With show and competition season underway throughout the United States, California authorities are reminding horse owners who are on the road with their equines, that California has certain requirements for equines being brought into the state for any reason.
Making sure traveling equines are healthy
For equines entering California a valid Certificate of Veterinary Inspection issued within 30 days before entry, and evidence of a negative Equine Infectious Anemia test performed at a USDA-approved laboratory within six months are required.
For equine movements into the state, California requires a valid Certificate of Veterinary Inspection (CVI), issued within 30 days before entry.
Evidence of a negative Equine Infectious Anemia (EIA) test performed at a USDA-approved laboratory within six (6) months before the date of entry is also required.
An EIA test "pending" result does not meet the entry requirement.
These requirements apply to horses, ponies, mules, donkeys, burros and zebras.
Test Exemption for Foals
Nursing foals, less than six (6) months of age, being moved with an EIA test negative dam are exempt for the EIA test requirement
Accredited Veterinarians are responsible for accurately completing the Certificate of Veterinary Inspection. The veterinarian's access to accurate information at the time of inspection will ensure that the CVI contains essential information for movement. Horse owners are an important source of this information.
The CVI must accurately represent the official animal identification of each horse in the shipment.
Official methods of equine identification include:
- A description to identify the individual equine including, but not limited to, name, age, breed, color, gender, distinctive markings, and unique permanent forms of identification (e.g., brands, tattoos, scars, cowlicks, blemishes or iris scans).
- Digital photographs sufficient to identify the individual equine
- USDA Compliant 134.2 kHz microchips
- All 125 and 128 kHz microchips implanted prior to March 2014.
Certificate of Veterinarian Inspection
In addition to the official animal identification, the CVI must accurately document:
- The name of the shipper
- The physical address or location for the point-of-origin of the movement
- The name of the receiver
- The physical address or location for the point-of-destination
- The species and number in the shipment
- The purpose of the movement
- The date of the EIA test, the name of the laboratory that performed the test, the laboratory accession number and the test result
- The date of the veterinary inspection.
The Accredited Veterinarian, who issues the CVI, is responsible for accurately entering the required information and for completing and signing the Veterinary Certification on the CVI. Accredited veterinarians must retain a copy of a CVI for five (5) years.