Health Certificate Requirements
General Health Requirements Governing Admission of Livestock and Poultry
All livestock brought into the state shall be accompanied by an official health certificate stating that the animals are healthy, free from signs of infectious or contagious diseases and signs of internal and/or external parasites, and meet the specific requirements stated in this regulation. Health certificates are valid for 30 days only. Livestock consigned to an approved slaughter establishment or an approved livestock auction market are exempt from this requirement. No livestock affected with, or carrying the contagion of, screwworms shall be moved into Louisiana for any purpose.
AUTHORITY NOTE: Promulgated in accordance with R.S. 3:2093. HISTORICAL NOTE: Promulgated by the Department of Agriculture, Livestock Sanitary Board, LR
Large animal health certificates (available at 225-925-3980)
Traveling with animals to other states:
• Individual entry requirements are determined at the state of destination. Please check with that state in a timely manner to adhere to all the rules. The state animal health officials and their phone numbers are listed at the USAHA web site.
• Fill out the Large Animal Health Certificates
• Filled out completely with no scratching out
• Each animal should have a unique identifier (permanent identifier)
• A premises identification, while not required, is highly recommended for the safety of all Louisiana livestock
• All laboratory work needs to be done in a timely manner
• Only one species should be on a health certificate (don’t mix cattle and horses, for example)
• The Louisiana accredited licensed veterinarian should sign the papers (recommend blue ink)
• Use the Veterinary Accreditation number (not the Louisiana license number) where “code” is asked for. The Federal Veterinarian (225-389-0436) has your accreditation number.
• The two copies of the health certificate need to be mailed to the State Veterinarian in a timely manner.
• The time the health certificate is good for is usually 30 days from date written. A copy of this health certificate is mailed by our office to the state of destination.
Small animal health certificates (available at 225-925-3980)
• Individual entry requirements are determined at the state of destination. Please check with that state in a timely manner to adhere to all the rules. The state animal health officials and their phone numbers are listed at the USAHA web site.
• Small animal health certificates need to be filled out completely with no scratching out. Be complete.
• Fill in the complete address and phone number to where the animal is traveling
• Each animal should have a unique identifier (permanent identifier), if possible
• Dogs and cats can be listed on one health certificate but other species (exotic animals) should be separate
• All laboratory work needs to be done in a timely manner
• Use the Veterinary Accreditation number (not the Louisiana license number) where “code” is asked for. The Federal Veterinarian (225-389-0436) has your accreditation number.
• The time the health certificate is good for is usually 30 days from date written.
• The two copies of the health certificate need to be mailed to the State Veterinarian in a timely manner.
• A copy of this health certificate is mailed by our office to the state of destination.
For more information, go to the USDA APHIS Import and Export website.
For international health certificates, contact the federal veterinarian (225-389-0436) as soon as possible for export requirements for animals (including poultry), semen and eggs.