Frequently Asked Questions
For pets entering Georgia by air they will need to meet all state of Geogia entry requirements, and we advise that you reach out to your airline as they may have additional requirements.
If the pet will not be staying overnight in the state of Georgia, they need to meet the requirements of your final destination. If the pet will be spending the night in the state Georgia, it will need to meet Georgia entry requirements as well as those of the final destination.
Pets being moved due to a military relocation need to meet the state of Georgia entry requirements. If the pet is coming from outside of the United States, it will also need to meet CDC and USDA APHIS requirements.
A Rabies vaccine record is an official document provided by a licensed veterinarian that documents the Rabies vaccination that an animal has received. It includes the type of vaccine, date the vaccine was given, the expiration date, as well as the veterinarian’s information, and a rabies certificate number. A vaccine record is sufficient for pets traveling with their owners into the state of Georgia.
A health certificate (also known as a CVI or Certificate of Veterinary inspection) is an official document certifying that an animal has been examined by a veterinarian and is found to be free of infectious or contagious diseases. CVIs are typically required for interstate or international travel or for animals participating in sales or shows. Any animals entering Georgia for sale, trade or exchange for a fee or other type of compensation are required to be accompanied by a CVI.
Yes, if your pet’s records are not originally in English, they will need to be accompanied by a certified English translation for USDA APHIS to endorse them.
There is no exemption for rabies vaccines. The primary responsibility for the control of rabies in Georgia resides with the County Boards of Health.
Questions: Division of Public Health, Medical Epidemiologist, (404) 657-2588, https://dph.georgia.gov/environmental-health/rabies
Rabies & Poison Control Center (animal bites) 24/7 support:
- Atlanta: 404-616-9000
- Statewide: 800-282-5846
Here is a current list of approved Rabies vaccines in the United States:
https://www.nasphv.org/Documents/NASPHVRabiesCompendium.pdf
All dogs and cats twelve (12) weeks of age or older entering Georgia must have proof of a current and approved rabies vaccination in accordance with the most recent Compendium of Animal Rabies Control published by the National Association of State Public Health Veterinarians, Inc.
All ferrets twelve (12) weeks of age or older entering Georgia must have proof of a current and approved rabies vaccination in accordance with the most recent Compendium of Animal Rabies Control published by the National Association of State Public Health Veterinarians, Inc.
No, a pet passport is not the same thing as a health certificate. A pet passport is a document that contains a pet’s vaccine records. A heath certificate (CVI) requires an examination by a licensed and accredited veterinarian prior to travel. Therefore, the pet passport is not universally accepted in lieu of a CVI by all countries including the United States and the state of Georgia.
If your pet requires a health certificate (CVI) for travel, it must be issued within 30 days of your departure. Georgia does not have a specific requirement for when the Rabies vaccine needs to be administered prior to travel as long as it is in compliance with the Compendium of Animal Rabies Control published by the National Association of State Public Health Veterinarians, Inc.. We recommend consulting with your veterinarian to determine when it is best to vaccinate your pets prior to travel.
Pets entering the state of Georgia from another country should comply with CDC requirements: https://www.cdc.gov/importation/bringing-an-animal-into-the-us/index.html
All domestic Swine, Ratites, and Pet Birds require a prior permit to enter the State of Georgia. Please visit this link to obtain your permit: https://forms.agr.georgia.gov/SBPermits/Permits.aspx
Dogs and cats do not have any specific spay/neuter requirements for entering Georgia.
Ferrets 7 months of age and older must be altered prior to entering Georgia.
The importation of pets from foreign countries is regulated by the CDC and USDA APHIS.
https://www.cdc.gov/importation/bringing-an-animal-into-the-us/index.html
https://www.aphis.usda.gov/pet-travel/another-country-to-us-import
Pet travel insurance is not required by the state of Georgia to travel with your pets into or within the state.
Good news for you! Georgia is one of many states participating in the EECVI (Extended Equine Certificate of Veterinary Inspection) program.
If your state is also participating in the program, talk with your veterinarian about the EECVI option as it may work well for you.
Visit this link for more information on EECVIs. https://help.globalvetlink.com/hc/en-us/sections/4413031687579-EECVIs-Extended-Equine-Certificates-of-Veterinary-Inspection