The following is a summary of Indiana's animal health laws governing the transportation of dogs, cats, and ferrets into Indiana. Indiana's dog, cat and ferret identification, movement, testing, and vaccination laws may be found in 345 IAC 1-3. For additional information, contact the Indiana State Board of Animal Health at (317) 544-2400, or toll free at (877)747-3038 or click here to submit an e-mail inquiry.
Certificate of Veterinary Inspection:
Required. The certificate of veterinary inspection (CVI) must contain a physical description, such as breed, sex, age, and color that sufficiently identifies the individual animal. The CVI must be completed by a licensed and accredited veterinarian within the thirty (30) days immediately prior to the animal entering Indiana.
NOTE: For interstate movements, USDA form 7001 "United States Interstate and International Certificate of Health Examination for Small Animals" is NOT approved unless it is received as: A hard-copy printed by USDA in a multipage carbon-copy format with a unique certificate number AND the PDF version online must be validated by USDA with an official USDA signature and assigned a unique certificate number by the USDA.
Entry Permit:
Not generally required. But, if an animal originates from an area quarantined because of rabies, a permit is required. Permits may be obtained by calling (317) 544-2400.
An animal that is suspected of having Rabies may not be transported into Indiana.
An animal that has been exposed to an animal infected with Rabies may not be brought into Indiana for one year from the date of exposure.
Testing: No tests required for entry into Indiana.
Vaccination:
Every dog or cat that is 3 months of age or older must be vaccinated for rabies within the 12 months or within 36 months immediately prior to the animal entering Indiana depending on the vaccine used. Additional vaccinations are required for exhibition of dogs and cats in Indiana.
Every ferret that is 3 months of age or older must be vaccinated for rabies within the 12 months immediately prior to the animal entering Indiana.
NOTE: Under Indiana law, all dogs, cats and ferrets older than 3 months of age must be vaccinated against the rabies virus.
Other Requirements: For the purpose of sale, a person may not import to or export from Indiana any dog under the age of 8 weeks unless the dog is transported with its dam.
International Imports:
NEW in 2019: Dogs, Cats Imported from Other Countries
Animal transporters must provide a certificate of veterinary inspection (CVI) to those receiving international dogs and cats in Indiana. Those who receive international dogs and/or cats must email a copy of the CVI to the Indiana State Board of Animal Health within 30 days after the animal is received. Email: animalhealth@boah.in.gov
Pets entering Indiana from other countries must meet federal importation standards for the United States set by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), as well as state importation requirements (listed above). Requirements vary widely from country to country, because the disease and pest threats are different throughout many regions of the world. In addition to import requirements, the pet owner should also contact the airline/carrier to determine what travel requirements may be necessary in advance of the trip. To find out the USDA's requirements for a particular country, visit the federal website at: www.aphis.usda.gov/aphis/pet-travel/bring-pet-into-the-united-states.
Exhibition:
If the animal is to be entered in an exhibition in Indiana, see also the Indiana exhibition requirements. Exhibition Requirements.