go into a 30-day quarantine at one of the two USDA pet bird quarantine centers.
If your bird is a CITES species, or if you are not sure, contact the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for additional entry requirements at 1-800-358-2104.
Exotic Animals Entering From Abroad
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is responsible for ensuring humane transport of all imported animals and birds (except domesticated species) and all imported or exported wildlife protected under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES). Any exotic animal covered by CITES will require permits from both the exporting and importing countries before it can legally enter the U.S. and then North Dakota.
For a point of comparison on how another state handles the international layer of pet imports, see the pet import laws in Texas or the pet import laws in Washington, both of which sit at major international entry corridors.
How to Find a Federally Accredited Vet Before You Move
Not every licensed veterinarian can sign the documents North Dakota requires. All certificates of veterinary inspection must be issued by an accredited veterinarian whose inspections and tests are endorsed by the state veterinarian in the state where the certificate is issued. This means you need a USDA-accredited vet in your current state — not in North Dakota — to prepare your paperwork before you leave.
USDA accreditation comes in two categories. Category I veterinarians are accredited for interstate health certificates covering most companion animals and livestock. Category II veterinarians hold both interstate and international accreditation, which is required if you are moving with birds or animals that need export documentation. For avian species, the health certificate must be issued by a USDA Category II accredited veterinarian. If you are moving with birds, you specifically need a Category II vet.
Here is a step-by-step process for finding and working with the right vet before your move:
- Use the USDA APHIS Veterinarian Search Tool. Visit the USDA APHIS pet travel page and use the accredited veterinarian search tool to find a vet in your current state. Filter by Category II if you are traveling with birds or exotic animals.
- Schedule your appointment at least 10 days before travel. CVIs typically have a validity window, and test results must be finalized and recorded on the certificate before you leave. Give yourself enough lead time for lab results to return.
- Confirm your vet knows North Dakota’s specific requirements. Veterinarians signing the certificates of veterinary inspection are encouraged to contact the North Dakota State Veterinarian’s office to determine if test requirements listed on the website are current or if additional testing is required.
- Verify your origin area’s rabies quarantine status. If your county or region is under any active rabies quarantine, your vet will need to include an additional certifying statement on the CVI.
- Gather all supporting documents. Bring your pet’s full vaccination history, any prior health certificates, and identification records (microchip number, tattoo, or tag) to the appointment.
Pro Tip: If you are moving with multiple species — say, a dog and a parrot — you may need separate CVIs for each animal, and the parrot’s certificate must come from a Category II vet. Book both appointments at the same time to avoid scheduling delays.
Once you are settled in North Dakota, you will want to understand the state’s ongoing animal regulations as well. The kennel zoning laws in North Dakota and rooster crowing laws in North Dakota are relevant if you plan to keep multiple animals or livestock on your property.
Who to Contact in North Dakota Before You Arrive With a Pet
Before you finalize your moving date, reaching out to the right North Dakota agencies can save you from paperwork surprises at the border. Here is a breakdown of the key contacts and what each one handles.
North Dakota State Board of Animal Health
The North Dakota Department of Agriculture’s Animal Health Division protects the health of domestic animals and non-traditional livestock and administers all rules and orders of the State Board of Animal Health. This is your primary point of contact for import permits, CVI questions, and any species-specific requirements.
| Contact | Role | Phone | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dr. Ethan Andress, DVM | State Veterinarian | 701-328-2655 | doa-bah@nd.gov |
| Dr. Beth Carlson, DVM | Deputy State Veterinarian | 701-220-5194 | doa-bah@nd.gov |
| Dr. Margo Kunz, DVM | Assistant State Veterinarian | 701-202-6251 | doa-bah@nd.gov |
| After-Hours Emergencies | State Board of Animal Health | 701-220-5194 or 701-220-0092 | doa-bah@nd.gov |
The mailing address for all State Board of Animal Health correspondence is: 600 E. Boulevard Ave., Dept. 602, Bismarck, ND 58505-0020. The fax number is 701-328-4567.
North Dakota Game and Fish Department
Owners of Category 2 non-traditional livestock species must maintain nontraditional livestock licensure. A Permit to Possess, Propagate, or Domesticate from the North Dakota Game and Fish Department is required for some Category 2 species. If you are moving with any wildlife-classified animal — including certain birds, deer, or foxes — contact the Game and Fish Department to determine whether a PPD permit applies to your animal before you arrive.
USDA APHIS Veterinary Services
For pets arriving from outside the United States, your first federal contact should be USDA APHIS Veterinary Services. They oversee import permits, port-of-entry inspections, and quarantine requirements for animals entering the country. USDA is one of several U.S. agencies that regulate the entry of pets into the United States, and it is important that you notify and coordinate with all responsible government agencies.
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
If you are importing any exotic animal covered by CITES, or any wildlife species, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service must be contacted in addition to USDA APHIS. You can reach them at 1-800-358-2104 or visit fws.gov for species-specific permit information.
Key Insight: When in doubt about whether your animal requires an importation permit, call the North Dakota State Board of Animal Health before you travel — not after. No animal or poultry that is infected with, or has been recently exposed to, any infectious or transmissible disease shall be imported into this state. Arriving with an animal that does not meet requirements can result in denial of entry or mandatory quarantine at your cost.
If you are comparing North Dakota’s rules with other states you may be moving from, the pet import laws in Illinois, pet import laws in Missouri, and pet import laws in Georgia all follow broadly similar health certificate frameworks, though each state has its own specific requirements. You can also review the pet import laws in New Jersey or pet import laws in Pennsylvania if you are relocating from the Northeast. And if you have already reviewed the rules for a nearby state, the roadkill laws in North Dakota round out the broader picture of how the state regulates animals on its roads and public lands.
The bottom line: start your paperwork early, use a USDA-accredited vet in your origin state, call the North Dakota State Board of Animal Health with any species-specific questions, and confirm your animal’s classification under the state’s non-traditional livestock categories if it is anything other than a standard dog, cat, or ferret. Getting these steps right before you leave is far easier than resolving a compliance issue at the state line.