Animal Movement Requirements

Moving Animals Into and Within Florida

The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) regulates the entry of many livestock and poultry breeds and most exotic species into Florida and into shows and exhibitions in the state.

Select the links at the bottom of the page to find summaries of the rules for bringing animals into Florida from other states (called interstate movement) and moving animals within Florida for shows or events (called intrastate movement). You'll find the specific requirements as well as contacts for other state and federal agencies that may be involved in moving your animals.

For accredited veterinarians issuing Official Certificates of Veterinary Inspection for animals that require an entry permit, please read this memo [ 176.6 kB ] . 

Official Certificates of Veterinary Inspection (OCVI) [ 361.7 kB ] are available electronically or as paper documents. Please review options available for OCVIs accepted by the Florida State Veterinarian’s office.

Find information about international import and export requirements.

Wild Animal Species

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission has specific regulations for the possession or rehabilitation of a variety of wild animal species in Florida. View a list of species and related regulations.

Moving Animals From Florida to Other States

Your best resource for information about animal movement requirements is the state animal health official (usually the State Veterinarian) in your state of destination. View a list of the state animal health officials in all 50 states. For after hours or quick, easy access to state of destination import requirements for livestock, visit InterstateLivestock.com. 

What Is an Official Certificate of Veterinary Inspection?

Historically, an Official Certificate of Veterinary Inspection (OCVI) has been known as a “health certificate.” An OCVI is a document, signed by a veterinarian who has appropriate state licenses and federal credentials, stating that an animal has been examined, is healthy and is not showing signs of a contagious disease. An eOCVI is an electronic version of the Official Certificate of Veterinary Inspection.