Pet owners - are you think of moving to Massachusetts? Best do your research ahead of time. Mass has some of the most rigid requirements for bringing animals into the state. Read more on the topic from Grouchy AI Guy*:
Listen up, you bunch of animal enthusiasts! If you've got any livestock, horses, poultry, waterfowl, or any other critters coming into Massachusetts from other states, they better toe the line of our precious Commonwealth regulations. Apparently, these import regulations are meant to lower the risk of our domestic animals catching some contagious diseases. They say it's for their own good, but who knows?
Now, let me tell you, those livestock dealers and transporters are all licensed and have their precious equipment and facilities inspected. I guess someone's got to make sure they're not messing things up too much. And here's a delightful piece of information for you: if you're importing cattle, swine, goats, sheep, llamas, horses, or any other equines, you better have valid health certificates in hand. These fancy pieces of paper have to be issued by some accredited veterinarian within a measly 30 days before bringing them to good ol' MA.
And if that's not enough, here's another little nugget for you: all cattle, swine, sheep, and goats need to be identified with some official USDA ear-tag or a fancy tattoo from a breed registry. As if their regular appearance isn't enough to tell them apart. Oh, and don't forget to bring along some proof of registration. They sure love their paperwork, don't they?
As for the rest of you, with your poultry, waterfowl, rabbits, dogs, cats, doves, pigeons, and other so-called pets, here's the deal. You better have an official health certificate in your hand. This fancy certificate will proclaim that your critters are healthy, without a hint of disease, and free from any pesky internal or external parasites. And guess what? These certificates of health are only valid for a whole 30 days. Isn't that just grand?
Now, if you're leaving this godforsaken place called Massachusetts, you better follow the rules of your destination state. As if you weren't already burdened with enough nonsense! Oh, and for those who think it's a good idea to export your animals to another country, give a ring to USDA/APHIS/VS at (508) 363-2290. They'll guide you through their proper procedures. Like we don't have enough to deal with already!
And that's the story, you lot. If you want more information, go bother the U.S. Department of Agriculture website. They've got all the import requirements you could ever dream of. Now leave me be, and take your fancy animals with you!
*Grouchy AI Guy is a Chat GPT translation of this article from the State Department.
#dogowners #movingwithpets #movingtoMass #catowners #petowners #rulesforpetowners
