pets health certificates, limits (Tacoma: for sale, live, law)

[virgojmk]

Ok, getting a handle on how to transport our stuff, now need to ask about our pets.
Besides a health certificate is there any other paperwork I would need? Was reading that some states you have to apply to bring them in, anyone know if this applies to Washington?
Also concerned about pet limits...we have 3 cats, the limits here are 5 dogs,cats, rabbits etc per household. It used to be 3, but they raised it a couple of years ago. Does anyone know of counties where we would be above the limit? And how strict are they, we had 4 and as long as they were licensed they never bugged us.

[VeronikaW]

What are pet health certificates? We're moving to WA at the end of the month, bringing our 2 cats, I didn't know we needed any certificates to bring them.

V. =)

[scirocco22]

Regulations vary from county to county. You didn't state where you were relocating to, virgojmk.

I can't remember for certain but I think King County has no requirement for pets coming in from out of state to have a health certificate. Somebody can correct me if I'm wrong but I don't ever recall that.

You do get a lower license fee if you can provide evidence that your pets are neutered, however. I believe that holds true in most counties.

Limits in King County:

http://www.kingcounty.gov/safety/Ani...E2B131A40663DB


License application and F.A.Q. for King County:

http://www.kingcounty.gov/safety/Ani...licensing.aspx


Thanks.

--'rocco

[seahawksweetie]

They actually come to your door for licensing (per the King County link given above)? That's bizarre!

[WalkingHorseLady]

Veronika,

A health certificate, usually good for 30 days, states that your pet or livestock animal, at examination time, does not have any infectious diseases. Health authorities do not want diseases, especially uncommon ones, introduced into a part of the country that is currently free of such. Think of introducing a West Nile virus carrier, Equine Infectious Anemia, Potomac Horse Fever, etc. Think of Imported Fire Ants and how they've spread through trucking foods and goods across state lines. Health certificates can usually be had for about $15 and any vet can do this for you.

WalkingHorseLady

[princessvanessa]

Originally Posted by virgojmk

Ok, getting a handle on how to transport our stuff, now need to ask about our pets.
Besides a health certificate is there any other paperwork I would need? Was reading that some states you have to apply to bring them in, anyone know if this applies to Washington?
Also concerned about pet limits...we have 3 cats, the limits here are 5 dogs,cats, rabbits etc per household. It used to be 3, but they raised it a couple of years ago. Does anyone know of counties where we would be above the limit? And how strict are they, we had 4 and as long as they were licensed they never bugged us.

Article about number of cats/dogs permitted in one household in pierce county, Washington:

Count your cats: Pierce County enforces pet law | TheNewsTribune.com | Tacoma, WA

With four cats you are just fine in pierce county. You could even pick up one more.

Link to Washington State Health Certificates:

WASHINGTON STATE REGISTER (http://www1.leg.wa.gov/documents/wsr/2005/18/05-18-046.htm - broken link)

Read WAC 16-54-030 (1)(b).

All you will need to do is get a copy of your cats current rabies vaccination certificate and have it with you. As long as your cats are old enough to be vaccinated (and are indeed, vaccinated) and are family pets (i.e. not for sale) you will not have any problems.

You will love Washington State!